Student tries using marketing to win wheels
DePaul University student Madison Hanna needs wheels. We know this because she says as much in the second video she made to promote her chance to win a brand-new, apple-red 2009 Volkswagen Beetle. "I consider myself a friend of the Earth, I really do," she says in her video appeal, now being shown on YouTube. “"I walk everywhere. But it's come to the point where I need some wheels -- desperately."

Local military personnel mark milestones
Members of the armed forces from the Fox Valley area have reached the following milestones in their military careers.

Valley briefs: Pete Perez Award
Aurora's Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board (AHHAB) is seeking nominees for the annual Peter J. Perez Award.

School briefs: Play at West High
West Aurora High School presents its fall play, "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940," at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 and 21 in the auditorium, 1201 W. New York St.

Save our shopkeepers
The holiday shopping season is about to start, and while we are told the economy is beginning to revive, it is still against our instincts to splurge on spending. We are all being cautious. But there will be gifts to buy because we still want to see presents under the tree for everyone.

Auroran makes mobiles from old CDs
Aurora resident Joe Hornyan is an artist of sorts, although he is quick to downplay the objects he makes as "junk art." Hornyan, an 83-year-old widower who has lived most of his life in Aurora, makes movable mobiles out of colored compact discs.

Local Veterans Day activities
The following is a round up of Veterans Day activities and programs planned throughout the Fox Valley:

Central Kane United Way names new member
The United Way of Central Kane County appointed George Richeson to the board of directors at a recent meeting.

Aurora Kiwanis appoints new officers
The Aurora Golden K Kiwanis recently held its 30th annual Installation of Officers. The new officers for 2009-2010 are: President Larry Miller, President Elect Art Zillgitt, Secretary Cele Sanders and Treasurer Dick Harrison.

'Rent' speaks to audiences of all ages
HALO Productions, a Plainfield off-Broadway performance company, is bringing "Rent" to Aurora at The Paramount Theatre, and Katie Arko, the theater's director of development, said she is excited about it.

Heroes in their eyes: Munhall students honor vets
Munhall Elementary School students received a lesson in history and technology this month when they came up with a plan to honor members of the military. "We wanted to be able to show the sheer numbers of people close to us who serve our country," said Rita Henning, fourth-grade teacher and student council sponsor.

USO Dance will bring back days of big bands, America at war in 1940s

Lt. Vivian Ekstrand of Geneva was quite the photographer. We know this because while stationed in Gian, Philippines in 1945 near the end of World War II, she captured hundreds of images on film of her surroundings. She took pictures of the military base at which she was stationed and she took pictures of the hospital at which she worked. It was a far cry from Geneva Community Hospital, that was for sure.

Idol alum, St. Charles native to perform in Chicago area
Recording artist and St. Charles native Leslie Hunt will perform songs from her newest CD "Your Hair is on Fire" at Fat Tone Guitars in Northbrook on Halloween.

Heart attack survival rates improve in women
Two new studies show that heart attacks have become more common among middle-aged women in the last two decades, but in-hospital survival rates, especially for younger women, are improving compared with men. Both studies were published Monday in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

In search of the valley's ghosts
In the spirit of the season, The Beacon-News did some paranormal research of its own. This week we tell the tales of some legendary Fox Valley spirits who seem to have an uncanny way of keeping their stories alive.

Marmion Abbey founder celebrates 100th
Abbot Emeritus Gerald Benkert radiates joy, peace and gratitude. Marmion Academy this week hosted a birthday celebration in the academy gymnasium where brethren, friends from Guatemala, students and faculty gathered.

'We were all such special friends'
A unique event honoring two generations of graduates from Aurora's St. Therese Catholic School was held last weekend. Members of the grade school's class of 1955 organized a luncheon at the Turners Club in Aurora for an informal reunion of 11 of their classmates.