These incidents were listed among the official reports of the Norridge and Harwood Heights police departments. Readers are reminded an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of a law can make that determination. Norridge THEFT Shenae Boens, 39, of the 1500 block of North Austin Avenue, Chicago, was charged April 22 with felony identity theft and three counts of resisting arrest. She is accused of trying to use another person’s credit card to buy a gaming station system worth $350 at Best Buy, 4100 N. Harlem Ave. Boens received a May 20 court date at …

These incidents were listed among the official reports of the Norridge and Harwood Heights police departments. Readers are reminded an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of a law can make that determination. Norridge POSSESSION Mark Carlson, 21, of the 4100 block of North Oketo Avenue, Norridge, and John Valencia, 19, of the 4100 block of North Overhill Avenue, Norridge, were charged April 24 with intent to deliver eight grams of marijuana following an incident on the 4100 block of Oketo. Carlson received a May 15 court date in Rolling Meadows. Bond was set at …

The following incidents were listed among the official reports of the Harwood Heights Police Department. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of a law can make that determination. Harwood Heights BATTERY William Urian, 23, of the 5800 block of North Mobile Avenue, Chicago, and Jeffrey Nagamine, 23, of the 6100 block of West Leland Avenue, Chicago, were charged April 29 with battery following an incident at Skores Club Sports Bar and Grill, 6764 W. Forest Preserve Drive. Both received June 11 court dates in Rolling Meadows. Bond information was not …

A former Maine West High School soccer coach has been charged with multiple misdemeanor counts involving the battery and hazing of players on his team, according to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.

The following incidents were listed among the official reports of the Norridge and Harwood Heights police departments. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of a law can make that determination. Norridge BATTERY Damen Zemenski, 18, of the 8300 block of West Summerdale Avenue, Chicago, was charged May 14 with felony aggravated battery of a peace officer, battery, possession of marijuana and resisting a peace officer following an incident on the 4800 block of Cumberland Avenue. Zemenski received a June 13 court date in Rolling Meadows. Bond was set at $10,000. …

The following incidents were listed among the official reports of the Norridge and Harwood Heights police departments. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of law can make that determination. Norridge POSSESSION Michael McGue, 20, 3179 Broadway St., Chicago, was charged June 1 with possession of two grams of heroin, possession of 10 syringes and theft. A police report states he attempted to leave Claire’s Boutique, 4222 Harlem Ave., without paying for items worth about $40. McGue received a June 28 court date in Rolling Meadows. Bond information was not available. …

Union Ridge School announces first trimester honor roll students in the Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels for the eighth, seventh and sixth grades.

GOLD

Eighth-Grade: Katarzyna Lechowska, Klaudia Podsada Heba Rubi, Nicholas Scaletta, Julia Tomczyk, Milica Videnovic, Adam Witusik

Seventh-Grade: Nadia Attia, Katherin Barnas, Evelyn Dziekan, Mateusz Wilk Juraszek, Aoife Lyons, Reagan Mceleney, Haley Pedd, Sophia Rasche, Karolina Szelag, Jason Tran, Audrey Trevino, Nicole Woloszyn

Sixth-Grade: Anita Borawski, Taylor Chan, Claire Kelly, Natalia Kwak, Isabel Larose, Matthew Le, Julia Miezal, Hailey Niedholdt, Holly Pistolarides, Yaraslau Varabyeu

SILVER

Eighth-Grade: Giuseppe Caringella, Alexandra Drozdowska, Nur Z. Abdel Halim, Olivia Jarosz, Paula Kopec, Szymon Kuligowski, Taylor McFall, Jovana Stanojevic, Victoria Stogowska, Alyssa Valdivia, Justin Varela

Seventh-Grade: Paulina Buczynska, Raine Michelle Calimutan, Kathryn Jackowski, Piotr Biel, Jacob Dunaj, Nicholas Lagorra, Mateusz Perkowski, Christian Longo, Paul Plichta

Sixth-Grade: Caitlyn Adams, Annamaria De Ceglie, Joshua Gonzalez, Natalie Pecaro, Natalia Skyba, Krystian Szczech, Thomas Velisaris, Nikolija Videnovic

BRONZE

Eighth-Grade: Barosz Baran, Ahmad Bendaoud, Andrea Big, Karen Cumba, James Degrazia, Mairead Fagan, Jeremy Garcia, Ayleen Guardado, Sami Haidouchi, Hamza Husein, Lucas Meier, Rebecca Minutillo, Stefania Santoro, Gintare Survilaite, Jamie Tran, Luis Rivadeneira Wandem

Seventh-Grade: Zachary Ali, Destiny Araujo, Anna Bidnik, Sidney Calderon, Maxwell Dignos, Maysa Hasan, Leslie Hernandez, Alex Trinh, Damian Las, Jeremy Linares, Nataliya Oliynyk, Aailyah Samano, Jocelyn Santiago, Vincenzo Santoro, Marina Ventrella

Sixth-Grade: Yasmeen Alqaissi, Kiara Cannon, Richard Chen, Dominic Colletti, Diana Garcia, Adam Klopotowski, Konrad Kruszek, Jack La Course, Tomasz Lechowski, Hailey Moll, Vasilios Tsagaris

The village’s aging water main system will get a makeover next year with the help of an $800,000 state-issued grant awarded to Harwood Heights this month.

Another grant that will pay for the remaining $400,000 of the $1.2 million project to replace the Gunnison water main was issued in 2010, according to Village President Arlene Jezierny.

Village officials waited four years for the second grant to be approved before announcing this week they would finally move forward with the project, which will revamp and update Harwood Heights’s entire water distribution system.

The water main on Oak Park Avenue stretches from Gunnison Avenue to Forest Preserve Drive, and was constructed of cast-iron back in the 1960Hares.

Jezierny said water mains throughout the village have surpassed their time, and need to be replaced to avoid the possibility of a “series of catastrophic water main breaks.”

“We’ve had a lot of water main breaks recently,” Jezierny said. “It doesn’t come as a surprise because the water mains were put in at least 60 years ago.”

The outdated cast iron metal covering the underground piping system will be replaced with modern ductile iron, reducing the chances of a major break in the main.

The project also calls for the resizing of the water main running along the 4600 and 4700 blocks of Nagle Avenue to allow for better pressure and flow.

Beyond the water main projects, the grant will also pay for the roadway to be resurfaced on Oak Park Avenue, and renovations to the pumping station at the Public Works building.

The New Year will bring three new chain restaurants to Harwood Heights, including Buona Beef, Starbucks, and WingStop.

Construction crews are expected to break-ground in January for Buona Beef, a Chicago area-based fast-casual restaurant chain set to move into the former Village Hall site on Lawrence and Oketo Avenues.

The village of Harwood Heights sold the property at 7343 W. Lawrence Ave. to Harwood Heights Investments, LLC for $950,000 in June.

Newport Builders Group had purchased the property in 2006 for $1.3 million, but the village later revoked the developer’s site permits and bought the property back after the company neglected to build on the site in a timely fashion, according to Village President Arlene Jezierny.

The developer, together with Taxman Corporation and Antunovich Architects, had taken steps to start building on the property, but nothing ever materialized.

Representatives of Newport Builders held several meetings in 2006 with residents who live near the property to gather input on what they wanted to see built in the spot. For unknown reasons, a solid plan for the site was never pursued.

“We ruled in the contract (with Newport Builders Group) that if they didn’t build within a year we could buy it back,” Jezierny said.

The mayor said the Buona Beef would bring new property tax dollars to the community.

The property has been tax-exempt since 2010 when the village repurchased the site for $990,000—a $310,000 cut from its selling price four years prior.

“Buona Beef will be added to the tax rolls because it’s no longer a government-owned property,” Jezierny explained. “It’s a positive move because it will produce sales tax and generate new jobs for our residents.”

The Italian-style restaurant chain specializes in Italian Beef sandwiches, pizzas, salads and Paninis. There are 14 locations in the Chicago area.

Coffee-lovers will be pleased to hear that Harwood Heights will get its first Starbucks (with a drive-through window), opening next year  at the Holiday Plaza shopping center on Harlem and Lawrence Avenues.

The Seattle-based coffee giant will open a new location in an 1,800-square-foot out lot building, according to information from the village.

Pizza Hut-owned WingStreet will also open sometime next year across the street from Holiday Plaza on Harlem and Wilson avenues, Jezierny said.

WingStreet’s franchised restaurants specialize in buffalo wings served with a variety of sauce options.

The village is expecting to pinpoint specific opening dates for each restaurant early next year.

NORRIDGE

4103 N Osceola Ave, Norridge 60706-1123: Giamalva Trust sold the property to Ronald J Witt for $205,000 on November 21

4513 N Oriole Ave, Norridge 60706-4512: Lillian Mary Cierny Estate sold the property to Robert Zychowski & Anna Zychowski for $240,000 on November 21

HARWOOD HEIGHTS

4720 N Newcastle Ave, Harwood Heights 60706-3904: Joseph D Kudrys sold the property to Richard Paszek & Marianna Paszek for $245,000 on November 20

7420 W Lawrence Ave 205, Harwood Heights 60706-3467: Robert E Klevin sold the property to Elzbieta Zofia Siewniak & Michael David Siewniak for $160,000 on November 25

PARK RIDGE

1308 S Prospect Ave, Park Ridge 60068-5345: Stanislaw Syjud sold the property to Robert Breslow & Monica Breslow for $439,000 on November 20

1321 S Crescent Ave, Park Ridge 60068-5364: Ornig Trust sold the property to Magdalena Sweifel & Robert Zweifel for $395,000 on November 20

1415 Lahon St, Park Ridge 60068-2521: Robert M French sold the property to Christopher Browning & Jennifer Browning for $330,000 on November 18

1705 Des Plaines Ave, Park Ridge 60068-3868: Steven J Wilkos sold the property to Nikola Nozinic for $750,000 on November 21

1740 Evergreen Ln, Park Ridge 60068-1104: Maryla Wozniakowski sold the property to Petro Pariychuk for $601,000 on November 21

1812 Newton Ave, Park Ridge 60068-5613: David A Griesbaum sold the property to Anna J Gaj for $625,000 on November 24

2030 Glenview Ave, Park Ridge 60068-1718: Saul Birholtz sold the property to Jeffrey Partyka for $315,000 on November 17

222 S Vine Ave E, Park Ridge 60068-4195: Brendan Mcneill sold the property to Gregory C Weiland & Laura J Weiland for $399,000 on November 24

25 N Delphia Ave, Park Ridge 60068-3238: Barbara M Low sold the property to William Georgakis & Rachel Georgakis for $370,000 on November 19

318 N Home Ave, Park Ridge 60068-3032: Peter Maciejewski sold the property to Eugene Suh & Courtney K Suh for $689,000 on November 18

403 N Washington Ave, Park Ridge 60068-3418: Joseph Ropski sold the property to Jason Cooga & Jason Coogan for $627,000 on November 18

416 S Dee Rd, Park Ridge 60068-3738: Robert Demeo sold the property to Christopher L Rasch for $253,000 on November 21

417 N Redfield Ct, Park Ridge 60068-3785: Cloonfinish Club Inc sold the property to Yi Zhang & Xinxin Dong for $830,000 on November 24

NILES

6815 N Milwaukee Ave 505, Niles 60714-4567: Suzanne Viverito sold the property to Harry Ashner for $220,000 on November 19

7000 W Greenleaf St, Niles 60714-2133: Fannie Mae sold the property to Saquib Saleem for $167,500 on November 25

7051 W Touhy Ave 510, Niles 60714-4383: Demosthenes P Nikolopoulos sold the property to Erica Collins for $154,000 on November 18

7344 W Howard St, Niles 60714-3654: Michael J Guinane sold the property to Lilly Brown & Frank Madonia for $260,000 on November 24

7549 N Nora Ave, Niles 60714-3741: Lynn Story sold the property to Steven N Kowalisyn for $250,000 on November 20

7643 N Olcott Ave, Niles 60714-3117: John A Foggia Estate sold the property to Vilma Papaleka for $155,000 on November 19

8560 W Betty Ter, Niles 60714-1833: Solomon G Apostol sold the property to Hermaz G Hermaz for $270,000 on November 18

8815 W Golf Rd 5 D, Niles 60714-5710: Kitty Marks Finkelman Estate sold the property to Fata Suljic & Hasim Hairlahovic for $76,500 on November 20

8836 N Prospect St, Niles 60714-1611: Federal Home Loan Mtg Corp sold the property to Bassam Ahmed Khan for $142,100 on November 20

8916 N Elmore St, Niles 60714-1721: Shahin Kesheshian sold the property to Syed Hussaini & Syeda N Unisa for $275,000 on November 19

FRANKLIN PARK

3532 Lincoln St, Franklin Park 60131-1551: Fannie Mae sold the property to Perikli Haxhi for $97,000 on November 21

3548 Louis St, Franklin Park 60131-1636: Double B Investments Llc sold the property to Jose Garay for $158,000 on November 19

ELMWOOD PARK

1801 N 73rd Ct, Elmwood Park 60707-3706: Federal Home Loan Mtg Corp sold the property to Javier Yataco & Ada Yataco for $175,500 on November 20

2043 N 75th Ct, Elmwood Park 60707-3603: Michael A Lepore Jr sold the property to Cleve M Cascallares for $227,000 on November 18

2143 N 73rd Ct, Elmwood Park 60707-3107: Zahara Investments Inc sold the property to Samuel Hale & Holly Hale for $331,000 on November 24

2211 N 76th Ct, Elmwood Park 60707-3040: James J Montalto Jr sold the property to Stephen J Messina for $216,000 on November 21

2406 N West Brook Rd, Elmwood Park 60707-2425: John J O Keefe sold the property to Daniel Yacovacci for $214,500 on November 21

2645 N 74th Ave 2, Elmwood Park 60707-1938: Steven E Nowak sold the property to Tommy Colon & Inez Medina for $140,000 on November 24

2742 N 73rd Ct 2w, Elmwood Park 60707-1569: Shore Holdings Ltd sold the property to Anna Kutwoska for $113,500 on November 20

3132 N 76th Ave, Elmwood Park 60707-1130: Witkoria Buda sold the property to Damaris Miranda & Gilberto Diaz for $185,000 on November 24

7830 W North Ave L12, Elmwood Park 60707-3538: Rose M Flores sold the property to John Falagario & Valerie Falagarig for $64,000 on November 25

7905 W Fletcher St, Elmwood Park 60707-1033: Andrzej Kubis sold the property to Piotr Grabowski for $140,000 on November 17

What do you get when you have three gallons of maple syrup, 20 gallons of fresh, donated batter and 60 pounds of sausage?

Why, second helpings for sure at the 17th Annual Boy Scout Troop 922 Pancake Breakfast at Chicago Our Lady Mother of the Church (8747 W. Lawrence Ave.)!

And if that wasn’t enough on Dec. 7, how about bagels and cream cheese plus coffee and milk to go with Santa’s cookies?

Let’s not forget the sweet table flanking a long row of windows with red velvet cupcakes and coffee cakes and more cookies than Santa could shake his beard at.

It was all you can eat pancakes and sausage, a bargain for adults at $6. Kids three and under were free.

Elly’s Pancake House (5050 N. Cumberland Ave) in Norridge was thanked for donating the batter. Generous supporters were included on paper photocopy placements, which helped to corral maple syrup spills.

Yes, Santa Claus made an appearance starting at 9 a.m. into the five-hour event in the Hayes Center.

“It’s another opportunity to spend time with my granddaughter,” said Rex Wilson of Norridge, who got to witness his granddaughter Cecilia Smith, 2, of Elmhurst sit on Santa’s lap.

Cecilia’s grandmother Sandra Wilson escorted the toddler to a decorated stage where Santa handed out goodies for all sweet kiddies. Cecilia wore a holiday party dress.

Mary Szczech of Norridge wouldn’t miss this holiday treat.

“We never hesitate to support the Boy Scouts,” she said. “The sausages are the best!”

What is the power of one pancake?

“It’s made with love from the Boy Scouts,” said Mary’s husband Tom Szczech.

“It can send scouts to camp.”

Mickey Mouse pancakes were popular and Steve Tomzik of Norridge, master flapjack flipper, was happy to accommodate special requests with a boyish smile and Disney garnishment.

“I grew up in Norridge and I grew up in scouts,” said Tomzik, who has four children with his wife Peggy.

“We’re a big fan of Boy Scouts.”

Their kids are Mark, 18, Luke, 15, Emily, 18 and Molly, 12.

“My son’s an Eagle Scout,” said their dad as he poured batter and flipped hotcakes on a griddle.

“My younger son better become an Eagle Scout!”

Mark, his eldest, did a great job rebuilding a garage at this church, said his proud father.

“The garage was a mess, he put in a new service door and new lighting,” said Mark’s dad.

“He (Mark) did all of the work and got the Scouts to help out.”

Keith Kinslow of Norridge has an estimated two decades of service in local scouting leadership.

“I started the troop,” Kinslow said, of the home location at Our Lady Mother of the Church.

“I love it,” he added of the pancake breakfast, which is a fundraiser done twice a year, once in winter and the other earlier in the year when it’s warmer.

“I actually enjoy coming here, doing this,” Kinslow said, grateful for pancake fundraisers.

The penny paper bag raffle was popular, also called a white elephant raffle featuring new items. Many of the prizes were Christmas-themed and placed on tables near a tall statue of the Virgin Mary overlooking from a corner.

Karen Geller of Harwood Heights quietly presided over the raffle and serves as troop secretary.

“This is our major fundraiser for campouts and summer camp to keep the costs down for the kids,” said Geller, who hoped to raise maybe a couple thousand dollars.

An estimated 200 diners were expected, maybe more at the breakfast with Santa.

“It’s hard for the families,” added Geller, of the cost of extra-curricular expenses for kids wanting to participate.

Being in scouting is “beneficial because I get opportunities to camp out in the wilderness,” said Tony Hoskinson, 16, a Niles Notre Dame College Prep sophomore and scout.

Trish Ramirez of Norwood Park volunteered in the kitchen.

“I have two boys who are in Scouts,” she said, talking while she cut up and arranged desserts on trays for the sweet table.

“One’s on his way to making Eagle Scout,” Ramirez said.

“I’m very proud.”

Her sons are Austin Ramirez, 16, a Maine South High School junior and Kyle Ramirez, 14, a St. Paul of the Cross School eighth-grader.

Austin, who is studying two ideas for his Eagle Scout project, summed up, during the holiday season, why he joined Boy Scout Troop 922 at Our Lady Mother of the Church.

“I want to stay close to God and help other people,” Austin said.

Interested in supporting or joining Boy Scout Troop 922? Please email oldguy922@gmail.com.

The following incidents were listed among the official reports of area police departments. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of law can make that determination.

NORRIDGE

BURGLARY

Irvin Roman, 18, of 6229 W. Montrose Ave., and Daniel Kincaid, 20, of 5427 W. Montrose, both in Chicago, were charged with two counts each of felony burglary Nov. 29 after they allegedly left Norridge Tobacco, 7048 Forest Preserve Drive, without paying for multiple items. Court and bond information were not available.

DUI

Tadeusz Gondek, 37, of 4561 Osage Ave, Norridge, was charged Nov. 25 with driving while under the influence following a traffic stop on the 4900 block of Pontiac Avenue. Gondek received a Dec. 19 court date in Rolling Meadows. Bond was set at $1,000.

Catherine Wojoyla, 45, of 1811 W. Race St. in Chicago, was charged Nov. 30 with battery following an incident on the 4100 block of Oketo Avenue. Court and bond information were not available.

HARWOOD HEIGHTS

DUI

Theodore Walsh, 48, of 4528 Newcastle Ave. in Harwood Heights, was charged Nov. 23 with driving while under the influence following a traffic stop on the 5400 block of Harlem Avenue. Walsh received a recognizance bond and a Dec. 12 court date in Rolling Meadows.

The following incidents were listed among the official reports of area police departments.

THEFT

Two bicycles were reported stolen Dec. 2, one from outside a building on the 7300 block of Wilson Avenue and another outside a building on the 7300 block of Lawrence Avenue.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE

Tires were reported damaged Dec. 2 on a vehicle parked on the 7500 block of Lawrence.

Transitioning to high school from grammar school can be a daunting task.

To reach out to families and ease the process, Ridgewood High School hosted an open house Dec. 2.

New this year was allowing parents and students to customize the tour by selecting four presentations among 14 options, explained Jen Snyder, director of student services at Ridgewood .

“We let them choose their own adventure,” she said. “That way they could customize the experience.

The program is open to both seventh- and eighth-graders so parents can come both years.

Ewa Baran brought her son to the open house to see what the school had to offer in the way of technology.

“There’s always something new, and your future depends on knowing how (technology) works,” she said.

Her son, Bart, was impressed by the offerings, especially for preparation into the job world.

“It seems like whatever I want, I can find here,” he said.

Future student Jimmy Spanda called the introduction to high school “pretty cool.”

“They have some very good college prep classes,” he noted.

His father, Jim, was impressed with the depth of knowledge of the faculty.

“There are some very informative teachers here,” he said.
Both were quick to praise the school’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum. Part of the school’s five-year renovation project included a wing for STEM classes.

Julie (Marbach) Due, an alumna of Ridgewood, now serves as principal at St. Mary, Seat of Wisdom in Park Ridge.

“I now have a lot of parents from Norridge asking me for recommendations for high school,” she said. “Since my niece attends St. Eugene’s, I thought it would be worth a trip” to check out her alma mater.

Her take on the school was that it was very inclusive, having classes that address all students’ needs, from advanced placement to special education, and the capability to help those who want to thrive but need a boost.

“They don’t teach religion, but they do stress what it takes to be a good citizen,” Due said. “I was very impressed.”

With two children already at the high school and two in junior high at Union Ridge School, one parent said the event was a great opportunity for her to know what’s going on in school.

“The tour was great, but too short,” she said.

“It’s just a taste to get kids excited,” explained bi-lingual teacher Renee Rudnicki. “If this gives families a feel for our involvement, then it’s ‘mission accomplished.’”

Anthony Pipitone noted a big difference since 1985, when he was a student.

“It’s a lot better,” he said as he toured the school with his son, Michael. “I want him to succeed academically and in sports.

The younger Pipitone said, “I just like all the help you get from teachers.”

Snyder said 90 percent of the kids know they are coming to Ridgewood.

“It’s that 10 percent we want to see what the school has to offer, our investment in curricular needs.”

That includes new formats and an expanded science, math and extra curricular schedule.

“Some of our graduates make it to upper echelon schools,” she said, seeking to dispel a myth that RHS grads are not accepted in prestigious colleges.

She noted parents are extremely involved in the public school systems that feed into Ridgewood, which has an enrollment of 800.

“We’re small, but we take pride in that the kids get that personal attention,” she said. “That’s what sets Ridgewood apart.

The After-Thanksgiving holiday. OK, it’s not an actual holiday, but almost.

After-Thanksgiving is the day, or days, immediately following Thanksgiving. They are special and holiday-like because they are the
days we get to savor and devour Thanksgiving leftovers.

Our after-dinner vow on Thanksgiving never to eat again dissolves the day after into an irresistible craving to heat up the remaining
turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls… And if we are lucky, for a day or two after that there may be enough left for turkey sandwiches on toast.

Ahhh, After-Thanksgiving.

Alas, though, the joys of the After-Thanksgiving holiday are denied to me, my family and to thousands of otherwise worthy Americans. We are the ones who – for a variety of reasons -– eat out on Thanksgiving.

My family ate at a Thanksgiving buffet this year. The food was plentiful and delicious. As did those of you who dined at home, we ate until we were so full we too vowed to never eat again.

Predictably, on the day after Thanksgiving we also had an irresistible craving to heat up the turkey, et al. But what we heated up was a box of frozen macaroni and cheese. We had no leftovers.

Those who dine out on Thanksgiving forgo one of that holiday’s great pleasures – the After-Thanksgiving feast(s).

Something should be done to rectify this situation. We Thanksgiving diner-outers are not bad people, just victims of circumstance,
I have a couple of suggestions, based on the single premise that restaurants that serve Thanksgiving buffets must have leftovers.

Here are two possible solutions:

1. For an additional fee to the dinner, provide diners with the opportunity (and a box)  to take home leftovers. Like a doggie bag.
But in this case a Turkey Bag.

2. Restaurants could heat up their leftovers on the day after Thanksgiving and serve them to diners at lesser charge than on
Thanksgiving day.

Lots of folks are off the day after Thanksgiving. And having a second nice turkey dinner with the family certainly beats
battling bargain-berserk shoppers over a 55-inch TV for $1.38.

Junior midfielder Olivia Pappalardo scored the opening goal just 6:17 into Colorado’s game against Brigham Young in the first round of the NCAA Division I women’s soccer tournament.

Colorado won the Nov. 15 game 2-0 in Boulder, Colorado, and Pappalardo, who hails from Maine South, played 76 minutes.

The Buffaloes fell to North Carolina in the second round, and finished the season 14-7-1.

Pappalardo finished the season with two goals and two assists. She played in 20 of the team’s 22 games.

•••

Another NCAA women’s soccer first-round game on Nov. 15 was filled with area athletes. Wisconsin, with Alexandra Heller of Deerfield and Sydney McGinnis of Maine South, earned a 2-0 home victory over DePaul, which featured Nina Kodros of Glenbrook South, Lucy Edwards of Lake Forest, Jessica Schmidt of Maine South and Jessica Weaver of New Trier. Heller, Kodros and Edwards each played all 90 minutes.

Heller, a redshirt senior defender, started and played in each of the Badgers’ 23 games, helping the team finish 19-2-2. Wisconsin lost to Central Florida 3-2 in the tournament’s second round on Nov. 21. McGinnis played in 15 games and recorded four shots on goal as a freshman forward.

Kodros, a senior defender, and Edwards, a freshman midfielder and defender, played in every game for DePaul (16-1-4). Kodros finished the season with three assists, and Edwards recorded three shots on goal. Weaver played in 19 games, tallying four shots on goal, and Schmidt played in six games, registering an assist.

•••

Lyons alumna Katie Dougherty and Hinsdale Central alumna Melissa Trofa helped their Swarthmore women’s soccer team win its first Centennial Conference championship on Nov. 9 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Swarthmore captured the title by beating Johns Hopkins in penalty kicks 5-4. Trofa, who missed her penalty kick, was the second of her team’s seven shooters.

The win gave the Garnet an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III tournament.

After falling in the first round of the tournament to Connecticut College, Swarthmore finished the season 13-7-1.

Dougherty, a freshman forward, finished the season ranked fourth on her team in points with 15. She collected six goals and three assists while playing in 19 games. Trofa, a junior midfielder and forward, finished the season ranked seventh on the team in points with eight. She recorded eight assists while starting in each of the team’s 21 games.

Have a suggestion for the College Roundup? Email Nick Bullock at bullockpioneerpress@gmail.com.

Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka died early Wednesday from complications of a stroke she suffered the day before.

Topinka, 70, was pronounced dead shortly after 2 a.m. at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, according to a statement from her office.

She had suffered a stroke less than 24 hours earlier and was being observed early Wednesday when she lost consciousness, according to the statement. Efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.

A moderate Republican who supported gay marriage, Topinka was elected to the office of Illinois State Comptroller in 2010. In her reelection bid on Nov. 4, she edged out her challenger, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, with 49.56 percent of the vote.

Born in Riverside, Topinka was first elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 1980 as a state representative for the western suburbs. She held that post until 1984, when she was elected to the state senate, where she served for ten years.

In 1994, she was the first woman elected as Illinois State Treasurer, an office she held until 2007. She was the 2006 Republican nominee for governor, but lost to incumbent Democrat Rod Blagojevich.

The annual torrent of new cookbook titles to roll out in 2014 once again aims at feeding the hunger of food lovers of all stripes: armchair chefs, experienced cooks and newcomers to the kitchen.

Topics run the gamut from culinary essentials like baking, food preservation and scratch-made pasta, to ethnic specialties, chocolate, comfort food and gluten-free menus.

While building a cookbook library is a matter of personal taste, here are some noteworthy titles meriting a second look and consideration as a gift for the foodie in your life.

The Baking Bible (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

How to deal with a pie crust that shrinks during baking, what to do with a cake that has cracked on top and how to fix cookies that spread and flatten are a few of the problem-solving techniques addressed by Rose Levy Beranbaum in her most recent cookbook. The meticulously researched 560-page volume covers every baking category. Beranbaum has a methodical and easy-to-follow style, making her recipes within the reach of home bakers.

Done: A Cook’s Guide to Knowing When Food is Perfectly Cooked (Chronicle)

Determining “doneness” ranks as the Achilles’ heel of many otherwise-confident cooks, notes food writer/cooking instructor James Peterson. His handy guide aims to forestall worries whether a dish will turn out half-raw or overdone. Using sound, smell, appearance and feel, the author details how to make sure 85 of the most challenging-to-cook foods are done to perfection.

Downtown Italian (Andrews McMeel)

Many restaurateur-written cookbooks are more geared towards the coffee table than the home cook’s reference shelf. This one, however, is the exception. The food, drink and pastry recipes are drawn from principals involved with popular Manhattan eateries dell’anima, L’Artusi, L’Apicio and Anfora. Executive Chef Gabriel Thompson says he likes the simplicity and approachability of Italian cuisine “but I also like to break the rules —taking an Italian idea and pushing it in an American direction.”

Bar Tartine Techniques & Recipes (Chronicle)

Nick Bella and Courtney Burns, co-chefs at this hotspot San Francisco dining establishment, are dedicated locavores whose cooking background draws from cuisines of Central Europe, Japan and Scandinavia. The first half of their book deals with time-honored processes for stocking the larder: fermentation, curing and pickling. The second showcases recipes — some more involved than others — using those staples (i.e., Black Garlic and Lentil Soup). Check out Chad Robertson’s appetizing food photography.

Chocolate (Sterling Epicure)

Pastry chef, food stylist and cookbook author Elisabeth Johansson shares 90 recipes with chocoholics in mind — from spicy Aztec Pralines and Chocolate Souffle with Whiskey Ice Cream to Vegan Chocolate Mousse and Rye Bread with Cacao. Johansson, who lives in her native Sweden, also describes the steps involved in processing cacao beans and tempering and working with chocolate.

Flour + Water (Ten Speed Press)

During a sojourn in Bologna, Thomas McNaughton learned the time-tested secrets of making delectable, eye-popping artisan pasta from scratch. He took that knowledge back to San Francisco where he has served as chef-partner of the popular restaurant Flour + Water, since its opening in mid-2009. His first cookbook impresses with its clear-cut approach to pasta: from making of the dough to its final shaping and cooking. The Tagliatelle Bolognese recipe is a keeper.

Café Kitchen (Ryland Peters & Small)

Dedicated chef and food blogger Shelagh Ryan draws inspiration from her native Australia for what goes on the table at the thriving Kitchen Café she established in London in 2008. Ryan’s debut cookbook has chapters that go from breakfast and brunch to small bites, larger plates and cakes. Bircher Museli with fresh berries, for example, can provide a welcome morning treat.

French Comfort Food (Gibbs Smith)

The comfort food recipes Hillary Davis gathered while living in France encompass the country’s longstanding love affair with all things culinary. Among them are Alsatian two-crusted meat pie, a Nicoise onion, black olive and anchovy quiche; and Poulet Grand-Mere (Grandmother’s Chicken) — appealing dishes that a novice or veteran cook could recreate again and again.

Mexican Flavors (Andrews McMeel)

Recipes inspired by Hugh Carpenter’s cooking school in San Miguel de Allende near Mexico City give American dishes a contemporary Mexican twist. Carpenter and his wife Teri Sandison also have run a cooking school in Napa Valley for 22 years. Readers will find recipes for Banana Salsa, Coconut-Ancho Soup with Mushrooms and Mexican Chili with Lamb and Black Beans, among others.

Caribbean Potluck (Kyle Books)

Cooks with adventurous palates and a taste for exotic ingredients will find much to like in this revelatory volume that underscores the diversity of the Caribbean islands. Well-traveled sisters Suzanne and Michelle Rousseau include more than 100 recipes: classic and regional standards, family favorites and original creations.

Kids will get a rare treat if they and their parents attend the Mark Toland Magic performance at the Second Sunday Family Program, 2-2:45 p.m. Dec. 14 at Niles Public Library, 6960 Oakton St.

“Typically, I make my living as a mind reader so I do mostly adult shows,” Toland said. “I love working with kids even though I don’t do that as much anymore as I used to back in university days. The kids keep you on your toes.”

A former mainstay at Disney theme parks, Toland is accustomed to astonishing young people.

He said that the Niles show will include “mostly comedic magic, maybe a little mind reading. It’s all about bringing the youth up and letting them become the stars of the show. They bring as much energy as I hope to. Because of that, we have this happy accident.”

Pick up free tickets in KidSpace starting at 1:30 p.m. on show day.

For details, call (847) 663-1234 or go to www.nileslibrary.org.

TAKE NOTE

The sounds of the season will fill the Baxter Room at Morton Grove Public Library, 6-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15 for the Top Note Holiday Musical Showcase. The program features local students and teachers from Top Note Music Academy.

For details, call (847) 965-4220 or go to www.mgpl.org.

COME TO CLAUS CABARET

Daniel Johnson looks a little like Mr. Claus so families should be fascinated by “Santa Songs: A Christmas Cabaret,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18 at Grand Piano Haus, 3640 W. Dempster St., Skokie. Tickets are $20, $10 for kids 12-18. Proceeds benefit the Chicago Food Depository and West Suburban PADS.

For details, call (800) 838-3006 or go to www.brownpapertickets.com/event/886955.

BALLET ON ICE

Over 150 skaters of all ages will present the magical tale of “The Nutcracker on Ice,” 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12-14, at the Robert Crown Community Center and Ice Complex, 1701 Main St., Evanston. Tickets are $9, $10 for reserved seating.

For details, call (847) 448-8258 or go to www.cityofevanston.org.

SEE SHOW FOR PEANUTS

Families have got to love a musical that features favorite holiday songs and Snoopy. There are two performances left for ATC Repertory Company’s “It’s Christmas, Charlie Brown,” 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 14 at Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Ave. Tickets are $18.

For details, call (847) 251-7424 or go to www.wilmettetheatre.com.

Tommy Hagerty had some of the top times in the state in the 500-yard freestyle last season, according to Glenbrook South boys swimming coach Keith MacDonald.

Yet, he was only the third-best distance freestyler on the Titans and he wasn’t able to swim at the state meet because schools can enter just two individuals per event at the sectional. Kevin Benson and Sam Iida finished fifth and sixth at state in the event, respectively. Benson was a senior, and Iida was a freshman.

Now that Benson has graduated, MacDonald said Hagerty is next in line for the state lineup.

“It’s his turn now,” MacDonald said of the junior. “There was a logjam in front of him. I’m really excited for him to break through.”

Hagerty should be a big reason why the Titans are contenders for their first state trophy since 2008. Trophies are awarded to teams that earn a top-three finish. Glenbrook South finished fifth in the state last season for the fifth time in MacDonald’s nine seasons.

“We have our sights set on that, and I think it’s a realistic goal for us,” MacDonald said.

Joining Iida as a returning state qualifier are senior Jon Salomon, senior Aaron Ach and junior Sam Salganik.

Salomon, who has signed to swim at Wisconsin, finished fourth in the state in the 50 free and seventh in the 100 free a year ago. Ach was seventh in diving, and Salganik qualified in the 100 butterfly.

New Trier

Senior Murphy McQuet gives Josh Runkle reason to believe his first season in charge of the New Trier program could be a good one.

McQuet returns to the Trevians after taking third at the state meet in the 200 free and eighth in the 100 fly last season. He also swam on the 400 free relay team that placed sixth in the state.

“He’s a special talent,” Runkle said. “He’s everything you want in a senior captain and athlete. All I have to do is tell the others to do what he does.”

Runkle took the New Trier job following 11 seasons at Glenbrook North.

He replaces Mark Onstott, who retired and was one of the most successful coaches in state history. The Trevians won the Central Suburban South title and the Glenbrook North Sectional championship last season.

Seniors Drew Keenan and Tomo Sharpee are the two other swimmers back who competed in the state finals last season. Keenan was part of the fifth-place 200 medley relay team, while Sharpee was on the 400 free relay. Keenan, an Indiana commit, is a backstroker, and Sharpee is a freestyler and breaststroker.

“Tomo was thrust into a spot last year that I don’t think he was expecting,” Runkle said. “But the experience helped him. This could be a breakout year for him, and he is a huge key to our success.”

Other varsity veterans Runkle said he expects to contribute include senior Drew Parkinson (diving), junior Maxwell Roberston (individual medley, freestyle, breaststroke), junior Willie Kinsella (freestyle) and sophomore Jack Walter (IM, freestyle).

Evanston

The Wildkits welcome back five state qualifiers from last season’s club, including two who swam on the second-place 400 free relay team.

Senior Ryan Knohl and junior Adrian Lafont-Mueller were members of the relay that helped carry Evanston to a 10th-place finish in the team standings. Knohl also swims the IM and butterfly events.

Others who swam at the 2014 state meet include senior Christian Stankovic (freestyle, backstroke, butterfly), senior Jake Girard (IM, breaststroke, freestyle) and junior Axel Lafont-Mueller (freestyle), Adrian’s twin brother.

Last season, Evanston took third in the CSL South and won the Niles North Sectional.

Evanston coach Kevin Auger said junior Quinn Tucker, a newcomer to the lineup, should be a contributor in the freestyle and backstroke events.

Loyola

The Ramblers had two divers make the state finals last season, and both are back.

Christopher Canning finished fourth as a freshman, while Ryan Nash was 11th as a junior.

Christopher Kearney was the team’s other state finalist, placing eighth in the 100 free.

Glenbrook North

Kirk Ziemke takes over the program from Runkle.

Junior Mark Schneider, a freestyler, is the only returning swimmer with state experience. He was part of the 200 and 400 free relay teams at state as a sophomore.

Juniors Arshad Baxamusa and Brendon Johnson also swam in the varsity lineup last season. Baxamusa swims the butterfly, and Johnson is a backstroker.

Maine South

Coach Don Kura’s challenge at Maine South this season will be to find swimmers who can score points behind seniors Jonathan Ramoska and Philip Wachowski.

At least right now, the Hawks aren’t as deep as they were last season when they took third at the Niles North Sectional and fourth in the always-competitive Central Suburban South. The big loss was the graduation of sprinter Makai Deneve-Arnam.

Ramoska and Wachowski both swam on the 200 and 400 free relays at state last season. In addition to the freestyle events, both also swim the backstroke, although freestyle races will be the main focus for each, according to Kura.

“They are our two most accomplished guys,” Kura said. “There’s a decent drop-off after that. We will see who will step up, but it will be a significant step up for some of the younger guys.”

One senior Kura said he’s excited about is freestyler Sam Frey, who’s in the program for his fourth season.

“He’s improved steadily,” Kura said. “I’m curious to see where he’s at in meets, though. You never really know until they swim meets, but we hope he can contribute to some of our relays.”

Niles North

The only returning state qualifier for the Vikings doesn’t swim.

Diver Maxim Royzen placed 10th at the state meet last season, becoming the first Niles North diver to make the finals since Arsen Sarkisian took third as a senior in 2010.

“Max is a focused guy, and he definitely wants to take that next step,” Niles North coach Seth Orlove said. “He’s picking up right where he left off.”

A year-round diver, Royzen is learning some new dives as well as adding difficulty to his existing ones, according to Orlove.

“He’s really honed his craft, and he’s only getting better,” Orlove said.

Royzen, a sophomore, is part of talented group of underclassmen, which includes returning sophomore swimmers Ethan Lee and Patrick Cox. Lee is a sprinter, while Cox swims the individual medley and butterfly.

Maine East

At 6-4, Mateo Kozomara always intrigued Maine East coach Peter Przekota.

Until now, Przekota said the senior hadn’t really tapped into his potential.

“He came into high school without a lot of swimming experience, but he’s put in the time during the offseasons and really improved,” Przekota said.

Kozomara, a backstroker, already is faster than he was at the end of last season. Przekota said he hopes Kozomara can swim the 100-yard backstroke in 57 seconds by February.

“He’s much more efficient in the water,” Przekota said. “He’s definitely more of a swimmer now. He’s thinking more about what he’s doing, rather than just racing.”

Kozomara will share the team spotlight with senior breaststroker Tyler Vonderheide.

“It’s been fun to see Mateo and Tyler work,” Przekota said. “They set great examples for our kids. They are positive influences and good reflections of Maine East wherever they go.”

Notre Dame

The Dons must replace a strong group of senior leaders from last season’s small squad, according to second-year coach Maureen Targosz.

But she said she believes senior Kevin Kukla and junior Travis Martin are up to the task of leading Notre Dame. Kukla is a breaststroker and Martin’s main event is the IM.

Junior freestyler Thomas Wrenn is someone who Targosz said is ready to have a strong season.

Niles West

Senior Matt Lefler, senior Kohler Mohr and sophomore Freddy Oribello all are back for coach Dan Vander Jeugdt, whose Wolves were fifth in the CSL South last season.

Sophomore Jacob Bobiles is expected to contribute in his first varsity season, according to Vander Jeugdt.