Your local source since 1951. One Dollar I Thursday, October 18, 2012I A WAPEkRTScompanyI A CHICAGO SUN-TIMESpublication I nilesheraldspectator.com îles Herald-Spectator Go Roseannkenstein makes theatre debut [Page 46] Food More to pumpkin than just pie [Page 41] Vaselopulos, 9, of Chicago, and Anahi Rodriguez, 10, of Nues, try out the computers in the new teen- Read the full story [Page 5] IDeanhangout room at the Leaning Tower YMCA in Nues. I MICHELLE LAVIGNE-Sun-Times Media Mommy Make your own monsters A place just for the kids [Page 40] Nues Herald-Spectator I © 2012 Sun-Times Media I All Rights Reserved ID Quality Custom Homes By SOCfrTLO9 lIS31IN \ç7 o z J_s NO1NO p0969 8I1 OIl8fldSB1IN ISIO AaIj Builders-General Contractors OLCODaeod S311N1d30 : HUGO K. 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Lake Cook Rd, Buffalo Grove AN ER 847.520.6100 BannerPlumbing.com M-T-W-F, 9-4:30 Th 9-7 KIT(-iLN & L/i H-IOWHOOrA Sat 10-4 Closed Sundays 4 ITHURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012 NIL This Week Police blotter Obituaries NUes Herald-Spectator Tax dollars CSW Contact Us (Page 11] Opinion Weekly question School 5Cover Story Neighbors Leaning Tower YMCA unveils : new activity rooms just for 25School children and teenagers. Maine South High School fall play promotes message of tolerance. Puzzles 0000000 lu.. Calendar u.'....IIIWu Business Real estate 15Community 22Opinion 28Neighbors 34Business Communities across the area Columnist Randy Blaser Running enthusiast refuses to Expanded Down-syndrome are getting plugged-in to thinks Baby Boomers are to let breast-cancer battle get center brings together fami- Food electric-car charging stations.blame for political divide. her off track. lies facing similar challenges. Worship Movies PUBLÍCATION INFORMATION Nues HeraId-Spec tator (USPS 390-680) Vol. 63. 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NIL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012 I ommunity New YMCAspacesgive kids place to play, learn LBY TRACY GRUEN I Contributor N lLES While Heather Pritchard is working out or running an errand, she knows that her son ¡s having fun ¡n the Leaning Tower YMCA's new early-child- hood center. "We pretty much live there," Pritchard said. The YMCA, at 6300 Touhy Ave. in Nues, recently opened two new areas to meet the needs of the entire fam- uy: the early-childhood center and a space for teenagers. "They've done such an amazing job," Pritchard said. "lt's gorgeous." Pritchard's son is 3 years old and attends preschool and early-child- hood classes, such as music. He also participates in swim classes at the facility. One section of the early-childhood space has tables for art and the other portion of the room is fully carpeted and padded. Colorful murals decorate the room, which Pritchard said cre- ates a very 'tranquil" environment. 'We want it to be completely inter- active," said Ashley Hansen, youth- program director at Leaning Tower YMCA. Hansen said Leaning Tower now offers progressive classes encou rag- ing babies to crawl, walk and partici- pate in other movement classes as toddlers. Parents of children from birth to 5 Rebecca James and Natalia Sandoval, of Chicago, front, and Anahi Rodriguez, of Niles, Ma'at Husband, of Chicago, and Gavin Trotter, I YMCA [Page 6] of Chicago, back row, take part n a dance instruction at the Leaning Tower YMCA in Nues. I MICHELLE LAVIGNE-Sun-Times Media 6 I THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012 NL Community pioneerlocal.com r4. fl&»nnon at(eMtrd BaptttVdLaqe ANNUAL Holiday Craft Festival Saturday, October 27 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. This special event will feature a variety of craft vendors showcasing their creative talents. Plus, satisfy your sweet tooth with a bake sale! Central Baptist Village Rebecca James, 10, of Chicago works on her homework inside the Leaning Tower YMCA's teen hangout room during an after-school program on Oct. 9.MICHELLE 4747 N Canfield AvenueNorridge LAVIGNE-Sun-Times Media I Community Tours Available! YMCA work out well for the space. IContinued from page 5 "They just kept asking us, 'How do you feel about this?' " Pritchard not- years old can choose from a variety ed. "They are amazing. They focus on Ak abc ourFallSpead of different parent-and-child classes, family; that's huge." such as music, creative movement The teen-hangout area is a vibrant ffWffe4I tt and creative creations, where tod- new space where teenagers can diers can paint, sculpt, sing and play. come to use computers, do their Th ! Leaning Tower also offers open play homework, play video games and times where children can have fun us-interact with other youngsters their ing toys, balls, climbers and more. age. lt is opened a few nights a week Hansen said the new area includes and on Saturday morning. a projection screen, and if the sub- Hansen said all of the video games ject of the day is fish they will talk require the children to stand up and about fish, sing songs about fish and work out, and some indicate how also see fish swimming across the long they have to participate in an screen. activity, such as boxing, in order to "We want it to be completely inter- lose a certain amount of calories. active," Hansen shared. Teens can also read books or play Pritchard said she loves that the board games. classroom seating and play space are "As my son grows, I want to know in the same area, and a bathroom is that he's in a good space," said conveniently located there, as well. Pritchard, who grew up attending Welcoming seniors of all faiths since 1896 She believes the new early-child- at programs at the Des Plaines YMCA. llllBapfjs! Independent Living I AssistedLiving I Nursing Care hood space encourages more inter- Hansen said that while parents are ViJ1c Memory Care I Short Term Rehab action and play. working out or enjoying a swim, they Call us! 708-583-8500 Pritchard added that staff mem- can rest assured their youngsters are www.cbvi f age org bers at the YMCA took the time to in a safe place hanging out in the new talk with parents to see what would teen space. U NIL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012 Community pioneerlocal.com Raises approved for Maine Township Town Board BY JENNIFER JOHNSON I jjohnson@pioneerlocaL corn MAINE TOWNSHIP salary from $42,899 annu- approving a 3-percent in- With the raises comes a elected officials who qualify ally to $43,155; the highway crease," Teschky said. "lt's requirement that elected and choose to take part. Officials elected to commissioner's salary from not going to affect people's officials pay 10 percent of Teschky said the township the Maine Town- $87,333 to $89,952; the as- taxes next year because it's their insurance premiums contributes 13.4 percent of sessor's salary from $35,702 such a minimal amount." instead of 5 percent. The each official and employee's ship Town Board to $37,508; the clerk's salary A state statute requires four trustees, the supervi- gross salary to the Illinois starting in April from $25,878 to $26,654; township boards to set the sor, assessor and collector Municipal Retirement Fund and the salaries of each salaries for elected officials all receive health-insurance while the official and em- will receive slightly of the four trustees from six months before the next coverage, Teshcky said. The ployee contribute 4.5 per- higher salaries. $5,304 to $5,463. township election, Teschky Cook County Board voted tocent of their gross salary. Voting against the raises said. The current Republican eliminate the position of col- Elected officials with pen- The Town Board of Trusteeswas Trustee Susan Moylan- board has indicated plans to lector next year. sion contributions include voted 3-1 last month in favor Krey.