Tuesday, December 6, 2011
As GHS students finish their finals exams, the question is pondered again: Can they be moved to before the holiday break? What factors come into play?
“The students were frantic, just dreaming of bed/while nightmares of finals danced in their heads.” With apologies to Clement C. Moore, parents throughout Geneva could have been reciting the above this past week, as Geneva High School students made their way through final exams. And it brought up the question, once again, as to why finals are in January, and not before the holiday break. After all, most college students finish exams and then come home for three, four or even five weeks. Why can’t high-schoolers? The simple reason is that December ends the grading period in most universities. But for a more official reason, here’s GHS Principal Tom Rogers. He brought up the idea of moving finals four years ago when he became principal. “…
41.892909
-88.316319
Geneva Community High School
416 McKinley Ave, Geneva, IL
/articles/finals-exams-before-break-or-after
319110
/locations/5947460
Monday, December 5, 2011
I predict that—despite his emphatic statement that ‘if it’s gonna be posthumous, I don’t want it’—Ron Santo will indeed be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame when he’s next considered in early 2012. How might his family respond?
Anyone who saw Ron Santo wear his heart on his sleeve over the last half-century—during his 1960-'74 playing career, or during his 21 seasons as a Cubs radio broadcaster—felt the loss last Friday morning when they heard that he'd finally lost his battle against diabetes and bladder cancer, and was dead at 70. And especially, anyone who had seen the lovely 2004 documentary This Old Cub, produced by Santo's filmmaker son Jeff, had to really feel the blow—having seen how badly Ronnie's heart was broken, repeatedly, by being denied his richly deserved plaque in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Now, that which every Santo fan has dreaded for the last several years has now come to pass: Old No. 10 has lost his chance to see that wrong righted during…
Monday, January 31, 2011
At Graham's 318, we spoke to some serious folks here, some working on home construction, some who work (here) and others on running the race.
We ran into a group of serious runners (pun intended) at Graham's 318 this week. Not only did they stop long enough to visit with me, they just might run into me again at our next Monday coffee stop. Meeting this fit group made me feel a little guilty for giving only my fingers a work out on the keyboard today. OK, maybe some heavy brain conditioning was involved, too. You ladies were fun to chat with and an inspiration! I wish you the best of luck in the numerous race endeavors you are embarking on. Please keep us posted on Patch! * * * The Hogan group has worked on quite a few projects this year. Putting in new flooring for the well-known Bien Trucha was one of the most memorable, now that their flooring has been walked on by both …
41.88417
-88.30873
318 Coffeehouse
318 S 3rd St, Geneva, IL
/articles/meeting-some-movers-and-shakers-at-grahams-318-this-week-come-see-me-tuesday-at-caribou
320039
/locations/3215112
41.88789
-88.30766
Starbucks Coffee
229 W State St, Geneva, IL
/articles/meeting-some-movers-and-shakers-at-grahams-318-this-week-come-see-me-tuesday-at-caribou
319220
/locations/3215113
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The elementary school year has been divided into three this year, instead of the traditional four quarters or two semesters.
Students at Geneva middle schools as well as at Geneva High School are getting used to the new semester, which began Jan. 18. Most students have a new class or two (or more, at GHS, especially), a new teacher or two. Report cards should be coming soon. But at the elementary schools, students are deep in the second trimester. Trimester? Who knew? What happened to quarters? Well, quarters went by the wayside this year, in favor of the new trimesters. You’d probably have to have a child in grade school to know about it. Schools at the upper levels have different instructional practices and different evaluation practices, explained Patty O’Neil, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for Geneva School District. Thus, there the…
41.88848
-88.293368
Harrison Street School Geneva
201 N Harrison St, Geneva, IL
/articles/elementary-students-in-2nd-trimester-not-2nd-quarter
319108
/locations/3196578
41.888172
-88.352338
Heartland Elementary School
3300 Heartland Dr, Geneva, IL
/articles/elementary-students-in-2nd-trimester-not-2nd-quarter
319417
/locations/3196579
41.891549
-88.32821
Williamsburg Elementary School
1812 Williamsburg Ave, Geneva, IL
/articles/elementary-students-in-2nd-trimester-not-2nd-quarter
1281770
/locations/3196580
41.87993
-88.385079
Mill Creek Elementary School
0n900 Brundige Dr, Geneva, IL
/articles/elementary-students-in-2nd-trimester-not-2nd-quarter
318978
/locations/3196581
41.872014
-88.322539
Western Avenue School Geneva
1500 Western Ave, Geneva, IL
/articles/elementary-students-in-2nd-trimester-not-2nd-quarter
319089
/locations/3196582
41.863338
-88.375021
Fabyan Elementary School
0s350 Grengs Ln, Geneva, IL
/articles/elementary-students-in-2nd-trimester-not-2nd-quarter
1281771
/locations/3196583
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tickets are selling quickly for the Feb. 5 "Dancing With the Geneva Stars" event. Those who participate get more than fun—they also will help provide cultural opportunities in the future.
Next summer (isn’t it nice to imagine not wearing a parka?) if you happen to enjoy a musical performance at Geneva’s RiverPark, thank the couples who participated at “Dancing with the Geneva Stars” on Feb. 5. Thank them, thank the people who enthusiastically attended, and thank the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission, which worked with the Geneva Academic Foundation to put on the popular fund-raiser, to be held at Eagle Brook Country Club in Geneva. But get your ticket soon! Organizers need to provide a good head count by Saturday, and tickets are moving quickly. Sales are already well north of 350, according to Carolyn Hill, a member of the arts group. “We’re already well past sales for the two previous years,” she said. Reconfiguring seating…
41.876379
-88.338388
Eagle Brook Country Club
2288 Fargo Blvd, Geneva, IL
/articles/get-tickets-now-for-dancing
319178
/locations/3179361
Monday, January 24, 2011
We had an opportunity to touch base with a few experts on home sales in Mill Creek.
In an economy like ours, there are many unknowns, and while no one can predict what the home market will be, we thought you might be interested in what it is right now. So, we've asked those in the know and share the scoop with you here. Kathy Rabin, on post for Shodeen at the Oakmont and Pinehurst sales office featuring town homes and duplexes, had a bite just before I called. On a home, not her lunch. Currently, the Mill Creek sales force is offering a special promotion to motivate buyers with 50 percent off up to $50,000 worth of upgrades. "Usually, traffic picks up after the Super Bowl," Rabin said. "I guess it's hard to get the football fans out before the big game." "We currently have seven homes for immediate delivery but it's …
41.87355
-88.385242
Mill Creek Golf Club
39w525 Herrington Dr, Geneva, IL
/articles/the-pulse-on-the-mill-creek-housing-market
318979
/locations/3153158
41.861671
-88.392187
Tanna Farms Golf Club
39w808 Hughes Rd, Geneva, IL
/articles/the-pulse-on-the-mill-creek-housing-market
319269
/locations/3153159
Sunday, January 23, 2011
You never know who you'll run into at the coffee shop. Sometimes, it's hardly anyone one at all ... but, as they say it's quality, not quantity that counts!
You might recall, last week I invited you (the reader) to come by and visit with me (the writer) at the Caribou (where you get coffee) off Third (Street) downtown Geneva (a small town in the western suburbs of Chicago.) People were clamoring to talk with us. OK, well ... not exactly. Since exactly zero people approached me, I was forced to strike up conversation with total strangers. That's not the worse thing that could happen, I love meeting new people, and this is what Coffee Talk all about, after all! Two ladies with abundant energy were sitting at the table next to me, reminiscing over a vacation one of them had been on recently. Susan Galley of St. Charles and Brenda Kerley of Elburn worked together for many years for AT&T and walk…
41.882725
-88.309074
Caribou Coffee
507 S 3rd St, Geneva, IL
/articles/coffee-talk-in-geneva-on-sunny-climates-published-authors-and-friendly-neighbors
319410
/locations/3130896
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Twenty-five years ago, Mary Rogers of Geneva had a front-row seat to the Super Bowl season, when dad Jerry Vainisi was general manager.
Twenty-five years ago, a different NFC championship game consumed Chicago. That one, like this Sunday’s Bears-Packers matchup, was for the chance to go to the Super Bowl and the 1985 Super Bowl Shuffle Bears were the toast of the town. There was great frenzy and fever attached to the team and this particular game, as fans who had been denied for so long, saw a chance for glory. There hadn’t been a championship team in Chicago, in any sport, in decades, after all. Genevan Mary Rogers remembers the game—and the ensuing Super Bowl contest between the Bears and the New England Patriots—very well and very fondly, and from an up-close-and-personal view. She was college student Mary Vainisi then, and dad Jerry Vainisi was general manager and …
Friday, January 21, 2011
On the first Friday of every month, galleries in Geneva open late, and while some will feature scrumptious treats, musical artists and other temptations, the new Dené Gallery offers a unique mix!
It was a lovely both inside and out for the first of "1st Friday" event on Jan. 7t in the Dené Gallery, 207 South Third St., between Chianti's and Gratto. With the help of Ross Contemporary to present "Winter on the Fox Exhibit," Dene Gallery featured works from former Geneva resident Danny Dunn, Franko Demonte, Kimberly Goff and M. Dreeland. Dené Gallery also features metal sculptures, furs and woods. Most unique is the work of gallery owner Michelle Dene Reagan, not only because she is hailed as one of the world's top designers in gemstones and precious metals, but because she has a strict standard for applying Fair Trade manufacturing protocol in every piece she creates. Like me, you may be wondering exactly what does this mean? I was…
41.885249
-88.308217
Dene Gallery
207 S 3rd St, Geneva, IL
/articles/presenting-a-photo-gallery-of-dene-gallery-on-a-first-1st-friday
1846520
/locations/3094492
Thursday, January 20, 2011
There's been a change in the heavens! And the sign you thought you were all these years may have changed. Call it the dawning of a new age of Aquarius.
“What’s your sign” may be the stereotypically lame pickup line, but at least everyone knows the answer to the question. Or at least, they did. Now comes news from astronomers that astrologers have it all wrong, and that wobbles in the Earth’s axis mean the Zodiac (the one we know, anyway) has been off for thousands of years. That third child of mine, born Dec. 8? She, along with everyone else born between Nov. 29 and Dec. 17 is now supposedly under the NEW, 13th sign, Ophiuchus, the snake handler/serpent holder. Answers.com says this new sign actually was included in the originals, but the Babylonians didn’t like having 13 signs (perhaps the “unlucky” aspect of the No. 13?) and tossed it, leaving us with the 12. Needless to say, my …
Stacy Kanan
7:32 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Finals should be before the break. PERIOD! The break isn't a break if students must study. Fix the school calendar if necessary and be sure to accommodate teachers so they have time to grade the finals. Grades can be recorded and disseminated after the break. Didn't anyone go see Race to Nowhere? Hell, cancel finals! I don't really remember much from those finals when I was in high school (and I'… more ›