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Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Oceanic internship, local author fair, pickle party and more
Spending 12 days with the STEM Student Experiences Aboard Ships program in Alaska this summer conducting oceanic research was a dream come true for Triton College student Trinity Barrueta. The North Riverside resident was one of 15 undergraduates chosen nationwide for the experience, using onboard science labs to perform oceanography and geoscience research. Students gained experience with virtual machines, fluorometers, planktoscopes and other devices. 'My group focused on the concentration of fluorescent light and how it correlates to the temperature and solidity of water,' Barrueta shared in a news release. Her group also dropped a Sample Qiantitative Internal-Wave Distribution float that measured the water's salinity and measured plankton with a plantoscope. Barrueta was joined by Sheldon Turner, chairman of Triton College's sciences department, who served as one of three faculty members on the expedition. Turner noted that more than 300 students applied for the program. More than 50 authors will be on hand during the annual Local Author's Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Ave. Attendees can learn about new titles and buy signed copies of books by the authors, who will be spread throughout the library. Registration is not necessary for this event, which is free to attend. Find a complete list of authors and links to their work at or call 630-297-8696 Watercolor paintings and ceramic objects by Ana Žanić will be featured through Sept. 21 in the Robert F. DeCaptrio Art Gallery in the Fine and Performing Arts Center at Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Parkway in Palos Hills. 'Origin: Wondrous Worlds' reflects the artist's experience of moving to the United States from Croatia as a young adult. She blends elements of nature in pieces that evoke undersea life, abandoned landscapes and other imaginative work. Žanić, who has a master's degree in fine arts and education from the Academy of Fine Arts at the University of Zagreb, Croatia, has shown her work in Croatia and the United States. The free exhibit can be viewed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Information is at 708-974-5500. Area residents were among 45 leaders named to Leadership Greater Chicago's 2026 Class of Signature Fellows. Leticia Reyes-Nash, managing principal at Health Management Associates, and Mark C. Spears, managing director at CIBS Bank US, represented the 41st class of the civic leadership development program. The La Grange resident spent 10 months in the civic leadership development fellowship. The experience exposes leaders to the region's civic landscape and helps them address critical socioeconomic issues, including homelessness, education, community safety and workforce and economic development, a news release stated. Applications for the class of 2027 open in October. Details are at The Hinsdale Hospital Foundation Junior Board and UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale will host the 71st annual ice cream social from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 24 at Burlington Park, 30 E. Chicago Ave. Participants will find fun and family-oriented activities such as ice cream, face painting, Simon Says, musical chairs, arts and crafts projects and live entertainment by Bubble Man. Healthy living information will be distributed. Fans of pickles should mark their calendars for the fourth annual Darien Garden Club Sprouts Pickle Party, set for 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Sprouts Learning Garden at St. John Lutheran Church, 7214 S. Cass Ave., Darien. All ages are welcome to the free event, although children must be with an adult. Attendees can taste pickles and tour the garden. The event will move to the church basement if the weather doesn't allow outside activities. Those who want to make pickles should bring a clean jar with a lid. Cucumbers, spices and pickling brine will be provided. A $5 donation per family is requested. Register in advance at so enough supplies are on hand. Fans of golf can hit the links and help a youth hockey club at the same time, thanks to the 2025 Chicago Hawks Golf Outing, set for Aug. 30 at Village Greens of Woodridge, 1575 75th St., Woodridge. The outing is in an 18-hole scramble format, and has a shotgun start of noon. Lunch and dinner, as well as greens fees, cart, gift bag and prizes are included in the fee, which is $125 per player. Cost for dinner only is $35 per person. Registration and lunch are from 11 a.m. to noon, with dinner and awards at 5:30 p.m. Children 12 and older may participate. Children 16 and older can make their own foursome; children 12 to 15 must be with an adult and no more than two children per foursome. Participants may organize a foursome or sign up individually. Prizes will be given for best front 9, best back 9 and best 18-hole scores, as well as closest to the pin and longest drives. Sign up via the events section of
Chicago Tribune
12-08-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Summer camp at Triton College goes deep into letting kids build stuff
In 2019, Izzy Cicirello was 13 and, like a lot of other middle schoolers, packed off to a summer day camp. Cicirello went to Triton College in River Grove, where she spent a week welding, exploring trade tools and manufacturing along with her peers. She liked it well enough but it was just a summer camp, another week in another summer break in a long line of summer breaks, the same as every school year. It wasn't like she was particularly interested in welding, she recalls. 'It was mainly because my parents signed me up for one of the workshops at GLOW (Girls Learning to Weld),' she explained. But welding lit up something in her. Four years and a trip across a high school graduation stage later, she went back for more. 'I realized I don't know what I wanted to do for college,' she said. 'I noticed that Triton has a welding certificate and then I remembered I went to welding camp.' And now, in 2025, Cicirello is back at Triton College, this time as a summer camp counselor. Last week she led 14 middle school students through a submarine summer camp. The camp, Building Giants Manufacturing Camp, was a hands-on chance for kids to learn some mechanical skills. Ostensibly, it was a week of learning STEM skills and putting classroom lessons to the test with motors, gears, electronics and a pool filled with water. But at this summer camp, instructor Atingone Sharris said, the kids are really learning about themselves. These students are discovering who they are, what they like and what they might do with their lives. As with Cicirello, Triton may not have seen the last of some of the students when the camp ends. Sharris recalled that when she went to Lane Tech, it was still very much a technical high school, meaning the kids got to manufacture things. They learned how to build, and she loved it. 'I took shop classes when I was a kid and I was my father's shadow before that when I was in grade school and we repaired everything,' Sharris said. In the decades since, she's watched high schools shift focus away from hands-on technical skills such as repairing motors and welding and move into more academic-oriented fields like computer engineering and, more broadly, college-readiness. Sharris said that model leaves behind a lot of kids who would be interested in building things and making something but never do because they don't know those jobs even exist — nobody offered the introduction. Sharris said community college summer camps can serve as that introduction and, for people like Cicirello, they have been that introduction. 'These are the vehicles to help improve people's lives,' Sharris said. 'They don't get access to these experiences in school.' It shouldn't be this way, Sharris believes. School should be the place where students get help figuring out what kind of work they want to do — schools should provide the launch pad for careers. And if not high school, then community college — but why even wait until graduation? 'You shouldn't be waiting until you graduate to finally touch a tool, it's terrible,' she said. 'If you want to be a writer, you can be a writer in high school.' Summer camps like hers allow students to do more than make submarines and work with motors and wiring and soldering. They can ignite a lifelong passion. 'If you get to here,' she said, pointing to her heart, 'the rest will take care of itself.'
Chicago Tribune
26-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Down to Business: Naperville biz owner says he followed God's advice and became a locksmith
Business: The Lock Pros Address: 424 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville Phone/website: 630-428-3068; Owner: Mark Hankes, 60, of Naperville Years in business: 20 What does your business do? 'Commercial and residential locksmith services,' Hankes said Why are you a locksmith? 'It sounds funny, but God told me to. … I was 22. … I was going to be a printer like my dad. I saw an ad at Triton College (that said) 'Learn locksmithing.' I prayed and prayed. I heard a voice say 'locksmithing.' I'm not kidding. Some people think I'm making it up, but that's really what happened.' And then what? 'I took the class at Triton. The teacher hired me. I worked for him about two years. I went to a bigger locksmith company. Stayed there 11 years. I did some sales stuff in the industry a couple years. Someone else hired me on for a factory warranty service company for four years. … Then, I started Lock Pros full time.' What have you learned? 'Never put a limit on what you think you can do because you can do a lot more than you think you can.' What does this job appeal to you? 'Originally, it was the security aspect because my father owned an apartment building. … I had to rekey the locks.' Is it easy to pick a lock? 'I may pick half the ones I try. It's not like you see on TV. You've got to be turning it, then you move the pick in and out to move the pins up and down.' Are you still learning? 'Oh, yeah. There are constantly new products coming out, especially the electronic stuff. … When you see a card reader, you walk up to the door with a card. You hear it click. The door opens. The part that clicks is the electronic lock. … Most of my locksmithing, 95 percent of it is commercial work. Schools. Hospitals.' What should people know? 'Any public building requires ADA and fire codes on their doors, their hardware, which is locks. They get inspected once a year or so. … In a theater, those doors have to have a certain type of lock on them. Obviously, you can't have a lock with a key. It's a push bar. … Building owners who try to save money, they won't have the right hardware to get out. 'Illinois requires locksmiths to be licensed and insured. Their license number should be on all advertising. I can show you plenty of locksmiths who don't have a license. … Some give you a low price over the phone, '$59 to come out to open your door.' Then they say, 'Oh, you didn't tell me you had this kind of lock. It's going to be $300.' What are you going to do, call somebody else?' Any favorite stories? 'An elderly woman called. She's locked out. I get to her house. She's in tears. She said 'I can't believe I did this. I put a cake in the oven. It's going to be all burned up.' So, I get the door open. She runs in. Like a second before she gets to the oven, the timer goes 'ding' and the cake was done.' What does commercial work entail? 'It's mostly repairing doors and hardware so buildings are secure and upgrading doors and hardware so they meet code. … Another big thing is any big building has a KnoxBox on the outside. Looks like a little safe. Only the fire department has a key to it. In there is supposed to be a master key for every door in the building. I get a lot of calls for putting in a KnoxBox.' How many employees do you have? 'Two part-timers.' What do you charge per visit? 'Residential is $98, commercial is $115.' Extra cost depends on what's needed? 'Yes. … The No. 1 problem I see with locks is door alignment. … People shove the door to lock it, putting pressure on the lock.' What do you like about your work? 'The people. You get to know your repeat customers.' Anything you don't like? 'The misconception of being able to open locks. If it was that easy, we'd all have problems.' What sets you apart? 'I sell locks you're not going to pick. I don't care how good you are. (I sell) Medeco (locks). … A residential $10 lock from a big box store? You're going to pick that real quick.' Is Naperville good for business? 'Yes, all the commercial and industrial properties.' What's your advice for someone starting a business? 'Know who your customers are going to be. Who are you marketing to?'
Chicago Tribune
02-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Triton College students push lawmakers for four-year degree bill
Students at Triton College in River Grove recently visited Springfield to lobby for legislation that would allow four-year bachelor's degree programs at community colleges. Johnny Urbina, Triton's director of Student Services, accompanies the group to meet with state senators and representatives. With him were President of the Triton College Student Association Mark Kouria, Deana Andrejko, Paul Talia and Gabriella White. Their mission was to speak with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch, Senate President Don Harmon and Reps. Bradley Stephens and Norman Hernandez. Their hope is a bill that would be passed by 2028 with implementation starting by 2030. 'We explained to Sen. Harmon that offering four-year bachelor's degree programs at community college could bring significant benefits,' Kouria said via a news release. 'These programs could help expand campuses, introduce new majors and create opportunities for additional sports like football.' Fans of antiques will find plenty to look at during the third annual Fox Valley at the Fairgrounds Antiques Show, set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 7 at the DuPage Event Center and Fairgrounds, North County Farm Road, Wheaton. The show, featuring dealers from eight states, is presented by the Chicago Suburban Antiques Dealers Association. The admission is $8, with anyone younger than 15 admitted for free. Proceeds benefit historical preservation projects. Parking is free, and food will be available. Information is at Anglers 15 and younger are invited to join the Just for Kids Fishing Derby offered by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County from 8 to 11 a.m. June 8 at Silver Lake in the Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville. The free annual event lets participants compete for prizes in four age groups by catching the largest fish in three species categories. District staff and volunteers will be on hand to provide tips and tricks. Youths may drop in any time during the event, which has no capacity limit. Youths should bring their own fishing gear, although a limited supply of nightcrawlers and equipment will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Children should do most of the fishing, although parents may help. Enter the preserve from the north side of Butterfield Road. Register online at or by calling 630-933-7248 or do so in person that day. Morton Arboretum in Lisle will present Swing for Science from 4 to 9 p.m. June 12, a philanthropic night out at its new Wonder Woods Mini Golf to support the arboretum's science initiatives. The cost is $75 for adults and $35 for children 3 to 17 years old. Tickets include mini golf on the tree-themed course, live music, food and beverages, an interactive science fair and games. The arboretum is at 4100 Ill. 53. Buy tickets online or get information at morton Runner Ava Connerty earned a spot in history recently at the NJCAA Division III OUtdoor Track & Field Championships, becoming the first female track athlete from Triton College in River Grove to win a national title. Connerty, from North Riverside, won the women's 100-meter hurdle race by just two-tenths of a second. 'It's so amazing seeing all of my training pay off in the best way possible. Knowing that I'm the first female track national champion in Triton history is unbelievable,' she shared in a news release. The psychology student also ran in the women's 4×400-meter relay, earning third at nationals with teammates Kinga Antolak, Joaliz Rodriguez and Sandra Saldierna. Learn about the health care power of attorney at a workshop set for 4 to 6 p.m. June 4 at the Carl Fiorito Senior Center, 2601 N. Mannheim Road, Franklin Park. It's presented by Leyden Township and the Veterans Legal Aid Society. Attendees will learn how to prepare a health care power of attorney document, appoint someone to represent them and outline directives for making medical decisions at such time as they cannot do so. Lawyers will be on hand to help participants complete the forms. Registration is encouraged at
Chicago Tribune
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Triton students win at Scholar Bowl, Darien carnival set, more
Four Triton College radiologic technology students earned one of the top honors at the Illinois State Society of Radiologic Technologists Conference's Scholar Bowl, which took place last month in Bloomington. Earning third place were students Isabella Giannoni, Suzette Morales, Adriana Georgiades and Clariza Villa, who received medals, ribbons and a trophy. In the Scholar Bowl, participants had 20 seconds to answer questions that are similar to questions found on their certification exam. The event also included review sessions to help participants prepare for their final board exams. 'This program is very intense and accelerated,' Giannoni shared in a news release. 'The four of us are excited to graduate and end our semester with this achievement.' The radiologic program at Triton College, which is in River Grove, is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and received a full eight-year accreditation in 2022. Information is available online at or 708-456-0300. The city will present a Memorial Day weekend carnival May 23 to 26 at Chestnut Court Shopping Center, at the southeast corner of 75th Street and Lemont Road, Darien. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. May 23, 1 to 10 p.m. May 24 and 1 to 9 p.m. May 25 and 26. People younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian older than 21, and each adult may bring in up to four children. A $20 minimum purchase is required per person except for adults accompanying minors or children shorter than 36 inches tall. Bags must be clear, and no backpacks will be allowed. Individual ride tickets, bought with cash at the ticket box, cost $1 each, $20 for 20 or $40 for 44. Unlimited daily ride specials are available at The cover band Hello Weekend performs a variety of modern hits from 7 to 9 p.m. May 24 to kick off a summer concert series at Tank Park at Cantigny Park, 1 S, 151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Cantigny's Beer Garden and Cafe will be open before and during concerts, as well as Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays during the summer, when live music will be available. Other upcoming concerts, all from 7 to 9 p.m., are Billy Elton on May 31, Radio Gaga on June 7, How Rude! On June 14, Anthem on June 20, Think Floyd USA on June 21, DuPage Symphony Orchestra on June 28, Hairbangers Ball on July 5, American English on July 26, West Suburban Symphony Orchestra on Aug. 2, Modern Day Romeos on Aug. 16, Burning Red on Aug. 23 and Sixteen Candles on Aug. 30. Although the concerts are free, parking passes must be bought. They cost $21 per standard vehicle, with higher prices for commercial vehicles, and are available at The 2025 Choral Showcase concert is set for 7 to 9 p.m. May 22 in the auditorium at Oak Park and River Forest High School, 201 N. Scoville Ave., Oak Park. Tickets cost $4.49 for adults and $3.49 for students and older adults. A 3% credit card fee will be applied. Buy them at Information is at 708-383-0700. Lyons Township High School television students earned a student production award known as a Crystal Pillar from the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for Live Sports last month and did well at the 32nd annual Midwest Media Educators Association Video Festival, also in April. Students at the high school in La Grange competed against those from 40 other high schools in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, and Ethan Meur earned multiple awards. He won first place for 'Sleep Deprivation' in Public Service Announcement and for 'Into Glowing White' (with Thomas Norgle and Fendrick Markus) in Seven Day Challenge. Meur took second place for 'Ethan Meur Cinematography' in Cinematography, for 'Higher Calling' in Comedy, for 'How to Make Radio Liners' in Demonstration and for 'Lightsaber Wounds' in Social Media. Meur also received fifth place for 'Higher Calling Trailer' in Movie Trailer and fourth place for 'Thursday Night Kickoff' (with Filip Sokolowski and Aidan Brandstedt) in Talk Show.
