Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 77

NW Ovcsno Tr.rx.-ne Tuesday October 29 1991 Section 2 3 Northwest District 300 snares sizable family grants Cracks seen in sidewalk repair policy grants with in-kind contributions such as paying for added teaching staff, custodians, supplies and space in Perry, Meadowdale and Golfview Elementary Schools in Carpentersville, she said. Both grants support President Bush's America 2000 plan to prepare preschoolers so they are ready to learn by the time they enter kindergarten, said Kolbusz. "We're on the cutting edge of research right now," said Kolbusz. "The grants are unique because, well be able to offer comprehensive services, including educational, social, medical, nutritional and emotional support to parents and children." Teachers of the Even Start program will meet with parents to-show how they can stimulate their child's problem solving, thinking skills and language development without taking time out of their schedules. To keep the children from losing the progress made in the early years, Project Transfer hopes to continue encouraging parents to give their children an educational boost through third grade.

During these critical years, children need a firm foundation as they move from adding blocks to abstract concepts such as multiplying, said Kolbusz. By the end of four years, the district will be able to evaluate whether the ongoing help makes a difference in these children's education, said Kolbusz. I Url igf i a mem 4 lrL ft Makeshift umbrella By Pat Clawson Carpentersville-based School District 300 is the only district in Illinois to be awarded nearly $1 million in two grants to establish programs that researchers hope will assist families in helping their children get a good start in school The district received $342,715 for the first year of a four-year program called Even Start Parents will be trained to help teach basic concepts to children with learning difficulties up to 3 years old. Seventy U.S. school districts sought such grants; only one other in Illinois received one.

District 300 also received a $633,203 grant for the first year of a three-year effort called Project Transfer. Fifty children who participated in the two Rivers Head Start program in Carpentersville will receive continued help through the 3rd grade. Some 150 U.S. school districts applied for the Project Transfer grants. District 300 was the only one in the state to win one, showing how deftly it handles competition for grants.

The district's formula for success is a combination of weeks of planning; collaboration between school districts, community colleges and educational agencies; and site-based management of its schools, which emphasizes community and parental involvement, said Linda Kolbusz, coordinator of program development The district will supplement the owned its portion of the fen for at least a decade, plan to work together to protect the fen's rare habitat, because most of Illinois' fens have been destroyed. Six of the forest preserve's natural areas are dedicated state nature preserves, Brouillard said. The new acquisition raises the forest preserve's total acreage to 18,200, said Al Westerman, the agency's land acquisition coordinator. "There will be no homes out here, no streets out here. Kids will be able to enjoy the flowers and the birds," said C.

Richard Anderson, former president of the Lake County Forest Preserve and one of those who played a key role in the acquisition of the property. The fen, on River Road, between Roberts and Kelsey Roads, is part of Grassy LakeFlint Creek Eight-year-old Erik Baar of Buffalo Grove uses a gym bag to protect his head Monday as rain comes pelting down while he is on his way home from school on yet another wet day. Lake County preserves a rare Palatine Dismissal sought of lease lawsuit Palatine filed a motion Monday in Cook County Circuit Court to hae a lawsuit dismissed that alleges it illegally leased a building to a township agency that provides counseling for adolescents. The building at Williams and Cunningham Drives encircled by thcC'unningham Courts Townhomes formerly boused equipment to pump well water before it last summer to the Bridge Youth and Family Services for years. The suit filed by the homeowners assoCSuion argues that the lease was improperly adopted and that the Bridge's operation does not comply with" the area's residential zoning.

The association has tried to buy the building from the village in the past Village Atty. Tom Burney said the lease is appropriate because trustees unanimously approved it by resolution, and the Bridge's use of the site is permitted under local toning. The next court date is Nov. 7. Liquor license set aside for restaurant trustees have reserved a liquor license for Amelio Family Restaurant a business owned by a Des Plaines family that wants to build an! Italian eatery at Plum Grove Road, and Wilmette Avenue.

the license, which the petitioner mustlsull apply for, allows the sale of liquor with food sales. Trustees postponed action on a second liquor license request from the Amclios that would allow operation of a lounge. Residents near the site have protested the restaurant, saying it could increase traffic and put intoxicated motorists on streets. But trustees approved the license last week after the village attorney said Palatine was obligated to do so under the terms of an annexation agreement. Long Grove Lake board member joins House race Roberta O'Reilly, a Lake County Board member from Long Grove, announced Monday that she is a candidate for the General Assembly from the new 51st House District Calling herself a "fiscal conservative" who wants to control taxes, O'Reilly will face Verna Clayton, former village president of Buffalo Grove, in the March 17 Republican primary.

The district includes the Long Grove, Buffalo Grove and Vernon Hills areas and the Palatine area in northwest Cook County. O'Reilly, 47, said she hopes to join other Republicans in Springfield who want to bring sanity to state and local governments. She has been a County Board member for three years. She has been active in local school and park districts and has been a vocal opponent of efforts to extend Illinois Highway S3 into central Lake County. Waukegan YWCA to hold child-care forum Two state representatives will discuss child-care legislation at a forum Wednesday sponsored by the YWCA of Lake County in Waukegan.

Reps. John Matijevich (D-North Chicago) and Grace Mary Stern (D-Highand Park) will participate. "We're trying to focus attention on quality child-care options," said Edna Schade, president of the YWCA's board of directors. "The purpose of the forum is to give the public an opportunity to understand legislators' concerns about child care and how legislation may affect local delivery," she said. The discussion will be held from 7 to 9 p.m.

Wednesday in the YWCA, 2133 Belvidere Waukegan. By James Michalski In many towns, sidewalks bring neighbors together. But in Crystal Lake, the issue of sidewalks is creating harsh feelings between people wno might otherwise be neighborly. "What it is is a witch hunt," said David Methlie, who has been told by Crystal Lake officials to repair his sidewalk, at a cost of more than $1,000. "You have to complain about your neighbor to get anything done." The problem is that the city doesn't tab a section of sidewalk as needing repair until someone complains.

"I see no reason to be singled out just because I have a crabby neighbor," said Fay Allen, who also received a repair notice from the city after a complaint by a neighbor about the condition of her sidewalk. "The complaints create a lot of bad feelings in the neighborhood. If we have to fix our sidewalks, everyone should have to," Allen said. After residents receive a notice, they have 30 days to fix the sidewalk or face the possibility of the city doing the work and placing a lien against their homes. Some residents are unhappy because many sidewalks that are in bad shape don't get repaired because nobody complains.

"The program doesn't give the appearance of being consistent," said Councilman Harry Dillon. City officials say that when the program was started 20 years ago, the priority was to have high-quality sidewalks near schools and then to work out from there. But the city has not had the staff to carry out that plan, so sidewalk enforcement has been piecemeal. Another complaint from residents is the cost associated with repairing the sidewalks. Residents point to neighboring towns that pick up all or a portion of the costs of the repairs.

City officials say that towns that help finance sidewalk repairs have a higher tax rate and if Crystal Lake were to cover those costs, it would have to raise taxes. "The problem is it impacts some citizens much more than others," Mayor George Wells said. "But the program is workable. To scrap it would put a great financial burden on the city." City officials have indicated that additional time to repair sidewalks will be given to homeowners who request it. Motor skills Sean Andv Ray of Sean Andy Ray of Inverness By Sue Ellen Christian After two years of planning, the Lake County Forest Preserve has acquired one of northeastern Illinois' last remaining fens, a type of wetland fed by ground water.

In a special dedication ceremony last week, about 50 people gathered to celebrate the acquisition of the fen, purchased from private owners for $140,385. About 40 acres of the 90-acre Wagner Fen, on the west side of Lake Barrington, now owned by the forest preserve, and an additional 41 acres is owned by the Barrington-based environmental group, Citizens for Conservation. A small portion is owned by the Tower Lakes Improvement Association. "The property is now secured and preserved forever," said An Wheeling woman slain; police seeking suspect Tribune ptxnw Oy Mkw Memnarai drea Moore, president of the Lake County Forest Preserve. "Where we can have public and private partnership is good." Dan Brouillard, the preserve's director of conservation, said, "One of the long-term goals of the forest preserve is to provide within its system a major example of every kind of community that existed in pre-settlement times." Indeed, the fen has several examples of uncommon, threatened or endangered plants and animals.

To protect the area, the Citizens for Conservation and the forest preserve plan to eventually apply for dedication of the land as an Illinois Nature Preserve. That distinction provides the greatest protection possible for land in the state, according to officials. The forest preserve and Citizens for Conservation, which has Tribune photo by John Kringtis Health notes Crystal Lake A free estrogen-replacement therapy program will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Ambutal, 4900 S.

Illinois Highway 31. Call 815-455-3650. Memorial Hospital's Center for Women's Health Care is offering a free workshop on mother-daughter relationships at 7 p.m. Friday at 285 Memorial Drive. Call 815-477-2800.

Elgin A free program describing medical plans and hospital billing procedures will be held from 9 to 1 1 p.m. Friday at Sherman Hospital, 934 Center St. Call 312-888-8787. McHenry County The Lake Region YMCA In Crystal Lake Is offering a water exercise class for people with arthritis or those recovering from an Injury or Illness. Classes are ongoing and are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Peter Trailov Physical Therapy Clinic, on Illinois Highway 31, In McHenry.

Registration is required. Call 815-459-4455 Tor detailed information. wetland Forest Preserve, a 500-acre preserve. The fen will become part of a critical string of natural areas that are connected by greenways, or corridors, which allow for hiking trails as well as animal migration, according to Citizens for Conservation President Waid Vander-poel. "We're thrilled about this," Van-derpoel said.

"As far as wetlands go, this is the jewel. This is a wonderful achievement for the people of the Barrington area." Six species of orchids are found in the ten. So, too, are uncommon birds such as the long billed marsh wren, and two rare butterflies. The fen is watered by a creek flowing out of Tower Lake. Ground water seeps from the limestone rock of the gravel hills surrounding the fen.

body," Hermes said. "There were various marks and bruises, particularly in the area under the chin and neck." Hermes said police do not believe a weapon was used in the killing. As of Monday night, police had no one in custody and remained tight-lipped about a suspect. When asked if the killer could have called 911 from a public phone a block away from the Santos home, Hermes said, "We're not ruling it out." Hermes would not say whether the caller was a man or woman. Investigators were holding Santos' late-model Chrysler for evidence, though they would not comment on what they hoped to find in the car.

Santos attended classes on and off at Harper College in Palatine, according to a college spokeswoman. She first registered for classes in the continuing education program in 1982 and took a drawing course last year, the spokeswoman said. cardiac-stimulating system for Lutheran General Children's Medical Center of Park Ridge. The ticket cost is $35. For reservations, call Pauline Kusack, 696-2719.

Schaumburg The Muscular Dystrophy Association will hold a seminar on using computers as technical aids for the disabled at 1 p.m. Friday at the Schaumburg Marriott, 50 N. Martingale Rd. Registration Is required. Call 708-290-0060.

Woodstock The McHenry County Department of Health will hold a well-child clinic from 8 to 10 a.m. Thursday, at 2200 N. Seminary Ave. Fees are on a sliding scale. Appointments are necessary.

Call 708-338-2514. Wheeling A free lecture, "Sports Chiropractic," will be given by Dr. Edward T. McNeela of the Ciolino Chiropractic Center at 7:30 p.m. Nov.

7 at the Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Rd. Registration is required Call 708-459-4100. shows his me- fuse in his vehicle at Harper College in Pala- chanical savvy Monday as he works to repair a tine. Ray is a sophomore at the college.

By Lisa Newman Authorities Monday were looking for the killer of a 27-year-old Wheeling woman, who died shortly after being attacked in her apartment. Police found Jamie Santos unconscious Monday morning in her apartment at 1765 Stonehedge after a caller notified a 911 operator that the woman was having difficulty breathing, said Deputy Chief Michael Hermes. Santos, an exotic dancer and former Harper College student, was clad only in a bra and panties, Hermes said. She lived alone in the rented townhouse, he said. She was taken to Holy Family Hospital in Des Plaines, where she was pronounced dead, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

The Cook County medical examiner's office was scheduled to perform an autopsy Tuesday morning. "We're treating it as a homicide because of the condition of the Palatine The PHD Women's Counseling Center will hold a two-part series, "An Evening's Worth," open to single mothers, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Nov. 8, at the center, 19 S. Bothwell St.

The donation Is $5 and will include baby-sitting. Call 359-4919. Prospect Heights The Prospect Heights Park District, 110 W. Camp McDonald Is holding Wellness Month during November. Free water bottles for people attending aerobics classes will be given out on Monday, body fat and flex testing will be offered Nov.

8, cholesterol will be tested Nov. 15 and a program on calcium and osteoporosis will be held on Nov. 22. Call 708-394-2848. Park Ridge The Twentieth Century Club Juniors Foundation will hold a luncheon-fashion show from 11 a.m.

to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Rosemont. The program by Susan Glick, fashion director of the Chicago Apparel Center, will be held at 11 a.m. Proceeds will be used to buy a new Today's events Arlington Heights The Arlington Heights Park District Board of Commissioners will meet at 8 p.m.

in the Administration Center, 410 N. Arlington Heights Rd. Call 708-577-3000. Barrington A Chamber of Commerce Halloween party fundraiser will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Motorwerks of Barrington, 1475 S.

Barrington Rd. The parry will feature entertainment and a costume contest with proceeds benefiting the chamber. Tickets are $15; $18 at the door. Call 708-381-2525. The Barrington Writers Workshop will meet from 9 a.m.

to 12:30 p.m. in the Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. Call 708482-5626. Cary Village department heads will meet at 1:30 p.m.

and the Plan-Zone Committee will meet at 6 p.m. at 255 Stonegate Rd. Call 708-639-0003. Elgin A class addressing the concerns of working parents, types of day care availa- Hospital, 934 Center St. The program is open to those with diabetes and family members.

The program will teach self-care and home glucose monitoring and review types of medication. The Fee is $65 to $75. Call 708-742-9800, ext. 8045. Rolling Meadows A free outdoor program, "Sing Scary Songs," will be held at 7 p.m.

in Kimball Hill Park, behind Kimball Hill School, 2905 N. Meadow Drive. In case of rain the program will be held in the Rolling Meadows Dbrary, 3110 Martin Lane. Call 708-259-6050. Schaumburg A costume parade for children through 6th grade will be held at 6 p.m.

in the Bock Neighborhood Center, 1220 Sharon Lane. In case of Inclement weather, the event will be canceled. Call 708-980-2141. Wheeling A free lecture, "The Activator Method of Chiropractic," will be presented by Dr. Patrick Johnston at 7:30 p.m.

in the Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoen-beck Rd, Call 708-459-4100. We're here to hear from you If you have news about upcoming events in northwest Cook County, north Kane County or McHenry County, please contact us: Chicago Tribune 142 E. Golf Rd. Schaumburg, III.

60173-3726 Northwest news bureaus: Northwest Cook 708-843-6102 McHenry County 815-477-0230 Fox Valley 708-393-5030 Deliverynewsstand sales: 1-800-TRIBUNE ble, time and energy management and basic parental survival skills will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the St. Francis Room of St Joseph Hospital, 77 N. Airlite St. Pre-registration Is required.

Call 708-931-5510. A special program, "Diabetes and Your Lifestyle," will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday In Sherman.