What’s “News” In Northlake

| August 10, 2012

Video Poker Machines?

I recently had the honor and privilege of meeting and speaking with American war veteran George W. Atkins. He is the Service Officer/ Community Liaison at the Howard H. Rohde American Legion Post #888 at 241 East North Avenue in Northlake. He is a Vietnam Veteran. We had a discussion at length on some of the issues facing this American Legion Post. New members are needed along with a steady source of income. This American Legion Post has its sights set on Video Poker machines from a company named Morris Gaming Company. Mr. Atkins then explained what the money brought in would be used for. His list included upkeep of the property, maintenance of the Color Guard, to provide assistance to community related programs (baseball, football, scouts, etc.), and to assist those in need in the community, veterans and non-veterans.

Mr. Atkins then explained the breakdown of the revenue payouts, and licensing. The City of Northlake licensing cost at this time, are not yet established. The split is 35% to the machine owners, 30% to the organization, 30% to the State of Illinois, and 5% to the City of Northlake. All Video Poker machines today are electronically monitored by the State of Illinois. This is similar to the Illinois Lottery machines. There are a total of six companies to contract that are available to provide Video Poker machines. Prize payouts are printed by the Video Poker machine on a paper ticket. You can then redeem these tickets at an ATM/Payout machine on site. This is similar to local casinos. No money is exchanged.

I asked Mr. Atkins if there was any progress in getting this project accomplished. He stated; “The city council in Northlake needs to address this issue. Other communities have passed this as an ordinance for non-for-profit organizations in their communities. We look for support from the community, so we may in turn continue to support the community”.

Some future events that are being run by this American Legion Post are as follows.

A ceremony in remembrance of 9-11will be held on Sunday September 9, 2012. It will be at the Casa San Carlo of Northlake at 9am. There will be a Flag Presentation along with the Remembrance of all the lost fireman, police, and veterans. Your attendance and support is welcomed.

On Saturday August 25th there will be a Pig Roast, and on Saturday September 29th a Texas Hold-em tournament. For more details involving these events and others visit their web site at: americanlegionpost888.com

 

Robert Morris Scholarships

An article in our July issue on page 5 under “Community News” provided information on a great offer to further your adult education.  I recently had the opportunity to follow up with an interview on this great continued education opportunity. I went to the Robert Morris University campus in Bensenville to speak with Ms. Panorea Bakutis, Director of Admissions. I asked Ms. Bakutis how many people have taken advantage of this tuition offer. She stated three people from Northlake have registered so far.

Robert Morris University is a not-for-profit university, providing students 21 and older continuing education. There is flexible class scheduling available in the evenings to accommodate students with jobs.  Robert Morris University has 10 campuses throughout Illinois.  The university offers business management and business accounting classes. These are two very highly marketable fields of work to have a career in. All the instructors on staff are currently working in their field of expertise for a corporation. The Chronicle of Higher Education listed RMU’s graduation rate in the top 5 among private not-for-profit universities in Illinois. An impressive 91% of RMU graduates earn their Bachelor Degree in less than four years.

Just in case you have not read last month’s article about this special tuition offer here it is. There is still time to take advantage of this great offer. This offer is good thru the month of August and September for people to come in and register for the September 24th class start. This applies to obtaining an Associate’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree.  This Residency Community Grant is available to residents of Northlake, Bensenville, Franklin Park, Addison and Schiller Park.  This Residency Community Grant of $1,000 per quarter until degree completion may be used at the RMU Bensenville Campus only.

For those interested in a higher education but may not be residents of these specific communities, RMU is offering the Adult Freshman Grant.  The Adult Freshman Grant is available to adults who are incoming freshman to earn a college degree. After all financial assistance of loans and grants has been obtained; RMU will pick up any out of pocket costs not covered by financial assistance. This grant may be used by adult freshman at both the Bensenville and Arlington Heights campus locations.

Robert Morris University has taken the initiative to offer this financial assistance due to the decrease in government aid to students. There are many other services offered to further your education and launch your career. This includes an on staff financial planner to help with financial aid.  The Bensenville campus is located near the intersection of Route 83 and Thorndale Road. The address is 1000 Tower Lane. To take advantage of this great offer, contact Ms. Panorea Bakutis-Director of Admissions at (630)787-7800.

 

Northlake Resident Receives Volunteer of the Year Award

Kathy Korsch, winner of the “Volunteer of the Year Award” for 2012.

Northlake native Kathy Korsch, a 62 years young volunteer who donates her time and efforts through the DuPage Senior Citizens Council of Lombard was awarded in July the “Volunteer of the Year Award” for 2012. The award is engraved with, “In recognition of exemplary performance.” After talking with Kathy about her many duties, she has certainly earned this award.

Her work involves helping seniors in Bensenville and Wood Dale. Kathy delivers meals weekly to homebound seniors on Wednesdays.  She is assigned a delivery route which takes her to seven different locations using her own vehicle and gasoline. For the past two years while visiting at each of the seven stops, Kathy performs a wellbeing check in addition to taking time to talk with the seniors on her route.   This has enabled Kathy to form numerous friendships.

In addition, Kathy spends her week from Monday to Friday as a volunteer for the Castle Tower Seniors Independent Living Complex of Bensenville. At this location she sets up the dining room, serves a hot meal for the resident seniors, and then cleans up afterwards. Due to a recent budget cut, Kathy has recently taken on the duties of a normally paid management position as a volunteer. This particular job position involves packaging all meals going out on nine different routes, working in the office alongside the site manager of Castle Towers, and also taking  out any extra routes of meals which may need to be delivered.

I asked Kathy what motivates her to do all of this work week in and week out. Kathy explained to me that at age 60 she decided to get involved looking to fulfill a sense of purpose in her life. She enjoys listening to the seniors talk about their personal life stories as they are people we should listen to for their wisdom and knowledge. Kathy considers her volunteering a faith driven decision.

Congratulations Kathy. The community could use more people like you!

 

Severe Storms

On Sunday July 1st around 12:30pm a major thunderstorm with high velocity winds struck the city of Northlake and surrounding suburbs. Winds were estimated at 80 to 90 miles an hour. This storm caused widespread power outages due to downed trees and wires.  All throughout Northlake tree branches could be seen covering the street along with damage to fences, signs, roofs and other structures. Over 100,000 ComEd customers were without power, some lasting several days. Residents and public works employees worked tirelessly to clean up the aftermath.

Category: Articles, Community News

About the Author ()

Comments are closed.