The Doings Western Springs

Westchester filmmaker strives to build exposure

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:00:26 -0500

On a whim, Brian Ernst of Westchester applied for the chance to create a project at the Cannes Film Festival in France in 2010, cementing his dream to become an independent filmmaker. “Luckily, I got in,” said the 22-year-old senior at DePaul University. “I was paired with an international group of students, but in my group, everyone spoke English. I was the cinematographer.” Ernst said his group followed a Frenchman and created a documentary on petanque, the French version of bocce, in 2010. “After the film played at the festival, everyone seemed to like it,” he said. “It got second …

Suit: Let disabled athletes go to IHSA state meet

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:56:38 -0500

The Illinois High School Association girls state track and field meet will be held this weekend — and Fenwick’s Mary Kate Callahan won’t be taking part. But a lawsuit to be filed Wednesday by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan in federal court aims to make it possible for student-athletes with disabilities, like Callahan who is paralyzed from the waist down, to compete in future IHSA state meets.

Man found fit to stand trial in killing of Indian Head Park teen

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:18:33 -0500

John L. Wilson of Chicago, accused of killing Indian Head Park 14-year-old Kelli O’Laughlin in her home, is fit to stand trial, a Cook County judge ruled Monday.

‘Godspell’ provides more than entertainment

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:57:17 -0500

Students at St. John of the Cross School are getting out of the classroom, but not on a break from education. The students will work with alumni, staff and each other to put on a major musical at the elementary school level. More than 120 fifth- through eighth-graders are taking part in this year’s performance of “Godspell.” “Some years the production has been a dramatic play, and other years it has been a musical,” said director Jenny Murino. “For students who like theater but don’t want to be on the stage, there’s always stage crew.” Students work props and curtains …

Indian Head Park to roll dice on video gambling

Mon, 14 May 2012 19:35:16 -0500

Video poker machines have yet to come to Indian Head Park. If they do, the Village Board wants to be prepared. An ordinance discussed at length May 10 would give the village greater authority over video gambling machines. Currently, the village has no regulations to control video gambling machines. In fact, were the machines to come to Indian Head Park, only three establishments could offer them. “None of them have asked for or applied for a license to have video gaming, which makes this a good time to talk about establishing local regulations,” said Indian Head Park Mayor Richard Andrews. …

Dresser experienced opera in special way

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:04:46 -0500

As a young girl, Western Springs resident Jacqui Gleason ironed clothes for extra income. The woman for whom she did the work was an opera fan, always excited to talk about the glamorous world of musical theater. At the time, Gleason had little interest in what the woman had to say. Gleason could not have suspected then that she would spend three decades working as a dresser at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. More specifically, she worked for something called the Theatrical Wardrobe Attendants Union. “It’s such a glamorous thing, you know, because you’re associating with glamorous people, but it’s …