Some of the churches in the community celebrate Christmas with in person and/or online services. For further information, I recommend calling church offices or viewing website of Facebook pages as most require reservations for in-person services.
Community Fellowship Church, 28W240 North Avenue, has in person and live streaming services on Christmas Eve. The 3:00 service is a masked service. Other services are at 4:30 and 6:00 p.m.
Faith Community Church, 910 Main Street, has two services Christmas Eve. In person is at 5:00 p.m. and in person and live streaming is at 6:00 p.m.
St. Andrew celebrates the ninth day of Posada live-streamed via https://www.facebook.com/StAndrewLutheranChurchWestChicago/ at 7:00 p.m. vi Wednesday, December 23, 2020. Posadas are a representation of the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, looking for a place to stay to await the birth of Jesus. They are held during the nine days before Christmas, starting December 15. Christmas Eve services are contemporary at 4:00 p.m., Spanish at 7:00 p.m. and traditional at 9:00 p.m. (www.merleburl.com)
St. Mary’s Church, 140 North Oakwood Avenue, has in person and online Masses. Christmas Eve services are English at 4:00 p.m., Spanish at 6:00 p.m., Bilingual at 8:00 p.m. and Latin at midnight. Christmas Day services are English at 7:00 and 9:30 a.m., Latin service is at 10:30 a.m. and Spanish is at 11:45 a.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church, 338 George Street, Christmas Eve services are at 5:30 and 7:00 p.m.
Wheaton Bible Church, 27W599 North Avenue, holds both in person and online Christmas Eve services. A band-led contemporary is at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 23. The two band-led contemporary services are at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. and the traditional service is at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, December 24 .
AROUND AND ABOUT
There is a location change for Uniting for the Holidays, It is now at Leman Middle School 238 East Hazel Street. Working with We Go Together For Kids, United Metro of Chicago sponsors a Uniting for the Holiday event at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 16, 2020. Here 500 families receive a holiday meal box including a frozen turkey and a small number of gifts for the children. It is on a first come, first served basis. (www.merleburl.com)
Twenty-two houses are entered in the House Decorating Contest held by the City of West Chicago and West Chicago Park District. Persons, driving around, not only can enjoy viewing the brilliantly-lit homes, but also can vote for their favorite for the People’s Choice Award. Voting deadline is Wednesday, December 16, 2020. There also is a scavenger hunt for tots to do during the drive. Winners are announce by Friday, December 19. For more information and to view the map for viewing, visit https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5a215229e5d949d2a2bc0427b759befc. As you drive through the community, whether in day or night, notice the nicely decorated homes. It does feel a lot like Christmas. (www.merleburl.com)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, West Chicago students in WeGo Drama have not been sitting quietly behind the scenes. They continue with their 2020-21 special streaming intersection performances with the true story of “Spill” at 7:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, December 18 and 19, 2020, at www.wegotheater.cm. Due to harsh language and emotions, it is recommended for a PG-13 audience.
The Intersections Series consists of special streaming events created by WeGo Drama students that highlight the idea of being your true self. “Spill” is a full-length play crafted from actual interviews and documents surrounding the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Leigh Fondakowski wrote the script with dramaturgy by Sarah Lambert and Kelli Simpkins and additional dramaturgy by Linsay Firman.
The company of actors and crew are Maggie Hancock, Caitlin Harding, Kathryn Wenberg, Alex Bradley, Ava Fini, Vinny Lamantia, Vincent Ross and Ryley Salazar. Others are Katherine Vander Plaats, Justin Blackburn, Hannah Brown, Carolyn Fleming, Elizabeth Hurley, Leah Moffat, Elizabeth Ryan and Jazmin Wilkins. Mark Begovich is the director. Scenic design, technical direction, and editing is by Chris Jensen. Costume design is by Clare McKellaston.
Deepwater Horizon oil spill is the largest marine oil spill in history caused by an explosion on April 20, 2020, on the Deepwater horizon oil rig, located in the Gulf of Mexico, and its subsequent sinking on April 22. (www.merleburl.com)
The Debi Inch Piano Studio is doing a Toys for Tots drive for West Chicago families. Persons wanting to contribute can bring new unwrapped toys to her home studio, 308 Arbor Avenue, by Sunday, December 20, 2020. (www.merleburl.com)
Healthy West Chicago hosts aa virtual Cooking series, Healthy Holiday Baking, at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, December 17, 2020. The instructors demonstrate healthy family approved recipes. Attendees learn tips on eating healthy, saving time in the kitchen and involving youth in food preparation. Persons completing the survey receive a $10 gift card. To register visit https://forms.gle/FKwiKJadZHfWp8K67. The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86375756581.
People’s Resource Center hosts Gavin Coyle’s annual holiday concert, “A Celtic Christmas,” at 8:30 p.m. Friday, December 18, 2020. The performance, which also features Paul Burgess and Karen Fernandez, benefits PRC. The ticket price is $20 at https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=zGTKLq. (www.merleburl.com)
Hawthorne’s Backyard Bar & Grill, 1200 West Hawthorne Lane, is having a drive-thru Pig Roast Parade from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, December 19, 2020. Persons drive into the parking lot, place their order and it is delivered to the car. Menu is pulled pork sandwiches for $7, half chicken for $10, half slab ribs for $11 and full slab ribs for $16. Sides of 4 pieces of cornbread, country potatoes and coleslaw are $2.50 each.
West Chicago Public Library presents a Virtual Chair Yoga at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 21, 2020. Susan from Dancing Cranes Yoga is the instructor. The class is for adults, to register visit https://wcpld.info.
The Student Council at West Chicago Community High School hosts a free Holiday Lights Drive thru from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 21, 2020. It takes place on the west side of the high school 326 Joliet Street. Entry is off Wood Street. Santa and Mrs Claus are there to greet the guests, who can listen to the music on their car radios. High school students are accepting “Letters to Santa,” which they will rush to the North Pole in time for Christmas. The letter should have the return address. A professional DJ and lights team are managing the technicalities. (www.merleburl.com)
The Friends of the West Chicago City Museum’s 2020 Historic Landmark ornament of Lincoln School is now available. The price is $10. To order email wegoistory@gmail.com or online at tinyurl.com/fwccm20. Ornaments are delivered to those who live locally or they can be shipped. For further information, call (630) 231-3376. (www.merleburl.com)
American Legion Post 300, 123 Main Street, has carry out/curb-side pick up from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. every Tuesday through Friday. Menu includes hamburgers, tuna melt, chicken wings and more. There is a Fish Fry every Friday. To place an order, call (630) 231-2112. To view the menu in full, visit //www.facebook.com/alpost300/
Remember to support the local businesses and eating establishments. This is always important, but, even more so this year because of COVID-19. Each Saturday “Small Local Businesses” are invited to share their information on the Facebook group, “What’s Happening in West Chicago.” This is a way to encourage people to shop small during this holiday season and help local businesses struggling during the pandemic. Once on the page, https://tinyurl.com/WCFBSB, look for “Small business Saturday” announcement. There also is “Wednesday Advertising Post.”
Augustino’s Rock and Roll Deli & Grill, 300 West North Avenue, has fun gift baskets, filled with local items for family business, for sale. Two dollars from the sale of each basket is donated to the People’s Resource Center (www.merleburl.com)
The DuPage County Health Department developed a dashboard to provide information on the total number of people, in DuPage County, who have tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, the dashboard includes a map which shows the distribution of reported cases by municipality and is updated at 4:00 p.m. daily. DuPage County’s “COVID-19 Dashboard” is a one-stop-shop for all the information it offers including a town-by-town breakdown of cases. As of 4:00 p.m. Monday, December 14, 2020, there were 2,998 cases and 26 deaths; this is the number from the beginning of track recording It is important to remember to follow the social distancing order, wear masks and wash hands.
A COVID-19 testing site is open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in a VNA Health Care Mobile at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 North Prince Crossing Road. There is no charge. Appointments are required and may be made at (630) 892-4355 or (847) 717-6455. A medical assistant now is at the site. DuPage County offers free COVID-19 testing at the DuPage County Complex, 421 North County Farm Road. The sites open from 7:00 a.m., to noon Monday through Friday. Since it is a drive-thru testing site, individuals give themselves a nasal swab test with instructions from staff
To keep residents aware of community COVID-19 updates, the City has posted West Chicago’s COVID-19 COMMUNICATIONS CENTER on its website, www.westchicago.org. It is located on the upper left-hand side in red. Clicking on this, residents can see the latest information.
Sincere sympathy is expressed to the family of Donald D. Jones, who at the age of 90 Tuesday, December 2, 2020.
Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Roger L. Cook, who at the age of 79 passed away Saturday, December 6, 2020.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Jose Marmolejo, who at the age of 78 passed away Saturday, December 8, 2020.
Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Michael Robert Brooker, who at the age of 34 passed away, Monday, December 7, 2020
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Mary Duffy, who at the age of 89 passed away Sunday, December 6, 2020.
Deepest sympathy to the family of Genevieve Konewko, who at the age of 99 passed away Saturday, December 5, 2020.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Raquel Romero, who at the age of 88 passed away Thursday, December 10, 2020.
Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Kelly Lyn Day, who at the age of 49 passed away Thursday, December 10, 2020.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Joseph F. Gagliardi, who at the age of 83 passed away Saturday, December 6, 2020.
Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Lorraine C. Lindner, who at the age of 96 passed away Thursday, December 10, 2020.
Wheaton Academy recently held a drive thru live nativity. The students raised more than $8,500 for the academy’s sponsored KidsAlive and collected more than 1,000 pounds of canned goods for Neighborhood Food Pantries in West Chicago. (www.merleburl.com)
Six West Chicago Community High School students recently received Promoting Awareness of Wildcat Success awards, which recognizes them for their successes and contributions to the school. The November PAWS students are Nicole Augustyniak, Luis Alvarez, Christina Champagne, Alexander Herrera, Jairo Ibarra, and Brandon Moore. Administrators and/or teachers delivered certificates to students at home, along with a small gift. The certificate included the name of the staff member who nominated them and why they were nominated for this special award.
Faculty has an opportunity each month to recognize a student within their classes who has demonstrated significant academic improvement, made a unique or difficult contribution to a class, the school or the community, overcame a significant challenge, dealt maturely with a hardship, improved the positive climate of the classroom or the school and provided support for a peer. Maximum of two students may be selected from each division each month.
For those that have missed attending the musical holiday concerts at West Chicago Community High School, there is a performance by the A Capella Choir on YouTube. The lovely voices bring forth the sounds of the season with the song “It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas.”(www.merleburl.com)
Eduardo Anicua, an eighth grader at Leman Middle School earned the highest number of votes to win the Lean Middle School yearbook cover contest. Runners up winner also will have their work featured in the yearbook. They are second place, Eilynne H.; third place, Ana H.; fourth place, Sophie R.; fifth place, Alexandra V.; and sixth place, Sneha G. (www.merleburl.com)
Maggie Capettini, former education director at West Chicago City Museum, received the Eleanor Cox Riggs Award of Recognition and the Ellie & Richard Templeton Purchase Award for her painting, “Westward.” The painting was i on display in the 76th Annual Wabash Valley Competition at Swope Art Museum in Terre Haute, Indiana.* (www.merleburl.com)
The West Chicago Police Department recently announced the arrest of four subjects in connection with a special investigation in the Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm.
At 12:43 p.m. Saturday, November 7, 2020, West Chicago Police Officers responded to the report of shots fired on the 100 block of West Hazel Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered two houses and one vehicle had been struck by bullets. No one was injured. Officers determined two vehicles were involved in the incident and two occupants in one of the vehicles had fired the shot.
Over the next few weeks, the Investigations Unit followed up on the case, developed leads and identified persons of interest. Multiple subjects were brought to the police station for questioning November 24, 2020.
As a result of the investigation Jose Cardenas, age 30 of West Chicago, was charged with Aggravated Discharge of an Unlawful Possession of a Firearm within 1,000 feet of a School, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Street Gang Member in a vehicle. He was transported to DuPage County Jail, where he remains in custody with a court date pending.
Jonathan Frederick, age 19 of Rockford, was located by detectives in Boone County November 30, 2020. He was taken into custody on an arrest warrant related to the case. He was charged with Aggravated Discharge of Firearm within 1,000Feet of a School and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was transported to DuPage County Jail, where he remains in custody with a court date pending.
On December 1, 2020, Eduardo Salinas, age 20 of West Chicago, was located by Detectives in Wheaton and brought to the West Chicago Police Station for questioning. He was charged with Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm for his role in the November 7 shooting. He also was charged with Aggravated Battery and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon in connection with incidents that occurred subsequent to the November 7 shooting. He was transported to DuPage County Jail and has since posted bond with a court date pending.
On December 2, 2020, Gilberto Rios, age 26 of Rockford, was located by detectives in that jurisdiction and taken into custody on an arrest warrant related to the November 7 incident. He was charged with Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm within 1,000 Feet of a School and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Street Gang Member in a Vehicle. He was transported to DuPage County Jail where he remains in custody with a court date pending.
My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.
