Former Oakton Student Wins Pulitzer Prize

John Sullivan currently teaches investigative reporting at Northwestern University.

The following information was submitted by Oakton Community College. Former Oakton student John Sullivan co-led the team of Philadelphia Inquirer reporters that won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service journalism on April 16. Sullivan and his team won the Pulitzer for the seven-part series “Assault on Learning” revealed that violence in the city’s schools was widespread and underreported, with 30,000 serious incidents over the last five school years. Earlier: Maine West students recognized by organization that seeks to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Prior to Oakton, Sullivan worked at an upholstery store for four years and he credits Oakton for putting him on his …

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Welded Sculpture Exhibit to Open at Oakton’s Museum

The work of Steven Jay Urry will be featured from May 10 to July 19.

The following information was submitted by Oakton Community College. In the first show that covers Chicago artist Steven Jay Urry’s entire career, Steven Jay Urry: A Retrospective, his sculptures, drawings, paintings, and experimental pieces will be presented in the context of his time. View his life’s work at an exhibition that runs May 10 to July 19, at Oakton’s Koehnline Museum of Art. Steven Urry (1939-1993), born in Chicago, had a brilliant career as an artist constructing abstract welded steel and aluminum sculptures of biomorphic forms. Earlier: Opening day at Arlington Park is on Friday. Urry also lived and worked in San Francisco, New York, Miami, and Arizona. He first drew serious attention in 1966 during his first solo show of …

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Voting for Des Plaines Flash Mob to Begin Friday

National Dance Week competition includes an entry from the Des Plaines School of Dance.

Members of the Des Plaines School of Dance, family, friends and residents performed a flash-mob dance routine as part a nationwide celebration and competition for National Dance Week in Arndt Park on April 21. The dancers rehearsed with Laura Chiuve, an instructor at the Des Plaines School of Dance, three times over the past two weeks, and perfected the Geo Hubela choreographed routine, according to a press release. Hubela, a representative for National Dance Week, is passionate about getting everyone up and active. Voting begins on May 4, and the Des Plaines Park District's entry was number 22 of 40 videos on the National Dance Week’s website as of May 1. Earlier: Vote for your favorite high school athlete to be recognized as Athlete of …

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Photo of the Day

Photo of the Day: Swinging at Semrow Driving Range

Share your spring fever photos with the community.

Amateur golfer Michael Fastert, of Des Plaines, made the most of Monday afternoon practicing his swing at Harry Semrow Driving Range, 1150 E. Golf Road in Des Plaines, which is part of Cook County Forest Preserve Golf. Fastert, who graduated from and, several years ago, taught at Maine West High School, teaches business courses at Belvidere High School, 1500 East Ave. in Belvidere. Fastert said he competes in a number of amateur golf tournaments, most recently in the Will County Amateur Championship in Crete, IL. The Des Plaines native said next on his schedule was the I-80 Amateur Golf Tournament in New Lenox in May. Last year Fastert competed in the U.S. Amateur Championship in Wisconsin. Related: Check out all the photos of the day; the…

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Artistry in Motion Takes Home Gold

The Gold award winning routines were Hanrahan’s Modern solo, Invisible, (Cecilia Ferguson-Bell, choreographer) and Hip-Hop solo, Hold Up Your Hand, (Karlo Familara, choreographer).

Line Up Early for Record Store Day

Competition is heated for the limited collectors’ releases for the annual industry event.

When Dan Malapanes opens his record store on Saturday, the same way he has since 1976, he expects to be greeted by a line of customers he doesn’t always see on a quiet morning. Collectors, music buffs, audiophiles, however they are known, they will all be there for the same thing — a chance to purchase a few of the limited edition albums, singles and other merchandise produced in conjunction with the industry’s annual Record Store Day, now in its fifth year. Malapanes said the collector albums produced for Record Store Day are released in such limited numbers, sometimes he only has a few, or in some cases, a single copy, available for sale at Algonquin Records, 532 E. Algonquin Road in Des Plaines. “They are making a game out of it,” …

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In National Dance Competition Des Plaines Boy, Others from Area, Need Facebook Likes

The group successfully competed against other older children in Michigan on the weekend.

Des Plaines Camera Club Submissions Compete in Greater Chicago Area

Jane Ballangee took us back to the Old West with her portrait "Cowboy."

Get Out: Breakfast with the Bunny, Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt, More

The sun will be out this weekend, will you?

Breakfast With the Bunny When/Where: Saturday, March 31, at 10 a.m. at Golf Mill Cafe, Golf Mill Shopping Center Entrance 6, Greenwood Avenue at Milwaukee Avenue in Niles. Why Go: Eat a delicious breakfast, visit with the bunny and have a chance to win prizes. Bring your camera, mom! Pricing: $6.   Annual Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt When/Where: Friday, March 30, from 8 to 9 p.m. in the south parking lot of the Administrative & Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St. in Des Plaines. Why Go: Children 7-12 years old are invited to bring flashlights and bags to hold goodies to the Park District’s annual flashlight Easter egg hunt. Pricing: Free.   Earlier: High school students treat passers-by to a taste of the musical 1776.   Free Easter Egg Hunts for …

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