Thursday, October 20, 2011
Patch looks back at the big accomplishments of local student athletes this fall.
These five Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South high school athletes each made an impression this fall. Here's a look back at their highlights: 1. Kim Warpecha, Hinsdale South tennis Warpecha, a senior, has played tennis for 10 years—if you don't count her sitting out the 2009 season after back surgery. Despite the setback, Warpecha, who was a two-time state qualifier going into her senior season, managed to help propel her team to a first-place tie with Downers Grove South this past week for the Hornets' second consecutive West Suburban Conference Gold title. Warpecha and partner Andrea Wakim won No. 1 doubles in the championship match against Downers Grove South's Amy Evan and Tiffany Bui. Coach Dana Graczyk has nothing but praise for…
Thursday, October 13, 2011
These events will get you in the Halloween spirit.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Julie Kallas
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Thursday, October 13, 2011
Just in time for autumn weather, Halloween events are happening all around. Check out five below: 1. All Hallow's Eve celebration at Harvester Park, 15w400 Harvester Drive, Burr Ridge On Oct. 31 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. the Burr Ridge Park District will offer indoor and outdoor activities for kids. Inside there will be a cookie walk, games with prizes and cold blooded creatures. Outside, there will be an enchanted playground and popcorn with hayrides. The cost for Burr Ridge residents is $8 per child and for non-residents $12 per child. Kids under 2 can take part free. 2. Trinity Lutheran Taffy Apple Sale, 11500 German Church Road, Burr Ridge Trinity Lutheran School's annual taffy apple sale will take place all day on October 14 at the …
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Use these classic Mexican recipes to host a fiesta at home.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Julie Kallas
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
Craving Mexican? No need to leave home! Use these recipes from Chicago's Mercadito restaurant to create your own delicious Mexican meal. 1. Guacamole Tradicional First, combine 2 cups medium diced tomatillo, 1 cup medium diced red onion, and 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro in a bowl. Then make a roasted garlic puree: put a 1/2 cup of peeled and whole garlic into a pot and cover with about two inches of oil above the garlic. Bring the garlic to a boil and simmer occasionally to make sure the garlic doesn't stick. Once the garlic turns brown, strain the oil and keep it in a separate container, then blend the garlic until smooth (add oil to garlic if needed to make a paste-like mixture). Next, add to the tomatillo 1/4 tablespoon of the …
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Patch looks back at a year of local teachers' accomplishments.
In the past year, teachers in Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, and Clarendon Hills' school districts have done great things for their students. Here are some of our most notable teachers: 1. Monroe Art Teacher wins PBS Teachers Innovation Award Theresa McGee was one of just 12 teachers nationwide to receive PBS's award, which recognizes "educators' creative and inventive use of public media to engage students and improve." McGee uses technology such as podcasting and Google Earth in her lessons to show her students how art impacts people around the world. "I actually started out as a major in electronic media and then decided I needed to have more personal interaction with people and that’s how I got into art education," McGee said at the time. "To…
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Patch tracks down the best shopping options for the high school social event of fall semester.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Julie Kallas
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Thursday, September 22, 2011
It's almost time for local high school kids to dance the night away at Hinsdale Central's and Hinsdale South's homecoming dances. Here are five places to find the perfect clothes and accessories for the big night: 1. Burr Ridge designer Mac Duggal Mac Duggal, an India-born designer who now lives and works in Burr Ridge, has been creating gowns for pageants, films and other special events for 25 years. Customers can purchase his gowns for homecoming and other dances online. 2. Alixandra Collections, 40 S. Washington, Hinsdale Alixandra Collections is the perfect one-stop shop for jewelry and accessories to accompany your homecoming outfit. Alixandra's selection of purses, as well as headbands by designer Deepa Gurnani, will complete any …
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Check out these cheap eats around town.
1. Hua Ting, 777 N. York Rd., Hinsdale Hua Ting serves up Szechwan and Mandarin cuisine at a reasonable price. To get dinner for two for under $25, share Chicken with Cashews ($9.50), Vegetable Fried Rice ($7.95), and an appetizer of Pot Stickers ($4.75). 2. Moondance Diner, 78 Burr Ridge Pkwy., Burr Ridge Moondance Diner is a casual breakfast and lunch spot with a wide variety of entrees on the menu. For a low-cost breakfast, get the French Toast & Eggs for $7.89, accompanied by fresh-squeezed lemonade ($2.59). For a healthier alternative, try the Iron Man ($7.79), an egg-white omelet with mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, and green chilies. 3. Kirsten's Danish Bakery, 94 Burr Ridge Pkwy., Burr Ridge Although Kirsten's has been a Burr …
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Patch highlights five ways locals are going green—and how you can, too.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Julie Kallas
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Thursday, September 8, 2011
If you're looking to "go green," there are small things you can do everyday to conserve more. Here are five things local residents are doing to inspire others: 1. Red Goes Green at Hinsdale Central High School Since September 2008, Hinsdale Central's staff and students have participated in an initiative called Red Goes Green, which encourages those in the school to conserve as much as possible. The initiative has hosted bike/walk-to-school days, and staff and teachers use online homework-posting site Sharepoint and email instead of printing when possible. Staff and students also turn lights off when leaving a room, use post-consumer recycled products, and use green cleaning supplies. 2. Trinity Lutheran School helps recycle the "…
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Patch looks back on a year of great work.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Julie Kallas
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Thursday, September 1, 2011
In honor of Labor Day, Patch looks back at five labors of love—our picks for five charitable events that have made a difference for others in the past year. 1. Hoops for the House raises money for Ronald McDonald House The annual Hoops for the House (formerly Hoops for Life) 3-on-3 basketball tournament, held at Grant Square in Hinsdale, hosted over 100 teams this past June. The participants played to raise money for a new Ronald McDonald House, which will be built near Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and will cost $30 million. Proceeds from the charity event, which is co-chaired by Hinsdale Central alum Todd Schaefer, will help Ronald McDonald House Charities continue to support families of children who are …
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Patch's favorite local spots for ethnic foods.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Julie Kallas
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Thursday, August 25, 2011
Adventurous diners have plenty of restaurant options in our area. Here are some ethnic restaurants to choose from: 1. Dao Sushi and Thai, 200 Burr Ridge Pkwy., Burr Ridge Dao is one of Burr Ridge's newer restaurants, and it offers plenty of options for diners who love Japanese cuisine. Sushi-lovers can take a seat at the sushi bar to watch the chefs prepare their favorite rolls, or choose between hot entrees like chicken teriyaki or coconut shrimp. Dao is open for lunch Monday through Friday, and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 2. Jade Dragon, 43 S. Washington St., Hinsdale Jade Dragon, a Hinsdale staple for 20 years, is the perfect place for traditional Chinese food. Diners in the restaurant are treated to complimentary tea, …
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Hit these local hot spots for a fun night on the town.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Julie Kallas
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
Once the kids head back to school, it's time for parents to have date night. Unwind at one of these local spots: 1. Topaz, 780 Village Center Dr., Burr Ridge Topaz is always an ideal spot to take a date, with its sophisticated atmosphere and Chef Ryan Wombacher's natural-food-based menu. Now through the end of August, Topaz diners can also enjoy live music at the restaurant on Wednesday nights, and every other Thursday. Spanish guitarist Hector Fernandez will perform on Wednesdays, while The Nate Molby Jazz Duo will entertain on the outdoor patio on alternating Thursdays. 2. Capri Ristorante, 324 Burr Ridge Pkwy., Burr Ridge This nearly 30-year-old restaurant is a classically romantic Italian spot. The authentic meals, like Eggplant …
