Student tries using marketing to win wheels
DePaul University student Madison Hanna needs wheels. We know this because she says as much in the second video she made to promote her chance to win a brand-new, apple-red 2009 Volkswagen Beetle. "I consider myself a friend of the Earth, I really do," she says in her video appeal, now being shown on YouTube. “"I walk everywhere. But it's come to the point where I need some wheels -- desperately."

Yorkville fundraiser to aid Kendall food pantry
Since May, Kendall County residents have raised hundreds of dollars to benefit the Kendall County Food Pantry, organizers said Wednesday.

Local military personnel mark milestones
Members of the armed forces from the Fox Valley area have reached the following milestones in their military careers.

Valley briefs: Pete Perez Award
Aurora's Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board (AHHAB) is seeking nominees for the annual Peter J. Perez Award.

Waubonsie parent shows school spirit
Sherry Tatar: Waubonsie Valley High School has a lot to offer and much to be proud of, and here are a few of the reasons why.

East High has biggest NJROT in U.S.
The Pulse: East Aurora High School's Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps has a new feather in its military-style cap.

School briefs: Play at West High
West Aurora High School presents its fall play, "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940," at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 and 21 in the auditorium, 1201 W. New York St.

Auroran makes mobiles from old CDs
Aurora resident Joe Hornyan is an artist of sorts, although he is quick to downplay the objects he makes as "junk art." Hornyan, an 83-year-old widower who has lived most of his life in Aurora, makes movable mobiles out of colored compact discs.

Local Veterans Day activities
The following is a round up of Veterans Day activities and programs planned throughout the Fox Valley:

Recreation briefs: Take Oswegoland quiz
How well do you know Oswegoland Park District? The Park Foundation invites you to take this 12-question, multiple choice quiz.

Residents honored for character
Last week, the Character Counts Coalition of the Montgomery/Oswego area presented awards to nine people at the Oswego Village Board Meeting.

Residents invited to Georgetown meeting
Residents are invited to attend the Georgetown Relief Efforts Neighborhood Organization (GRENO) monthly meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday in Room 100 of Eola Community Center, 555 S. Eola Road.

Aurora Kiwanis appoints new officers
The Aurora Golden K Kiwanis recently held its 30th annual Installation of Officers. The new officers for 2009-2010 are: President Larry Miller, President Elect Art Zillgitt, Secretary Cele Sanders and Treasurer Dick Harrison.

New cath lab system to deliver sharper images
What could turn a seven-hour surgery into a seven-minute procedure? It's called the Allura Xper FD20, and the new digital imaging X-ray system at Provena Mercy Medical Center makes vascular procedures quicker and safer.

Put aluminum toward Oswego girls’s trip
Laura Hartman: Kaysea and Kelsea Baker, eighth-graders at Thompson Middle School, have the opportunity to participate in an educational program over Spring Break 2010 with a trip sponsored by Oswego School District 308. They came up with a great idea to supplement their trip without costing others a dime. They are recycling aluminum.

'Rent' speaks to audiences of all ages
HALO Productions, a Plainfield off-Broadway performance company, is bringing "Rent" to Aurora at The Paramount Theatre, and Katie Arko, the theater's director of development, said she is excited about it.

Spring Lake Park becomes refurbished ‘gem’ in Aurora
The toughest part was the anticipation. Whenever passers-by on McCoy Drive would whiz past Spring Lake Park this summer, they saw exciting glimpses of what was taking shape. But it always left them with one burning question: When will it be ready?

God's handiwork
The amazing part about the Loving Hands Ministry at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church is that the effort serves both the givers and receivers. Cecelia Sharp was the perceptive founder of this group who saw a unique opportunity for service.

Heart attack survival rates improve in women
Two new studies show that heart attacks have become more common among middle-aged women in the last two decades, but in-hospital survival rates, especially for younger women, are improving compared with men. Both studies were published Monday in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Don't avoid colon screenings
I've noticed that having a discussion about colon cancer screenings with patients older than 50 often makes them feel uncomfortable. In light of this, I feel I must explain this issue. Let me address some of the questions I often encounter...

In search of the valley's ghosts
In the spirit of the season, The Beacon-News did some paranormal research of its own. This week we tell the tales of some legendary Fox Valley spirits who seem to have an uncanny way of keeping their stories alive.

Marmion Abbey founder celebrates 100th
Abbot Emeritus Gerald Benkert radiates joy, peace and gratitude. Marmion Academy this week hosted a birthday celebration in the academy gymnasium where brethren, friends from Guatemala, students and faculty gathered.

'We were all such special friends'
A unique event honoring two generations of graduates from Aurora's St. Therese Catholic School was held last weekend. Members of the grade school's class of 1955 organized a luncheon at the Turners Club in Aurora for an informal reunion of 11 of their classmates.