Did you know? Golden-Age film star, producer and fashion icon Gloria Swanson was a Chicago native.

Gloria Swanson was best known for her role as Norma Desmond in the critically acclaimed 1950 film Sunset Boulevard , but she also worked in silent films, television and theater.

Swanson did not initially set out to become an actress. In 1915, at the age of 18, she decided to go to a Chicago movie studio with an aunt to see how motion pictures were made and was  plucked off the set of The Fable of Elvira and Farina and the Meal Ticket because of her beauty and given a small role in the production.  She moved to California in 1916 to appear in a series of comedies with silent film star Bobby Vernon.

Read more …

Washington Community High School student wins first place in national video contest

Maddie Kogelis, a Washington Community High School student won first place in a national video contest spreading awareness about the dangers of radon.

The contest is sponsored each year by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the American Lung Association in Illinois.

Kogelis, a Washington, Illinois resident, finished first in the state contest and her 60-second video was then entered into the national contest, where she took home the prize. Her video shows creativity and demonstrates the importance of testing your home for radioactive gases like radon that are known to cause lung cancer.

Read more …

February family fun events

• Chicago Museum of Science and Industry
• Morton Arboretum
• Knock Knolls Nature Center
• Garfield park Conservatory
• February
• Events

Planning family outings during the unpredictable winter weather can be daunting, but below are a variety of different events happening that can make planning easier.

Admission to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry will be free until Feb. 27. With a variety of educational and interactive exhibits and events geared toward children and adults, it’s a great time to experience one of the largest science museums in the world with the entire family.

In the Lisel area, the Morton Arboretum’s Enchanted Railroad brings life to 10 miniature model trains from around the world that wind through captivating scenery. The two-story display can be enjoyed by children of all ages.

Read more …

EIU sees enrollment increase for the first time in over 10 years

Eastern Illinois University’s continuous work to better the institution is paying off. The university announced this week that it has seen a five percent increase in enrollment over the past year, the first increase in more than 10 years.

Although freshman, graduate students and online students are to thank for this influx in enrollment, the strongest increase came from undergraduate transfer students.

EIU’s Vitalization Project may have contributed to the rise in enrollment. This project was created to advance EIU on its “Pathway to Success” mission and to craft a vision for EIU’s vitalized future. Built as a task force and working groups, the main goal of the Vitalization Project is to better the institution, attract higher enrollments and distinguish EIU in the competitive marketplace.

Read more …