Sen. Mark Kirk, who suffered a stroke last month, is “adapting well” at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and has started walking on a treadmill.

“We are pleased with his progress,” said Dr. Richard L. Harvey, medical director of the institute’s Center for Stroke Rehabilitation who is overseeing Kirk’s care. “This week he started walking exercises on a treadmill and is performing an increasing number of routine tasks independently.”

Read more: The Chicago Tribune.

TribLocal – Forest Park

On Monday, February 13th, 2012, the 6th graders went on a field trip to the Field Museum in downtown Chicago. This trip coincided with what the students have studied this year in Social Studies and Science.

The Social Studies teacher, Tricia Allocco, wanted the students to spend time in the exhibit, “Inside Ancient Egypt."

Science teacher, Beth Lee, wanted the students to explore the “Evolving Planet” exhibit.

Not only did this field trip help bring the curriculum to life, but it also gave the 6th grade students a chance to learn in an engaging way outside the typical classroom.

According to 6th grader Julius Kibir-Evans, “Egypt was the best part of the field trip because we got to see tombs and mummies!”

TribLocal – Forest Park

It looks like we dodged a bullet as snowfall totals were lower than expected in the area and a winter weather advisory has expired.

A winter weather advisory that was in effect for Cook and Will counties was canceled at 9 p.m., and the snow has “pretty much stopped,’’ according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Jim Allsopp.

Read more at the Chicago Tribune.

TribLocal – Forest Park

Forest Park Review reports: Nello Ferrara, 93, of River Forest, patriarch and chairman of the board of the Ferrara Pan Candy company died on Feb. 3. He created the legacy Ferrara brands: Atomic Fireballs and Lemonheads. Under his leadership, Ferrara Pan became a candy company of national prominence.

Get the full story: forestparkreview.com

TribLocal – Forest Park

An open letter to every teen who has ever rolled their eyes when an adult said, "Hey, these are the best days of your life!":

First of all, I'm sorry if that didn't make you feel better. We weren't trying to downplay the stress you deal with on a daily basis. We didn't want to suggest that your real feelings didn't matter. More than likely, we were just trying to help put a positive spin on things.

Here's the reality – at least as seen from this dad's eyes. Every part of life has its good parts, its not-so-good parts, and it's awesome parts. Living life means you get the highs and lows. And as much as us parents want to protect you, bad and sad things do happen. The goal, I think, is to have more good, awesome things in your life than the crummy things. Because if you have more "good" then I think you have a terrific shot at always having parts of your life feel like "The Best Days."

So how do you get those good days?

Actually, I think the older you get, the more you have the ability and responsibility to help bring goodness to your life. It starts with your attitude and outlook. It's supported by having positive friends. It's reinforced by doing things that are healthy for your body and your mind. Some of you may think this seems impossible. But I promise, the older you get – the more you will have the ability to bring good things into your life.

Even if you don't feel that way right now.

I also know some of you have some really tough situations in your life today. Maybe it's a bad home life. Maybe it's a mom or dad with problems of their own. Maybe it's issues at school. Teachers. Other kids. Maybe it's lack of acceptance. Maybe it's lack of tolerance. Maybe it's worse.

You're told that it will get better. And maybe some of you are rolling your eyes at that, too.

But the truth is, it CAN get better and it WILL get better. But you need to be part of the process. (And, yes, this is the part of my annoying dad habit where I repeat myself). But there are two things I really want you to remember:

First, you can bring goodness into your own life. Go back and read my paragraph that begins with, "Actually, I think the older you get…." Read it. Remember it. And believe it.

Second, every part of life has good things and not so good things. This will be the case when you're 20, 36, 48 and 90. Keep working to bring more goodness in your life. The more good things in your life, the happier you will be. Every age holds elements of "The Best Days."

So what can you do if you feel like you're living in a dark hole right now?

For starters, you don't deserve to feel that way. You deserve to be treated with respect. You deserve a healthy environment to grow up in. You deserve that and so much more. And you deserve an adult to help you find solutions. There are always solutions. Maybe you've tried to get someone to listen and they didn't. Good for you for trying. And I'm sorry that person didn't step up to the plate to help. Some people just aren't good at helping. But there are individuals who will help. You just have to keep asking people you trust. Parents, grandparents, older siblings, aunts, uncles, teachers, former teachers, principals, advisors, ministers, rabbis, a kind neighbor, a youth leader – there are options for you. Maybe it's a parent of a friend. You deserve the help of an adult.

Don't try to fix it alone. You'll have plenty of opportunities to fix things alone when you're an adult.

So even if these days don't feel so good, there are an abundance of good days waiting for you to discover, experience and savor. Go find them. Make them yours.

Because you deserve it.

/////

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TribLocal – Forest Park

TribLocal – Forest Park

The FBI is searching for a man who robbed a Charter One Bank branch this morning in suburban Elmwood.

The robber, described by officials as a white male, walked into the Charter One Bank located at 7312 W. Grand Ave. and pulled out a handgun, the FBI said.

The robber is about 6 feet tall and heavy set with colored hair,officials said.

The details of the robbery were not immediately available, but no one was injured.

Read more at the Chicago Tribune.

TribLocal – Forest Park

25 more TribLocal readers won Restaurant.com gift cards this week in the ,000 TribLocal Restaurant Gift Card Giveaway. 25 more winners remain, so enter today at contests.triblocal.com/dine.

Week Three – Ann Freier, Betty Tomei, Bonnie Jurkowski, Cherie Knitter, Christine O’Connor, Diann Kohley, Heather Sprinkle, Jay Twery, Jo Ann Mahoney, John Kella, John Kerlin, Julius C. Borchert, Karen Wootton, Lauren Olvera, Leonora Richards, Linda Berta, Lorinda Anderson, Mark Gillespie, Michele Eich, Paul Ciszewski, Richard Gentry, Robert Mikulec, Sandi Haynes, Steve Weiss, Willie Lara

Click here for the complete list of winners.

TribLocal – Forest Park

Sen. Mark Kirk has been upgraded from serious to fair condition, according to a brief statement today by his neurosurgeon.

“Senator Kirk’s recovery is continuing,” said Dr. Richard Fessler. “He is alert, talking and responding well to questions.”

Read more: The Chicago Tribune. 

TribLocal – Forest Park

Saying she was “disturbed and disappointed and discouraged,” Cook County board president Toni Preckwinkle promised to “overhaul” the medical examiner’s office — and fire some workers — because of crowded conditions in the morgue.

“I’ve been as disturbed, discouraged and disappointed by the information that’s come to my attention at the medical examiner’s office as many of you,” Preckwinkle said following a tour of the facility today. “I expect there will be some people that lose their jobs.”

But for now, Medical Examiner Nancy Jones does not appear to be in jeopardy of being fired, though Preckwinkle was measured in her support of the county’s top forensic pathologist. Jones was not present at the press conference in the lobby of the morgue.

Read more at the Chicago Tribune.

TribLocal – Forest Park