Auditions being held this weekend for the next Stage 212 performance

There’s more than one way to experience a drought and it always doesn’t have to be about rain. A comedy coming to Stage 212 is about a woman that starts falling for a man that promises to bring rain to her family’s town. Her father and brothers think she is hopeless.

If that sounds like your kind of performance, auditions for “The Rainmaker” are at 7pm Friday and Saturday at the theater on First Street in La Salle.

It’s being directed by Ellen Marincic. The cast calls for a woman in her early thirties and six men. Performances will be in November.

AMBUCS chapter providing therapy bikes to local children

A bicycle is to a child is what a car is to you- freedom.  Unlike your car, a bicycle provides exercise and that’s crucial for people with physical disabilities.

Two dozen people, mostly children are able to ride customized therapy bikes thanks to the I-80 Chapter of AMBUCS. Rob Swon of Seneca helped establish the local chapter last September after his son received a bike in 2008.

Swon says the bikes are designed by therapists and can cost between $200 to $1,100. He says Masonic Lodges have been large supporters.

The LP High School Future Business Leaders of America recently donated a specialized tricycle to Alex Munson of Magnolia. 

Swon says they rely on donations. Find out how you can help by visiting their group on Facebook. 

Upgrades to the Cultural Center has the IVCC theater department on the road

The Cultural Center at Illinois Valley Community College is getting a new sound system that should improve your theater experience.  Don Grant Zellmer of IVCC says that will have them producing four shows this fall semester on the road.

The venue for their children’s production is the Hegeler Carus Mansion.  Zellmer says they’ve produced shows at the mansion before and it is a great experience for the children.  Three other shows, including the tap dancing musical Dames at Sea, will be performed in St. Bede Academy’s small theater.  Zellmer says they have developed a great partnership with St. Bede.

You don’t have to be an IVCC student to audition for a part. Auditions are being held later this month.  Learn more about the upcoming theater season by listening to an interview at the WLPO AM and FM news page.

Hall canceling classes to remember popular teacher

There’s no school Friday at Hall High School after the death of a popular teacher.

Barb Fulara died Monday. She retired in May after 34 years at Hall teaching speech, English and being a library media specialist.

The service is Friday morning so classes are cancelled to allow staff, students and parents to go pay their respects.

Outdoor dining a go in Utica

Outdoor dining is a go in downtown Utica.

Businesses on Mill Street will be allowed to serve food and alcohol at tables on the sidewalk after the Utica Board of Trustees agreed to it Wednesday night according to the NewsTribune. Restaurants with outdoor dining will have to pay a yearly fee of $15.

While the outdoor food idea was unanimously supported, Mayor Gloria Alvarado had to break a tie vote to allow liquor service at outdoor tables. The drinks will only be served in plastic cups.
Alvarado says if outdoor dining with alcohol works in the suburbs it shouldn’t be a problem in Utica.

Peru Police Chief says department ready for Uproar Festival

Do you think the Uproar Festival will be a security nightmare? The man who helped put together a security plan for the concert isn’t sweating it.

Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei says he doesn’t think the crowd Saturday will be as big as Kid Rock and they had few issues with that show. Bernabei thinks a vocal minority has made too much of the fact that hard rock fans will be at the festival.

With ten bands on the lineup, Bernabei says the biggest issue may be providing security for that long of a concert. He plans on stagger off-duty officers in and out. Patrol officers won’t be taken off the road to work.

Godsmack and Buckcherry headline the Uproar Festival stop at Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru.