Tuesday, July 27, 2010

“Kids and cops combine for summer fun in Elgin” plus 3 more

“Kids and cops combine for summer fun in Elgin” plus 3 more

Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Kids and cops combine for summer fun in Elgin

Posted: 26 Jul 2010 10:15 PM PDT


July 27, 2010

ELGIN -- While online games and social networking sites have seemingly kept many kids planted in front of an electronic screen, images of children engaging in traditional summertime activities still can be seen -- one courtesy of the Elgin Police Department.

It's a hot and humid late Thursday afternoon as youths file into Illinois Park Elementary School, 1350 Wing St., on the city's west side.

No PlayStations, Xboxes or laptops will be found on the premises. Instead, what's attracted these young people -- ages ranging 10 to 16 -- is a chance to play by simpler means: basketballs, soccer balls and board games.

"The favorite here is dodge ball," said program coordinator police Sgt. Gary Neal said. "I don't know what it is, but they love to take out some aggression."

"They just sling it," Neal joked. "You don't want to be playing with them when it comes to that."

Now in its fourth year, the Kids United program is one of a bevy of activities designed to give area youth something to do over the summer months, a time when several types of crime -- such as car burglaries and graffiti -- have typically spiked.

"It's (the program's) two-fold," Neal said. "It's keeping kids off the street where they may be out getting in trouble. But it's also not just occupying kids' time; it's actually educational. It's about building relationships -- it's recognizing kids and helping them to become leaders within the community."

Building trust

Another component of the program is the one-on-one discussions officers can have with kids to build better relationships and establish a higher level of trust.

The program runs Mondays through Thursdays from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. During that time, the gym and cafeteria of a local school are opened for kids to freely use -- whether for a spirited game of UNO or to work on their jump shot.

"I love to play basketball," said 13-year-old Bryant Almazo of Elgin, who has participated in the program since its summer session began June 14.

Around 6:30 p.m., dinner is served from food donations provided by the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Free for participants, the program's funding is provided by Elgin Township.

On Fridays, the group goes on a field trip that is designed to help hone socializing skills, which Neal said has become something of a lost art in an age where texting and Facebook have become prominent means of communication.

"We don't have any TV games -- we don't do any of that," Neal said. "One of the biggest things that we want them to do is to learn how to interact with people to sharpen their personal skills."

Since its inception in 2007, the program has been extended year-round, opening its doors anytime schools are closed, including holidays as well as winter and spring breaks.

Neal said the program was started partly as an alternative means, aside from enforcement, to address the problems associated with violating the city's weeknight curfew of 11 p.m. for those under age 17.

"I believe giving these kids something to do during these times really negates the levels of our curfew violations," he said.

About 50 to 65 kids attend the program each night, down compared to last year when the average attendance totalled around 100. Neal believes the decline is partly due to the school's remote location compared to past sites but is confident of increased involvement as the summer progresses.

Good for officers, too

As for its overall significance, Police Chief Jeff Swoboda said the program has had a positive effect for the young people who take part and the officers who interact with them.

"What I've seen is when officers are interacting with kids, many times it actually re-lights their fires as to why they became police officers," he said. "So I think it helps the police department, these types of programs, as many times as much as it helps the individual kids and also the community."


Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Firing away at fun at kids day

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 06:24 AM PDT

Firing away at fun at kids day

Kids Day on Tuesday officially kicked off the AuSable River Festival. Hundreds of kids packed Grayling City Park for free fun and games and food. Above, Tina Borchers, a Michigan State University Extension employee, helps Trista O'Connor shoot a squirt gun at fish placed on a board with holes cut in the surface. Photo by Dan Sanderson

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 11:43 AM EDT

Playing for the Sick Kids

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 02:28 AM PDT

A VIDEO games marathon which has already raised more than £1000 for the Sick Kids hospital has won influential backing.

The Sick Kids Save Point event, which will see people in the Lothians holding 24-hour games sessions in their homes, has been sponsored by the creators of Grand Theft Auto, Rockstar Games.

It will take place between 6 and 8 August and will generate funds for the Sick Kids Friends' Foundation. Tom Freeman is organising the event.


Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Nutmeg Games: Last minute decision pays off for Plainville

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 01:09 AM PDT

Monday, July 26, 2010 10:59 PM EDT

By MATT STRAUB

NEW BRITAIN — The Plainville High School entry in the Nutmeg Games' 18-under boys soccer tournament was thrown together on a whim.

If their first game was any indication, the team's last-minute decision to play was a very good one.

Admir Kandic scored on a long shot from the left side with about 10 minutes left in regulation as Plainville won its first pool play game 1-0 over Norwalk at Veterans Stadium.

"These are a lot of the boys from the high school team, we got the boys together and formed a team for this," Plainville coach Brian Woodhouse said. "We have a mixed bag of kids. They put it together real well today."

The Plainville squad has players who are young enough to play U-14 and old enough to reach the high end of the U-18 class. But they have some experience with each other, having come through Plainville's youth soccer programs together, including in the school system.

"These kids have been playing soccer together for years," Woodhouse said. "They've been playing together for five, six years and have a real nice chemistry with each other."

That chemistry showed as the match wore on. Plainville struggled in the opening moments, giving up a pair of shots, but quickly found a rhythm. Plainville ended up with a 6-2 shot advantage in the first half, with its best opportunity coming on a corner that was deflected into the box and eventually rolled to the post before being knocked away. The difference was patience. Once Plainville stopped rushing and worried more about keeping possession than its volume of shots, it dominated play.

"At the beginning we were a little nervous for the first couple of minutes," Woodhouse said. " It was fortunate we didn't give up a goal early. Once we got settled a little bit they started moving the ball around. This field is immaculate and we moved the ball on the ground instead of up in the air."

As the second of two 35-minute halves began, Plainville kept the same approach. Shane Pugliese, who was a consistent offensive force for Plainville, nearly knocked home a corner in the fourth minute of the half. Twelve minutes later he found himself alone up the right side for a cross to Nick Woodhouse, but the two couldn't convert the chance. They combined for several opportunities in the game, but it was two other players who finally put Plainville on the board.

With about 10 minutes left, Chris Utley controlled the ball near midfield and found Kandic on the left side. He launched a long shot into the lower left corner for the game's only goal and an end to the frustration that was building. Plainville ended up with a 10-4 lead in shots, and 2 of Norwalk's chances came after Plainville's goal. For much of the day, Plainville's statistical dominance was even greater.

"The kids were missing a lot of them, but you have to be there to miss them," Woodhouse said. "They kept their poise. They were very composed, which I was happy to see."

The defense, led by goalkeeper Kevin Ciotto and defender Nate Chandler held off Norwalk's final rally and preserved the win.

While winning is nice, the elder Woodhouse, who conducts practices roughly twice a week, wants his players to keep perspective.

"We wanted to get the boys together and let them play a little bit before the high school season starts," he said. "We want to make sure everyone has a good time. Winning is nice but we're here to have fun. "The kids are training without knowing they're training. They were having fun, but I'm happy. They're pretty match fit. We knocked the rust off and hopefully we can build off this."

Plainville is back in action Wednesday at Stanley Quarter against Wethersfield. Medal round play for this age group starts Thursday and runs through Saturday.

Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.
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