Bears surprise Stagg coach with Super Bowl tickets

As 56 high school athletes gathered at Halas Hall in Lake Forest late in November to be honored for their on-field exploits in the first official girls’ flag football season, one of their coaches was blindsided by Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren, who presented her with two tickets to the Super Bowl in February.

The the All-State Dinner hosted by the Bears was a way to recognize some of the best girls’ flag football players in Illinois after the sport’s inaugural season, including Hala Othman of Stagg High School in Palos Hills and Nola Oben of Sandburg High School in Orland Park. But Stagg coach Saja Alnajjar was singled out at the event as a Community Difference Maker, according to a news release from the school district.

Alnajjar, whose only previous football experience was participating in Powder Puff football games as part of Homecoming festivities when she was a student at Stagg, put together a team at the school this year that ended up winning its conference and qualifying for the state tournament.

“We won a few. We lost a few, and the girls got better every week,” Alnajjar said in the release. “They did their best and built on their skills each and every week.”

Warren said in a news release from the Bears that the opportunity to surprise Alnajjar with the tickets was the kind of thing that “makes the world special.”

“She is an incredible coach,” the Bears CEO said. “To be able to do so well this year just shows her dedication and commitment to girls flag football and also her leadership skills.”

Midlothian library seeks micropantry supplies

Officials at the Midlothian Public Library have issued a call for donations of nonperishable food and personal care and baby items to replenish the library’s micropantry.

Operating under the slogan “take what you need, leave what you can,” the micropantry, situated in the indoor cafe area of the library, 14701 Kenton Ave., is in need of all types of food and personal care items, but food items that do not require preparation and can be eaten immediately are particularly appreciated, according to a news release. Plastic utensils in packets, such as from takeout orders, are welcomed as well.

Items can be donated and the pantry can be used anytime the library is open, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Information is at 708-535-2027.

New Korean restaurant in Tinley Park

Bonchon opened the doors of its newest location Wednesday at 18305 South La Grange Road in Tinley Park.

The restaurant features Korean food such as kimchi and bulgogi, along with french fries and onion rings and the chain’s signature Korean fried chicken.

The restaurant is owned by franchisee Ting Ting Zheng and is expected to employ about 30 people.

Andrew High School counselors lauded

The Counseling Department at Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park was awarded a 2023 Impact Award by the Illinois School Counselor Association, one of only two schools to receive the recognition.

Programs are judged on how the school counselors collaborate and what impact the program has on the students, the school culture and the community.

Shepard students chip in at Lake Katherine

Students in the Business Professionals of America club at Shepard High School in Palos Heights conducted the business of helping out last weekend as they volunteered at Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Reserve in Palos Heights to work on landscaping projects.

Faculty sponsors Jennifer Spellman and Bill Cosgrove and their students spent a chilly Saturday morning clearing out and chopping down invasive weeds all along the shores of Lake Katherine, improving the environment for the native plants and animals that live there, as well as making the areas more attractive for visitors.

Chamber 57 hosting fundraising gala, toy drive

The Chamber 57 Holiday Fundraising Gala and Toy Drive is a way for the regional business community based in Rich Township to “give back in a greater capacity,” according to Percy Scott, the group’s president.

The event is planned for 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 14 at Odyssey Country Club, 19110 Ridgeland Drive, Tinley Park. The event will feature music by Maurice “Ice” Culpepper and a performance by Jay “Slique” Adams.

Tickets and information are at https://chamber57.org/.

Babysitting training offered in Flossmoor

The Flossmoor Fire Department invites teens to learn valuable safety skills during winter break in the Winter Break Babysitting Safety Training program. Participants ages 13 and up will learn child care safety basics, including CPR and basic first aid, and will receive a CPR certification card at the program’s completion.

Presented by Flossmoor Firefighter/Paramedic Kelly Thacker, the two-day program will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 28, and Jan. 4 in the Flossmoor Village Hall Board Room, 2800 Flossmoor Road. The session fee is $50. Registration will end Dec. 21. Information and registration are at www.flossmoor.org or through email at kthacker@flossmoor.org.

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