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Community SpotlightSon of Bridgeview residents named Firefighter of the YearLt/EMT Martin Vilimek was named Firefighter of the Year as a result of nominations from his fellow firefighters at the Dunedin Fire Department in the city of Dunedin, Florida on Feb 18. Vilimek grew up in Bridgeview and, at the age of 18, was the youngest full-time firefighter for the Bridgeview Fire Department. He worked for the Bridgeview Fire Department as a firefighter and paramedic before he and his family moved to Largo, Florida seven years ago. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in December 2008 and was presented with an award in mid-February as the 2009 Fire Reponder of the Year. This past year he volunteered to be a member of the City’s Employee Action Committee, which has provided fire department representation that gives input to the city administration. Lt. Vilimek has also been involved in the union as a shift representative.  Lt. Vilimek is the son of Martin and Alice Vilimek of Bridgeview. He and his wife Angela have two sons, Tyler and Bailey. _________________________________________________________________________ St. Fabian Church to host Irish Fest St. Fabian Church, 83rd & Oketo in Bridgeview will be hosting their 10th Annual Irish Mass on March 16 with ministers drawn from throughout the Chicagoland area. The Presider will be Fr. Michael Leonard, Director of the Chicago Irish Immigrant Support Center. Music will be provided by Dennis J. Newman, Music Director of St. Fabian’s along with cantor Ann Klochan, Jim Poynton & the Poynton Family Singers, Becky Scherer of the NW Indiana Symphony Chorus, soloist Mary Harvey, violin teacher Imelda Kaminski and other musicians from St. Fabian’s as well as gifted flautist & Archdiocesan Music Director, Anna Belle O’Shea and bagpiper Bruce Quintos. The evening begins with Irish preludes at 7 p.m., with the Mass itself at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will follow at 8:45 p.m. in the parish hall, accompanied by the lively steps of the Weber Irish Dancers along with raffle and prizes (among them, tickets to professional sports, and a pair of tickets to this summer’s Jimmy Buffet concert at Toyota Park). All profits from the evening will go to benefit the African students of Binkolo Secondary School in northern Sierra Leone (first evangelized by the Irish Holy Ghost missionaries). With this year’s theme, “Let the Light Grow Ever Brighter—a Celebration of the Irish Love of Learning,” it will be a great evening for teachers and all involved in education — and all who love Irish music. _________________________________________________________________________ CEDA announces 2010 scholarship program The Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA) has announced that continuing education scholarships for income-eligible residents of suburban Cook County are now available through CEDA’s local service centers. The program is open to all suburban residents enrolled or planning to attend Illinois accredited institutions of higher learning or occupational training. This year’s scholarship program offers financial aid for the Fall 2010 school semester to high school seniors, graduates or equivalent who aspire to higher education. Eligible applicants must provide a CEDA application, references and proof of income for 90 day eligibility. Deadline for applications is April 19. In the Southwest Suburban area applications may be obtained from CEDA Southwest, 7666 W. 63rd St., Summit, (708) 458-2736. Since its inception in 1986 the CEDA Scholarship Program has awarded continuing education scholarships to low income students who demonstrate academic achievement, career potential and education motivation. The program is funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity through CEDA’s Community Services Block Grant. Applications and references are reviewed by the CEDA Scholarship Committee, which is comprised of community volunteers representing business, education and social services. Selected applicants will be involved and scholarship recipients will be notified before July. |
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