Pulse: Lambs, burgers and rock ’n roll
By Sun staff and freelance reports February 13, 2013 6:22PM
Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago has some new arrivals — several newborn lambs have recently joined the flock of Southdown sheep. | Submitted
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Updated: March 16, 2013 6:05AM
Sheep shot
Kline Creek welcomes newborn lambs
Never mind that groundhog, who’s hunkered down back in his subterranean den. March could easily come in like a lion, but it will surely go out with lambs at Kline Creek Farm.
The DuPage County Forest Preserve District’s living-history farm is celebrating a little early spring renewal with several newborn lambs. Staff and volunteers found a healthy newborn ram among the flock early one Monday in late January when they arrived to start morning chores.
“The lamb was strong and nursing on its own, just as we hope for every delivery,” said Keith McClow, the farm’s manager, in a birth announcement — er, news release. Several other ewes have given birth since then, and more births are expected over the coming weeks.
Visitors can see the little ones jumping and frolicking in the sheepfold and take a trip back to life in the 1890s at Kline Creek. Admission is free and the farm gates are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday, but outbuildings — including the sheepfold — close at 4:30 p.m.
The farm is at 1n600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. For more information, call 630-876-5900.
Worthy burger
Fast food sales will aid Naperville CARES
Next Thursday, you might want to handle your eating with CARE.
Meatheads, but upscale burger joint in the Springbrook Prairie Pavilion retail center at 75th Street and Beebe Drive, will donate 10 percent of its Feb. 21 receipts to Naperville CARES (Community Acting in Response to Economic Stress). The agency helps local families meet their essential needs through emergency financial support and resources. Just print out (and share) the flier found here: library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1103559897665-128/Meatheads+flyer.pdf.
Idol reflection
Phillip Phillips to
headline BenBash
Season 11 winner of television’s popular “American Idol” might not have a connection with Benedictine University — until now. He will perform April 13 at BenBash 2013 in the Dan and Ada Rice Center, beginning at 8 p.m.
Phillips has literally struck gold since his American Idol appearance, including his hit single “Home,” which has sold more than 3.4 million copies. The song has earned triple platinum status and was used as the soundtrack for the 2012 U.S. Olympics women’s gymnastics team and more recently has become the unofficial theme song for Hurricane Sandy relief.
University staff members are excited about landing the music star, noting that as it planned its spring concert, Phillips was one of the top choices.
“His name came up, and when we contacted him, we were lucky enough that he was available,” said Debbie Smith, university events director at Benedictine University. “We did look into him because he was an ‘Idol’ winner and knew that he would be a good show. We also thought he was a good fit for the university.”
Smith said that after Phillips was announced as the BenBash act, the university’s social media lit up, and they have been receiving nonstop calls about tickets.
“In the three years we have been doing concerts, with some rather big names, we have never had this much buzz,” Smith added.
Pre-sale tickets are two for $50 and four for $100 and will go on sale Feb. 13-14. Beginning Feb. 15, general admission tickets will be $30. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ben.edu/benbash and on the university’s campus in the Krasa Student Center, room 055.
Rockin’ ‘gray’
Pete Wentz comes to Anderson’s to tout book
Chicago bass player Pete Wentz has penned a book, “Gray” — a novel which may include more fact than fiction.
The founder of the Chicago-based band Fall Out Boy will appear Tuesday at Anderson’s Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, to talk about his book, which explores some of the myths of being a rock ’n roll star.
Wentz’s band was rumored to have broken up, but wound up performing last week in New York. During the band’s hiatus, he played with another group, the Black Cards.
A spokesperson for his publisher Simon & Schuster told The Sun that Wentz’ stop here in Naperville is part of a cross-country tour with stops planned in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.
“Pete begins his tour on Feb. 18 in Los Angeles and is flying here to Chicago the next day,” the spokesman said.
“Given he is from Wilmette, Ill., he naturally wanted to come to the Chicago area as a part of his book tour. His book is fiction, but a lot of it is inspired by things that have happened in his own life.”
Wentz will appear at 7 p.m. Visit www.andersonsbookshop.com to buy the book and receive a number for the signing line.
