Pulse: Storm Chaser Reed Timmer visits Lincoln School
Sun staff and freelance reports March 1, 2013 1:38PM
This Feb. 19, 2013 photo shows author Stephenie Meyer speaking in Miami. Meyer, author of the "Twilight" saga says she's working on a new series. She wrote "The Host" as an escape from editing of one of the books in the popular vampire series. The movie adaption of "The Host" premieres March 29. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
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Updated: April 2, 2013 6:05AM
Lincoln Junior High School students experienced a storm of their own last week when Reed Timmer, chief meteorologist and extreme weather enthusiast from Discovery Channel’s “Storm Chasers” visited to the Naperville school.
“Reed was awesome; he truly lit a fire of passion within the kids with his own passion for science and meteorology,” said Lincoln teacher Josh Stumpenhorst, who arranged the visit. “He did a meet and greet with a small group of kids, answered questions and even roamed for a while looking at kids’ projects and talking to them.”
Timmer’s visit was just one part of the school’s Innovation Day, a program that creates “an environment where students direct their learning for the day.” Launched in 2011 by Stumpenhorst, Innovation Day has become a favorite annual event, and adding the storm chaser’s appearance was simply a bonus.
“Reed serves as a model of someone who pursues their life passion,” Stumpenhorst said. “He is a great example of someone pursuing their interests and demonstrating true lifelong learning. The kids flat out loved him, and could not get enough of him and his stories.”
Dance Craze
Doin’ the Harlem Shake
at children’s museum
Goodbye Gangnam Style, hello, Harlem Shake. The latest dance craze to sweep the country has landed in Naperville, thanks to the staff of the DuPage Children’s Museum.
“Long gone are the days we stand by and let the Internet pulse with excitement and fun without DuPage Children’s Museum adding our own unique spin and participation,” said Bri Bromberek, museum representative. “We always want to find unique ways to interact with staff members, volunteers and our visitors, so by participating in this fun dance and creating the video, we were able to get everyone involved.”
Bromberek said it’s been about a month since the techno-track created by DJ-producer Baauer was made famous by an avalanche of dance videos. Last Friday, the museum staff put their spin on the shake, which already has been seen by more than a thousand viewers. Check it out at http://youtu.be/pLs3Gtflah0
Hanging out with abe
Volunteer loves time
at Lincoln Memorial
Earlier this week, Daniel Day-Lewis walked away with the Oscar for best actor for his portrayal of the 16th president of the United States. And curiously, Naperville maintains a connection with the iconic president through local resident John Hogan, 54, who is a volunteer at the Lincoln Memorial. He is a historical interpreter.
“I work in Washington, D.C. a lot because of my job in international airline operations and administration,” Hogan said. “Over two years ago, I became a volunteer offering tours of the Lincoln Memorial. There are a couple of levels of involvement, including just passing out pamphlets and telling people where the bathrooms are, but I took things a lot further.”
Hogan is a certified interpreter guide through the National Association for Interpretation and spent an extra week completing special training. A self-professed history buff and Lincoln fan, Hogan also published his first public writing ever this fall when he wrote an article for the Legacy magazine, which caters to the historical and natural interpretation profession.
Hogan said he was thrilled Day-Lewis won the award, though he admits he is biased.
“I think the movie and award will continue to keep the general public engaged and connected with Lincoln, even though he wasn’t liked by 100 percent of the people back then,” Hogan said. “I still feel he was able to make a connection with people.”
Hogan said he enjoys his own connection with visitors to the memorial who sometimes express envy at Hogan’s ability to hang out with Abe as much as he wants.
“I tell them he’s a great listener, and he doesn’t talk back,” Hogan said.
She’s coming
Twilight author coming
to sign books for ‘The Host’
Fans of the Twilight saga should mark March 11 on their calendars because author Stephenie Meyer will appear at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville from 2 until 5 p.m. to promote the movie-related edition of her book, “The Host.” In addition, Meyer will be joined by actors Max Irons and Jake Abel, who each appear in the film.
Candace Purdom, who handles publicity and events for Anderson’s, said Meyers represents one of the biggest popular authors of our time.
“This is the same book that was published earlier with a new movie cover,” Purdom said. “Stephenie has been here before for her ‘Twilight’ series, and we’ve sold out all the seats at North Central’s Pfeiffer Hall. Even though this is an afternoon event, I’m sure we’ll have people up and down the aisles.”
Those purchasing a copy of the movie edition of “The Host” will receive a miniature movie poster, which both the actors and Meyer will sign. She also will sign copies of her book, and fans are asked to limit signature requests to two books per customer or one book and the movie poster. The film opens nationally March 29.
Tickets are limited. Contact Anderson’s at 630-355-2665.
Snow joke
Mild winters plump
municipal wallet
Your back might be achin’ after this week’s expression of what Mother Nature sometimes can do at this time of year. But thanks to the current second in an apparent series of mild winters, the old spine has thus far been spared much of the usual seasonal wear and tear. The city of Naperville has been saved some expense, too.
Budget director Karen DeAngelis reported this week that Dick Dublinski, the city’s public works director, predicts $500,000 in savings for the city this fiscal year, after little snow fell last winter. It means the city will need to spend $314,000 less on salt next year, DeAngelis said, savings in next year’s salt outlay.
