Saturday, April 28, 2012

Loop of the Lakes 5K Race in Vernon Hills

Christopher Lecaroz of Vernon Hills gets his mind and body ready for the Vernon Hills Park District's annual "Loop of the Lakes" 5K race at Century Park in Vernon Hills.  | Mark Ukena~for Sun-Times Media

Just before the start of the Vernon Hills Park District's annual Loop of the Lakes 5K race at Century Park in Vernon Hills, Johan age 7 (left) stretches with brother Zachary Hanson, age 9 of Vernon Hills.  | Mark Ukena~for Sun-Times Media

Kevin Conn of Lake Villa does a couple of stretches before the start of the Loop of the Lakes 5K race at Century Park in Vernon Hills.  | Mark Ukena~for Sun-Times Media

Sarah Grupe of Vernon hills, stretches her legs while choosing her playlist just before the start of the Vernon Hills Park District's annual Loop of the Lakes 5K race at Century Park in Vernon Hills.  | Mark Ukena~for Sun-Times Media

The Vernon Hills Park District holds annual Loop of the Lakes 5K race at Century Park in Vernon Hills.  | Mark Ukena~for Sun-Times Media

Big turnout despite the 40 degree rainy weather at the Vernon Hills Park District's annual Loop of the Lakes 5K race at Century Park in Vernon Hills, consisting of two laps with dips, turns, hills and beautiful scenery.  | Mark Ukena~for Sun-Times Media

More than a hundred people showed up despite the 40 degree rainy weather at the Vernon Hills Park District's annual Loop of the Lakes 5K race at Century Park in Vernon Hills.  | Mark Ukena~for Sun-Times Media

The Vernon Hills Park District holds annual Loop of the Lakes 5K race at Century Park in Vernon Hills.  | Mark Ukena~for Sun-Times Media

Keith Brzezinski, age 50 of Lake Villa, wins the Vernon Hills Park District's annual Loop of the Lakes 5K race at Century Park in Vernon Hills, with an incredible time of 19:51.   | Mark Ukena~for Sun-Times Media

Tim Piotrowski, age 22 of Vernon Hills walks the entire Loop of the Lakes 5K race at Century Park in Vernon Hills, without any shoes or socks, completely barefoot, even in the forty degree wet and windy weather.  | Mark Ukena~for Sun-Times Media

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

IHSA Varsity Boys Volleyball: Warren at Zion

Warren plays Zion Benton in Boy's Varsity Volleyball at Zion Benton High School.  Zion's Matthew Isaacs, number four, just gets his fingers on and tips one over the net.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Warren plays Zion Benton in Boy's Varsity Volleyball at Zion Benton High School.  Warren senior, Joe Alexander spikes one right into Zion blocker number 15, Niko Paaloalo.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Warren plays Zion Benton in Boy's Varsity Volleyball at Zion Benton High School.  Zion's Josh Hieb, number 8, gets ready for a play, while Warren's Sean O'Connor (#16) and John Kroc (#13) are ready for action.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Warren plays Zion Benton in Boy's Varsity Volleyball at Zion Benton High School.  Warren's big hitter, Sean O'Connor blasts one right into Zion blockers, D.J. Reynolds (#13) and Niko Paaloalo (#15).  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Warren plays Zion Benton in Boy's Varsity Volleyball at Zion Benton High School.  Warren's Sean O'Connor (left) with John Kroc attempt to block, after Zion's D.J. Reynolds (#13) pounds one in their direction.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Warren plays Zion Benton in Boy's Varsity Volleyball at Zion Benton High School.  Zion's Kyle Fitzgerald (#14) spikes the ball right into Warren's Joe Alexander (#8) and John Kroc (#13).  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Warren plays Zion Benton in Boy's Varsity Volleyball at Zion Benton High School.  Zion's Josh Hieb (#8) spikes the ball into Warren's blockers, Joe Alexander (#8) and John Kroc (#13).  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Warren plays Zion Benton in Boy's Varsity Volleyball at Zion Benton High School.  Zion's D.J. Reynolds (#13) berrely keeps one in play, but Warren's Tyler Smith (#9) is ready for anything.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Warren plays Zion Benton in Boy's Varsity Volleyball at Zion Benton High School.  Zion's Niko Paaloalo attempts a spike, but Warren's Max Bongratz, Sophomore #19, is ready to block.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Warren plays Zion Benton in Boy's Varsity Volleyball at Zion Benton High School.  Warren's Tyler Smith (left) and Zion's Matthew Isaacs both go for a tip at the same time.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Warren plays Zion Benton in Boy's Varsity Volleyball at Zion Benton High School.  Zion's Kyle Fitzgerald (left) with Warren's Tyler Smith, both reaching for the score at the same moment in time.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Monday, April 23, 2012

Scientist Ian Wilson of Colarado State University presented the Humboldt Squid to the second graders at Laura B. Sprague School

Scientist Ian Wilson of Colarado State University presented the Humboldt squid to the second graders at Laura B. Sprague School in Lincolnshire.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Scientist Ian Wilson of Colarado State University presented the Humboldt squid to the second graders at Laura B. Sprague School in Lincolnshire, here is a squid eye.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Scientist Ian Wilson of Colarado State University presented the Humboldt squid to the second graders at Laura B. Sprague School in Lincolnshire, these are the suckles from squid tentacles.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Scientist Ian Wilson of Colarado State University presented the Humboldt squid to the second graders at Laura B. Sprague School in Lincolnshire, these are several squid beaks.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Scientist Ian Wilson of Colarado State University presented the Humboldt squid to the second graders at Laura B. Sprague School in Lincolnshire.  Here Ian demonstrates how the squid breaths and uses its defense mechanism when escaping predators.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Scientist Ian Wilson of Colarado State University presented the Humboldt squid to the second graders at Laura B. Sprague School in Lincolnshire.  Ian shows a slideshow of when he was doing research on a ship through Monterey Bay, California, the Inside Passage of Alaska, and the Sea of Cortez in Mexico.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Scientist Ian Wilson of Colarado State University presented the Humboldt squid to the second graders at Laura B. Sprague School in Lincolnshire.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Scientist Ian Wilson of Colarado State University presented the Humboldt squid to the second graders at Laura B. Sprague School in Lincolnshire.  Ian dissects the squid sample in order to study its internal organs, also to find out what sex it is, this is a female squid.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Scientist Ian Wilson of Colarado State University presented the Humboldt squid to the second graders at Laura B. Sprague School in Lincolnshire.  The squid has been dissected for everyone to view its internal organs and to find out what sex it is.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Scientist Ian Wilson of Colarado State University presented the Humboldt squid to the second graders at Laura B. Sprague School in Lincolnshire.  After the squid has been dissected, the kids feel the textures of its organs and skin and look closely with magnify glasses.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Saturday, April 21, 2012

The Lake County Family YMCA Centennial Celebration Casino Night at Double Tree Hotel

The Lake County Family YMCA holds Centennial Celebration Casino Night at the Double Tree Hilton in Mundelein, with raffles, auctions, prizes, food, drinks, and gambling.

The Lake County Family YMCA holds Centennial Celebration Casino Night at the Double Tree Hilton in Mundelein.  Each center piece is crafted by the children in the photograph in their after school activity classes.

The Lake County Family YMCA holds Centennial Celebration Casino Night at the Double Tree Hilton in Mundelein, with raffles, auctions, prizes, food, drinks, and gambling.

The Lake County Family YMCA holds Centennial Celebration Casino Night at the Double Tree Hilton in Mundelein.  Live music by, "3 For All" from left is Gary Swiontel, Jerry Coleman, and Jack Baron.

The Lake County Family YMCA holds Centennial Celebration Casino Night at the Double Tree Hilton in Mundelein.  Commissioner of Waukegan Park District, Bill Sarocka, going for the "Blackhawks Package" in the silent auction.

The Lake County Family YMCA holds Centennial Celebration Casino Night at the Double Tree Hilton in Mundelein, with raffles, auctions, prizes, food, drinks, and gambling.

The Lake County Family YMCA holds Centennial Celebration Casino Night at the Double Tree Hilton in Mundelein.  YMCA supporter Bob Haymaker (left) having a few laughs with the Honorable David M. Hall, Circuit Judge of Lake County.

Stacy and Jason Trager trying their hand in some Black Jack at the Lake County YMCA Centennial Celebration Casino Night at the Double Tree Hilton in Mundelein.

The Lake County Family YMCA holds Centennial Celebration Casino Night at the Double Tree Hilton in Mundelein.  A nice group of people gathering around the American Roulette table, which is always fun to play, and watch.

The Lake County Family YMCA holds Centennial Celebration Casino Night at the Double Tree Hilton in Mundelein.  Just an all around good time, when having a go at the Craps table, sharing laughs with new and old friends.

IHSA Girls Track Meet at Palatine High School

Haley Becker of Libertyville starts her approach on the high jump at a girls track meet at Palatine High School.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Haley Becker of Libertyville competing in the high jump at a girls track meet at Palatine High School.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Haley Becker of Libertyville just clears the beam in the high jump at a girls track meet at Palatine High School.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Jen Angster of Libertyville smokes the other competitors in the sprints, 100 meter dash at a girls track meet at Palatine High School.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Jen Angster of Libertyville smokes the other competitors in the sprints, 100 meter dash at a girls track meet at Palatine High School.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Girls Track meet at Palatine High School, Carolina Carmichael of Lake Forest easily clears the beam in the Pole Vault, being one of the best in the state.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Girls Track meet at Palatine High School, Carolina Carmichael of Lake Forest easily clears the beam in the Pole Vault, being one of the best in the state.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Girls Track meet at Palatine High School, Carolina Carmichael of Lake Forest, is pleased with her performance in the Pole Vault.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Carolina Carmichael of Lake Forest exceptionally talented in every event, performing very well here in the Hurdles at a girls track meet at Palatine High School.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Katie Sackett of Libertyville running in the 300 meter Hurdles at a girls track meet at Palatine High School.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Girls Track meet at Palatine High School.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)