Sullivan’s Steakhouse is hosting a Celebrity Bartenders Night at Sullivan’s Steakhouse at 244 S. Main Street in Naperville on Tuesday, May 12th beginning at 6pm. This evening of fun and revelry in Sullivan’s lounge will benefit the programs at the Naperville Cultural Center located in downtown Naperville.

Celebrity bartenders for the evening include Michelle LeBlanc of the Naperville Cultural Center and new columnist for Glancer Magazine, Kristy Brezinsky of Two K Productions, Kristen Frederick of Two K Productions, Dolly McCarthy of NCTV, Lindy Kleivo of Glancer Magazine and Hilary Decent freelance writer at the Naperville Sun, Naperville Magazine and Writer/Director of Holy Neuteronomy.

Sullivan's House Specialty is the 20oz Bone-in Kansas City Strip. Desserts are made in-house, Sullivan's has an extensive wine list and complete inventory of bourbon, single malt scotch and cognac. Sullivan's features the finest steaks and seafood, unparalleled martinis, and great live jazz! Our bars boast live entertainment seven nights a week and are graced with beautiful baby grand pianos, as well as high-end cognacs, single malt scotches and an incredible wine selection.

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Naperville, IL (March 25, 2009) The Networking for A Cause fundraiser, hosted by Naperville Dental Specialists and Innovative Orthodontic Centers, is now working with Sullivan’s Steakhouse. Terrell Cole, who has been Executive Chef at Sullivan’s for about 5 years, has been a well known creative force at the upscale Naperville restaurant. He is known for his Filet Trio, Beggar’s Purse, Braised Short Ribs and Sullivan’s Sliders which are his own creations. A graduate from the highly regarded Restaurant School of Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Cole is well versed in wine pairings and course preparations which he will bring to the home of the winner of a new Network for a Cause auction item that will be bid on May 28th.

In addition, Sullivan’s Steakhouse is also holding a pre-party Celebrity Bartenders Night at Sullivan’s Steakhouse at 244 S. Main Street in Naperville on Tuesday, May 12th to give the public an opportunity to view the auction and raffle items as well as socialize. Celebrity bartenders for the evening include Michelle LeBlanc of the Naperville Cultural Center and new columnist for Glancer Magazine, Kristy Brezinsky of Two K Productions, Kristen Frederick of Two K Productions, Dolly McCarthy of NCTV, Lindy Kleivo of Glancer Magazine and Hilary Decent freelance writer at the Naperville Sun, Glancer Magazine and Writer/Director of Holy Neuteronomy.

The Network for A Cause live auction will benefit the students and teachers at the Naperville Cultural Center’s foreign language, culture and art school. The Naperville Cultural Center provides family foreign language and cultural classes such as Russian, German, theater, chess, mosaics and music which help keep people connected to history and heritage. The center had been under added stress recently due to personal family matters of the Executive Director, Michelle LeBlanc.

Late last December, LeBlanc’s elderly mother took a spill down a flight of steps resulting in a broken back and head injuries. LeBlanc, as a result, needed to take a leave of absence. With impending closure of the cultural center, volunteers stepped forward in an effort to keep it open. Naperville Dental Specialists’ Dr. Anthony LaVacca also stepped forward with an offer to hold this fundraiser in an effort to either hire an administrator or support the teachers and volunteers already in place. LeBlanc has resumed her position and been working from home on a part time basis since mid-February.

In these difficult economic times, the hosts of Networking for A Cause feel it is important also to raise the spirits of local residents and small business owners by having this soiree and encouraging people to come out, network and socialize. Timpano’s and Hugo's Frog Bar have graciously offered to sponsor appetizers for the event itself on May 28th. There will also be champaign, desserts and other hors d’oeuvres, live music and other entertainment.

A small business expo with live vending will feature sponsors of the event including Naperville Dental Specialists, Innovative Orthodontic Centers, Glancer Magazine, Creating Your Style, Le Frou Frou, American Solutions for Business, Hotel Arista and Tastefully Simple.

Other auction items include a live studio tour for up to 10 people at CBS Channel 2 with Dave Savini which includes lunch and a look at taping the noon broadcast, Two K Productions Kristy Brezinsky and Kristen Frederick (of Fashion Week Naperville) will serve your next elegant party of up to 8 people in your home now with Celebrity Chef Terrell Cole (food and wine pairing by Sullivan’s), Dr. LaVacca will be auctioning a team signed Blackhawks jersey and Dr. Ibrahim will be auctioning braces or an Invisalign package, a $6000 value.

Raffle prizes will include a full page advertisement from Glancer Magazine, a luxury basket from Whole Foods, a free sitting (family or commercial) and an original piece from Jeffrey Ross Photography Studio or a year’s worth of burritos from Chipotle.

Although the busy downtown office is still planning, there will be live music, performers, and art displays. Limited sponsor tables are still available. Businesses that purchase 10-packs of raffle tickets also get named as sponsors. The event will take place on Thursday evening May 28th on the 2nd floor of the Main Street Promenade, 55 S. Main Street in Naperville from 5-9pm. For more information about Networking For A Cause, contact Cindy Young at 630.848.2010 or by email at OrthoCenters1@aol.com.

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Nine students at the Naperville Cultural Center’s German School took the AATG (American Association of Teachers of German) exam for German proficiency in February. Anticipation grew as the students waited over a month for the results and to receive their certificates from the AATG.

Six of the students scored distinguishing high marks. These students included Jonathan Wulff, age 12 who scored 88%; Lucas Springer, 12 who scored 99%; Jacob Snow, 12 who scored 96%; Elisabeth Gadbaw, age 12 who scored 93%; Conrad Goffinet, age 10 who scored 82%; and Maxine Wellhoefer, age 9 who scored 96%.

The nationally-administered AATG test measures proficiency in German language and compares students with about 564 other students in the surrounding area. Lucas Springer placed 5th among the 564.

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About The Naperville German Language School: The Naperville German Language School, located within the Naperville Cultural Center, teaches students from pre-kindergarten children to adults. Other activities include the German Immersion Summer Camp, Labor Day Parade participation, the Christmas party, and the Trolley Ride. For more information, visit www.naperculture.org/germanschoolmain.html or contact the Director, Angela Jostlein, by phone at 630-355-8279 or email at aj60540@yahoo.com.

Below is a photo of Jonathan Wulff who scored an 88 out of 100

Lucas Springer who scored a 99 out of 100, placing him 5th in ranking amoung the 564 students nationally.

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GERMAN LANGUAGE SCHOOL HOSTS STAMMTISCH

The Naperville German Language School will be holding its next Stammtisch on Thursday, March 26 at the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle, IL at 6:00pm. All are invited to take part in this German tradition of sharing a meal, as well as a conversation in German.

TRIP TO MILWAUKEE GERMAN FEST

The Naperville German Language School has organized a coach bus to the Milwaukee German Fest on Saturday, July 25. All are welcome onboard for approximately $35/person, plus an additional entrance fee. The trip will leave at 10am from Centennial Beach in Naperville and will return before 10pm.

For more information, visit www.naperculture.org/germanschoolmain.html or contact the Director, Angela Jostlein, by phone at 630-355-8279 or email at aj60540@yahoo.com.

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Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world.
-Buddhist Quote

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Naperville, IL - A Message from the President of the Board of the Cultural Center Regarding the Current State of the Cultural Center to City Council, Advisory Cultural Commission and Katie Wernberg, City Grant Coordinator :

I am compelled to write this statement due to the recent difficulties I have been going through in my own life and how that pertains to the Naperville Cultural Center. Because I am the founder of the cultural center, I felt it was my responsibility to close it when my family life became more demanding since I have become the caregiver to my elderly mother. For those who are not aware of my situation, my mother fell down a flight of wooden steps in December and suffered head injuries and broke a vertebra in the lumbar area of her spine. I must say she is now doing very well as she is healing a little bit every day and has the company of her family around her.

In the former years, I did not have very much help, worked long hours, and had few steady volunteers. I did not know how many people truly cared about the existence of the center. Since the announcement of the potential closing and of my mother's tragedy, enough volunteers and donors have come forward to stop the center from closing. This has inspired me to go forward. We have initiated new board members and have created a "working board", a cross between an executive committee in charge of duties and an active voting board that drives the direction of business. With the help also of steady and reliable lead volunteers, I am able to delegate a significant amount of the work that consumed my hours. I have also been able to log on remotely in order to conduct business from a home office. In this situation, I am able to stay on as executive director.

I am pleased to announce that the fund raising efforts are continuing as well. Lead volunteers have worked tirelessly to involve local businesses in charity nights that benefit the cultural center. They have also called upon the cultural center's very own registrants to move them to contribute as well. Now there are plans for at least two events that benefit the center as well, one hosted by Naperville Dental Specialists/Innovative Orthodontics and the other being Fashion Week Naperville 2009.

The Board of Directors, Lead Volunteers, Teachers, Friends of the Cultural Center and I believe that with all of these efforts combined, we will be able to continue working towards the goals of our mission which is to end discrimination, preserve cultural heritage and promote peace through the arts. We hope to not only continue bolstering our relationships with the local businesses and community, but with the help of City of Naperville Support also.

Attached is the announcement of the 2009-2011 board members as well as acknowledgement to those who have made a significant impact in the stability of the cultural center and their role.

Sincerely,
Michelle LeBlanc

2009-2011 Naperville Cultural Center Board of Directors:
1. Michelle LeBlanc, President
2. Matthew Freeman, Vice President
3. Michelle Linton, Treasurer, Compliance
4. Daniela Cigularova, Secretary & Marketing and PR Chair
5. Angela Jostlein, German School Chair
6. Irina Kosheleva, Russian School Chair
7. Lucia Feltner, Art Department Chair
8. Patti Encarnacion, Art Department Chair
9. Sharmila Fowler, Marketing & PR Co-Chair
10. Jeffrey Bockman, NCBA Liason, Movie Night Chair

Gratitude to the 2007-2009 board members:
1. Pete Ellman
2. Egle Raugalaite
3. Renee Montgomery
4. Daniel LeBlanc
5. Alan Walts

The Naperville Cultural Center Recognizes the Recovery Team, Individual Contributors and the Friends & Supporters of The Naperville Cultural Center petitioning to keep it open:

1. Felice Williams
2. Dianne Slotten
3. Drs. LaVacca & Ibrahim
4. Michelle Linton
5. Lucia Feltner
6. Daniela Cigularova
7. Steve Jacula
8. Matthew Freeman
9. Linda Baird
10. Anne Becker
11. Angela Jostlein
12. Jeffrey Bockman
13. Christina & John Cherry
14. Agnes DeRose
15. Cindy Lincoln
16. Denise McKenna
17. Daniela Cigularova
18. Konstantin Cigularov
19. Maria Burgarof
20. Hetel Patel
21. Lubomira Nikolova
22. Nina Emilova
23. Diane Scholz
24. Ann and William Ault
25. Sue Duffy
26. Nancy Davidson
27. Patti Lorenzo-Encarnacion
28. Lakhi M. Siap
29. Shana M. SIap
30. Elmo Siap
31. Padma Siap
32. Anton Gaston
33. Janel Jaeger
34. Robert Slayton
35. Kathy Gibson
36. Kristi Okoye
37. Pam Westfall
38. Karen Lloyd
39. Ross & Hilary Decent
40. Jeromy & Becca Cannon
41. Angela Jostlein
42. Geraldine Jender
43. Hardy Family
44. Ed & Rhonda Duffy
45. Pat Barrett
46. Alice Li-Arndt
47. Bill Hassett
48. Cindy Berry
49. Carla Bauch
50. Anil Bhala
51. Daniel Cott-Thorner
52. Hounsokou Family
53. Stephanie Hill
54. Joseph Fadullon
55. Bianca Durkin
56. Mary Brown
57. Mariel Marte
58. Kimberly Goffinet
59. Anne Becker
60. Peter Hrabiski
61. Bob Nealon
62. Andrea Eber-McNeill
63. Elizabeth Wulf
64. Jeanne Hoffman
65. Doug Helwig
66. Silke Hylla
67. Vicki Marks
68. Cornelia Smythe
69. Melinda Beck
70. Hans Jostlein
71. Giovanna Lavalle
72. John Schultz
73. Andrea Quintanor-Schafer
74. Jean Jostlein
75. Oliver Pelz
76. Michelle Nash
77. Boris Strepacki
78. James Maas
79. Howell Vischer
80. Poonam Privedi
81. Janet Hrabski
82. Regina Springer
83. Bianca Gavin
84. Lisa Heigl
85. Shanti Schramm
86. Markus Schramm
87. Svetlana Koleva
88. Christina Maas
89. Dan Eldridge
90. Rich Beinhauer
91. Sabine Gadbaw-Mueller
92. Christine Graves
93. David Parulo
94. Dan Cotto-Thorner

The Naperville Cultural Center Recognizes the 2008-2009 & 2009-2010 Teachers:

Angela Jostlein, German
Anna Becker, German
Regina Springer, German
John Schultz, German
Silke Hylla, German
Irina Kosheleva, Russian
Maria Polski, Russian
Anne C. Haeuser, French
Bianca Gavin, German
Diana Booth, Russian
Dina Romantchouk, Russian
Elena Lyutykh, Russian
Gunhild Roling, German
Iryna Chernyaska, Russian
James Rodgers, Spanish
Katharina Schiroky, German
Liliya Yarin, Russian
Melinda Creasy, Downtown Music Together
Michelle LeBlanc, Art
Miki Motoyama, Japanese
Olena Byelyankina, Russian
Priyanka Reddy, Indian Dance
Sandra Wellhoefer, German
Sara Feltner, Art
Tatjana Agejenkova, Russian
Vera Djackova, Russian
Veronika Nefedova, Russian
Xue Hui, Chinese
Kimberly Steele, Piano & Guitar
Yoshie Butler, Japanese
Yuliya Mangoutova, Russian
Yuri Bogdanov, Russian Theater
Alex Kolbasov, Russian & Chess
Michelle Soraya Pourtabib, Spanish
Sarah Starnes, Yoga
Stephanie Starnes, Yoga
The Naperville Cultural Center Recognizes the hundreds of regularly participating students in Foreign Language, Art & Music.

The Naperville Cultural Center Recognizes the City Partner & Granting Organization:
The City of Naperville

The Naperville Cultural Center Recognizes it's State Partner & Granting Organization:
The Illinois Humanities Council

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LOCAL BUSINESS HOSTS FUND RAISING SOIREE FOR CULTURAL CENTER
A Community Comes Together to Preserve Family Organization Dedicated to Understanding Diversity

Naperville, IL (March 12, 2009) The Naperville Cultural Center has been serving the Naperville community for 4 years providing many wonderful opportunities for the community, families and children. The Naperville Cultural Center provides family foreign language and cultural classes such as Russian, German, theater, chess, mosaics and music which help keep people connected to history and heritage.

Naperville Dental Specialists and Innovative Orthodontic Centers would like to help support them and host a fund raiser. Naperville Dental Specialists and Innovative Orthodontic Centers have become well known for their “All About Me” promotional events. Today they are using that energy and expertise to help their neighbor down the hall.
Timpanos and Hugo's Frog Bar have graciously offered to sponsor appetizers for the event. Other sponsors for the event are Glancer Magazine, Creating Your Style, Le Frou Frou, American Solutions for Business, Hotel Arista and Tastefully Simple. All participating vendors would be included on all marketing materials. Additional sponsor booths are still available, but are going fast.

Dave Savini from Channel 2 news will be auctioning a live studio tour for up to 10 people at CBS Channel 2, Two K Productions will be auctioning dinner for 6-8 people, Dr. LaVacca will be auctioning a team signed Blackhawks jersey, Dr. Ibrahim will be auctioning a Braces or Invisalign package. In addition, every ticket purchased will be entered into a raffle. Prizes include a Full Page Advertisement from Glancer Magazine, a luxury basket from Whole Foods, original art from Jeffrey Ross Photography Studio, or a year’s worth of burritos from Chipotle.

Although the busy downtown office is still in the preliminary stages, the event is planning live music, performers, and art displays. The event will take place on Thursday evening May 28th on the 2nd floor of the Main Street Promenade. The “All About Me” nights have proven to be wonderful networking nights also. This time businesses will be networking for a cause.

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About Naperville Dental Specialists and Innovative Orthodontic Centers: Naperville Dental Specialists & General Oral Health Care is a multi-specialty practice offering general, cosmetic, pediatric, and restorative dentistry. Owned and operated by Dr. Anthony LaVacca, Naperville Dental Specialists offers a state of the art facility that is friendly, warm and inviting. For more information visit us at www.NDSCare.com or call us at 630.848.2010. Innovative Orthodontic Centers owned and operated by Dr. Manal Ibrahim, offers a state of the art facility, featuring the latest innovations in orthodontic treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Ibrahim has offices located in Naperville, Joliet/Plainfield and Chicago. For more information visits us at www.OrthoCenters.org or call us at 630.848.6960. For more information about the fund raiser, contact Cindy Young at 630.848.2010 or by email at OrthoCenters1@aol.com.

About The Naperville Cultural Center: The Naperville Cultural Center is located at 55 S. Main St. Ste 211, downtown Naperville in Illinois. It is a 501c3 Illinois Non Profit Corporation whose mission is to end discrimination, preserve cultural heritage, and promote peace through the arts. For more information visit us at www.naperculture.org or contact Michelle LeBlanc at 630-404-7774 or by email at mel@naperculture.org.

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