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Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Around the Southland: Lemont refinery raises record donation, and more
It was a record-breaking year for CITGO Lemont Refinery, which raised just over $1 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association with two fundraising events. Driving for a Cure Golf Outing, which drew 375 golfers on all four courses at Cog Hill Gold and Country Club, also brought in donations from 130 companies. A new addition to the Shamrock Bowl gala with more than 450 guests highlighted inspiring speeches from MDA families, including its national ambassador, Lily Sander. 'The progress of MDA medical breakthroughs is made possible because of events like our outing and the outstanding support from CITGO employees, marketers, Retailers, vendors and contractors,' the refinery's vice president and general manager, Jim Cristman, shared in a news release. 'We're incredibly grateful for the passion that people have for our MDA partnership.' The MDA, created 75 years ago to support people living with muscular dystrophy, ALG and more than 300 other neuromuscular conditions, uses donations for advancing care, research and advocating support and inclusion of families affected by neuromuscular diseases. Residents close to Tinley Park can learn more about Moraine Valley Community College's Southwest Education Center during an open house from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 21 and 22 at the site, 17900 94th Ave. The full-service facility has science and computer labs, study rooms, classrooms, and Accuplacer testing, as well as vending machines. Participants can explore more than 140 degree and certificate programs, student services and transfer course options. Fall classes begin as early as Aug. 18. Register for the open house at or 708-974-5400. The Orland Park Public Library hosts a reception for its July Artist of the Month, April Balasa, a patron services clerk at the library, for patrons to learn more about her work and inspiration. The event is at 7 p.m. July 18 at the library 14921 Ravinia Ave. Her work centers on characters and universes she has imagined over her time storytelling, from Gothic vampire tales to Arthurian legends and Shakespearean drama. 'I used to imagine myself inside the stories I was reading. Eventually I began creating my own worlds,' Balasa said via a news release. Her pieces are displayed on the second floor of the library until the end of the month. The summer concert series sponsored by the Evergreen Park Recreation Department continues with The Neverly Brothers at 6 p.m. July 20 at Klein Park, 97th Street and Homan Avenue. Other performances are The Juke Shakers at 6 p.m. Aug. 1 at James J. Sexton Park at 91st Street and California Avenue, Liam Durkin Trio at 6 p.m. Aug. 10 at Klein Park and The City Lights Orchestra at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at James J. Sexton Park. The concerts are free. Information is at 708-229-3373. Shakespearian-themed music by the Moraine Valley Orchestra sets the stage before the performance of the play 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' at 6 p.m. July 19 outside at the Gateway between the Fine and Performing Arts Center and Building M at Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 College Parkway, Palos Hills. Another free concert is at 7:30 p.m. July 24 in the Dorothy Menker Theater when the Jazz Ensemble plays 'Sultry Summer Jazz.' The Moraine Chorale and Chamber Singers present the annual 'Patriot Concert' at 7:30 p.m. July 26 in the theater. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for veterans and anyone younger than 18. To buy tickets, visit or call 708-974-5500. An international accordion virtuoso will perform at 7:30 p.m. July 21 in the Normandy Room of the Elmhurst American Legion Post, 310 W. Butterfield Road, Elmhurst. Tickets for 'An Evening With Cory Pesaturo,' presented by the Chicago Accordion Club, cost $14 for members and $17 for nonmembers and will be sold at the door. The public is invited. Pesaturo 'is the only person to win World Championships on acoustic, digital and jazz accordion. Also, he is the only accordion graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston,' according to a news release from the club. He's given master classes at universities in Europe and the United States, performed for the Clintons at the White House, played with the Boston Pops and Boston Symphony Orchestra and appeared on television. Club information is found at Real estate agents are invited to donate school supplies to Worth schools from noon to 2 p.m. July 22 at RE/MAX 1st Service, 15341 S. 94th Ave., Suite 101, Orland Park. Sgt. Mike Cozzi, a school resource officer who works for the Worth Police Department, will be on hand, as well as the department's therapy dog, Louie. A taco lunch will be provided. Valerie Baudo, who helped plan the event, started kindergarten in 1984 at Worth Elementary School. Supplies needed include pencils, pens, composition notebooks, wired earbuds and accordion folders with at least seven pockets. Details are at 708-675-1600.
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Area events generate $1M for Muscular Dystrophy Association, more
It was a record-breaking year for CITGO Lemont Refinery, which raised just over $1 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association with two fundraising events. Driving for a Cure Golf Outing, which drew 375 golfers on all four courses at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club, also brought in donations from 130 companies. A new addition to the Shamrock Bowl gala with more than 450 guests highlighted inspiring speeches from MDA families, including its national ambassador, Lily Sander. 'The progress of MDA medical breakthroughs is made possible because of events like our outing and the outstanding support from CITGO employees, marketers, Retailers, vendors and contractors,' the refinery's vice president and general manager, Jim Cristman, shared in a news release. 'We're incredibly grateful for the passion that people have for our MDA partnership.' The MDA, created 75 years ago to support people living with muscular dystrophy, ALG and more than 300 other neuromuscular conditions, uses donations for advancing care, research and advocating support and inclusion of families affected by neuromuscular diseases. Several libraries in the 39th District are scheduled to receive a total of nearly $340,000 for programming and library services. More than 600 libraries statewide will receive nearly $18 million from the Illinois Secretary of State's Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants program. Funds can be used for such things as capital expenditures, personnel, public programming, books and e-books, online resources and internet access. Elmwood Park's library will receive $36,168; Franklin Park's, $27,375; Oak Park's, $80,510; and River Forest's, $17,283. 'Libraries are invaluable in our communities, serving as a resource for everyone from ages 1 to 100,' Senate President Don Harmond, D-Oak Park, shared in a news release. 'These grants are an investment in lifelong learning. An international accordion virtuoso will perform at 7:30 p.m. July 21 in the Normandy Room of the Elmhurst American Legion Post, 310 W. Butterfield Road, Elmhurst. Tickets for 'An Evening With Cory Pesaturo,' presented by the Chicago Accordion Club, cost $14 for members and $17 for nonmembers and will be sold at the door. The public is invited. Pesaturo 'is the only person to win World Championships on acoustic, digital and jazz accordion. Also, he is the only accordion graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston,' according to a news release from the club. He's given master classes at universities in Europe and the United States, performed for the Clintons at the White House, played with the Boston Pops and Boston Symphony Orchestra and appeared on television. Club information is found at Antiques dealer Rex Newell comes to the River Forest Public Library to appraise antiques from 2 to 3 p.m. July 19 in the Barbara Hall Meeting Room at the library, 735 Lathrop Ave. Reservations are required, and participants should bring no more than one item. Those with items to be appraised should arrive before 2 p.m. The program is in partnership with River Forest Township. Most items are welcome, although Newell will not appraise firearms of any kind, Native American antiques or Asian antiques. Sign up online or call 708-366-5205. A French-inspired cultural celebration for the whole family takes place during 'Voyage en France,' planned for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 20 at Cantigny Park, 15151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Attendees can shop in a French market, roam the gardens and watch En Plein Air artists work on their craft in the Visitor Center lounge. Art-focused family activities, the chance to play the French sport petanque with the Chicago Petanque Club, and French scientific discoveries will be highlighted. Musical performances and dancers performing ballet and the cancan will be scattered throughout the park, and photo stations will be set up, including a replica of the Eiffel Tower. For an extra fee, Toast of France features a curated tasting of bites paired with wine from the Bordeaux, Loire Valley and Burgundy regions of the country. Tickets cost $15 for adults in advance or $20 that day; children 15 and younger are admitted free. Toast to France tickets cost an additional $35 in advance of $40 that day. Details and tickets are at 630-668-5161 or Reading is going to the dogs at the LaGrange Public Library when children get the chance to read to a specially trained dog. Children in kindergarten to sixth grade are invited to read to the dog for 15 minutes from 7 to 8 p.m. July 21 in the Tyler Duelm Activity Room at the library, 10 W. Cossitt Ave. Advance registration is not necessary but participants should stop by the Children's Services desk at 6:45 that night to choose a time slot. Information is at 708-215-3200.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shamrock Bowl Raises Record Breaking Funds for MDA
LEMONT, Ill., March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CITGO Lemont Refinery raised a record-breaking $192,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association with 288 bowlers from 48 companies competing at the 14th Annual MDA Shamrock Bowl. "I have had the privilege of being a part of the Shamrock Bowl for many years now, but each year, I am truly amazed by the outpouring of generosity and support that comes from all our sponsors, donors, and contributors," stated Jim Cristman, CITGO Lemont Vice President and General Manager. Cristman also added that CITGO Lemont Refinery has raised more than $1.3 Million for MDA through its bowling event since its inception. "We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support that CITGO Petroleum Corporation, its employees, vendors, marketers, and retailers have provided to the Muscular Dystrophy Association over the past 39 years," said Ruth Ann Dailey, Chief Development Officer, Muscular Dystrophy Association. "CITGO continues to set the standard for corporate philanthropy, fueling our mission to empower families to live longer, more independent lives." Funds raised through the CITGO – MDA partnership events contribute to important medical breakthroughs. There are currently more than 20 drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat neuromuscular disease, with two of those approved in 2024 alone. For 75 years, MDA has led the way in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating for the support of our families. MDA's mission is to empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives. About CITGOCITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry and operates under the well-known CITGO brand. CITGO owns and operates three refineries located in Lake Charles, La.; Lemont, Ill.; and Corpus Christi, Texas, and wholly and/or jointly owns 42 active terminals, six pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,300 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 807,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO ranks as the fifth largest and is one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products, and supplies a network of approximately 4,000 locally owned and independently operated branded retail outlets, all located east of the Rocky Mountains. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE CITGO Petroleum Corporation Sign in to access your portfolio
The Guardian
11-03-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Taoiseach must tread carefully amid tensions before Trump meeting
St Patrick's Day has long been one of the sacred moments of the Irish-American calendar with more than 200 years of parades in New York and a shamrock reception at the White House launched by Dwight Eisenhower in 1953 to cement political ties between the two nations. But this year's annual meeting between the taoiseach and the US president, a week early because of a congressional recess on 17 March, is laden with anxiety over the future of Ireland's economy, which is heavily reliant on US multinationals Donald Trump wants to repatriate. While nobody expects Micheál Martin to be subjected to the same humiliating attack as Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the US president's unpredictability and thin skin means Ireland's taoiseach should be prepared for anything on Wednesday. Adding to the tensions was the recent public contradiction by the Irish foreign minister, Simon Harris of an account of a phone call he had with the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, whose representatives had said Ireland's 'trade imbalance' had been raised as a priority during the conversation. Harris told reporters: 'The trade imbalance wasn't specifically referenced. I was on the call. I was on it for over 20 minutes. It was a very good conversation.' Some saw it as an untimely poking of the beast. Martin is going to DC with three missions: protecting the Irish economy from Trump's tariffs, raising the plight of the Palestinians, who have strong public support in Ireland, and pressing home the EU's request that the US sticks with Europe for another few years to give it the time to build up an independent defence capacity. The Irish prime minister is afforded a full day of events in an unusually long agenda – adding to the risk of being tripped up. Martin will start with a traditional breakfast meeting with the vice-president, JD Vance, before a 'stakeout' or questions from the media stationed outside the White House. At about 10am, he will move to the Oval Office to sit down in front of the cameras with Trump before the pair disappear from public view behind closed doors for the bilateral meeting. The delegation will then participate in the House speaker's lunch, an event usually also attended by the president with other meetings before they all convene again for the Shamrock Bowl reception in the East Room, again hosted by Trump, at about 5pm. 'The real risk moment is the media spray,' said one source close to the Irish government, referring to the on-camera press event in the Oval Office before Martin's private meeting with Trump. In the past this has just been a 15-20 minute session with cameras but Trump has got into the habit of turning it into an unscheduled press conference. As Zelenskyy found recently, this can result in hostile questions or tension between the guest and his host – in Martin's case, potentially on Palestine or trade. The US commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, has already complained that it was a nonsense that Ireland 'of all places' is running a trade surplus with the world's biggest economy. Last year Ireland exported €72bn to the US – a 34% increase on 2023 – compared with imports valued at €22bn. The US may also raise EU regulation of the big tech firms such as X, Google, Facebook, Instagram, all of which have their EU headquarters in Dublin. Writing in the Irish Times, historian Eoin Drea was withering about Ireland's reliance on the US. 'No other country in the EU is as hopelessly and naively dependent on the US as Ireland,' he said, warning that at 'a stroke of pen' Trump could precipitate a budgetary crisis in Dublin. 'Ireland is woefully unprepared for Washington's new political mantra', he added. One senior business source concurred: 'There is obviously intense diplomacy going on. Brexit shows that we know as a country how to read a risk but this time we have been caught offside.' The source added that the fallout from last year's European court ruling forcing Apple to pay up €13bn in back taxes was a case in point. 'We were embarrassed by it. We didn't want the money. For years nobody really cared about Americans in Ireland, but now the whole world is paying attention. It means that our trade has now got bound up with politics,' said the business source. They were also scathing about a new taskforce set up by Harris to head off ill winds with the inaugural meeting with business representatives two weeks ago. 'It was headless chickens. After about an hour and three-quarters of talking what were we left with? Minutes and a diary line for the next meeting, which is not until May. It was fairly perfunctory.' Former Irish ambassador to the US Daniel Mulhall said he hoped Martin would emerge unscathed from the day-long Trump experience. 'You have to remember Trump likes to like people and he likes to be liked. He's even managed to convince himself that Putin likes him so it's not a big stretch to conclude that maybe he likes Micheál too,' he said. 'But my view is that there is a long established St Patrick's Day [tradition of] visits by the taoiseach and they carry a certain kind of tone and content. This gives me hope.' Mulhall suggested an invitation to host a special EU-US summit at Trump's Irish golf resort in Doonbeg in County Clare combining flattery and business. This however is not in Ireland's gift – such an invitation would have to come from European Council president, António Costa.
