Showing posts with label Dankowski. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dankowski. Show all posts

Karma 17 to offer Waukegan upscale feel with low-cost mantra

Thursday, May 6, 2010 11:44 AM Chronicle
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Kat Dankowski
Staff Writer 
           
            Karma 17, a new restaurant and nightclub opening May 14 in Waukegan, caters to people looking for somewhere new to go for an upscale feel that won’t drain the wallet or gas tank.

            Located less than a block from the CLC Lakeshore campus, Karma 17’s first floor includes a chic dining area and a 50-foot, remodeled bar with multiple flat-screen TV’s and additional seating. The large staircase, apparent from almost every angle, leads to the nightclub area, dance floor, VIP section and a second bar.

Owner Noe Gomez, 30, from Waukegan said he didn’t need to look any further after seeing the two-story downtown establishment. He signed for it and began construction immediately.

“The first thing I noticed was the renovation done to the outside,” Gomez said.  “It looked new, and I always liked downtown (Waukegan).”

            Gomez is also Vice President of Millennium Three, a general construction company. He works there full time, so he depends on his immediate staff of managers.

They include his brother, Marcos Gomez, a CLC alumnus, who will be running the restaurant during the day, long time friend Bonnie Santiago, along with promoter Marquis Barnes, who will work mainly for the nightclub.

“We’re planning a lot of events.” said Santiago.

With improvements being made around the city, Santiago and Gomez agree they definitely want to be part of the innovations taking place in the downtown area.

“We are all from Waukegan,” Santiago said. “So it is about supporting our town.”

            The menu is being “fine tuned” Santiago said, but the goal is for affordable, well prepared food by Chef Brad Kerkorian and Nirvardo Vega. Karma will offer lunch and dinner options for dine-in or carry out.

            “We want people to be able to come in from work or school, on their break, relax and enjoy the atmosphere and food,” Santiago said.

            This means food options for those who are hungry and in a hurry. Options include sandwiches, pastas, steak, soups and wine.

            Grand opening of Karma 17 will take place on May 14 at 17 N. Genesee St. in downtown Waukegan.   

Men's tennis proves experience, wins fourth

Saturday, April 17, 2010 2:34 PM Chronicle
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Kat Dankowski
Staff Writer
 
      Days before the men’s tennis team’s first match, Coach Randy Malone sat down with his team. He went over his game plan with laughter alongside positive criticism.

      “Come prepared,” Malone said. “You can get fired up, I love to see (Sophomore Christopher Rodriguez) get fired up, but we do it with class. We don’t taunt the other team, we don’t swear, we want to play with passion and we want to play hard every point.”

      Coach Malone has said this year’s team is very inexperienced. However, as the players finished their fourth match with a win, the numbers beg to differ.

       The tennis season is considerably shorter than other sports. While most teams play for two or more months, tennis lasts a little over a month. It’s all packed in with two games a week, at least. Last week they played every day, Monday through Thursday.

      Despite having a rocky start to the season with four consecutive losses, the team now seems to have the hang of things, winning their last four matches.

      Spring has popped its head around the corner, and snow isn’t the only weather problem the team has encountered. Practices have been cancelled because of wind.   

      Sudden practice changes, bad weather and a short season are things players must deal with.

      “You have to practice,” said Coach Malone to his team at their meeting. “Your opponent will tell you exactly what they’re doing, constantly, if you learn how to read them.”

      The season continues with matches, sometimes every day, and they still come to practices. Players are encouraged to help their own practice schedules by pairing up and getting practice in before games. 

      The players agree Coach Malone’s methods of teaching will help them achieve success this season. 

      “He’s interesting and doesn’t bark orders at us,” said Sophomore David Labellarte. “It’s all about positive reinforcement.” 

      Coach Malone spearheads nonprofit leagues and lessons for CLC students. He is also a tennis instructor for Deer Creek Courts in Highland Park, and coaches the woman’s tennis teams and various leagues associated with Deer Creek Courts.

Men's tennis relies on first-year talent

Friday, March 26, 2010 9:51 PM Chronicle
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Kat Dankowski
Staff Writer
 
      This year’s men’s tennis team will have to fight the odds to succeed this season. In the past five years Head Coach and Tennis Pro Randy Malone has rebuilt the tennis program at CLC. He accomplished this with five winning seasons with the women’s tennis team, yet struggles with the men’s because of problems on and off the court.
 
      Unfortunately, this year the men’s team does not have any returning players. Malone said they are a very inexperienced team.

      Recruiting is also difficult with so many high school players going to four year colleges, said Malone. 

      “We don’t get good players from areas like Grayslake or Vernon Hills, the ones that have more experience in high school,” said Coach Malone.

      Up and coming freshman, Andrew Yopp, who Coach Malone said has real talent, is someone to watch this season. The left-hander will be playing singles and doubles. 

      With inexperience and no veterans to lead the way, the weather seems to be against them as well. There are no indoor courts at CLC and snow is still melting in some areas. 

      However, the snow finally began to melt in some areas, said Sophomore Eric Zeddies. 

      Deer Creek Courts in Highland Park, where Coach Malone instructs, has opened their indoor facility to CLC men’s tennis players to practice and prepare for the upcoming season. 

      “You have to practice,” said Malone. 

      The team has been traveling to the courts at least twice a week for the last few months. The drive to Highland Park, as well as the practices, can be draining for some players. 

      In general, the lack of resources at CLC makes it “tougher getting the team ready,” said Coach Malone.

      With much success in the past, Malone wants to help mold his team for the future. He keeps his hopes high and his expectations low.

      “This is going to be a tricky year,” said Malone.

Support Key to forming Men's Volleyball Team

Thursday, March 18, 2010 12:53 PM Chronicle
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Kat Dankowski
Staff Writer


      The National Junior College Athletic Association sponsors many sports at CLC, but men’s volleyball is not among them. Lack of participation is one main cause for the absence of a men’s Volleyball team.


      Support for those who are interested in joining a team starts with Coach Rob Caliendo and Assistant Coach Rosa Wisler of the women‘s volleyball team. They have attempted several times to start a club team, which would give players an opportunity to compete in a league.


      “The whole thing just fell apart,” said Coach Wisler. “We had people, but in the end they just didn’t show up.”


      In 2006, there was a men’s club team. However, the team was forced to fund their own travel and pay for their uniforms. The team eventually dispersed.


      Now in her fourth season at CLC, Coach Wisler has never seen a men’s volleyball team established.


      Former women’s volleyball player and CLC alumni Ashley Wisler said this could be due to lack of publicity.


      “I knew people that were interested but there was never anything posted.” she said.


      The college is not to blame. Involvement is key to forming a team. Coach Wisler promoted the opportunity through announcements at freshman orientation, calling players that expressed interest and posting signs.


      “It’s all about getting together and forming a team.” said Coach Wisler.


      Coach Wisler has also put together fundraisers and tournaments at CLC for her younger team, Rolling Thunder.


      As the only team without a co-ed counterpart, the women’s volleyball team is affected in different ways.


      “It would be nice to have a men’s team” Coach Wisler said.


      Some male players have been practicing with the women’s team for the past season. This gave the women’s team tough competition and some one to fill in during practice if there is a missing player.


      Future players will have their own decisions to make. Coach Wisler is confident, knowing that many high schools in the area have started up their own men’s volleyball teams, that soon there will be one at CLC.

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