Moscow and all the culture it offers may be a far cry from the rich cornfields of DeKalb, but that didn’t stop NIU’s School of Theatre and Dance from finding things to learn on their visit to the the Moscow Art Theatre School this summer.

The trip, which included 15 students and Alexander Gelman, director of the theatre and dance department at NIU, and theater professor Christopher Markle took place during the entire month of June.

The Moscow Art Theatre was founded by Konstantin Stanislavsky. Stanislavsky is the creator of the "Stanislavsky System," Gelman said.

"It is an actor training methodology on which all the actor training is based in this country," he said. "The Moscow Art Theatre School is one of the world's foremost acting schools."

Senior theater major David Pittmansaid he’s still learning from his experience in Moscow.

"I have learned about a culture that relies upon art in every faction to escape to, and the respect that comes to the artists who create that escape," Pittman said. "I learned various techniques for approaching acting and a role."

NIU graduate student Chris Hibbard also went to Moscow. He said the trip was a growing experience for himself as an actor.

"Moscow was inspirational," Hibbard said. "It gave me pride to be a performer."

Pittman believes his experience at NIU prepared him for the instruction he received while in Moscow.

"Had I not had the training at Northern, I think the process would have been slow and frustrating," Pittman said. "I would have been lost, but having had the training at Northern, I was able to communicate more with the professors and in turn understand them. I have learned a new respect for the craft of acting and theatre as a whole."

Moscow served as a great learning experience for Gelman as well.

"I learned too much to even begin to calculate," Gelman said. "Great training, a recognition of how truly terrific the training they receive at NIU is, a personal connection with the roots of their craft, a total immersion into theatre world, and a connection with a rich theatrical tradition."

With all the learning he experienced his first time around, Gelman hopes to return to Russia again some day soon.

"I am already considering going back next summer," Gelman said. "It is a pilgrimage for an actor to go to Moscow and the Moscow Art Theatre. It is the birthplace of all we know. There we can get back to the thirst and the hunger that acting invokes. I would love to return throughout my career as a sanctuary and a place to reinvigorate my art."

The debate surrounding an increase in DeKalb’s motor fuel and city sales taxes changed course Monday night as a majority vote determined to delay final votes until the Sept. 22 council meeting rather than at the Sept. 8 meeting as originally planned.

Both ordinances underwent a first reading, but the city council voted to bring both ordinances back for a second reading for further analysis, something 7th Ward Alderman James Barr felt was necessary because of the impact a rise in taxes would have on DeKalb residents.

"Major revenue changes should be taken through first and second readings," Barr said, wishing not to jump ahead to a final vote at the Sept. 8 meeting.

The motor fuel tax, proposed to increase by two cents per gallon, is something Mayor Greg Sparrow expressed a desire to veto at a recent meeting.

In order for a mayor to veto a proposed ordinance, council members must override it with five votes. Monday night, five aldermen expressed a desire and preliminary vote to continue with the proposal as planned.

No increase, however, can be executed until the Sept. 22 meeting where a final determination will be made about whether Sparrow’s veto will be a reality.

Despite issues regarding the motor fuel tax, the increased monies generated were initially designated for road construction and maintenance projects. Third Ward Alderman Steve Kapitan said he’d like to see the terminology altered to say motor fuel taxes would be utilized specifically for road reconstruction projects instead of new projects.

A majority vote approved Kapitan’s proposal to reword the ordinance to state motor fuel taxes would be used solely for reconstruction projects.

Second Ward Alderman Kris Povlsen also said he’d like to see a sunset clause created to ensure aldermen would revisit the success and possible discussion of provisions to motor fuel and city sales taxes sometime in 2005 before the city approves the fiscal year 2006 budget. Povlsen’s motion was also approved by a majority vote.

Impact fees need revisiting

Various alderman expressed a desire to revisit an increase in impact fees to assist struggling District 428 schools who are in need of money after significant enrollment increases and three failed referendums.

Fifth Ward Alderman Pat Conboy said he hoped the school board would approach the council so that they could look into possibly raising impact fees. He added impact fees are working in other aspects of the city, but that increasing them to benefit the school board is something that need serious, future consideration.

Students remain in check

Despite DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen revealing there were 132 alcohol-related arrests on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights on the northwest side of DeKalb, he had very little criticism about how the student population as a whole conducted themselves on their first weekend back.

"Overall, people were on their best behavior; we had successful events and very little problems," Feithen said.

Commercial woes

Sixth Ward Alderman David Baker in his final report presented city officials and aldermen with 25 photos of commercial businesses and property owners taking advantage of long-standing city ordinances.

He said signs are too close to previously widened streets. Also properties have been poorly maintained and fences have been installed that were never originally approved by the city.

He felt action needed to be taken on this and presented it to the council as a possible issue for later discussion.

Angry drivers’ road rage may be lessened by new Illinois State Toll Highway Authority projects.

The authority began selling its I-PASS transponder through its Web sites, www.illinoistollway.com and www.getipass.com, in June, said Joelle McGinnis, press secretary for the authority.

The online access to I-PASS seems to have boosted sales of the transponder.

"We’ve seen a steady increase of folks taking advantage of this since then," McGinnis said.

The authority received about 300 applications per week in July, and averaged about 500 per week in August.

Rebecca Mabis, a junior textiles, apparel and merchandising major, uses the tollway to go home to East Moline. She has been looking into getting I-PASS and she said with the possibility of purchasing it online, she would probably get it pretty soon.

"I’m a big online shopper," Mabis said.

Purchasing I-PASS online is the first phase in the authority’s new interactive I-PASS Web site, McGinnis said. The second part will follow toward the end of the year; it will allow customers to access their I-PASS account information online.

"We don’t have a go-date yet, but we’re projecting by the end of the year," she said.

McGinnis sees online shopping as a big trend, and she thinks that the posters the authority has placed has helped boost sales.

"We have more than 950,000 transponders issued - that’s both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks," she said. "We anticipate within the next few weeks that we’ll pass a million."

McGinnis said by spring 2004, 37 new I-PASS-only lanes will be added to 22 locations across the system.

These new lanes, along with those already in place, will allow people to travel the system without stopping. The cost of this project will be about $8 million, with the funds coming from savings from other constructions projects this year.

"We’ve had some projects come in under budget," she said.

The new lanes will be both mainline and ramp lanes; however, I-PASS-only lanes only will be included if the ramp already has three or more lanes, McGinnis said. This does not include the Peace Road ramp, which only has two lanes.

On Aug. 19, Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed an Illinois Senate bill that allows other uses for I-PASS. McGinnis explained that these other uses may include using I-PASS on the Chicago Skyway, at parking garages such as those at O’Hare and Midway airports and possibly even for purchasing gas.

Subhash Sharma, manager at the DeKalb BP Amoco, 920 W. Lincoln Highway, said using I-PASS probably would boost sales.

"It would be very handy," he said.

He said many times people don’t want to carry cash, and this would be another easy way of purchasing gas.

Downtown DeKalb opened its arms and doors to NIU last week with the opening of the Downtown Dog Pound.

The Downtown Dog Pound store, which is open for a trial period of 10 days to gauge interest level, sits on the corner of East Lincoln Highway and Third Street in a building space near local realtors.

Dubbed the first "communiversity" project, the store sells everything NIU from football tickets to volleyball programs to Turner the Burner Hot Sauce.

NIU Athletics Director Cary Groth was on hand at the ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, along with NIU President John Peters, DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow and other community members.

Sparrow sported NIU colors and Huskie Spirit, showing up wearing NIU gear.

"I am ashamed to say it took this long to get this going," Sparrow said about the project, which he said was 19 years in the making.

Groth said that it is a great partnership between NIU and DeKalb and was glad to celebrate that partnership with the opening of the store.

"We are excited to bring Huskie Spirit to downtown DeKalb," Groth said.

Peters echoed her remarks and enthusiasm.

"What a great time to be in DeKalb," Peters said, adding a crowd-pleasing shout, "It’s football time."

The DeKalb County Board passed an ordinance Wednesday allowing county planning and zoning director Paul Miller to use his own discretion in granting special use and zone change permits.

Those seeking a special permit may not have to bring their request to the board since Miller now will be able to make the decision.

"Having some flexibility for the ‘odd case’ is extremely valuable," said board member Rich Osborne, D-5.

Osborne made up the example of a family placing a trailer home on their property for their grandparents to live in.

"This gives the zoning and planning director to use discretion in certain cases, and they don’t have to bring it to the board to change basically a word," Osborne said.

However, some board members disagreed, saying it is unfair to give one person the ability to make decisions alone.

"If we’re going to be passing laws that are waived by an administrator, then maybe we shouldn’t have passed that law. It’s a bad law," said board member Dennis Sands, R-1.

Osborne said some board members felt that too much power was being given to one person, but others felt that it was the director’s job to decide.

"In my opinion, he’s in charge of planning and zoning, and we should give him that leverage," said board member Marlene Allen.

The board also passed an ordinance granting the county authority to find outside consultants for review and administration of activities with zoning actions.

A special use permit was granted to Kingston Township Cemeteries to construct a shed on the cemetery.

Also discussed was the possible resurfacing of Old State Road, Esmond Road and Lindenwood Road during the 2004 budget year.

DeKalb County received a federal fund to assist with the resurfacing.

"We need to focus on the needs of the county and what solution makes sense," chairman Robert Pritchard said.

At the close of the meeting, board member Joseph Wiegand announced that he wouldn’t run for re-election.

"I would like people in the county to consider the position. I’m available to answer questions," Wiegand said.

Road Ranger robbery

A local man awaits extradition in Florida for the Aug. 6 armed robbery of the Road Ranger Citgo Station, 1725 Sycamore Road.

According to DeKalb Police Lt. Jim Kayes, Aaron N. Parrish, 22, of DeKalb and Jennifer M. Junas, 17, of Sycamore were arrested on Aug. 18 in Venice, Fla., for the armed robbery.

At 1:48 a.m. Aug. 6, Parrish, disguised in a ski mask, entered the gas station. He approached the female attendant on duty and robbed her at knifepoint while Junas waited for him in the car. No other customers were in the station at the time of the crime.

"The attack lasted no more than 30 to 45 seconds, and the female attendant was unharmed," Kayes said.

Officials from Road Ranger wouldn’t comment on the amount of money stolen.

A distinctive jacket worn by Parrish during the armed robbery led DeKalb police to the suspects. Police did not elaborate on Parrish’s jacket.

"Parrish’s bond has not yet been set because he has not been extradited," said Deputy Gary Espy of the DeKalb County Jail.

If convicted, Parrish and Junas face felony charges with up to 30 years in jail and fines of up to $25,000.

Downtown Discs burglary

At 1:56 a.m. Aug. 17, DeKalb police responded to an automatic alarm at the Junction Shopping Center, 866 W. Lincoln Highway.

Arriving within 30 seconds of receiving the alarm, police found a storefront window shattered at Downtown Discs.

One or more persons had moved the cash register to the rear of the Junction Shopping Center, where they forced open the drawer and fled with its contents.

Officers and police dogs attempted to track the suspect(s), but ultimately did not locate any significant leads.

DeKalb police are asking anyone with information on this crime to call 748-8400.

For the past three days, the streets of downtown DeKalb have been lined with stalls and filled with people. Strollers were the only four-wheelers on the crowded streets at Corn Fest, DeKalb’s annual festival.

The festival, one of the few remaining free festivals in Illinois, attracted thousands of people from near and far.

While residents and visitors enjoyed the food, games and music, local businesses tried to sell their wares and get their names out to the people.

Passersby quickly consumed the free, boiled corn being given out on Saturday morning.

"I’m here for the corn," said Wheaton resident Brian Collins, who was at the festival for the second day in a row. "The corn is awesome."

Palm readers, face-painters, henna tattoos, a rock-climbing wall and food stalls featuring everything from elephant ears to butterfly fries attracted buyers.

"They have good stuff for kids," said Chicago resident Scott Redman, who was there with his four-year-old daughter, Lauren. "We really liked watching the local gymnastics club do flips."

Free inflatable rides, such as a pumpkin walk and slides, also amused the kids.

Kids and grown-ups alike enjoyed rides, such as a Merry-Go-Round, Ferris Wheel and Tilt-A-Whirl at the carnival on South Fourth Street.

"The Corn Fest brings about 10,000 to 20,000 people to the carnival every day," said Rocky Jordan, one of the workers at the carnival rides.

Local and national bands played on the Community Stage set up near the beer garden, where many enjoyed cold beer under the hot sun.

Third Street was transformed to Crafter’s Alley, featuring booths selling homemade arts and crafts. Everything from paintings, candles and jewelry to water guns lined the stalls.

Chicago resident Deloris Quint, who read about Corn Fest in an arts and crafts magazine, was there to display her vibrant sponge gators and beaded hair wraps.

"It’s getting busier, but people come for food and not arts and crafts," Quint said.

Sycamore resident Joe Bussone said Corn Fest is a great way to meet people and socialize.

"It’s nice seeing people, and sometimes I only see them once a year at Corn Fest," he said.