Lombard resident Eric Blaustein, 90, chronicled surviving the Buchenwald concentration camp in Nazi Germany at the Aurora Navy League Council 247 meeting in Montgomery last week. Blaustein told how he became a grave digger at age 15 in 1942 using documents that said he was a Hitler Youth member. Arrested in September 1944, he was sent to Buchenwald after confessing to being Jewish. He survived by taking the identity of a dead Italian prisoner. Blaustein served as a laborer for five months before U.S. forces liberated the camp. (Al Benson photo)

BATAVIA

FlagSource named top

county manufacturer

FlagSource of Batavia, the family-owned company billed as “America’s premier flag manufacturer,” is Kane County’s 2016 Manufacturer of the Year.

FlagSource and runner-up D & M Plastics of Burlington were formally presented with the 2016 awards Friday earlier this month the at Kane County Board Jobs Committee meeting by committee co-chairs Rebecca Gillam and Theresa Barreiro.

Both companies had been recognized Oct. 6 at the 2016 Manufacturing Champions Awards, an event hosted by the Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing.

The two companies were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the community, to the local economy and jobs market.

Gillam noted that the two companies were both privately owned, with a long history of service and a strong core of women leaders. Flagstone President Janice Christiansen and D&M Plastic’s Materials Manager Mary Lake were both on hand to accept the awards Friday.

ELGIN

Cultural Arts group

to debut art database

Elgin’s Cultural Arts Commission is about to unveil a powerful, new art database that aims to put build recognition for Elgin nationally and internationally.

The commission will debut the new art database with the inaugural Art Harvest event, to be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday in DuPage Court and nearby locations of downtown Elgin.

“The art database is an effort taken on by the Cultural Arts Commission to locate and catalog all public art as a part of the Public Art Plan development,” said Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Amanda Harris. ” The database and its map are living documents that will continue to grow as cataloging moves outward from downtown.”

Harris said the database will be added to a few national and international databases.

“Once it is included on these existing sites, our Elgin art will be viewable by people all over the world,” she said.

For more information, call 311, or (847) 931-5613 if outside of Elgin, contact Amanda Harris at harris_a@cityofelgin.org or visit the city of Elgin’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or website pages.

KANE COUNTY

Noisy planes? Residents

can file complaints

Kane County residents noticing more airplane traffic taking place over their neighborhood can submit a noise complaint online to the O’Hare Compatibility Commission.

In recent years, air traffic at O’Hare International Airport has been rerouted throughout the Chicago suburbs. Some residents have raised the issue with the Geneva City Council, which discussed the matter during its Oct. 10 Committee of the Whole meeting. Residents of other Kane County communities have voice concerns, as well.

Kane County residents can submit their feedback directly to the O’Hare Compatibility Commission’s website at www.oharenoise.org. People also can call the commission at (800) 435-9569.

The O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission was established in 1996 as an inter-governmental agency comprised of 41 municipalities, Cook County and 16 school districts that are dedicated to reducing aircraft noise around the airport.

The city of Geneva is not a commission member, but the agency still welcomes community feedback from residents across the region.

AURORA

Donate food items, adopt

a pet for a reduced fee

Aurora Animal Care and Control is helping feed those in need while finding forever homes for pets through its unique food drive and adoption special this fall.

Through Nov. 19, an adult cat can be adopted for just $10 and a kitten and dog for $20 apiece by bringing $10 worth of nonperishable foods to AACC. Normal adoption fees are $90.

“This is a win-win situation that addresses local needs,” said AACC Manager Rick Smith. “We have a large number of pets that need to be adopted and very caring residents who want to give back to the community. Through this adoption initiative, holidays can be much more special in homes throughout our community.”

All collected food items will be donated to the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry and the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry.

Adoption hours are noon to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday at AACC, 600 S. River Street.

NAPERVILLE

NCC, Anderson’s to hoernie Sanders in November

North Central College and Anderson’s Bookshop will cohost U.S. Senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for a special speaking event Friday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Residence Hall/Recreation Center.

Sanders will talk about his new book “Our Revolution” scheduled for public release Nov. 15.

In his book, Sanders shares his experiences on the presidential campaign trail and the growth of a progressive movement. He outlines an economic, environmental, racial and social justice agenda for creating jobs, raising wages, protecting the environment and providing health care for all. For Sanders, the political revolution has just started.

General admission is $32 and includes a copy of Sanders book. The presentation is free to North Central College students, faculty and staff but a ticket is required. Tickets are available at http://berniesandersandersons.brownpapertickets.com/

There will be no live signing or photo line. No large bags will be allowed at Res/Rec and parking will be at a premium.

Questions for Sanders can be submitted to ginny@andersonsbookshop.com prior to the event.

— Kane County news briefs —