Five Things to Know Today: Aug. 24

1. Local Breast Cancer Survivors to Speak at Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital

Although breast cancer is the most common cancer women battle, not all experiences are identical.

For Elaine Pikula, a 62-year-old Bolingbrook resident, lumpectomy and radiation were her only treatments. Patsy Walker, 52, also of Bolingbrook, had a more aggressive cancer and required a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation.

But at 6 p.m. Sept. 29 at  annual tree-lighting ceremony to commemorate October as National Breast Cancer month, both women will share similar messages: Be consistent with testing and walk in hope if you are currently fighting cancer.

“Cancer is not necessarily a death sentence these days,” Pikula said. “There are so many different treatments now, it can be very manageable.”

Walker agreed. “The fear of not knowing is worse than the fear of knowing,” she said.

At the tree lighting ceremony, community members will be invited to write the names of loved ones and add them to a white tree on display in the lobby.

2. Youth Symphony to Hold Auditions at Lewis University

The Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra will hold auditions at the Oremus Fine Arts Center on the Lewis University main campus from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. tonight.

MYSO has openings in all sections of the orchestra (violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone and percussion).

Auditions will be open high school students and advanced middle school instrumentalists who study with a private teacher.

Players who want to join the orchestra should be prepared to play a solo, scales and to sight-read.

The orchestra rehearses Wednesday evenings during the school year at Lewis. It will perform six concerts during the 2011-2012 season at Lewis, Joliet Junior College and the Bicentennial Park in Joliet.

To schedule an audition time, e-mail or call Pam Nogal at lemont45@comcast.net.

3. Read Local, Save Local—Introducing Patch Deals

Patch Daily Deals, Patch's newest user feature, will help readers save up to 90 percent on products and services at some of the best businesses in the southwest suburbs. This includes not just your hometown, but also several of its neighboring communities.

Today, for example, you can get $30 worth of Italian fare and seafood at  in Woodridge for just $15—that's 50 percent off the regular price.

Most deals will be available for a week. If your town's deal doesn't pique your interest, feel free to check out nearby Patches for more opportunities to save.

We also invite you to share Patch Deals with friends. When they buy, you'll get a $5 credit towards a future purchase.

4. Wondering What Your Kids Eat at School?

Valley View School District students headed back to school this week and that means students will be eating school-prepared lunches in droves.

And with eight years of food service management experience under her belt, Meghan Gibbons is well-qualified to assume her new role as Director of Food Services for the district.

One of the first changes, she says, will be the elimination of 2 percent milk in favor of 1 percent and skim milk as she moves toward what she terms "a greater concentration on nutrient-dense foods." Plus, she plans on "enhancing" what she feels is already a "good job" of purchasing and presenting fresh fruits and vegetables.

For more information on VVSD's food service or to see a list of breakfast and lunch menus VVSD will be serving, click HERE.

5. Bolingbrook Patch Now Accepting Student Bloggers

Bolingbrook Patch is looking for student bloggers to write about a variety of topics to join our already talented team of bloggers.

Does your student show a knack for creative writing? Does he or she love keeping folks up to date on what's happening around town or in the classroom? Do they enjoy writing about friends, family and classmates? 

If so, we'd love to have them blog for Bolingbrook Patch! All they have to do is send Editor Brian Feldt an email at brianf@patch.com and he'll set you up with blogger access.

Questions? Those can be directed to Brian as well!