What do you think of these suggestions? Is the city doing enough?
By KATE R. HOULIHAN Naperville Sun
"American Idol" stars not only shine brightly in Hollywood, but also bring a little light back to their old stomping grounds.
Rising from the ranks of obscurity to the big time is now a common occurrence for Idol finalists such as Tinley Park native and current Naperville resident Gina Glocksen.
Often those places of residence share a few seconds in the spotlight and might choose to "give back" in a sense by proclaiming a citywide day in honor of the singer.
Case in point: The city of Bothell, Wash., has placed a press release on the city's Web site proclaiming April 11 as "Blake Lewis Day" in honor of the Idol finalist, who remains in the running with Glocksen. Lewis' parents will receive a proclamation from Mayor Mark Lamb, who said in the release, "Bothell's Blake Lewis has brought positive community spirit to this region by sharing his talent and ambition with the world."
But what about Naperville's girl Glocksen? A quick Google search shows state governors or mayors who in past Idol seasons have proclaimed special days or urged people to vote for a particular crooner. Is Naperville next in line?
You bet.
"I have to start working on that," Mayor George Pradel said Monday. "We'll do a proclamation or something for her. I didn't know what the other towns were doing. I was told they really go all out."
While the mayor might not tune in to the show each week - ratings show generally about 30 million Americans do - that's what his friends are for. Recently, at one of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority meetings - Pradel is on the board - chairman John Mitola told him to reach out and start a campaign for Gina.
"He said, 'My wife wants you to be a cheerleader and call Eric & Kathy,'" the mayor said, referring to WTMX-FM 101.9 morning show hosts Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart, who broadcasted the "Eric and Kathy" show live from the Riverwalk last year and crowned Pradel Chicagoland's "Hottest Mayor" in 2004.
But can the No. 2-ranked city in the country, according to Money magazine, really settle for just a proclamation?
"A proclamation is pretty easy," he said. "I think we need to do a little parade when she gets back in town ... I have to start working on that as far as what we're going to do. She's doing good for Naperville."
Gina's spot in the show's top 10 guarantees her a place on the summer American Idol tour, which will keep her pretty busy singing her way across the country. Any chance she could make a quick detour to Naperville's big summer celebration of food and music, known more commonly as Ribfest?
"I think it would be fabulous for Naperville, fabulous for Ribfest and fabulous for Gina," said Mike McManus, Ribfest publicity liaison and Exchange Club president-elect. "I cannot tell you if that has been remotely considered. In my own personal opinion, wow, what fun would that be."
Gina isn't Naperville's only reality television star, however. Commercial real estate broker Nicole D'Ambrosio, a Naperville Central grad, is one of the final six contestants vying for a job with Donald Trump on "The Apprentice."
"I would not do it for one and not do it for the other," Pradel said. "I think I have my work cut out for me."
Sure enough, when Pradel started asking around City Hall later in the day what it would take, city staffers were willing to tell him about Gina's recent cover spread in People magazine, and if she showed up at a council meeting, the chambers might be packed for a different reason than they normally are. They warned him it might be a lot to put on his plate.
If nothing else, the seed for declaring Gina a local superstar in the eyes of the city has been planted.
"I'm going to start looking into ways to get a hold of her," he said. "This would be a big chore for me, but we're going to get working on it."
april 4, 2007
Ribfest makes the most sense... and even The Last Fling. If she does make an appearance there I am sure it will be a zoo (more so than it normally is). Naperville is typically pretty good about supporting its residents who make it into the spotlight. While all of the suggestions dicussed in the article seem like good ones I am sure whatever the town does will be over-the-top in typical Naperville fashion.... which is okay by me.
Why honor her for doing something that is not heroic or muchly needed ? How about just having the paper print her name in the paper telling her that everyone is hoping she will live out a dream of many people ie; become rich and famous
I would rather honor those that are fighting OUR WAR to protect us and others, so WE can continue living the American dream.
With that said GOOD JOB GINA !! and GOD BLESS OUR AMERICAN MILITARY PERSONELL !!!
I would never argue that those serving in the war deserve everyone's respect for protecting our freedom. They truly are heroic (by choice) and I certainly admire their dedication to our country. I'm not sure that means we shouldn't celebrate the achievements of people like Gina and by doing so I don't think it means we appreciate our troops any less. It's natural for people to become excited about a local celebrity, but that doesn't mean we've lost sight of what's important. Just my two cents.
If the mayor wants a way to get a hold of her, try her fan website at Gina-Glocksen.net. As for ways to "represent", maybe a special concert, after all the Idol tour is over and shes "home". But proclaim the day after she wins (yes she will win) GINA DAY. And as for Nicole. Same thing. And maybe have her introduce Gina at the concert.
GO GINA (G-FORCE)
GO NICOLE (?) (Fans)
Gina,
Their loss is our gain.
See you at Ribfest!
OK so I was wrong. Gina didnt win, but she is still a winner to Us. GINA WE LOVE U And can't wait for you to come home to a Hometown welcome. Maybe rename Diehl Rd the Gina Glocksen Highway? No one can spell Diehl right anyway. :)
G-Force 4 Ever.
It is unfathomable that Naperville would consider "Looking into ways to salute Gina."
Send her a comment on her Web site. She's already taken up enough bandwith on this Web site and print in the city's newspaper.
As for names the city should really be looking into ways to salute for their contributions to society, how about such Naperville names as Staff Sgt. Andrew Pokorny, Sgt. Bradley Beste and Sgt. Jack Hennessey?
Perhaps some people need a pleasant distraction from the war? Gina deserves praise for her accomplishments, like it or not, as do the people who have served this country. Any time I meet someone who has served in the war, I thank them so they know their efforts are not unnoticed. If people would like to celebrate Gina's adventure, why is that so "unfathomable"?
The point I'm trying to make is why should we reward someone like Gina Glocksen for competing in something that, when broken down, is incredibly selfish? If she would have gone on to win American Idol, what good would have really been done outside of her winning a personal recording contract?
Why should she be put on a pedestal for her selfish attempts at fame when men and women her age and younger are being killed and forgotten in selfless acts of courage?
I suppose the point I am trying to make is that you need to separate the two. Gina is pursuing a dream, however selfish some may deem it to be, and that alone is very admirable. The men and women who have been killed and those who are currently serving our country in the war deserve everyone's admiration. I simply think it's unfair to label someone as selfish for pursuing their dreams and not allow others to celebrate their success because we are involved in a war.
Life, Liberty and The Pursuit Of Happiness, right?
Now we honor people for pursuing a dream? Are you kidding me? Only in Naperville. What a joke this town has become. Superficial all the way.
I guess I am a bit surprised at how bitter some people seem over the issue. It's not a Naperville thing, nor is it out of the ordinary for a town to honor the accomplishments of one of their residents. Geeeesh! They're talking about having a day in her honor and maybe a parade not electing her mayor.
Yeah, whoever that guy is calling people superficial because they celebrate an achievement is on crack. So we can't honor the Bears for making it to the Super Bowl or the White Sox for winning the World Series?
No good could be done--outside of our troops, which I think it's clear, that we love them? I'm not even backing the show, but isn't that extreme when you call the whole town superficial?
Lighten up. Have a bagel.