Lucky Boys Confusion Guitarist Joe Sell of Naperville Found Dead

Joe Sell, 33, was reportedly found dead in Chicago on Tuesday. He was a 1996 graduate of Naperville Central High School.

The tributes were pouring in on Facebook as word of the death of Naperville resident and Lucky Boys Confusion guitarist Joe Sell spread. The Chicago Sun Times reported Sell, 33, was found dead Tuesday night in the 2700 block of West Superior Street. It was reported that Sell had been hospitalized within the last few months with pancreas problems, though it's not clear whether those issues contributed to his death. Sell’s bandmates with Lucky Boys Confusion made a statement on its Facebook page Wednesday night. “We are saddened & devastated to hear the news of our bandmember, friend & brother Joe Sell's passing this morning. The five of us have toured, recorded & performed as one for the last fifteen years. More importantly, we've all grown…

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VIDEO: One-Man Folk Band Brings Unique Sound to Naperville

Local musician John Guzaldo blends country, folk and blues in his solo act, Jack Avery's Kin.

Born and raised in Naperville, John Guzaldo offers up a mixture of country, folk, blues and a little bit of soul in his one-man band Jack Avery's Kin.  Guzaldo recently played at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora, but you can catch him every Thursday afternoon at Potbelly in downtown Naperville. Jack Avery's Kin also performs this Saturday, May 19 at the Widow's Peak Music Festival in nearby Yorkville. For more information, visit the Widow's Peak Music Festival website.  Find out more information on Jack Avery's Kin here. 

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Last Chance: Switchfoot Rocks North Central College

Tickets were still available for the general admission concert being held on the North Central College campus.

North Central College is opening it’s Residential Hall/Recreation Center for the first time to host a concert. Not just any concert. The college will play host to Switchfoot on Sunday. The concert is part of the College’s 150th anniversary celebration and will feature the hard rocking sounds of Switchfoot, a band, which got its start in San Diego. The band has been around for some time, gaining mainstream recognition in 2002 with the hits “Only Hope” and “Dare You to Move.” The band earned a Grammy award for its album “Hello Hurricane.” They are out touring now in support of the band’s most recent release from 2011, “Vice Verses.” The album peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart, …

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Wonderful Wednesday

Richard Uebele: Bringing Historic Homes to Life

Since 2006, Naperville native Richard Uebele has been an interpreter at Naper Settlement and the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio.

Ask Richard Uebele why he likes architecture so much and he can’t give an exact answer. But, when Uebele was 12, his fascination with Frank Lloyd Wright and architecture was born. His love of architecture has allowed Uebele to take a step back in time to the turn of the century as an interpreter at the Naper Settlement’s Martin Mitchell Mansion and in Oak Park at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio.  At the Naper Settlement, Uebele dresses in period costume when he gives tours of the mansion.  “I was a member of the Naperville Heritage Society for years and I grew up here. I thought I should do more,” he said. In January 2006, he retired from his job as a mental health counselor.  In the back of his mind, he had always thought he might …

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What Wilson's Watching

Movie Review: Avenging Adventure

Crowds and the film’s length challenge the drama of "Avengers."

Usually I wait until later in the review to mention the overall time at the movies, but this week extenuating circumstances and a huge crowd of fans did affect our experience (I went with my three kids). But don’t worry, we still enjoyed it. Heading out to the Louis Joliet Cinemark was an adventure. A carnival in the mall parking lot snarled up traffic, and opening night of this spring’s blockbuster The Avengers meant a longer line than usual to get into the theater. Even though I ordered tickets online a day in advance, we still had to queue up behind four generations of moviegoers, which was cool. The last time I saw this many people at the theater was for Chronicle, but far and away the crowd at that one was around age 16 (despite its R…

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Cinco de Mayo: Suggestions for Celebration

Naperville Patch shares a few ideas for food, drink and movies with a Mexican twist.

Looking for a reason to enjoy a margarita without the guilt or maybe a bottle of cerveza? Cinco de Mayo is here to give you a reason for fiesta. Who knew a victory by the Mexican Militia over the French at the Battle of Puebla would turn into such a huge holiday in the United States. Cinco de Mayo has grown into a drinking holiday in the states, thanks in part to marketing from alcohol companies. In Mexico, it’s not really much celebrated.   But, never mind that. Whether a history, beer or international culture lover, why not enjoy the day and some Mexican-style comida, peliculas and bebidas.  Posole: A hearty soup-like stew with hominy and whatever ingredients you include, usually pork. Here’s a recipe from Taste of Home for chicken …

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Names in the News: Debbie Venezia, Naperville Art League

For ten years, Naperville Art League executive director Debbie Venezia has empowered individuals and the community through art.

Since 1961, the Naperville Art League has been an integral part of the Naperville community, providing art education and a creative outlet for individuals of all ages.  And for the past ten years, the league's executive director has strived to continue to enrich the minds of the community through art. Name and Occupation: Debbie Venezia, executive director of Naperville Art League since 2002.  What are some of the responsibilities you have at the Naperville Art League? I run the essential coordination of all of the functions of everything we do. We hold classes here, exhibits, we run the Riverwalk Fine Arts Fair and I'm also the executive director of the art fair, which is one of the top outdoor art fairs in the country. We have different …

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Wonderful Wednesday

Donna Swanson: Simple Gifts Making a Big Difference

Donna Swanson, a social worker at the Naperville Police Department, is the founder of The Simple Gifts Foundation, which helps families in need and provides programs for children with special needs and their families.

Donna Swanson always wanted to have her own foundation so she could make a difference in peoples’ lives. A self-proclaimed “giver,” Swanson was a full-time social worker who was aware of the needs others had and decided to create an organization that could make a difference one simple gift at a time. Whether providing fun activities for kids with special needs or helping fill the needs of families that may be struggling, her nonprofit The Simple Gifts Foundation, seeks to make a difference. “We are a simple gift in someone’s life,” Swanson said. “We are a small helping hand. We are here to help in peoples’ lives.” In 2003, while she was working as the director of social services at the West Chicago Police Department, Swanson said she saw …

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