Time to clear up some of those little bits of paper around the computer and share some of the notes with you because I found them interesting and hope you do too.

Did you know there is a connection between North Riverside and the new CEO of the giant retailer Crate and Barrel? Well there is. The newly named CEO, Barbara Turf, began working at the company’s original store in Old Town around 1964 while teaching at Mater Christi School in North Riverside. And, if I’m correct, she and her family were residents of North Riverside at the time.

She enjoyed working at the then-small store, which opened in 1962-so much that she left teaching at the end of the school year to stay with Crate and Barrel. She became store manager and continued her rise moving to the corporate level in 1972, working closely with the founder Gordon Segal and his wife, Carole.

So for those of you who may have been in the primary grades at Mater Christi School around 1964, you may remember the new Crate and Barrel CEO as Miss Dorini. If she happened to have been your teacher, you will remember she was good teacher and was liked by her students and colleagues. I remember her well. As a matter of fact, she was there when Husband Joe and I got married!

Hall calling?

From the why-did-it-take-so-long category, Riverside’s Johnny “Red” Kerr whose name is synonymous with the Chicago Bulls, has finally been nominated to the Basketball Hall of Fame as one of 15 finalists. He was nominated by the veterans committee.

Kerr, a former coach and longtime broadcaster of the Bulls has a long list of credentials. He played in 844 straight games, made three All-Star appearances, won an NBA title, was named coach of the year, and, as a college player, made an appearance in the Final Four. Now if that’s not good enough to get him in, I’m not sure what is.

Add to that Kerr is a great person who has been readily available for many local events. He would get my vote! We’ll follow this and let you know.

Ribbons and Bows is back

Everything that’s old is new again as the Riverside-Brookfield High School Patrons’ Council is having their annual fundraiser on Thursday, Feb. 28 at the Drury Lane Oakbrook.

The organization has had many different fundraisers over the years, but decided to return this year to the group’s original fundraising project. Started around 1985, the fashion show was the idea of then-Brookfield, now-Riverside resident Jan McCarthy who was the organization’s vice president for ways and means.

McCarthy called the show “Ribbons and Bows” using the letters “R” and “B” for Riverside-Brookfield.

Originally the small event was held at the William Tell in Countryside, but over the years has grown to be a big event. Proceeds will benefit students at Riverside-Brookfield High School in the form of scholarships, post-prom parties and various needs as they arise.

For further information call 447-2659 or 846-1359. Tickets are $40 for adults and $30 for students. This year’s event will include dinner, the fashion show, raffles and a Market Square beginning at 4:30 p.m. for some fun shopping.

OK, now I can throw out those bits of paper to make room for more bits of paper with newsworthy and not-so-newsworthy items.