Friends of the Villa Park Library 5K & 10K Run/Walk

In 2004, a small library was jeopardized: the County was cutting costs, and in order to balance its budget, the Villa Park Library was in its sights, targeted.
There was protest. And a surge ensued.
The Villa Park community was up in arms. So they organized, aggressively. The result: Friends of the Villa Park Library. The goal: to save the library through fundraising. It was then that Ron Accornero, the organization’s secretary, established the library’s very first 5K run. Since then, the race (which now includes a 10K) has raised an average of at least $ 7,500 annually, and participation continues to rise.
On this first day of summer and upon the race’s 10^th year, I ran. I mean, I’m an English teacher. It would be counterproductive for me to not support libraries, perhaps hypocritical, wouldn’t it? Well, it’s obvious that this little library isn’t going anywhere. She’s tough, sturdy! Over 470 runners were going to make damn sure of that: 332 ran the 5K; and 139, the 10K.
The race itself is completely residential, relatively flat and all street. The 10K is a loop – I’m never a fan of loops – but with all of Villa Park seemingly behind you, you just run. It’s easy. The many volunteers – including the local police department – were there to assist and support: re-​routing traffic, coning the course, supplying water, applauding efforts. Finisher medals and t-​shirts, as well as a goodie bag, are provided, and there’s a small expo to enjoy afterwards. Good job, Villa Park!
My 10K stats: 73 of 139, 1:02:44. =]
But what kind of Unilocal review would this be – one written with respect to saving libraries – if it didn’t also include a book review? Here’s mine: Pulitzer Prize-​winning Washington Post reporter David Finkel’s astonishing chronicle of modern combat, «The Good Soldiers» (2009). Since I’ve picked it up – the first of my summer reads – I’ve been unable to put it down.
Between January 2007 and June 2008, Finkel spent eight months in violent Rustamiya with a battalion of 800 United States Army soldiers, known for short as the 2 – 16 (Second Battalion, 16^th Infantry Regiment of the Fourth Infantry Brigade Combat Team, First Infantry Division). The 2 – 16 was part of the campaign other­wise known as «the surge,» which sent an additional 21,000 troops into Iraq to quell sectarian violence, in hopes some reconciliation might take place. It is as compelling and terrifying as it is heartbreaking. Considered «One of the 10 Best Books of the Year» by The New York Times, this is one story that – like soldiers of the 2−16 – will have you questioning what it takes to be a «good» soldier.