Congratulations to Ben Hollis, originator and producer of the very popular “Wild Chicago” series that aired on Channel 11 here in Chicago. He will return in a seven part series titled “Wild Chicago Illinois Road Trip” slated for April, 2006 on WTTW.

Ben is a member of the Board of Governors of the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of NATAS and a multiple Emmy winner.

Len Dresslar, 80, of Palm Springs, CA died Sunday, October 16, 2005. From 1955 to 1960 he appeared nightly on the live variety show "In Town Tonight" at CBS-Chicago.

Robert Y. Minami, 86, died Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005, in Vista, Washington. Mr. Minami was a talented artist and staff employee of WMAQ-TV’s art department until his retirement in 1980. He went on to teach fine arts and continue to paint at the Oceanside Museum of Art.

TV Academy Governor, Cynthia Patrasso, has spearheaded a major initiative which brings together the office of Governor Rod Blagojevich, NBC5 (plus all 7 Illinois media markets) and Kenneth Wooden, Founder of Child Lures Prevention. Patrasso, who is the chief liaison of the statewide Child Lures Prevention initiative, will serve as Supervising Producer for a major Town Hall Event on Saturday, September 17th at 6 p.m. on NBC5. TV Academy Governor, David Ratzlaff, will direct the Town Hall telecast. The Town Hall kicks off a two-week (10-Part) Child Lures Prevention News Series, which will be hosted by Allison Rosati. The Town Hall and the series showcases the "lures" predators use to abduct and exploit children. Governor Blagojevich has announced that all 3200 elementary and middle schools will be taught the Child Lures Prevention school curriculum this fall. More information can be found at www.NBC5.com and at www.childlures.org.