the city of highland park, IL, NAMES FRIDAY the 13th as “BITTER JESTER DAY”

PROCLAMATION

Honoring Bitter Jester Creative, Inc.

        WHEREAS, the year 2011 marks the tenth anniversary of the incorporation of Bitter Jester Creative, Inc. by Highland Park High School alumni Nicolas DeGrazia and Charles Turck; and

        WHEREAS, Bitter Jester is co-owned and operated in Highland Park by Nicolas DeGrazia and fellow Highland Park High School alumnus Daniel Kullman; and

        WHEREAS, The Port Clinton Film Festival was co-produced by Bitter Jester with fellow Highland Park company Amdur Productions in 2008; and

        WHEREAS, Bitter Jester has donated its time, talent, and resources since 2007 to create the award-winning short documentary film series "Meet the Honorees" for the annual Student Honor Dinner; and

        WHEREAS, "The Late Nite HP Bitter Jester Battle of the Bands" has provided entertainment for the City of Highland Park and its residents every Friday night in June and on each 4th of July since 2006; and

        WHEREAS, Bitter Jester's live sketch comedy troupe, "The Comic Thread," has been entertaining Highland Park and Chicagoland audiences with original comedy since 1998; and

        WHEREAS, Nicolas DeGrazia has served two terms as an elected member of the Board of Directors of the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce; and

        WHEREAS, Nicolas DeGrazia and Daniel Kullman have served on various Mayoral-appointed committees; and

        WHEREAS, Bitter Jester is a multi-faceted, multi-award-winning production company with aspirations for global impact through storytelling while maintaining strong local roots.

        NOW THEREFORE, I, MICHAEL D. BELSKY, Mayor of the City of Highland Park, Lake County, Illinois, and the City Council of Highland Park do hereby proclaim May 13, 2011 as

Bitter Jester Day

DATED this 9th day of May, 2011.

Signed,

Michael D. Belsky, Mayor

Shirley Fitzgerald, City Clerk