NEWS and BLOG

Posts:

Submitted on: Fri, January 1st, 2021
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Tue, March 17th, 2020
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Sun, March 8th, 2020
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Fri, February 14th, 2020
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Tue, February 11th, 2020
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Wed, February 5th, 2020
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Mon, January 27th, 2020
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Sat, January 18th, 2020
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Wed, January 1st, 2020
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Wed, December 25th, 2019
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Sat, December 7th, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, November 30th, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Thu, November 28th, 2019
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Sat, November 23rd, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Fri, November 1st, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, October 26th, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, October 12th, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Tue, October 1st, 2019
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Fri, September 27th, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Tue, September 17th, 2019
Topic: Misc

Submitted on: Sat, August 24th, 2019
Topic: News

Submitted on: Sat, August 10th, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Fri, August 2nd, 2019
Topic: Family

Submitted on: Sat, July 20th, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Thu, July 4th, 2019
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Sat, June 15th, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Fri, June 7th, 2019
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Thu, May 30th, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, May 11th, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Fri, May 3rd, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Tue, April 23rd, 2019
Topic: Misc

Submitted on: Sun, April 21st, 2019
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Thu, April 11th, 2019
Topic: Misc

Submitted on: Thu, March 28th, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, March 23rd, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, March 16th, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sun, March 10th, 2019
Topic: Events

Today I participated in the American Lung Associations Fight For Air Climb in Chicago at the Presidential Towers. I successfully completed all four towers for a total of 2340 stairs climbed.  With help from my friends and the Lions Club a total of 475 dollars was raised on my behalf.

I enjoy helping out a good cause. In this case it was a bit more special because my mom had COPD as a result of long term smoking.

And kind of a side effect of the event was the experience of just how important breathing is. Although I do a LOT of walking, doing all of those stairs in just over an hour had me breathing VERY hard even having to stop several times to allow my heart, lungs, and legs to take a short break. But it is EXACTLY this type of thing that I love as it makes us think about things that our bodies do which we normally take for granted. In spite of the challenges I deal with in life it is always good to be able to push on and succeed while being helpful to others who have more severe problems than me!

Submitted on: Mon, February 18th, 2019
Topic: Events

This last weekend the Chicago Lego Store, at Water Tower Place, had a large event full of activities from Friday to Sunday. Included in the festivities was that a Lego Master Builder, Chris Steininger, was onsite to build an 8 foot tall model of Emmet.  Visitors got a chance to build modules which were then used by Chris to construct Emmet.  Visitors also got a chance to build a mini Mayhems Ship and take it home with them.  During the weekend there were several opportunities to win Lego sets and get photos with characters from the Lego Movie 2.

I was very proud to be able to help out at this event as a volunteer. It was awesome getting to help people build the modules as well as get to talk with them a little. We even had some fun with challenges such as speed building and building behind your back.

During the dismantle party on Sunday night, I got to be a part of a VERY AWESOME GROUP of store employees and volunteers. Due to the INCREDIBLE amount of TEAMWORK, the project was completed in about 2 hours with quality work.

Submitted on: Sat, February 9th, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, January 19th, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sun, January 6th, 2019
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Tue, January 1st, 2019
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Tue, December 25th, 2018
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Sat, December 1st, 2018
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, November 24th, 2018
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Thu, November 22nd, 2018
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Mon, November 19th, 2018
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Tue, November 6th, 2018
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Mon, November 5th, 2018
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Wed, October 31st, 2018
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Sun, October 28th, 2018
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, October 20th, 2018
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Thu, October 11th, 2018
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, October 6th, 2018
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Thu, September 27th, 2018
Topic: News

I am honored to now be a member of my local Lions Club.

In case you are not familiar with the Lions Club, it is an international organization made up of many groups of volunteers who work to improve life in their individual communities. Although the main focus is helping those with vision or hearing loss, they extend their efforts beyond that. For example, this year at least two local schools have a Buddy Bench because of the Lions. A Buddy Bench is a bench in the playground where a child can go if they feel lonely or left out. Other kids can then go visit with them to show their love. I think this is one great option and an absolute combat to the problem of bullying so often encountered.

The Lions Clubs conduct fundraising events in order to pay for their projects. 100 percent of the funds raised go toward projects. Members are all volunteers and thus do not use any funds to run the individual clubs. So if your local Lions Club is doing a fundraiser near you, please donate generously!

Submitted on: Mon, September 17th, 2018
Topic: Misc

Near where I live it is common to hear wildlife moving about in the brush as I walk by. Sometimes I have animals cross in front of me but they are usually too far away for me to identify what they are. Every once in a while one will scurry by close enough to be pretty sure its a squirrel or chipmunk but they keep moving so I rarely get any chance at a picture.

Well today there was something which stopped on the sidewalk about ten feet in front of me. So I stopped and we had a brief stare down. Because it remained, I got the camera ready as quickly and smoothly as I could. That caused the animal to move off the sidewalk but remain right next to it. This time I got 2 pictures as was able to identify it as a bunny with the camera zoomed in. As I  left, I walked off the sidewalk leaving the same distance between us and thanked the bunny for posing for the photo. Thankfully it remained in place until out of my view after I had passed it.

Having a bunny wait and then pose for a picture makes for a good day!

Submitted on: Sun, September 16th, 2018
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Fri, September 7th, 2018
Topic: News

Submitted on: Sat, September 1st, 2018
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Thu, August 30th, 2018
Topic: News

Submitted on: Wed, August 22nd, 2018
Topic: Misc

Submitted on: Tue, August 21st, 2018
Topic: News

Here we go again!  Apparently IDOT (Illinois Department Of Transportation) and Sumit Construction have teamed up to tear apart a large number of sidewalks along state roads.  The reason seems to be that they did not meet code standards.

As somebody who walks a great deal, I not only rely on sidewalks but have encountered a lot of other people who use them also.  I have heard a LOT of people complain about road construction affecting vehicle drivers because of the methods used to do the work. Well it is no different for pedestrians, except that foot travel takes a LOT more time than vehicle travel.

Even though most of the now destroyed and unusable sidewalks were in very usable condition before, I really do understand that sometimes work needs to be done. My issue is not that work is being done but rather HOW it is being done.  For instance, at many intersections ALL FOUR CORNERS were destroyed including the sidewalks and gutters. That gives pedestrians absolutely no usable option except to walk into the street, which is completely unacceptable!  A much better way would be to close only two sides so that the other two could still be used for crossing.

My fear is that, based upon many other such construction jobs, this will not be a quick job.  Not too long ago in a nearby community, sidewalks were unusable for over a MONTH.  Recently, the parking lot at the apartment complex was stripped and resurfaced. That took THREE DAYS for all of the work in a fairly large parking lot. So why it takes over a month to do a small section of sidewalk is beyond me.

I have expressed this to some IDOT employees and plan to follow up with numerous contacts to both IDOT and state government representatives. But when I do this, it seems I am among the few who actually do this as I am told that no other complaints have been received. So the point of this post is to beg and plead with all of my readers to VOICE YOUR CONCERNS!  The more people who speak out, the better chance of getting change.  So PLEASE say something if such disruption is being done where you live.

Submitted on: Sun, August 19th, 2018
Topic: News

Submitted on: Sat, August 4th, 2018
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sun, July 15th, 2018
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Sun, July 8th, 2018
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Wed, July 4th, 2018
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Mon, June 25th, 2018
Topic: Misc

This summer I have signed up for two different volunteer duties. Those who know me know that I do not brag about such things nor usually mention them. But the reason for this post is because I learned something today and want to share it.

A lot of times the news has stories about city budgets not allowing for certain jobs to get done due to labor cost. Many people know that there are always opportunities to volunteer with non-profit groups and some government branches (such as at libraries, schools, etc). But I did NOT know that there may be times when a person can volunteer for a task that has not even been posted for!

Not every organization nor agency wants volunteers. There are often legal hurdles and liability issues that prevent such. But during a discussion, I inquired about who to contact for a certain task and was told no such task was being done. So I asked if I could do it with their permission and got an approval.  Now I will not discuss the task nor the agency (for legal reasons), but I gladly signed their required waiver of liability and did the task. That action is leading to more tasks for me to do this summer.

So the point here is that if you want something to get done and nobody else is doing it, please consider offering your help.  Some of your time can often help this world be a better place even if in a small way. If all of us did some volunteer work, together we would accomplish a LOT OF GOOD!

Submitted on: Sun, June 17th, 2018
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Tue, June 5th, 2018
Topic: Misc

Submitted on: Mon, May 28th, 2018
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Sun, May 13th, 2018
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Thu, May 3rd, 2018
Topic: Misc

Submitted on: Sun, April 22nd, 2018
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Tue, April 17th, 2018
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Sun, April 1st, 2018
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Tue, March 20th, 2018
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, March 17th, 2018
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Sun, March 11th, 2018
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Thu, March 8th, 2018
Topic: Info

Lets say you go to a store to purchase items but there are NO PRICES listed for the items you want to buy. In order to get the prices you have to go to the checkout counter, wait in line, provide them with a lot of your personal information, and let them scan each item. Only then do they tell you what the prices will be. You then have the option of rejecting the purchase, but you have just wasted a great deal of your time and they still retain your personal information.  How would that make you feel?

Well, I am currently on my THIRD DAY of attempting to find a decent price for four prescription medications. In todays society, pharmacies seem to operate just like the paragraph above. While I understand there are a lot of health plans out there each offering different benefits, government jurisdictional laws, and privacy policies, what I do NOT understand is why they cannot give the price to the consumer prior to actually filling the order. In TWO cases already they could not fill the order since they did not have the item and thus could not give me a price until they obtained the item and processed it!

By my logic, if the computer can determine what the price will be AFTER the order is filled, it should be able to do that BEFORE also. I do not require that a pharmacy openly publishes their prices, but that information SHOULD BE available to the consumer once they produce a valid prescription and whatever medication coverage plan they have WITHOUT having to actually fill the order first!

Submitted on: Fri, February 16th, 2018
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Wed, February 14th, 2018
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Sun, January 28th, 2018
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sun, January 14th, 2018
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Sun, December 31st, 2017
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Mon, December 25th, 2017
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Wed, December 20th, 2017
Topic: News

Submitted on: Sat, December 9th, 2017
Topic: News

Submitted on: Sat, December 2nd, 2017
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Thu, November 30th, 2017
Topic: News

Submitted on: Thu, November 23rd, 2017
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Sun, November 12th, 2017
Topic: Vision

I saw part of a medical report about eye drops and unfortunately was not quick enough to write down the reference information. However I did some research on this and want to share some points briefly here.

The main aspect of the report was the size of the drops which the dispenser delivers. Some companies have their drops larger than what the eye can absorb. Thus more medication is dispensed than needed which also means that the bottle or vial will be empty sooner and the patient has to purchase a refill. Having some personal experience with this very fact I can relate to the message. Contacting your doctor or pharmacist may NOT be the best places to inquire as they are both making money from the medication prescribed. If anybody knows who should be contacted to find out the proper drop sizes and what companies are using drops too large PLEASE let me know and I will share that here.

Another topic of the report was drops being prescribed which are NOT useful to the patient. Again I have had personal experience with this. Discuss WHY you need the medications you are on and what they do for you. Then research them on your own to confirm what the doctors or pharmacists tell you.

Never be afraid to ask questions or to read the material supplied with the medication at the pharmacy. It is YOUR body and YOUR money. You have every right to understand your treatment and know about any alternatives.

Submitted on: Tue, October 31st, 2017
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Tue, October 24th, 2017
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Thu, October 19th, 2017
Topic: News

Submitted on: Fri, October 13th, 2017
Topic: Trivia

Submitted on: Sun, September 24th, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Thu, September 14th, 2017
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Thu, August 31st, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, August 26th, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Mon, August 21st, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Tue, August 1st, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Wed, July 26th, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sun, July 23rd, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Tue, July 18th, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Tue, July 4th, 2017
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Mon, June 19th, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, June 10th, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Tue, June 6th, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, June 3rd, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Fri, June 2nd, 2017
Topic: News

Submitted on: Mon, April 24th, 2017
Topic: Vision

Submitted on: Tue, April 18th, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, April 15th, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Mon, April 10th, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Fri, March 24th, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, March 11th, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Thu, March 9th, 2017
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Wed, February 22nd, 2017
Topic: News

Submitted on: Tue, February 14th, 2017
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Mon, February 13th, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, January 21st, 2017
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sun, January 1st, 2017
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Sat, December 31st, 2016
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sun, December 25th, 2016
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Sun, December 18th, 2016
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Thu, November 24th, 2016
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Mon, November 7th, 2016
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Thu, November 3rd, 2016
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sun, October 30th, 2016
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Tue, October 4th, 2016
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sun, October 2nd, 2016
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Fri, September 16th, 2016
Topic: Vision

Somebody told me about an article in National Geographic about blind people getting sight due to medical advances.  I read the article with great interest.  While I appreciate being made aware of such articles we need to remember some important things.

Almost all of the articles I have been directed to focus on a specific treatment that addresses a specific branch of some condition.  This is awesome for those who can be helped by it but usually represents a very small group of people.  And sadly most of this only result in SOME improvement rather than a complete cure and many people still have an abundance of issues to deal with.

The name of these type of articles suggest that everybody will be cured by this Miracle Breakthrough but even the details within the article tell a much different story.

The same holds true for other media coverage such as TV news, TV reports, and newspaper articles.  A LOT of hype, not much accurate information, and false promises.  I wish THAT would stop.

There IS progress being made in vision treatment.  Some people are getting help for conditions not treatable before.  But there is a LOT MORE unknowns out there and it will likely take DECADES or longer to figure them out.  Some things will likely NEVER happen, such as a Retinal transplant or whole eye transplant.

For those with vision problems do not lose hope.  But do not be taken in by the hype used to sell magazines and increase ratings.

Submitted on: Fri, September 9th, 2016
Topic: News

Submitted on: Mon, September 5th, 2016
Topic: News

Submitted on: Thu, September 1st, 2016
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Fri, August 19th, 2016
Topic: Misc

Submitted on: Mon, August 8th, 2016
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Sat, July 23rd, 2016
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Mon, July 18th, 2016
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Fri, July 8th, 2016
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Fri, July 1st, 2016
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Thu, June 23rd, 2016
Topic: Misc

Submitted on: Sun, June 19th, 2016
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Mon, June 13th, 2016
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Wed, June 1st, 2016
Topic: Vision

Submitted on: Fri, May 20th, 2016
Topic: News

Submitted on: Tue, May 10th, 2016
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Sat, May 7th, 2016
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sun, May 1st, 2016
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Fri, April 29th, 2016
Topic: News

Submitted on: Thu, April 21st, 2016
Topic: News

Submitted on: Sat, April 9th, 2016
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Wed, April 6th, 2016
Topic: News

Some things to consider in the fall elections:

Illinois State has been without a 2016 budget for about 10 months.  One result is many bills NOT being paid hurting education, businesses with state contracts, and as a result ALL of the people of the state.

Federal law demands a new Supreme Court member to be placed in a timely manner.  Yet some members of congress vow to not even consider any nominee until a new president is in office. Totally illegal!

Those running for office, presidential or otherwise, seem to be very focused on bashing each other rather than promoting a solid realistic positive plan for the future and being open to modifying such to give us all a better life.

So PLEASE start doing research now to decide who you vote FOR and who you would NOT want in office.  Do NOT just rely on the media or other people for facts as that is almost always biased.  Consult state and federal government websites and also sources such as Vote Smart.  Be INFORMED and use that to voice your vote!

Submitted on: Fri, April 1st, 2016
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Thu, March 17th, 2016
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, March 12th, 2016
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Fri, February 12th, 2016
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Mon, January 11th, 2016
Topic: Vision

Submitted on: Thu, December 31st, 2015
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Wed, December 23rd, 2015
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Thu, December 10th, 2015
Topic: Vision

Submitted on: Thu, November 26th, 2015
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Mon, November 23rd, 2015
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Thu, November 19th, 2015
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Thu, November 12th, 2015
Topic: Holiday

Submitted on: Mon, November 2nd, 2015
Topic: Events

As we consider modern day Daylight Savings Time practice let us not forget some origins.

Way back on April 26 1784, Benjamin Franklin wrote an article about conserving candle wax (back then there were no light bulbs).  For reference search for Benjamin Franklin
Journal of Paris.

Apparently back then people would stay up until early morning and sleep until around noon.  Thus they would live by candle or oil lamp light from sunset until bed time and then not take advantage of the suns natural (and free) light from sunrise until they woke up.

Ben suggested bells be rung at sunrise to wake people,  rationing candle fuel to force limiting usage, and even taxing people who used window shutters (which blocked sunlight).

By waking people up at sunrise so they could live by sunlight, he calculated a huge amount of savings of fuel.

I find it interesting that in over 230 years since nothing much has changed except that we use electricity rather than candles for light sources now.  As I was walking to the park just before sunrise (5:45AM) there was little traffic and few people out.  But at 9PM the night before (after dark) was a lot of traffic and people.

Yet folks still complain about their electricity bills.  Go figure!

Submitted on: Wed, October 21st, 2015
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sat, October 17th, 2015
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Thu, October 8th, 2015
Topic: News

Submitted on: Fri, October 2nd, 2015
Topic: Misc

Submitted on: Fri, September 25th, 2015
Topic: Misc

Submitted on: Sat, September 19th, 2015
Topic: Misc

Submitted on: Tue, September 8th, 2015
Topic: Misc

Submitted on: Fri, August 28th, 2015
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Mon, August 17th, 2015
Topic: Misc

Submitted on: Wed, August 5th, 2015
Topic: Info

Submitted on: Sun, August 2nd, 2015
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Wed, May 20th, 2015
Topic: News

Submitted on: Thu, April 30th, 2015
Topic: News

Submitted on: Sat, April 25th, 2015
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Sun, April 12th, 2015
Topic: News

Submitted on: Sun, April 5th, 2015
Topic: Events

Submitted on: Tue, March 31st, 2015
Topic: Vision

Submitted on: Sun, March 29th, 2015
Topic: Vision

Submitted on: Fri, March 27th, 2015
Topic: News

Submitted on: Sat, March 21st, 2015
Topic: Vision

Submitted on: Mon, March 16th, 2015
Topic: Vision

Submitted on: Fri, March 13th, 2015
Topic: Trivia

Submitted on: Thu, March 12th, 2015
Topic: Family

Submitted on: Tue, March 10th, 2015
Topic: News

Submitted on: Tue, October 24th, 2017
Topic: Info

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