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opinions
Lawmakers were right in passing civil union law
Civil unions are now the law of Illinois. Good. You had only to see the faces of the applicants — like Meta Kroker and Joy Christopher of Oak Park — who lined up in clerk’s offices in Cook County to know how right this was. …
Hot summer, long days, melted profits
OAK PARK I read in Oak Leaves that the Great Food Truck Rally in the Pilgrim Church parking lot was a success. Glad to hear it, even though selling food from trucks isn’t new. Selling good food from trucks may be new. But we’ve always …
Keep records of vital information for elderly parents
Sometimes we make assumptions about the information that we have or don’t have when it comes to our parents, grandparents or other seniors in our lives. Unfortunately the moment we realize that the information we need is not available is usually during a crisis.
Taking stigma off incontinence
Watching daytime TV, and all of the commercials for incontinence products, one might think that incontinence is a normal part of life and aging.
This Apple has sour taste
Dear Fixer: I cannot download any apps on my iPhone. It says my account is disabled. After I sent a request to the Apple support email address, I received a response from an iTunes adviser who said it appeared that my account had been disabled due to “chargeback orders” they had received from my credit card issuer.
Art of compromise is what’s needed now
In the aftermath of last week’s election, I’ve been listening to my friends on the right and the left. They are saying the same thing, and that’s what worries me.
Christmas shopping, philosophically speaking
Now that that pesky presidential election is over, it’s time to concentrate on what’s really important. Christmas shopping. But before you can shop, you have to decide what to get friends and family, collectively known as loved ones.
Stop ‘straw buyers’ of guns
For years Chicago and Cook County officials have been pushing a law that would help close the spigot of guns flowing illegally into the city. So far, the National Rifle Association has blocked the law in Springfield, but officials here should keep pushing. The so-called …
How about veggie McDonald’s here?
McDonald’s is opening two vegetarian-only restaurants. Not, unfortunately, in one of the hipper neighborhoods of Chicago, or even somewhere in California. But in India — in Amritsar and Katra. This makes sense. For reasons of religion and tradition, Indian diets tend to be low in …
More books to sort for Aug. 3-4 Book Fair
Boxes of gently used books are stacked in towers more than 10 feet high in a storage room at the library. They are the thousands of books which have been donated for the 42nd annual Book Fair, hosted by the Friends of the Oak Park …
Oak Park left ramp roots go deep
For five years I lived in Oak Park, on Washington Street one block east of Harlem Avenue. I had a good reason for moving there — I got a job at the old Wheaton Daily Journal, yet couldn’t stomach the thought of actually living in …
OPRF speaker: the class of you must do
Editor’s Note: Following is Jack Belcaster’s 2012 commencement address. Schools have rules, so let me begin with a rule. Here is an important rule of public speaking: “Know your audience.” We know each other well. The class of 2008 — they thought they were great. …
Set your own time for local history of Girl Scouts
By JUDY BRINKWORTH Columnist Here are Judy’s picks of coming community activities in the Oak Park and River Forest area — spiced with a little commentary. Works for us … Discover an “Oasis of Civility” at the English Country Dance social event from 7:30 to …
A Spanish delight
My husband had the good fortune of hosting Luis, a Spanish exchange student, during high school, and his family had the good sense to preserve their relationship for decades. As a result, I found myself in the kitchen years ago with Luis’s mother, Carmen Lucy. …
A ‘Moneyball’ lesson in life: ‘Get on base’
I’ve decided that the correct answer for just about any question this spring is: “He gets on base.” That answer comes from one of last year’s best movies, “Moneyball.” That simple phrase answers the questions put to Billy Beane, general manager of the Oakland A’s, …
Shimkus: Senator Kirk is coming back
Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed piece submitted by U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, regarding the status of U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, who is in recovery from a stroke he suffered in January. As a member of the Illinois congressional delegation, …
