Sen. John McCain Makes Arlington Heights Mayoral Race Endorsement

Imagine my surprise today when I opened up my Chicago Tribune (online) during lunch, while I was attempting to eat, and discovered that Senator John McCain (R-AZ) had endorsed a candidate in the upcoming Arlington Heights mayoral race.

If you imagine that I was unable to stomach my lunch, you'd be right.

You'll recall that I grew up in Arlington Heights. I lived there from 1974 through 1989 and then, again as an adult, from 2000 to 2011. That's 26 years. 26 of my almost 42 years of life have been spent in Arlington Heights. For the 11 years I lived there as an adult,  I worked and ran my business in Arlington Heights, and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce where I served on the Board of Directors for three years. Additionally, my mom still lives there, as do a number of my friends. I still have significant interests in the goings-on in Arlington Heights.

I'm not a fan of John McCain. Yes, he served his country nobly in Vietnam. He suffered horribly as a prisoner of war. He came home and decided to become a public servant. I don't deny that he has given the majority of his adult life in service of his country in one way or another. That is to be applauded.

The biggest thing that trips me up about John McCain is the legacy that I believe spoils the rest of what he's done in his career: Sarah Palin.

John McCain gave us Sarah Palin. John McCain's first presidential act as a candidate for the highest office in the land in 2008 was to select less than one-term governor of Alaska Sarah Palin as his running mate. He failed to vet her. Now I know, he relied on his staff to do that, but they failed to do it and the buck stops with him. Ultimately, it was his decision and he chose a woman who was horribly unqualified to hold the second highest office in the land and be a heartbeat away from running the country.

And now, John McCain wants to tell the people of Arlington Heights who to vote for on April 9th. He recommends a buddy of his who served as the mayor of an Arizona town from 2000 to 2006 and who has only lived in Arlington Heights since 2007.

Given John McCain's reputation for endorsing wholly unqualified candidates, I will tell my mom to vote for anyone but John McCain's buddy.

Playlist for Kenny Loggins

So one of the great traditions of my new town is the fantastic Fourth of July celebration it puts on. (Sorry, Arlington Heights, Frontier Days is great, but I think Lake Forest and Lake Bluff do the Fourth of July much better).

Each year, they have a great musical talent perform at Deerpath Park followed immediately by fireworks so big you feel like you could reach out and pull them out of the sky with your bare hands. (NOTE: Do not try this. Fireworks are very dangerous. I've known people who were involved in a freak fireworks accident. You don't want to be in their shoes. Trust me.)

Last year, Rick Springfield played. This year, it's Kenny Loggins. That's right. Kenny Loggins of Loggins & Messina, for those of you of a certain age, and the guy who sang the theme songs to Caddyshack, Footloose (the original), and Top Gun, for those of you in my generation. Previous concerts have included The Village People, KC & the Sunshine Band, Eddie Money, and others. Completely awesome. I know. The entire community comes out for this event. It's like a night at Ravinia with people bringing picnics and wine, although you can purchase food from Lovell's, if you'd prefer.

I don't know if Kenny Loggins reads Little Merry Sunshine or not (but if not, why the Hell not?), but I thought I'd take it upon myself to create his play list for him. These are the songs I'd love to hear. He can perform others too, but at a minimum, I hope he sings these songs. No need to thank me. It was a labor of love.

For the First Time


Footloose (the original will always be the best)


Danger Zone (By the way, what are the odds we could have the hottest guys from LFPD and LFFD playing sand volleyball shirtless while Kenny Loggins sings this? I'll pick the players and no, I don't need anyone else's opinion. I'm fully qualified to make this decision.)

This is It


I'm Alright (because everybody needs a little Caddy Shack)


Meet Me Halfway


Return to Pooh Corner (I prefer this to the original, House at Pooh Corner. He must sing this because who doesn't love Winnie the Pooh and all this song represents?)


Forever


The Real Thing


I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)


Rainbow Connection (The only thing better than Kenny Loggins singing this would be Kermit joining him to sing it.)


Danny's Song 


Finally, for his encore, he should perform Conviction of the Heart. 

Because I'm so easy going and not controlling at all, Kenny can feel free to do these songs in any order he wishes. I would encourage him not to do all the mushy love songs together because I may just end up in tears. Honestly, I'd forgotten how many wonderful love songs he'd written. But Conviction of the Heart should be last.

Of course, if you received this blog post via email, take a stroll onto the inter webs and watch all the videos. It's worth an hour of your workday. It's the 3rd of July, the day before a holiday. You're probably not doing anything anyway.

What's for lunch? A PBJH&C Sandwich!

Today marks the 30th anniversary of my house burning down. I've written about the details before (here and here) so I won't repeat myself. Instead, let's talk about lunch.

Lunch is one of the three most important meals of the day. The other two, of course, are breakfast and dinner.

After our house burned, we spent a month or two living in the Arlington Park Hilton (later the Sheraton and now gone). Each morning as Dave and I got ready for school, I called the restaurant to order our brown bag lunches. And each day, I ordered the same thing: a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich for Dave and a Ham and Cheese with mayo, lettuce and tomato for me.

Typically, we'd pick up our individual lunches when we went down for breakfast and then hop in the cab to school, but on this particular morning, rather than fixing two bags of lunch, the kitchen sent us just one bag, but said both our lunches were inside. For some reason that day, Dave and I decided that rather than stay at school for lunch, we'd run home and have a picnic lunch with Mom, so I didn't bother to divide up our lunches at school.

Three hours later, Dave and I surprised our mom who was at the house with the contractor. She grabbed her lunch and we all spread a blanket out on the lawn to enjoy our lunch together. Unfortunately, our Norman Rockwell-ish lunch didn't last long.

I opened the bag of sandwiches Dave and I picked up at the hotel only to discover that not only were our Peanut Butter and Jelly and Ham and Cheese sandwiches wrapped together in one large piece of foil, but they also shared two slices of bread. That's right, we received two pieces of bread containing mayo on both slices, ham, cheese, peanut butter, jelly, lettuce and tomato.

Let me repeat myself: in spite of having made us the same two sandwiches every day for a month or more, for some reason on that morning, someone in the kitchen thought I was asking for one sandwich that contained mayo, peanut butter, jelly, ham, cheese, lettuce and tomato.

Once my mom got past being irritated at having to get us McDonald's for lunch because there was nothing else we could get fast enough and still get back to school on time, we all enjoyed a good laugh.

To this day, thirty years later, we still laugh about the day Dave and I shared a PBJH&C sandwich.

LMS Endorsement: Deborah A. Nelson for Arlington Heights Library Board

For the second time, Little Merry Sunshine is pleased to unconditionally endorse Deborah A. Nelson for the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Board of Trustees.

Ms. Nelson has served as a trustee since April 2008 and has served as the Board's treasurer for the last two years. During her tenure on the Board, Ms. Nelson has voted twice against increasing the library's tax levy, which is significant because so much of the library's funding comes from the property taxes of Arlington Heights residents.

Ms. Nelson's professional career has been spent in the non-profit industry working in customer service, strategic planning, public relations, and fund raising. Better than anyone I know, Ms. Nelson knows what it takes to run a successful non-profit in a fiscally responsible manner.

She pays her success forward by serving as a mentor for the community with the Random Acts of Kindness Club of Arlington Heights she began while volunteering at Patton Elementary School. She also models civic involvement by being actively involved in the education of her two children and advocating for all children with special needs.

Ms. Nelson is the epitome of integrity, commitment, experience and character that is so desperately needed in politics today. A vote for Ms. Nelson on Tuesday, April 5th is a vote for the continued success of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library.

Do You Remember Your "First Time Around"?

Do you remember your first crush or first love? If you're like most of us, it took place sometime during junior high or high school.

Maybe it was the boy who walked you home throughout junior high and carried your books... Maybe it was the Greek God who turned your world upside down because he was just always there... Maybe it was tennis player who wrote with the red pencil in summer school, making it difficult to read his name on his paper, but ultimately had you with that first kiss... Maybe it was the Band Geek who drove you home everyday... Maybe it was someone else.

Whomever it was, I'm sure you fell hard. And if you stop to think about it now, you can probably instantly go right back to that moment and how you felt. If you're like most of us, it didn't last. Only very few of us actually get it right the first time around.

In his second novel book, First Time Around, Michael Bellito takes us back to that time. That time of innocence, when the world was easy, yet our love seemed all-consuming and the heartbreak heart breaking.

For John Hersey High School alums, Mr. Bellito was one of our favorite English teachers and/or speech coaches. More than anything, he introduced me to my lifelong love: the love of words and how to weave them together to tell a story.

Mr. Bellito will launch First Time Around at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library on Wednesday, January 12th at 7pm. He'll do a reading and sign copies. Of course, books will be for sale. Go and say hello. Trust me, he loves nothing more than reconnecting with former students.

Can't make it on the 12th? Don't worry, he'll also be at the Prospect Heights Library on Thursday, February 3rd at 7pm. I'll be there.

The Northwest Suburbs of Chicago are HOT!

Adrian Gunawan, of Arlington Heights, is a finalist in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Picture from SpellingBee.com.

The Keith Sluga Family of Arlington Heights tossed out the first pitch at Wrigley Field this year, which was especially significant as this is Year One of the Ricketts' ownership of the Cubs. Michael Ventrella from Bartlett became half the man he used to be to win The Biggest Loser. Then Lee DeWyze, from Mt. Prospect sang his way into America's hearts to become the newest American Idol winner. On the same day, Jonathan Spector, from Arlington Heights, was named to the USA World Cup Team. Olympian Evan Lysacek from Naperville came took second on Dancing With the Stars. Yes, April and May were big months for the Northwest Chicago Suburbs.

Of course, we can't forget that Glee was created by Ian Brennan, an alum of Prospect High School and formerly of Mt. Prospect. Academy Award Winner Marlee Matlin is an alum of my alma mater, John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights. Brian McBride, of the Chicago Fire, hails from Arlington Heights and graduated from Buffalo Grove High School (and shares a birthday week with me). I could go on, but I won't.

Who's the newest celebrity to come out of the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago (namely Arlington Heights)?

Adrian Gunawan is a finalist in the Scripps National Spelling Bee! Adrian is an 8th grader at South Middle School in Arlington Heights and secured his place in the finals by correctly spelling "villicus." For those of you unfamiliar with "villicus," it's a Latin word meaning "pertaining to an estate, overseer, steward." Look it up if you don't believe me.

Anyway, it's pretty cool that Adrian is in the Championship Finals. It's in Washington DC and will be televised on ABC tonight. Ya, I'm a geek and I'll be watching. Because although I don't understand hockey, I do understand spelling.

There must be something in the water here that we keep producing all these super cool people who achieve so much.

All this brings back memories of my own spelling bee days at Thomas Junior High (also in Arlington Heights). Somehow I made it to the round where the parents were invited to watch and I lost in the first round. My word was "beagle." Fortunately, today I have spell check.

Go Adrian!

Update 8:33pm: Adrian lost in Round 8, tying for 2nd place with 2 other contestants. Nice job Adrian! The 2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion is Anamika Veeramani from North Royalton, OH. The winning word was "stromuhr" which measures the amount and speed of blood flowing through an artery. Yes, really.

For Lee DeWyze, It's Truly A Beautiful Day

I have to admit, I am not an American Idol fan. I have not watched it ever. Well, until a couple of weeks ago, when I went over to the dark side and turned it on. Why? Because of Lee DeWyze, the 24-year old from Mt. Prospect (he attended Forest View in Arlington Heights, so he's got ties here too). Ya, I'm embarrassed, but that's another issue.

So he won. And I'm pretty excited.



Tonight's AI (see, how cool I am now???) featured old folks music (aka 80s music) including Poison (and Bret Michaels!), Chicago, Joe Cocker, and Janet Jackson, who sang her hit Nasty Boys, complete with leather-clad half-naked men (in leather chokers!) and as a 38-year-old woman, I have a whole new appreciation for her hit.

Here's Bret Michaels and Poison . . .


Here's Janet Jackson, well, Miss Jackson to a certain segment of my readership (you know who you are). Watch the whole video.


Lee's single is going to be a cover of the fantastic U2 song Beautiful Day, which you can watch below. As everyone knows, a man with a guitar who can sing makes my knees weak.



Popeater has the whole song here.

Actually, it was a big day for Arlington Heights and Mt. Prospect. Jonathan Spector (who attended St. Viator) was also named to the U.S. World Cup team today.

So congratulations Lee and Jonathan! Way to put Arlington Heights and Mt. Prospect on the map!

Here's one more Lee DeWyze song. Hallelujah from his Top 3 performance. One of my all-time favorite songs.

Every Penny Counts

Arranging the pennies. From dailyherald.com

I love this story so much. I love that it started with a kid questioning what he was taught in school. I love that no one told him "that's a dumb idea." I love that it's outside the box. I love that in questioning what he learned in school, Jack Gabriel wanted to do something to help someone else. It didn't raise a ton of money, as we all know, a little does a lot. I love that the community came out to support this wonderful cause.

Jack Gabriel is my hero today.

The Power of Pennies: Fundraiser for Finnertys Raises More Than $1,000
by Eileen O. Daday, Daily Herald, April 19, 2010

An inscription on a child's bookmark triggered a grass-roots fundraiser Sunday in Arlington Heights that drew nearly 100 people, raised more than $1,000, and put a renewed emphasis on the power of pennies.

Jack Gabriel, a sixth grade student at South Middle School in Arlington Heights, set the event in motion when he questioned whether pennies laid side by side for one mile would add up to $844.80.

"I thought that was amazing, and I wondered if it was true," says Jack, 11.

With that, he and his family decided to test it out. They designed the effort as a fundraiser for the education fund benefiting Bridgit and Pierce Finnerty of Arlington Heights, who survived a fire last year that took the lives of their parents and brother.

An initial e-mail blast to 40 neighbors and friends launched the effort, and then it quickly spread by word-of-mouth. Almost immediately, Gabriel family members say, donations of pennies began to pour in.

They came in plastic bags from children of all ages, as well as larger amounts from Arlington Heights merchants. They also drew donations, including one $100 anonymous donation and multiple checks that came in as late as Sunday.

The problem, according to Jack's mother, Kathleen Gabriel, was converting the money into pennies. Over the last few weeks, Gabriel said she approached every bank in Arlington Heights and then hit up those in surrounding suburbs, as far as Glenview, in search of more pennies.

She relates how tellers at Citibank in Arlington Heights generously donated $50 to the campaign, but when she asked them to convert them into pennies, they declined.

"We're out," they told Gabriel.

When families arrived Sunday, they found a wheelbarrow filled with thousands of pennies.

"This must be a world record or something," declared Caroline Ayala, 6, of Arlington Heights, as she dug into the pennies as if they were sand particles.

Children and adults worked together, each one taking a bag filled with 100 pennies and working to place them end to end along the chalk outline, stretched over the mile course laid out around the Recreation Park neighborhood in Arlington Heights.

"I feel like I'm working on a railway, laying down track piece by piece," said Max Barson, 12, of Arlington Heights.

He worked beside one of his classmates, Nick Fowler of Arlington Heights, who agreed, adding that the effort was a first for him.

"It's kind of cool," Fowler said. "You usually don't think that pennies are worth very much."

That was just the point, Kathleen Gabriel said.

"There's no such thing as a worthless penny," she told the crowd. "There's no amount too small to make a difference."

In the end, the so-called "worthwhile mile" took nearly two hours to lay, another 1½ hours to pick up, and drew more than $1,000 in donations. People still interested in contributing, may submit a check to the Finnerty Family Fund, care of Village Bank & Trust, 234 W. Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights, IL 60005.

Arlington Heights is a Great Place to Live!

Having grown up in Arlington Heights, I know it's a great place to live. It's come a long way since I was a kid when the downtown was anything but a place to shop, dine, or hang out. Yes, there were some restaurants including La Tejanita - now Javier's (same owner, world's best salsa & reasonable prices, but completely redone restaurant) and Chin's, but there wasn't much else except the train station, churches and banks. The movie theater was shuttered in the late 1970s and shops came and went, and for years, it felt more like a ghost town than a living, breathing, thriving town where people came together. The schools were always great, as were the parks, pools, the Arlington Heights Memorial Library and the Fourth of July festival known as Frontier Days, but the downtown business district was struggling.

In the past 15 years or so though, Arlington Heights has invested a great deal of money into building a thriving downtown area and making it a true destination. In fact, one of the things I love about Arlington Heights is that I don't have to go somewhere else to have fun on the weekend or to do business. There are a ton of restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and even a live theater that puts on very reasonably priced great plays. There are a number of events throughout the year that bring residents together. Frontier Days is better than ever and the creation of National Night Out, the Mane Event, movie night in the downtown business district, outdoor concerts, the Farmer's Market and many more events, summer in Arlington Heights is second to none. Because such a variety of businesses have come to Arlington Heights in the last two decades, it's very rare that I need to shop outside the Village for anything.

Do I agree with everything that's happened in Arlington Heights in the last 15 years? No, of course not. You can't please everyone all the time. For example, I'm not a fan of the more affordable homes that have been torn down to make way for over-sized McMansions on lots the size of matchbooks. Fortunately, the change in the real estate market seems to have slowed this significantly.

Overall though, Arlington Heights is wonderful. Our leaders clearly care about the town and have a vision for the future. Lots of people love Arlington Heights, including many who haven't lived here in years. In fact, there's a great Facebook page called "Growing Up in Arlington Heights" created by a former resident who now lives in California. It's got over 6,000 fans and has a very active discussion board.

And now the Tribune knows how great our town is too.

Arlington Heights earns high marks for schools, homes, location
A thriving suburb with a neighborly feel
by Jeffrey Steele, Chicago Tribune, April 2, 2010

It was the dawn of the new millennium, and Katherine Mikkelson and her husband, Tom, were relocating to the Midwest from the East Coast. With just one weekend to find a house, the couple decided Chicago's North Shore was out of their range,and began hunting for a home in the northwest suburbs.

"We kind of stumbled on this house," she recalled of finding her 1865-era home in the heart of Arlington Heights. "It was kind of fortuitous."

In the decade since, she's stayed in touch with the woman who sold the house, and come to know everyone on her block. Her sons went to preschool around the corner and learned to swim at Rec Park. And Mikkelson has grown to feel there was no better patch to have landed on that long-ago weekend.

"Go anywhere in Arlington Heights and you meet someone who you know," she said. "It's much more stable here. I wouldn't move back to the East Coast after living here for so long."

Mikkelson is by no means atypical. Whether native-born or from some far-flung region, most Arlington Heights residents say the village's family-friendly melding of top-ranked schools, an outstanding park district, convenient access to Chicago and revived downtown represent an appealing mix.

Amy Philpott is another transplant, from the West Coast, who found what she sought in Arlington Heights. "We're big in population, but we're a village," said Philpott, owner of Tuscan Market & Wine Shop, serving up wines and homemade Italian sandwiches. "Go to Jewel and everyone's talking to each other. It's not faceless. It's ‘what's up with the kids?' "

Arlington Heights is an affluent, established suburb 25 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Given the size and economic strength of the village, Arlington Heights has managed to preserve its small-town feel. The suburb has about 77,000 residents, and is home to 48,000 jobs, says village manager Bill Dixon. Its residential base is comprised of 18,000 single-family homes and another 12,000 multifamily dwellings.

"If you picked it up and put it in the middle of Iowa, it would be self-sustaining," Dixon said. "It was once a bedroom suburb of Chicago, but it is no longer. It has a distinct identity, attributable to Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Park Racetrack, and a renewed and vibrant downtown district that includes the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre."

The downtown area underwent a metamorphosis in the 1990s. The revitalization was somewhat controversial at the outset, with many wondering how the village would accommodate the additional traffic flowing into a compact area hosting the new Metropolis and new Arlington Towne Square with its six-screen multiplex, along with existing restaurants and shops. Three parking garages, as well as another parking amenity beneath Arlington Towne Square, have helped ease any parking issues, Dixon said.

Transit-oriented residential development has helped alleviate traffic congestion. The village ensured a stock of new condominiums and apartments would be close to the Metra station, so both young adults and empty nesters could live downtown.

"I think Arlington Heights was . . . a little ahead of the curve in transit-oriented development," Dixon said. "This was being reviewed and approved in Arlington Heights before it was commonly accepted around the country. There were those who thought it would not be compatible with the Arlington Heights they knew. But it's certainly been a shot in the arm for downtown Arlington Heights and the entire community."

The downtown district sets the tone for the rest of what is an exceptionally pedestrian-friendly village. "What I love is I can walk to everything," Mikkelson said. "I can walk to the train station, walk to the restaurants. I can walk to shopping and walk to my kids' school. That's not so common in the suburbs."

The pedestrian streetscape is so pronounced that Philpott and others are organizing a Car-Free Sunday in June. "The downtown streets will be closed to cars for a few hours, to show off the bicycle- and foot-friendliness," she said.

For more than a century, one of the village's prized touchstones has been Arlington Heights Memorial Library, which has occupied its current 500 N. Dunton Ave. building since 1968. The library is visited by 2,600 people a day, many of whom helped contribute to the record 2.4 million checkouts of books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, games and toys the library has tallied the past two years, said spokeswoman Deb Whisler. That record was part of the reason Library Journal's Index of Public Library Service awarded the library its five-star rating, bestowed upon just 1 percent of all libraries.

Noting "this is a community that really values its library," Whisler added that the library greatly benefits from its location in the downtown district. "People get off the train and visit for audio books or music to use on their commutes." Kids can reserve items online and have the library's bookmobile, serving 26 village stops, deliver to their neighborhoods.

It's not only the downtown and the library, but also the good schools, park district and housing stock, that help sell his prospects on Arlington Heights, said David Jaffe, Realtor at Coldwell Banker Northwest in Arlington Heights.

Residential home styles include vintage Queen Annes, American Four Squares, Arts and Crafts homes and bungalows, said Jaffe, himself a 16-year resident of Arlington Heights.

"A lot of the homes were built in the early part of the 20th century," he said. "But the expansion really took place after 1950, when you had the building of Georgians, Cape Cods, split-levels and ranches."

Lower-end homes start in the $200,000s, he added. At the higher end, new construction homes can command multimillion-dollar pricetags. Condos, many of which are downtown, range from $275,000 to $800,000, he said.

Arlington Heights isn't without challenges. Comparatively high housing costs and taxes have priced out some of its traditional mid-income residents, and the pricey rents downtown have resulted in several shuttered storefronts.

Like many other suburbs struggling with budget cuts, Arlington Heights is seeking to minimize the effect on local school districts.

Dixon said, "We have a number of school districts in Arlington Heights, and to the credit of all concerned, the challenges have been faced in a cooperative and collaborative fashion, so the effect has been minimized."

Still, Mikkelson and other locals aren't second-guessing their decision to settle in Arlington Heights. "Come to a show at the Metropolis, have a bite to eat at Peggy Kinnane's," she said. "You will see what a lovely community it is."

It's Tuesday. You Don't Have Plans. Come See Mr. Bellito.

It's a random Tuesday in March and you don't have anything to do except procrastinate doing your taxes. Sure, the kids have homework, but a field trip could do them some good. They could use a history lesson into what life was like before XBox 360.

So come out and hear your favorite high school English teacher, Mr. Bellito, read from his first novel, Ten Again, at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum. Do you remember all those stories he told us about riding his bike to Cock Robin on Northwest Highway, trips to Riverview, and life at Arlington High School? Those stories and many more have been compiled into Ten Again, a delightful book about being 10 in 1960s Arlington Heights. The book doesn't mention Arlington Heights and really could be any town in America. Although now that you know, you'll recognize all the hot spots if you grew up here.

As I've mentioned before, Mr. Bellito was one of my favorite English teachers in high school and was really the first who told me I could write. Ten Again was one of my favorite books in 2009, as I've written about here, here, here, and here. It's a wonderful book for kids of all ages.

Here's the important info:

Tuesday, March 9th
6:30-8pm
Arlington Heights Historical Museum
110 W. Fremont St.
Arlington Heights

Books will be available for purchase and signing after the program.

This book reading and signing is part of the museum's exhibit "Gone But Not Forgotten: Lost Arlington Heights" and the program is free.

Professional Women's Council 2010 Schedule

Among the many things I have my hand in, I'm the chairwoman of the Professional Women's Council of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce (where I also serve on the Board of Directors). When I first joined the Chamber, I immediately got involved with the PWC because I believed that it would be great for my business. Professional women are my target market after all. What I didn't realize then was just how much I would get out of the group personally, as well as professionally, and the many opportunities I would have to give back to these amazing women. I'm really proud of my affiliation with this group of professional women (and some men too!) and was so honored about 14 months ago when I was asked to be the co-chair for 2009 and then the chair for 2010.

Each month our group meets at different restaurants in Arlington Heights for a two-hour networking and business building meeting. We often have speakers who educate us on different ways to build our businesses, ways to improve our lives, or topics of general interest. Past topics have included a panel on how to survive the economic recession, goal setting workshops, and speed networking along with more fun things like a fashion show. Life coach (and fellow Lake Forest College alum!) Shawna Myers helped us find our core values. Sports columnist Christine Brennan came to speak a couple of years ago about life as the first woman to cover the Washington Redskins and her life in the sports industry.

As I was beginning to prepare for my year as chairwoman, I knew there were some topics I would find of interest, but the PWC isn't about me. It's about the 40-60 women who take two hours of their day to attend our monthly luncheons and it was important to me to give them exactly what they wanted. Additionally, I wanted to know what motivated them to participate in the PWC and conversely what kept them from attending. In a nutshell, I wanted to know why PWC was important to them and what could be done to make it a "not-to-be-missed" event each month.

I also faced one large challenge: my budget for the year was one-quarter what it had been in previous years, so I had to create an outstanding year with almost no budget. Viewing this hurdle as an opportunity, I decided to get creative. So I prepared a 9-question multiple choice (with room for longer answers) survey that went out to all Chamber members and received a 10% response rate (which I learned is an excellent response rate). Questions included:

1. How many PWC luncheons have you attended in 2009?
2. Why do you attend PWC?
3. Why don't you attend PWC?
4. Is the $18 cost of lunch about right, too high or two low?
5. What is a better price?
6. Would you be interested in having PWC meet as a brown bag lunch event with a nominal $5 fee for room cost rather than having it at a restaurant?
7. Would you be interested in having PWC meet either before work (7:30-9 or 8-9:30) or after work (4-6 or 5-7)?
8. What kinds of topics and speakers would you be interested in for 2010? (choose as many as you want)
   - progressive networking lunch without a speaker;
   - pros and cons of Social Networking;
   - social PWC event;
   - women in government;
   - local author doing a book reading from his book about growing up in Arlington Heights;
   - nationally known business coach speaking on how to double your business;
   - protecting yourself from identity theft;
   - laughter is the best medicine/stress relief workshop;
   - dress for success fashion show;
   - creating new holiday traditions and reducing holiday stress;
   - volunteer opportunities in Arlington Heights;
   - volunteer outing with a local non-profit;
   - caring for elderly parents and services available;
   - retirement planning seminar; or
   - history of Arlington Heights
   
9. Would you be interested in speaking or do you know of a potential speaker in 2010?

Based on the survey feedback, I decided that the theme for 2010 would be "It's All About You!" because I learned that members want more value from their membership including more exposure for their businesses, more networking and business building opportunities, more business education, and speakers from within the group, whenever possible. They also told me exactly what types of programming they wanted for the year. I'm really proud that the 2010 PWC schedule meets each of the members' desires.

(Click on the picture to read all the exciting PWC events for 2010)

You don't have to be a member of the PWC or of the Chamber to attend our luncheons, although being a PWC member gives you a monthly discount on the cost of the luncheon. If you're not a member, but are interested in visiting our group to learn more about us or about the Chamber, we'd love to meet you!

My Cab Driver Bill

I have mentioned him before, but I have never blogged about him.

I met Bill a few years ago when I called for a taxi to the airport. He arrived in a brand new black Dodge Magnum that was sparkling clean on the inside. We talked all the way to O'Hare and I learned that he primarily worked for himself, but sometimes did some extra work for the cab company when they were really busy. As we drove, Bill's cell phone kept ringing with people calling for his personal livery services, many of them days out. From the little bit I could hear, each call was from a regular customer Bill knew well.

Since that first trip to O'Hare, I've never used another cab service. Most times he takes me to O'Hare, it's a cheerful trip, but he has also seen me on some of my most difficult days. Last summer, he drove me to O'Hare when I was flying to Florida for Nana's funeral and then each of my trips in August and September to help my mom. Those were really difficult trips for me, but Bill made them just a little bit better with his cheerfulness and just listening as I shared stories of my Nana with him. Being in his car feels like riding with a good friend.

In fact, that's how Bill perceives his job. He's a retired police officer, although I can't remember where now, and he told me when we first met that he loves his career now because he hangs out with friends all day as he drives them around. How can you not love that attitude?

On the way to O'Hare in August, I shared a story of how Nana received a box of chocolates at her retirement. The chocolates were nothing extraordinary, probably just a box of Whitman's Sampler, but I'll never forget the way Nana held that box like it was the Ark of the Covenant or some other treasure as she looked the man who gave it to her square in the eye and with sincerity and excitement said to him, "Oh! A box of fine chocolates! This is JUST what I've wanted!" She had this way of making you feel like $10 million. A few minutes later, we pulled into O'Hare and Bill opened up the glove compartment and handed me an envelope. Inside was a dark chocolate candy bar with the most fancy wrapping. I just looked at him with tears rolling down my face and made Nana's words my own. I don't know if the chocolate was high quality or not and it doesn't matter. That night, when I had a moment of peace to myself after the first of many difficult days, I unwrapped that bar and bit into what was the most incredible piece of chocolate I will ever have in my life.

Bill sends a quarterly newsletter to all of his clients. I look forward to these mailings because they are always uplifting and always hand addressed (who does that still?). The winter letter just arrived and on the outside, was written "The Wonderful Jessica Gardner." In a strange twist of fate this morning, I received a bunch of personal mail (as opposed to bills). Guess which envelope got opened first?

This is Bill's winter letter.

PRICELESS GIFTS
by Bill Hammers

My fall letter this year contained a true story told through the eyes of a cab driver. My winter letter is also a true story of mine that I thought you might enjoy.

Exiting our apartment one day I noticed our neighbor, Jean from across the hall, at the same time, about to pass me by with her garbage to deposit in the garbage room. She appeared to be in her late 70's, very frail looking with a scowl on her face.

Our eyes met, I smiled and said, "I'll let you by if you smile." Her eyes squinted, her mouth became smaller and she forced a half smile dismissing me as she passed by. As she went by I said, "next time it's a hug I'll want!" I remembered all the while other neighbors in the building telling me that this particular lady was "...an old crab...," and they didn't want to bother with her.

Our next encounter was on our elevator. I mentioned to Jean that frequently Kathy (my wife) and I dine out, and we'd be glad to bring something back for her if she'd like. Cautiously, she said, "yes...that would be nice."

So the ritual began - dinner in a Styrofoam container, a knock on her door followed by the container being left by her door, me running back to our apartment before she opened her door.

When Kathy cooked for us, she'd always make extra and we'd leave Jean her "surprise" package covered with foil at her door followed by the "knock" and retreat.

Weeks later Jean called and invited us to her apartment for a glass of wine. We were delighted. Her place was furnished in what appeared to be very rich looking painting and furniture. We sat down and she began telling us her story. She explained that at this time in her life she no longer had any relatives or friends left. She then proceeded to tell us that she knew she didn't have a lot of time left. After about a half-hour of small talk Jean said, "I was once invited out on a date and had a dress made for it, but he stood me up and I never wore it again." As she spoke she kept looking downward shaking her head. Jean then looked up, smiled and said to my wife, "Kathy, I'd like you to have this dress." Stunned, my wife accepted as we both started tearing up.

Jean then asked me if I'd be able to take her to the hospital when her emphysema flared up, because, she stated "...the paramedics hurt me trying to life me onto the stretcher..." Over the following years, I did take hero n a number of occasions.

During those years, Jean would call Kathy over to her apartment and give her dolls she had from Macy's that were never even out of their boxes because she knew we had granddaughters.

Months later, our phone rang very late at night. My wife answered and handed the phone to me saying it was Jean and she wanted to talk to me. Jean explained, "Bill, I'm not going to make it through the night and I'm afraid to die alone!"

We talked about almost anything and everything that popped into our minds. Nothing profound mind you, just talked.

The next few days I tried to get information from the hospital about how Jean was doing, but because I wasn't a relative, none was given to me. Finally, I was lucky to speak with someone who, after I explained how I knew Jean, told me she had passed away two nights before.

Weeks later walking back from Jewel across from our apartment, another neighbor from our building also stopped by the red light, and questioned me about Jean and if I had talked to her prior to her passing. I explained we did, Jean was a very private person unlike how she was perceived by most. I went on to say that another neighbor in our building asked me about our relationship with jean and hinted as to what, if anything, Jean had left us. I explained both Kathy and I had several conversations with Jean and Kathy was given a brand new dress over 25 years old, and I, well I received her last phone call.

Jean, wherever you are, thank you for your "crabby" old smile at our first encounter; you taught both Kathy and I what priceless gifts are really all about - God Bless You!

--------------------
I could tell you many more Bill stories, but we'd be here all day. Suffice it to say, I think the world of him.

If you need cab service and want to feel like you're riding with family, call Bill. You won't have a better ride to O'Hare. He's not the cheapest, but his rates are very competitive and for the service he provides, it's a steal. Oh, and he lives in downtown Arlington Heights, so when you use his service, you're keeping your money local by supporting a small business in our community.

Bill Hammers
Time Bandit Taxi/Limo
847-420-6664

Oh, and tell him I referred you. It's the least I can do for all he's done for me. He's not just my cab driver. Bill is my friend.

Arlington Heights Residents: The Village Needs Your Help

Do you live in the Village of Arlington Heights? If so, the Village needs your help.

From the Village of Arlington Heights website:

The Village is currently in the 5th year of the 2005-2009 Consolidated Plan and is seeking input on the development of the 2010-2014 Consolidated Plan. As part of this process, the Village is seeking public input to determine the Village’s current community needs.

The Consolidated Plan is a collaborative process whereby a community establishes a unified vision for community development actions. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires that entitlement jurisdictions that receive Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds look at the community as a whole, so each community can develop a vision that addresses issues such as affordable housing, adequate infrastructure, fair housing, civic design, the environment, and economic growth. The goals of the Consolidated Plan are to provide decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities to benefit low and moderate-income residents.

The Consolidated Plan is a comprehensive 5-year planning document that identifies the overall housing and community development needs of the Village, outlines available programs and resources, and establishes a strategy for prioritizing and addressing these needs.

The deadline for having your input heard is February 15th, so pass this along to your friends and family and take 2 minutes to fill out your survey now.

Click here to take the survey.

Goodbye Sheraton Chicago Northwest (nee Arlington Park Hilton)

One more piece of my childhood is disappearing.

The Sheraton Chicago Northwest (formerly the Arlington Park Hilton) is closing on in a week. At least according to the Daily Herald.

To most people, this may not mean much, except for the loss of jobs and tax revenue in Arlington Heights, which to be sure are not insignificant and by no means am I minimizing.

But I've got a personal connection to the hotel. I used to live there.

When our house burned down in April 1982, we lived at the Hilton for much of the six months we were out of our home.

I remember having sleepovers in our suite with my girlfriends, taking a taxi to school in the morning, and having orange sherbet delivered from room service. I remember riding the elevator up and down each floor trying to sneak onto the penthouse level and spending hours upon hours in what I grew to refer to as "our pool." I remember sitting on the steps of the Cinderella Rockafella (the nightclub attached to the Hilton, more recently the training center for Allstate employees) with my friend Amy watching the high school kids arrive for their proms in their 1982 finest. I remember the night I was at the hotel alone while my parents were at a church meeting (I don't remember where Dave was) and I became sick, calling down to the front desk and a very nice woman helping me until my parents got back.

My favorite memory though is of the day I called the Apple Farm to order lunches, as I did ever day to place my order for "one turkey and cheese with mayo, lettuce and tomato and a peanut butter and jelly on wheat" and got it all between just two pieces of bread. One sandwich with turkey, cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato, peanut butter and jelly. We still laugh about that.

Even after we moved out and moved back into our home, we often went back for Sunday brunch after church or for significant milestones. We even enjoyed Christmas dinner there in 1996.

Most people probably drive past the Sheraton and just see a large brick building. I drive by and see my former home; the place that kept my family together during one of the most challenging times of our lives and also gave us many happy memories. And I'm sad to see it go.

This One Time . . . At Band Camp . . .

I am a former Band Geek^TM. I say that with great pride. Moreover, I am a former member of the Marching Huskies, which again, I say with great pride. I played the flute and was okay at it. I didn't practice as much as I should have, but I did memorize all my music.

My days with the Marching Huskies were limited to my freshman year and the first semester of my sophomore year of high school. I quit because I had the good fortune of being able to take drivers' ed early, which meant I'd be able to pick up my license on my 16th birthday. When I weighed the pros and cons, I decided that knowing how to drive was a more important life skills than anything I might accomplish with a flute.

In all honesty, when I was a Marching Huskie, we weren't that good. In fact, I don't recall ever winning any marching band competition. Prospect High School (our rival in everything) was the band to beat. They went everywhere including the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. They won the Governor's Trophy at the Illini Marching Band Festival 25 times.

But that ended on Saturday when the Marching Huskies captured the Governor's Cup for the first time in 26 years. Congratulations Huskies!

Hersey Band Captures Governor's Trophy
by Eileen O. Daday, Daily Herald, October 22, 2009

The John Hersey High School Marching Huskies.

For the first time in 26 years, the University of Illinois' School of Music will etch a new name onto to its Governor's Cup: Hersey High School.

The Marching Huskies from the Arlington Heights school won the overall championship at the Illini Marching Band Festival Saturday, ending a streak held by its Northwest Suburban High School District 214 peer, Prospect High School in Mount Prospect.

The Governor's Cup trophy reflects the best score of the day, combined from field and parade show competitions.

"We're really excited and feeling really proud to know that everything we worked on finally came together," said senior trombonist and section leader Andrew Birschbach of Arlington Heights.

It was battle right down to the last performance of the night, with Hersey, under the direction of Scott Casagrande, taking the field at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, followed by the final show of the night, Prospect.

In the end, Prospect's Marching Knights won the field show portion of the competition with their performance of "Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue," while Hersey finished second in the field but won the parade show, and ultimately the grand championship, with a total score that eclipsed Prospect.

Among the top five field show scores were Waubonsie Valley High School in third and Neuqua Valley High School in fifth, while Mundelein High School placed fourth in parade show competition.

"I think it's great that two District 214 schools are that strong," said Chris Barnum, Prospect director of bands. "I think it's cool to look around the district and see all these great things happening."

Hersey's field show performance was designed around the music of Aaron Copland, opening and closing with the famous "Fanfare for the Common Man." A middle section, called "Hoe-Down," from Copland's Rodeo ballet, featured musicians line dancing and the 25-piece percussion section driving its rhythm.

"All week long, we stressed striking a balance between passion and execution," said senior trumpet soloist Mike Ozga of Arlington Heights, "and that's what we did between our marching and musical ability."

Winning the Governor's Cup means the Marching Huskies end their competition season on a high note. They will perform their show one final time during halftime of Friday's home football game against Wheeling High School. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. in Hersey's Goins Stadium.

The Marching Band is led by drum majors Catherine O'Donnell and Ilona Widomska, both seniors, and junior Michael Plankey; senior soloists Birschbach and Ozga; drum captain Nick Jarosz, a senior; and guard captains Katie Rheingruber and Heather Swanke, both seniors, and junior Juliette Makara.

Prospect competes again Saturday at the State of Illinois Marching Band Championship in Hancock Stadium at the Illinois State University in Normal.

It's A Wonderful Life, Little Merry Sunshine!

I remember at one point in August as I was in full-mourning for Nana, my stress level was sky-high, I couldn't figure out how to deal with the weight of the world on my shoulders, and famous people who had an impact on my life were dropping like flies, I turned to a friend and said, "I just can't wait for the Summer to be over and Fall to arrive." I honestly believed that with the change of seasons, my life would get better, the joy I usually feel would return, and fun would pop up here and there. I even wrote about it.

Boy, was I right!

This weekend was all about trips down memory lane. I had expected this given that it was Homecoming & Reunion Weekend at Lake Forest College and the Class of 1994 was celebrating their 15th reunion (I was a RA in the freshman dorm that year and I had quite a few friends in that class) and it was my own 20th high school reunion. What I did not expect was that I would also reunite with one of my dearest friends from Washington DC, Karen Hardwick.

Karen emailed me through Facebook on Friday morning saying she knew it was the last second, but she and her boyfriend were coming to Chicago for 24 hours and wanted to know if I could have coffee. Without even knowing when or where she wanted to meet, I replied, "YES! YES! YES!" All I knew was that I'd drive any distance at any time to see Karen. 9 1/2 years since I'd last seen her were 9 1/2 years too many.

The weekend was a whirlwind of activity taking me from Arlington Heights to Lake Forest to Palatine to Chicago, with very little sleep. I saw friends I've known since Kindergarten; the first boy I ever had a crush on; my first husband; my debate partner; friends I sang in the church choir with; friends who had the misfortune good fortune to have me as their freshman year RA in Deerpath; friends I experienced Washington DC with for the first time in 1985; and a mentor and friend who found Betsey and Ross for me, never let me settle for less than perfect, gave me a West Wing tour, and will always be connected to me because of all that we survived in the wee hours of the morning at Hogan that no one else will ever understand (I don't think it was physically possible to work more hours than we did).

The last few months have been Hell. I actually had moments where I wondered it if was all worth it and if the gut-wrenching emotional and physical pain I felt would ever end. I couldn't see any light in the tunnel, but this weekend, in less than 72 hours, I found the light shining brightly as I revisited just about each of my 38 years. I was reminded just how blessed I am and how much my life has had an impact on others. I learned how I have far more fans of Little Merry Sunshine than I ever imagined. In each friend, I saw moments that shaped my life, made me the woman I am today, and heard stories I never knew about. In short, I lived my own Frank Capra movie.

As the wise angel Clarence wrote to George Bailey, "no man is a failure who has friends." And I've got friends in spades.

Proving Once Again You're Never Too Old for True Love

I saw this article online in the Daily Herald today. I love it. I love that these two people found each other again after 85 years and even at 93 years old are living their lives so fully that they seem genuinely in love and are getting married. I hope they quite a few years of good health and happiness together. Given how vibrant they both look, I'll bet they make it to 100 together.

8 Decades Later, Couple Takes the Leap
93-year-old from Arlington Heights pops the question to former sweetheart, 92

By Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald staff, July 23, 2009

Roland "Mac" McKitrick proposed to his beloved Lorraine Beatty on Wednesday morning.

The proposal took Beatty completely by surprise.

"He said he would like to talk to me," she said, "and very sweetly he said, 'I'm asking you to marry me.'"

A few hours later, the couple picked up their marriage license at the Rolling Meadows courthouse. And as soon as McKitrick's pastor can accommodate them, they'll be married. In fact, by the time you read this, the twosome may have already tied the knot.

But don't let their spur-of-the-moment wedding fool you. McKitrick and Beatty's courtship is hardly the whirlwind affair it appears to be.

In fact, the romance between the 93-year-old McKitrick and the 92-year-old Beatty began more than 80 years ago, in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Wisconsin.

"She was my third-grade sweetheart back in 1921," McKitrick said. "We knew each other for about one year. Then, for all practical purposes, we lost contact for 85 years."

During the intervening decades, they each married and had children. Both were widowed when fate brought them together again several years ago.

At the time, McKitrick and Beatty each had brothers who lived in Connecticut. The brothers knew each other, said McKitrick, who wasn't sure how their siblings became acquainted. About three years ago, McKitrick's brother received a card from Beatty addressed to Roland in care of his brother. It contained a snapshot of the couple as children.

McKitrick asked his brother to forward the card, but it never arrived. After a few months, McKitrick called his brother, who put him in touch with Beatty's brother. McKitrick called and asked for Beatty's number.

"He told me he didn't have it handy," McKitrick said.

An hour later, the phone rang.

"It was Lorraine," McKitrick said.

The two resumed their romance, dividing their time between Beatty's home in Georgia and McKitrick's home in an Arlington Heights retirement community, where the couple plan to reside after they return from their honeymoon at McKitrick's Wisconsin lake home.

Their kids don't know about the nuptials, but Beatty doubts the news will surprise her 64-year-old son and 58-year-old daughter. McKitrick says his children will be "very pleased."

"He's very loving, sweet-natured and generous," Beatty said of her husband-to-be.

For McKitrick, marrying Beatty marks the culmination of a lifelong love story.

He recalls a day, many years ago, when the two of them stood in the Wisconsin sunshine and talked about how one day, they would marry each other.

"I still picture her as my third-grade sweetheart. I've carried that in the back of my mind since that time," said McKitrick, who counts among his prized possessions a photograph taken of the two of them about that time.

"That snapshot stayed in my memory," he said, "and her face stayed in my memory."

Mr. Bellito Signs Ten Again at Barnes & Noble!

If you went to John Hersey High School any time in the last 30 years, you may have had the wonderful fortune of being taught by Michael Bellito in the English Department. I had him for both creative writing and speech classes. He also coached the Speech team.

Mr. Bellito has recently published his first book - Ten Again - and has been touring the local library circuit doing readings and book signings. I had the great pleasure of seeing him in May at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. I also ran into him again at the Arlington Heights 4th of July Parade this past weekend and learned that he's got a book signing at Barnes & Noble on Saturday. Trust me, you don't want to miss this.

Ten Again Book Signing by Author Michael J. Bellito
Saturday, July 11th from 11am - 3pm
Barnes & Noble
The Annex of Arlington Shopping Center
13 W. Rand Rd.
(NW Corner of Arl. Hts. Rd. & Rand Rd.; between Panera & Trader Joes)
Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Buy a copy for yourself and someone you love. Trust me.

I'm not going to go into a book review at this point because I haven't finished the book yet, but you can read my earlier comments here and here. Suffice it to say, if you grew up anywhere, but especially if you grew up in Arlington Heights, you will see yourself in Ten Again. Although he doesn't say so in the book, I can tell you that Mr. Bellito grew up in Arlington Heights and so when you hear references to the "Old People's Home" and the field behind it, know that's what today is Lutheran Life Communities (aka the Lutheran Home).

Oh, and when you see Mr. Bellito, be sure to wish him a happy anniversary. He and his beautiful bride are celebrating 33 years of wedded bliss this weekend!

John Hersey High School Class of 1989 20th Reunion!

It's been 20 years since we last walked the halls of John Hersey High School and that means it's time for our 20th Reunion!

The reunion has already begun over on the JHHS Class of 1989 Facebook page. If you're not on Facebook, we've got almost 50% of our class already registered, catching up, and even sometimes meeting up for pre-reunion get-togethers. Facebook is the place to be for all the latest news and Reunion plans.

Thanks to Kelly (Kent) Horna we will have a 20th High School Reunion! She has taken the lead and made all the arrangements, so all the rest of us need to do is (1) reach out to our friends and encourage them to attend and (2) show up!

We will be celebrating during the same weekend Hersey celebrates Homecoming Weekend - October 9-10, 2009.

The fun begins at Friday night's home football game against rival Buffalo Grove. Kickoff is at 7:30pm.

Saturday night we're having a pub crawl!

The night starts off at Pete's of Palatine (POP'S) Bar & Grill, 19 N Bothwell St, Palatine, IL, at 5 pm with cocktails for 1 hour. This is a cash bar.

At 6pm, the party continues at Lamplighter Inn Tavern & Grille, 60 N. Bothwell St., Palatine. There will be a $3-$5 cover charge per person to rent the entire upstairs of Lamplighters. We will have our own bartender and servers. We have 4 hours of catching up, drinking and eating to do. To keep costs down, this will also be a cash bar. A band will move into the upstairs room at 10 pm and you have your choice of staying and listening to the band or you can head over to Durty Nellie's to finish off the night.

Kelly will need a head count and money for the room by October 3rd. You can contact her through Facebook.

For many of us, it's been 20 years since we last saw our friends from high school and quite a few of us had known each other since Kindergarten - or before. Whatever feelings about high school remain, whether our individual experiences were good, bad, or ugly, we all share the unique history of having grown up in the 80s in the idyllic Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. I bet we can all remember what class we were sitting in when the announcement was made about the Space Shuttle Challenger. For me, it was Mrs. Sharer's French Class. A couple of years later, we cheered the football team on to Hersey's first Football State Championship with the quarterback from our class - Duke Tobin. Is it any coincidence that no Hersey sports team has won a State Championship since we left? Some of us spent two days during Senior Year being interviewed by the Today Show as part of Marriage and Family Class and got up early on New Year's Day 1989 to watch whether we made the cut.

Band trips, ACT's and SAT's, Wag's, debate touraments, open campus and lunches at Nikko's, school plays, driver's ed, student council, football games, Orchesis, Homecoming, Turnabout, Prom, smoking on the corner. These were all part of our collective Hersey experience. That we weren't all in the same social circles matters little with the benefit of 20 years of life between then and now. What's important now is coming together to celebrate how far we've come and rejoice in all that we share. It's far more than what ever divided us in the first place.

Yes, it's a busy time in our lives with careers, kids, and many other things. But if not now, then when? Our 20th Reunion only happens once and it will certainly be another 10 years before we're all together again.

I hope everyone will be able to attend. Please reach out to your friends from Hersey Class of 89 - even if it's been 20 years - and know about this event and get registered on Facebook. You can find some on the JHHS Alumni Database, Facebook, Classmates.com, My Space, and the JHHS directory that was published a few years ago. If you can't find them in those places, try calling their parents if they are still in the area. We don't have a reunion planning company, so the success of our 20th Reunion depends on each of us. The more people we personally connect with and invite, the more fun we'll have in October.

See you in October!

Finnerty Family Fundraiser

If you're from Arlington Heights, no doubt you've heard about this tragic story this week. Heck, if you're from the Chicago Area and you turned on the news or opened any newspaper, you probably saw it.

In an effort to help the two surviving young children of the fatal fire that killed both parents and one child on Tuesday, several downtown Arlington Heights businesses are sponsoring a fundraiser to benefit the trust fund established for them on Friday (tomorrow). If you need anything that these stores sell now or will need their products in the near future, I encourage you to do your shopping on Friday.

Participating merchants are:

• Bentley's Corner Barkery
• Campbell Street Bicycle Shop
• Ciao Bella - A Shoe Boutique
• Flaherty Jewelers
• Runners High 'n Tri
• Tuscan Market, Wine Shop & Wine Bar
  

Can't shop? That's okay. A trust fund for the children has also been set up.

Donations can be sent to:

Village Bank & Trust
311 S. Arlington Heights Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Please make checks payable to "Jennifer Murphy, Guardian of the Finnerty Children."