From the fine folks at FunnyorDie.com.
"Prop 8 - The Musical" stars many of your favorites including Jack Black, Allison Janney, Margaret Cho, Mya Rudolph, John C. Reilly, Neil Patrick Harris and more.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Public Service Announcement: Scam/Fraud Alert
I recently signed up to receive an email about crime in my town through Citizen Observer. I did this because of a rash of attacks against women while out running or walking in my neighborhood (sorry Mom, I know I didn't tell you about this, but you've got enough going on without worrying about this too!). What's really cool about Citizen Observer is that they work with many towns, so I encourage you to go look up your town.
Today I received the email below. While this scam was attempted in my town, it could easily have happened in any town, so I wanted to put you, my faithful readers, on alert. It sounds a lot like the Nigerian email scam, only this scam happened through the U.S. mail, which could make it a Federal crime.
Today I received the email below. While this scam was attempted in my town, it could easily have happened in any town, so I wanted to put you, my faithful readers, on alert. It sounds a lot like the Nigerian email scam, only this scam happened through the U.S. mail, which could make it a Federal crime.
Arlington Heights - Scam/Fraud Alert through the U.S. Mail
Arlington Heights resident received a suspicious check from Life Investors Insurance Company of America. The check was attached to a letter from Readers Digest explaining the resident was a prize winner and should cash the check before contacting one of the listed names on the letter. The resident called the number provided and spoke with a male subject who told them to cash the check and call back for further instructions. The resident contacted Readers Digest who advised that no letter or check was mailed. The check was never cashed and the incident was reported to the Arlington Heights Police Department.
Typically the offender will send a counterfeit check to the victim and make up some kind of story about where the money came from. The victim is told to cash the check and send a portion back to the offender for some service or processing fee. The bank eventually finds out the check is counterfeit and the victim is responsible for the amount cashed. The loss to the victim is the amount sent back to the offender.
There are numerous frauds/scams being used against unwary people. They all offer you some type of financial or personal gain that is too good to be true. Do not let yourself be caught in their traps.
Do You Get Snow in the Winter?
If you live in an area where you get snow in the winter, I have a favor to ask of you.
I would appreciate it if when you shovel or use your snow blower on your driveway and sidewalk, you could toss the snow onto your grass and not out into the street.
This may sound stupid and petty, but the thing is that when you shovel or blow your snow into the street, it can freeze and turn into black ice. Of course, I know that you know how dangerous black ice is and I'm certain you would never want anyone to get hurt when innocently driving past your home or turning into their driveway when the snow you blew into the street has frozen in front of their driveway.
In many communities it is actually against village code to shovel or blow snow into the street. But even if it's not, it's just not neighborly. In fact, it's downright mean.
So let's all join together this winter and pledge to shovel or blow the snow from our driveways and sidewalks onto the grass and not out into the street. Okay?
In fact, you can consider this act your Christmas gift to me. Thanks.
I would appreciate it if when you shovel or use your snow blower on your driveway and sidewalk, you could toss the snow onto your grass and not out into the street.
This may sound stupid and petty, but the thing is that when you shovel or blow your snow into the street, it can freeze and turn into black ice. Of course, I know that you know how dangerous black ice is and I'm certain you would never want anyone to get hurt when innocently driving past your home or turning into their driveway when the snow you blew into the street has frozen in front of their driveway.
In many communities it is actually against village code to shovel or blow snow into the street. But even if it's not, it's just not neighborly. In fact, it's downright mean.
So let's all join together this winter and pledge to shovel or blow the snow from our driveways and sidewalks onto the grass and not out into the street. Okay?
In fact, you can consider this act your Christmas gift to me. Thanks.
All Guys Need to Know About Love & Women They Can Learn From a 9-Year Old
I seriously love this story. This kid knows more about love and women at age 9 than most men in their 30s and 40s. How did he get so wise? He watched girls on the playground at recess.
Really guys, this kid knows his stuff.
Really guys, this kid knows his stuff.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Uno - The Best Christmas Gift Ever
I've previously discussed the Christmas my brother and I received our only Christmas gift (yep, just one apiece) from the local Giving Tree. After reading that post, my mom reminded me about a very important part of that Christmas. In addition to the individual gift Dave and I each received, we received a family gift.
That gift was the card game Uno. Just a simple deck of cards. Well, special cards. Uno can't be played with a regular deck. Back then, I bet a deck of Uno cards couldn't have cost more than $1. 26 years later, it only costs $3.99.
As a family, my mom, Dave, and I spent countless evenings sitting around the kitchen table playing Uno and talking. My mom reminded me that although we'd always come home from school and reply to the question of "what did you learn today" with "nothing," when we were playing Uno, Dave and I both opened up and that's how she always learned what was going on with us.
Uno isn't a complicated or fancy game. In fact, it's unbelievably simple. Maybe that was the beauty of it. Whatever it was, it brought our family many nights of fun together and kept our us together during some truly difficult and painful times.
All these years later, whenever I donate to the local Giving Tree at Christmas, I always pick up an Uno game. I hope it brings other families as much joy as it brought mine.
That gift was the card game Uno. Just a simple deck of cards. Well, special cards. Uno can't be played with a regular deck. Back then, I bet a deck of Uno cards couldn't have cost more than $1. 26 years later, it only costs $3.99.
As a family, my mom, Dave, and I spent countless evenings sitting around the kitchen table playing Uno and talking. My mom reminded me that although we'd always come home from school and reply to the question of "what did you learn today" with "nothing," when we were playing Uno, Dave and I both opened up and that's how she always learned what was going on with us.
Uno isn't a complicated or fancy game. In fact, it's unbelievably simple. Maybe that was the beauty of it. Whatever it was, it brought our family many nights of fun together and kept our us together during some truly difficult and painful times.
All these years later, whenever I donate to the local Giving Tree at Christmas, I always pick up an Uno game. I hope it brings other families as much joy as it brought mine.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
What Kind of World Do You Want?
I heard this song tonight and remembered just how much I love it. When I googled it, I discovered just how cool Five for Fighting is. Not only do they have music I love - Superman, 100 Years, and World - but they do good things in this world through their website What Kind of World Do You Want?. Check it out. You'll be inspired.
And in the meantime, listen to World and read the lyrics below. We control the kind of world we live in. Our choices today determine the world we will live in and future generations will inherit.
The only question is What Kind of World Do You Want and what are you willing to do to create it?
WORLD
Got a package full of Wishes
A Time machine, a Magic Wand
A Globe made out of Gold
No Instructions or Commandments
Laws of Gravity or
Indecisions to uphold
Printed on the box I see
A.C.M.E.'s Build-a-World-to-be
Take a chance - Grab a piece
Help me to believe it
What kind of world do you want?
Think Anything
Let's start at the start
Build a masterpiece
Be careful what you wish for
History starts now...
Should there be people or peoples
Money, Funny pedestals for Fools who never pay
Raise your Army – Choose your Steeple
Don't be shy, the satellites can look the other way
Lose the Earthquakes – Keep the Faults
Fill the oceans without the salt
Let every Man own his own Hand
What kind of world do you want
Think Anything
Let's start at the start
Build a masterpiece
Be careful what you wish for
History starts now...
Sunlight's on the Bridge
Sunlight's on the Way
Tomorrow's Calling
There's more to this than Love
What Kind of world do you want
What Kind of world do you want
What Kind of world do you want
Think Anything
Let's start at the start
Build a masterpiece
History Starts Now
Be careful what you wish for
Start Now
And in the meantime, listen to World and read the lyrics below. We control the kind of world we live in. Our choices today determine the world we will live in and future generations will inherit.
The only question is What Kind of World Do You Want and what are you willing to do to create it?
WORLD
Got a package full of Wishes
A Time machine, a Magic Wand
A Globe made out of Gold
No Instructions or Commandments
Laws of Gravity or
Indecisions to uphold
Printed on the box I see
A.C.M.E.'s Build-a-World-to-be
Take a chance - Grab a piece
Help me to believe it
What kind of world do you want?
Think Anything
Let's start at the start
Build a masterpiece
Be careful what you wish for
History starts now...
Should there be people or peoples
Money, Funny pedestals for Fools who never pay
Raise your Army – Choose your Steeple
Don't be shy, the satellites can look the other way
Lose the Earthquakes – Keep the Faults
Fill the oceans without the salt
Let every Man own his own Hand
What kind of world do you want
Think Anything
Let's start at the start
Build a masterpiece
Be careful what you wish for
History starts now...
Sunlight's on the Bridge
Sunlight's on the Way
Tomorrow's Calling
There's more to this than Love
What Kind of world do you want
What Kind of world do you want
What Kind of world do you want
Think Anything
Let's start at the start
Build a masterpiece
History Starts Now
Be careful what you wish for
Start Now
Generosity Rules!
You've probably heard about this story on the national news - I saw it on CNN and the NBC news tonight - but I actually read about it on Friday and don't know why it took me so long to write about it.
During these tough economic times when so many businesses are going under, many more are laying people off, and even more are cutting back or eliminating holiday bonusess altogether (note: If you're the CEO of a financial institution or one of the Big 3, you must not get a holiday bonus for the rest of your life), it's heartwarming to see an employer that went out of their way to reward their employees.
Waukegan business gives out giant bonuses
Associated Press in the Daily Herald, November 28, 2008
Dave Tiderman wondered if the decimal point was in the wrong place when he opened his $35,000 company bonus. Jose Rojas saw his $10,000 check and thought, "That can't be right."
Valentin Dima watched co-workers breaking down in tears over their bonus checks and didn't trust his emotions. He drove home first, then opened his envelope: $33,000.
Year-end bonuses are rare these days. Rarer still is what the Spungen family, owners of a ball bearings company in Waukegan did as they sold the business.
They gave out whopping thank-you bonuses.
A total of $6.6 million is being shared by just 230 employees of Waukegan-based Peer Bearing Co., with facilities in England and the United States. Amounts varied and were based on years of service.
"They treated us like extended family," said Maria Dima, who works at Peer Bearing along with her husband, Valentin, and received a somewhat smaller check than he did. "We won the lottery."
With $100 million in sales last year, Peer recently was acquired by a Swedish company for an undisclosed amount. Danny Spungen, whose grandfather founded the company in 1941, said it was a unanimous family decision to thank employees with the bonuses.
Laurence and Florence Spungen and their four children decided on a bonus formula a year before the sale closed to SKF Group, "a gamble that we would come out OK as well," Danny Spungen said.
He and other family members signed, by hand, two thank-you cards to each employee, one in Spanish and one in English. Each card was printed with all the workers' names and the years they were hired. The text expressed gratitude for "the loyalty and hard work of our employees over the years."
Nathan Spungen, who died in 1990, would have approved, Danny Spungen, 47, said. He noted the elder Spungen was generous with customers who owed money. "My grandfather was always charitable," he said.
The new owners intend to operate Peer as a wholly owned subsidiary. Workers have been told that most will keep their jobs, and life at the company hasn't changed much since the party in mid-September when the bonuses were distributed.
Rojas, who works in Peer's customer service department, said he saw fellow employees do "double-triple takes" that day. He plans to save his money for his son's college education.
Tiderman, who started with Peer in 1985 and worked his way up from the warehouse to assistant product manager, said most of his bonus will stay in the bank because of the uncertain economy.
"I do have to put some tires on my truck," he added.
Incongruously, the bonuses coincided with the nation's economic meltdown. While neighbors and friends faced new financial strains, the Peer employees could breathe easier.
"I know people who work for corporate America are not going to get treated like that. And most of the family owned businesses are not going to treat you like that," Tiderman said. "This is something that just really doesn't happen."
Valentin and Maria Dima, who emigrated from Romania after the 1989 revolution, are nearing retirement. They took a Caribbean cruise after getting their checks.
"This company gave us stability, so we dare to spend some money on such a thing," Valentin Dima said.
There was one more gesture of generosity this week. The Spungen family kept a tradition alive by pre-ordering a Thanksgiving gift for workers before selling the company.
"Everybody got a turkey," Maria Dima said.
___
On the Net: http://www.peerbearing.com/
During these tough economic times when so many businesses are going under, many more are laying people off, and even more are cutting back or eliminating holiday bonusess altogether (note: If you're the CEO of a financial institution or one of the Big 3, you must not get a holiday bonus for the rest of your life), it's heartwarming to see an employer that went out of their way to reward their employees.
Waukegan business gives out giant bonuses
Associated Press in the Daily Herald, November 28, 2008
Dave Tiderman wondered if the decimal point was in the wrong place when he opened his $35,000 company bonus. Jose Rojas saw his $10,000 check and thought, "That can't be right."
Valentin Dima watched co-workers breaking down in tears over their bonus checks and didn't trust his emotions. He drove home first, then opened his envelope: $33,000.
Year-end bonuses are rare these days. Rarer still is what the Spungen family, owners of a ball bearings company in Waukegan did as they sold the business.
They gave out whopping thank-you bonuses.
A total of $6.6 million is being shared by just 230 employees of Waukegan-based Peer Bearing Co., with facilities in England and the United States. Amounts varied and were based on years of service.
"They treated us like extended family," said Maria Dima, who works at Peer Bearing along with her husband, Valentin, and received a somewhat smaller check than he did. "We won the lottery."
With $100 million in sales last year, Peer recently was acquired by a Swedish company for an undisclosed amount. Danny Spungen, whose grandfather founded the company in 1941, said it was a unanimous family decision to thank employees with the bonuses.
Laurence and Florence Spungen and their four children decided on a bonus formula a year before the sale closed to SKF Group, "a gamble that we would come out OK as well," Danny Spungen said.
He and other family members signed, by hand, two thank-you cards to each employee, one in Spanish and one in English. Each card was printed with all the workers' names and the years they were hired. The text expressed gratitude for "the loyalty and hard work of our employees over the years."
Nathan Spungen, who died in 1990, would have approved, Danny Spungen, 47, said. He noted the elder Spungen was generous with customers who owed money. "My grandfather was always charitable," he said.
The new owners intend to operate Peer as a wholly owned subsidiary. Workers have been told that most will keep their jobs, and life at the company hasn't changed much since the party in mid-September when the bonuses were distributed.
Rojas, who works in Peer's customer service department, said he saw fellow employees do "double-triple takes" that day. He plans to save his money for his son's college education.
Tiderman, who started with Peer in 1985 and worked his way up from the warehouse to assistant product manager, said most of his bonus will stay in the bank because of the uncertain economy.
"I do have to put some tires on my truck," he added.
Incongruously, the bonuses coincided with the nation's economic meltdown. While neighbors and friends faced new financial strains, the Peer employees could breathe easier.
"I know people who work for corporate America are not going to get treated like that. And most of the family owned businesses are not going to treat you like that," Tiderman said. "This is something that just really doesn't happen."
Valentin and Maria Dima, who emigrated from Romania after the 1989 revolution, are nearing retirement. They took a Caribbean cruise after getting their checks.
"This company gave us stability, so we dare to spend some money on such a thing," Valentin Dima said.
There was one more gesture of generosity this week. The Spungen family kept a tradition alive by pre-ordering a Thanksgiving gift for workers before selling the company.
"Everybody got a turkey," Maria Dima said.
___
On the Net: http://www.peerbearing.com/
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Shhh! Don't Tell Betsey & Ross! I Found the Purr-fect Christmas Present for Them!
Admittedly, I stole this idea from Gourmet Goddess, but she has great ideas, so how could I help myself?
Just please don't tell Betsey and Ross.
I'd like it their new Whac-A-Mole game to be a surprise. Truthfully, Betsey probably won't want anything to do with it. She'll probably think it's too simplistic for her high intelligence and she'll realize the mouse is fake. Ross, on the other hand, will be highly entertained.
Just please don't tell Betsey and Ross.
I'd like it their new Whac-A-Mole game to be a surprise. Truthfully, Betsey probably won't want anything to do with it. She'll probably think it's too simplistic for her high intelligence and she'll realize the mouse is fake. Ross, on the other hand, will be highly entertained.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Set Your DVR's: CNN Heroes - An All-Star Tribute
You watched their inspiring stories and you voted on your favorite. Now it's time to watch CNN announce the 2008 CNN Hero of the Year.
Thursday, November 27th at 9pm ET (8pm CT).
And starting at 8pm ET (7pm CT), Larry King will spend an hour previewing the show and interviewing celebrities who've turned tragedy into triumph.
It should be an inspiring night.
What else are you going to do once you're drunk on turkey? Play another game of Trivial Pursuit with the family? Trust me, this will be better.
Thursday, November 27th at 9pm ET (8pm CT).
And starting at 8pm ET (7pm CT), Larry King will spend an hour previewing the show and interviewing celebrities who've turned tragedy into triumph.
It should be an inspiring night.
What else are you going to do once you're drunk on turkey? Play another game of Trivial Pursuit with the family? Trust me, this will be better.
Inspirational Thanksgiving Story
I love stories about communities coming together to help others. My only wish is that the press would highlight these kinds of stories all year long, not just around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Obviously, this is also a very sad story, but I am moved by the generosity and kindness of friends, family, and strangers. And if you click on the story link, you'll see wonderfully loving comments by the readers of the Daily Herald.
One last Christmas for Arlington Heights family
By Steve Zalusky Daily Herald Staff
Daily Herald, November 24, 2008
It was the weekend before Thanksgiving, but all through the house, Mike and Kara Landeweer's friends gathered to celebrate Christmas.
A Christmas tree stood in the living room and decorations covered the front of their Arlington Heights home.
Even Santa Claus made an early visit Sunday.
For the Landeweers, Christmas couldn't arrive soon enough. In a bedroom, 37-year-old Kara lay in her bed, her eyes closed, oblivious to the celebration in the next room.
This is likely the last Christmas she will spend with her husband Mike, a Mount Prospect police officer, her daughter Alexis, 2, her son Ryan, 6, and her stepdaughter Katie, 17. A brain tumor will soon claim her life.
Thanks to Elke Kadzielawski, the wife of one of Mike's friends on the Mount Prospect police force, and the Landeweers' many friends, the family had one last Christmas together Sunday.
Carolers from Christian Life Church sang on the lawn, and when a siren sounded, the group began singing "Here Comes Santa Claus."
Santa Claus, Mount Prospect Police Officer Joe Morel, arrived, not by sleigh, but escorted by a Mount Prospect fire engine and patrol wagon.
He came bearing gifts from him and helpers, including a brand new bicycle and autographed pictures of Chicago Cubs players for Ryan and a Barbie doll for Alexis.
When Morel arrived, he handed Ryan a $20 bill - the money came from the tooth fairy, since Ryan had pulled out a tooth that day.
"Out of all the kids in the world this year, I decided I'm going to come to (your) house first," Morel told the children, adding "My elves have been hard at work."
It was a memorable afternoon for Katie, a senior at Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights, who plans on being a nurse.
"I'll definitely be here for the kids. I love them very much," she said.
Mike Landeweer is humbled by what his friends and colleagues have done for his family.
"As horrible as this situation is, I'm blessed to have these wonderful people helping me," he said. "It's truly amazing."
In March 2007, Mike, Kara and Ryan were sitting around the family dinner table, when Kara suffered a seizure and doctors later found a brain tumor.
"Basically, it was the worst case scenario," Mike said.The average life expectancy, Mike said, was around 11 months.
Kara went on to survive surgeries to remove additional tumors, radiation treatment and chemotherapy, and even the removal of a bone flap in her skull when she came down with an infection.
For most of this year, Mike said, life seemed relatively normal. But in August, she lost mobility on her right side and her health began to slide once more.
Eventually, it was found that the cancer had spread to the frontal lobe of the brain.
"At that point, there was just nothing left to do. That's when we decided to bring her home," he said.
She is receiving hospice care now.
"We are here not only to celebrate Christmas but to celebrate Kara's life. She is a very strong, loving wife, mother and friend. She has never given up on her faith.
Kara always put everyone before herself. So to be a part of today is just a true honor," Elke Kadzielawski said.
The police department and the entire village donated money, time and gifts to Sunday's Christmas celebration.
"Kara's a great girl. and it means the world to us that we were able to give them the opportunity to celebrate Christmas," said Elke's husband, Mount Prospect police officer Ron Kadzielawski.
"To see the smile on the kids' faces makes it all worthwhile."
One last Christmas for Arlington Heights family
By Steve Zalusky Daily Herald Staff
Daily Herald, November 24, 2008
It was the weekend before Thanksgiving, but all through the house, Mike and Kara Landeweer's friends gathered to celebrate Christmas.
A Christmas tree stood in the living room and decorations covered the front of their Arlington Heights home.
Even Santa Claus made an early visit Sunday.
For the Landeweers, Christmas couldn't arrive soon enough. In a bedroom, 37-year-old Kara lay in her bed, her eyes closed, oblivious to the celebration in the next room.
This is likely the last Christmas she will spend with her husband Mike, a Mount Prospect police officer, her daughter Alexis, 2, her son Ryan, 6, and her stepdaughter Katie, 17. A brain tumor will soon claim her life.
Thanks to Elke Kadzielawski, the wife of one of Mike's friends on the Mount Prospect police force, and the Landeweers' many friends, the family had one last Christmas together Sunday.
Carolers from Christian Life Church sang on the lawn, and when a siren sounded, the group began singing "Here Comes Santa Claus."
Santa Claus, Mount Prospect Police Officer Joe Morel, arrived, not by sleigh, but escorted by a Mount Prospect fire engine and patrol wagon.
He came bearing gifts from him and helpers, including a brand new bicycle and autographed pictures of Chicago Cubs players for Ryan and a Barbie doll for Alexis.
When Morel arrived, he handed Ryan a $20 bill - the money came from the tooth fairy, since Ryan had pulled out a tooth that day.
"Out of all the kids in the world this year, I decided I'm going to come to (your) house first," Morel told the children, adding "My elves have been hard at work."
It was a memorable afternoon for Katie, a senior at Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights, who plans on being a nurse.
"I'll definitely be here for the kids. I love them very much," she said.
Mike Landeweer is humbled by what his friends and colleagues have done for his family.
"As horrible as this situation is, I'm blessed to have these wonderful people helping me," he said. "It's truly amazing."
In March 2007, Mike, Kara and Ryan were sitting around the family dinner table, when Kara suffered a seizure and doctors later found a brain tumor.
"Basically, it was the worst case scenario," Mike said.The average life expectancy, Mike said, was around 11 months.
Kara went on to survive surgeries to remove additional tumors, radiation treatment and chemotherapy, and even the removal of a bone flap in her skull when she came down with an infection.
For most of this year, Mike said, life seemed relatively normal. But in August, she lost mobility on her right side and her health began to slide once more.
Eventually, it was found that the cancer had spread to the frontal lobe of the brain.
"At that point, there was just nothing left to do. That's when we decided to bring her home," he said.
She is receiving hospice care now.
"We are here not only to celebrate Christmas but to celebrate Kara's life. She is a very strong, loving wife, mother and friend. She has never given up on her faith.
Kara always put everyone before herself. So to be a part of today is just a true honor," Elke Kadzielawski said.
The police department and the entire village donated money, time and gifts to Sunday's Christmas celebration.
"Kara's a great girl. and it means the world to us that we were able to give them the opportunity to celebrate Christmas," said Elke's husband, Mount Prospect police officer Ron Kadzielawski.
"To see the smile on the kids' faces makes it all worthwhile."
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