Musings: •Happy New Year, dear reader! It’s 2025 already. Where does the time go? I’m going to make two New Year’s resolutions which I haven’t done in a long, long time. First, I resolve not to be dismayed by the election of Donald Trump (T. Rump), but will double down...
Happy 2025 from APLD! Are you setting a new year resolution? As we step into 2025, many people will make resolutions as promises to improve themselves and their lives. Whether you’re aiming to get your finances in order, learn a new language, or unleash your creative potential, the Aurora Public...
“Confessions of a Taxi Driver,” Part Five: Until now, I have been discussing those Crackerjacks who operate motor vehicles as if they were the only ones allowed on the streets/highways. Yet, not all Crackerjacks can be found in four-wheeled conveyances; many of them operate the two-wheeled variety. And, believe me,...
So it’s practically Christmas! The hustle and bustle of the season has been proceeding before us, and if you are like me, or if most of us are in the same circumstances, we have not been able to enjoy a lot of it. For many older adults, the holidays take...
Have you been receiving your fair share of “junk mail,” dear reader: All of those retail advertisements; solicitations from charitable organizations; offers of books, magazines, and newspapers which will improve your life? Would you like to know how to receive even more? If you answered “yes” to either question, you...
“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me,” or something along those lines. Hard to believe, but we’ll have convicted criminal sex abuser Dumbo Donald Trump to kick around again for four more years, with many of his cohorts and deviants at his side. He appears...
By Ricky Rieckert I want to wish all subscribers, readers, and all, a happy Thanksgiving Day, with your families and loved ones. I was unable to write for a few weeks because I have been in the hospital with foot injuries. I’ll be out soon, hopefully. Back to Aurora’s history,...
Each month is distinctive. November is known for Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day. Each day has a distinction in how and why we celebrate specific local and regional holidays. It is important we reflect on the true meanings of these holidays. Veterans Day is to honor America’s veterans for their...
Kamala Harris did not lose the election of 2024. The Democratic National Committee lost it by not supporting her in manner conducive to a winning candidate. The so-called “party of the people” has been inching rightward since the Harry S Truman Administration. The Democratic presidential candidates were all moderates and...
Confessions of a taxi driver, part four: I now present a new category of “Crackerjacks,” which I call the “Pests.” Pests are those drivers who, while not posing any particular hazard to the free flow of traffic, nevertheless create uncertainty and/or anxiety just by their mere presence. Other Crackerjacks might...
Elections are more than occurrences on the calendar. They are a necessary function to democratic rule. They are more than competition. They help define us as a society. We have small, civil elections, and large, National elections. This year we hold national elections for president. Regardless of which party wins,...
Garry Adelman, chief historian of the American Battlefield Trust will present “The Battle of Gettysburg In-Depth”, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday Oct. 20 at Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, Campton Hills. This event will be an immersive, educational experience featuring the 8th Illinois Cavalry Reenactors, 1860s music...
Confessions of a taxi driver, part three: In my previous essay in this series, I designated a group of “Crackerjacks” as “Pushers,” as they tend to “push” other drivers out of their way because they are in such a bloody hurry to get somewhere, anywhere, even though the urgency is...
Next month will be October, the last month prior to decision time of November. Each registered voter will have the task and obligation to cast ballots for local, state, and national elections. Some of us take our voting obligations seriously. The care of the vote sustains our democratic republic. One...
By Ricky Rieckert I’m sorry, but I left a few things, out of my article, last week. First off The Mug Tavern, was a great place to see live bands on the weekends. I saw quite a few. I saw the bands Off Broadway and Survivor. Jim Peterik, from Berwyn...
By Andrew AdamsCapitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Approximately 4.6 million records associated with Illinoisans in more than a dozen counties, including voting records, registrations and death certificates, were temporarily available on the open internet, according to a security researcher who identified the vulnerability in July. The documents were available through an unsecured...
The Edith Farnsworth House, 14520 River Road, in Plano, is an iconic image of modern architectural genius. A skyscraper in miniature, was created in the 1950s by master architect Mies van de Rohe as a one-room weekend hideaway for Dr. Edith Farnsworth, a prominent Chicago nephrologist. Mies van de Rohe...
Musings: •I have a new nickname for the Hungarian nemesis: Gaslighter. For those who are not familiar with that term, a gaslighter is a person who manipulates a conversation in order to gain control over his/her opponent. He/she makes the opponent question their credibility concerning a given topic of discussion....
Reprint from August 2022 Politics is a term and function that started many centuries ago, a Greek term and influence at the start of our Western Culture. Politics persists today. A quality assessment depends upon interests. Politics will be with us as long as governments exist with potential changes and...
By Ricky Rieckert Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day. This week in Aurora, I’m going to touch base about the Blue Lantern Restaurant on E. New York Street. Some people wanted to know more about the restaurant. In the Summer of 1973, my brother, a year younger and I...
