It is May. Time to stroll the streets of Paris. Isn’t life grand? Let us begin on the oldest street in Paris, the rue Nicolas Flamel in Le Marais. Following little lanes and cobbled roads, we walk the large and luxurious boulevards of the Right Bank, or down the secret
We’ve just celebrated that special day when we take time out to thank and honor all our mothers. I’m going out on a limb here in assuming that we’ve all had mothers, except for a few members of Congress. I’ve written about my own mother, Ruby, in the past, but
By Peter Hancock The Illinois economy shrank by four percent in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on many of its sectors, although there were signs of a recovery taking place late in the year. Those preliminary numbers, released last week by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of
By Grace Barbic New research shows pandemic-related child care burdens have magnified economic inequalities for women in the workforce in Illinois. That research was included in The Child Care Crisis in Illinois: A Survey of Working Mothers During the COVID-19 Pandemic, conducted by the Project for Middle Class Renewal at
The veterans and community members in St. Charles had clear weather Tuesday, even if a bit chilly, to offer congratulations to World War II veteran Bob Pennington on his 96th birthday. He served the country during World War II in Italy in the infantry. The celebration was planned for noon
Migrants separated from their children will be allowed into the United States. A handful of parents from Mexico and Central America who were deported under the Donald Trump administration’s family separation policy will be reunited this week with their children. Miriam Jordan, The New York Times writes: “Four parents from
We search their eyes for all the secrets they can’t give us. The truth of ourselves. Their love affair began as they always do with moonlight and roses. Steven had noticed her earlier at the Pasticceria Salza’s Tea Room on the via Borgo Stretto 46 street in Pisa, Italy. She
Cinco de Mayo, May 5, is a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture. Here are two relevant comments: • Nicole Fuentes, author, life coach, professor at Universidad de Monterrey, Mexico:“Mexicans are overachievers in the production of happiness. The Mexican recipe to happiness includes a large dose of social contact. Lots
Special days are both revealing and a part of most societies around the world. There are greater attributes to mothers than simply giving birth. Common themes include nurturing, monitoring, caring, supporting, providing leadership, and offering an abundance of love, in what ever form it may take. Where would we be
“When one has much to put in them, the day has a hundred pockets.” — Friedrich Nietzsche It is always good to have clothing with pockets in them, isn’t it? I love pockets! Wearing a blazer offers two pockets and a place to put keys, lipstick, Vitamin C, a small
A couple issues back, a concerned reader wrote in to give a voice to her opinion on the obligation the elderly have to serve jury duty, and the hardship involved in traveling, spending a day waiting to be selected, to be on a jury, or sent home. I can sympathize
Well past one year of COVID-19 restrictions and limitations, society’s reach is opening up somewhat, only natural given the confidence in vaccines this year, and the desire to move about more freely. The range of believers in restrictions to the non-believers remains steady, and convictions often can be tested. The
We met on a frigid snow-filled February morning at the library. Dr. Robert Renteria was born October 13, 1960 in a barrio of Los Angeles, Calif.. It was a difficult childhood with drugs and gangs, an absent father, and abuse. He ran away from that environment and lived on the
As you might have guessed, dear reader, The Chas worries a lot, especially about what the future may bring. One thing he is worrying about has come to the fore when he read a recent news item concerning the exploration of the planet Mars. Sadly, humankind is taking its own
In 1970 there was laughter when Earth Day had been approved as both a significant day and a cause. “What does that mean? I should hug a tree” was one of the main refrains often with scornful laughter. That scene was more than 50 years ago. Both advocates and deniers
“How wrong that Time must make amends. The wound must bleed until the scar has hid from view the outward sign of loss. And then the heart will keep a lonely vigil by that wound in corner dark, for grief is there.” —Author unknown Life, it is said, is marble
I was a State agency director on three occasions back in the day, yet I don’t think I could navigate the maze of dozens of separate, and scattered, State and local social service agencies that have sprung up over the decades to address problems. It’s time for a major reset,
With Spring fully under way, with Winter releasing its grip and being replaced with delightful 70-degree temperatures, and with society’s desire to push through still damaging COVID-19, activities other than Zoom events, have increased. Find a way to include all of the increased buzz is the task. For example: •
Pieces: During World War II, Ronald Reagan served in the army’s motion picture unit as he narrated training films. The handsome, youthful. good-natured Ronald Reagan radiated the message that everything was going to be all right. At age 25 he was a Midwestern radio sportscaster. On a trip to California
Here is a good news story. We could use a few feel good stories. I am late to the game here, as you will see, but, worth the telling, and lessons to be learned. A year or more ago, I made friends with Rick Brooks of Princeton, Ill.. Only later
