Publications & Sites 
letters to the editor
Updated: June 4, 2012 8:03AM
Safe disposal sites needed in Northbrook
My husband and I have lived in Northbrook for over 30 years and have always been pleased with the services available to us.
My husband has Multiple Sclerosis. In order to control this disease, he injects his medications three times per week. We have always returned the used syringes to the pharmacy. They no longer accept them and recently told me to go to the police stations. The police station accepts medications but not “sharps.” It is widely known that it is not acceptable to dispose of used needles in the garbage or recycling bins, but Northbrook is making it difficult for its residents to dispose of the needles in a responsible manner.
I went to the website SafeNeedleDisposal.org and got a list of locations to dispose of the needles. Most of the surrounding communities have schedules to dispose of used needles at their Village Halls or other locations. Northbrook does not have any schedule or facility where its resident can dispose of used syringes in a safe manner
Please consider helping Northbrook residents dispose of their used syringes & epi-pens easily and safely by scheduling drop off sites and schedules.
Judi Goldman, Northbrook
Spreading the word about Northbrook Yoga Center
I am so thrilled to have stumbled upon Northbrook Yoga Center, which opened its doors during December of 2011. I have resided in Northbrook for over 16 years and have consistently explored the numerous athletic facilities this community offers. I am grateful that a wonderful Yoga studio with committed and skilled instructors has decided to bring yoga, heat, music and breath to Northbrook. NYC practices safe instruction and I have been personally impressed by the teachers’ awareness of students’ varying skill levels, injuries, and pocketbooks. In general, I like this place! They offer many classes throughout the day, which means one can go there before a stressful workday, mid-day in-between errands, after dinner when the kids are doing homework, or perhaps on weekends when one carves out “me time”. Since I am relatively new to Yoga, I realize that I am certainly not an expert. I have observed a genuine willingness by teachers to adapt their classes to a majority of students’ requests. These are nice teachers, who seem to really want to share the bliss they feel when they do Yoga.
I benefit from every class, as each new experience brings new awareness about my muscles, flexibility, strength and my way of thinking about how I think. Okay, I know the Meta-ness of bringing of ones self back to ones self might increase a Newbie’s anxiety. It did for me, so much that I realized that under stress I am a bad breather. Of course that sounds rather self-critical but I have been able to learn how easily I can revert to tense breathing when faced with stress. Thanks to the extremely kind and patient teachers, who slowly helped me focus on my breath, I can stay calm when I take my new driver for practice, or receive bad news about a friend’s health, or commute an hour to and from work each week. The inviting environment and calm lighting call me in, and then allow me to take what I need on any particular day.
Don’t think this is an easy workout! I feel super strong and fit, and so do all my new friends who have been practicing for years, or who have just discovered the benefits of “tone” from Yoga. My teacher told me I might never need to do a standard pushup again, once I mastered the intricate art of pulling my belly button in (like below my lowest rib) as I exhale. I have asked the owners why they don’t advertise more, and being true Yogis, they seem to believe that people will find them thru word of mouth. Good actions lead to good actions I am told, and I do believe that idea. So I am doing my piece of sharing the good by spreading the word about this great place, Northbrook Yoga Center. Everyone should give it a try.
Pam Tokowitz, Northbrook
