Northbrook Star

Keep records of vital information for elderly parents

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:26:23 -0500

Sometimes we make assumptions about the information that we have or don’t have when it comes to our parents, grandparents or other seniors in our lives. Unfortunately the moment we realize that the information we need is not available is usually during a crisis.

Taking stigma off incontinence

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:14:03 -0500

Watching daytime TV, and all of the commercials for incontinence products, one might think that incontinence is a normal part of life and aging.

This Apple has sour taste

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:42:03 -0500

Dear Fixer: I cannot download any apps on my iPhone. It says my account is disabled. After I sent a request to the Apple support email address, I received a response from an iTunes adviser who said it appeared that my account had been disabled due to “chargeback orders” they had received from my credit card issuer.

Art of compromise is what’s needed now

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:42:03 -0500

In the aftermath of last week’s election, I’ve been listening to my friends on the right and the left. They are saying the same thing, and that’s what worries me.

Christmas shopping, philosophically speaking

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:42:03 -0500

Now that that pesky presidential election is over, it’s time to concentrate on what’s really important. Christmas shopping. But before you can shop, you have to decide what to get friends and family, collectively known as loved ones.

What does it mean when your pumpkin looks like Clooney?

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 16:44:00 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Northbrook area, spiced with a little commentary. Yoo-Hoo George, Yoo-Hoo Sigmund … The annual Northbrook Autumnfest takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at Meadowhill Park, 1479 Maple Ave. The free community event offers pumpkin-carving and costume contests, musical entertainment, golf challenges, inflatables, carnival games and food vendors. For more information, visit www.nbparks.org. Last Halloween, I carved a pumpkin that my daughter said looked just like George Clooney, which I hadn’t intended. Gee, pumpkin-carving and the subconscious – did Freud ever write about this phenomenon? Did George Clooney ever …

Stop ‘straw buyers’ of guns

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:10:01 -0500

For years Chicago and Cook County officials have been pushing a law that would help close the spigot of guns flowing illegally into the city. So far, the National Rifle Association has blocked the law in Springfield, but officials here should keep pushing. The so-called “lost or stolen” law would require gun owners to report a lost or stolen gun within 72 hours of noticing it is missing. It would help discourage “straw buyers” who purchase numerous guns legally in the suburbs and then sell them to felons in Chicago. Straw buyers often say their weapons were lost or stolen …

How about veggie McDonald’s here?

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 13:16:04 -0500

McDonald’s is opening two vegetarian-only restaurants. Not, unfortunately, in one of the hipper neighborhoods of Chicago, or even somewhere in California. But in India — in Amritsar and Katra. This makes sense. For reasons of religion and tradition, Indian diets tend to be low in meat, with about 30 percent of Indians eating no meat at all. But vegetarians are growing in number in this country, too, and we’re pretty sure a veggie McDonald’s would fare well in or around Chicago. Our first reaction when we read the news about a vegetarian-only McDonald’s was to laugh. Aren’t these the folks …

Letter to the Editor

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 11:39:29 -0500

Summing up my work A final report from the former Crestwood Place Representative on the Northbrook Senior Services Commission. When concerned individuals are appointed to unpaid volunteer positions on various village commissions, they should accept the responsibilities of doing the best work possible. This is exactly what I did and was rewarded with rejection from many of those I tried to help and those who believed their interests were in jeopardy. But, be that as it may, the problems no longer are mine to resolve.Instead I can only enumerate my accomplishments and hope my replacement is equal to the task …

A ‘Moneyball’ lesson in life: ‘Get on base’

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:54:00 -0500

I’ve decided that the correct answer for just about any question this spring is: “He gets on base.” That answer comes from one of last year’s best movies, “Moneyball.” That simple phrase answers the questions put to Billy Beane, general manager of the Oakland A’s, about why he wants certain players over other players on his team. Because, Billy’s assistant answers every question, “He gets on base.” If only every move were that simple. But it is spring, and with spring comes a new baseball season. Here in Chicago, every baseball fan must be full of hope. It is clear …

Shimkus: Senator Kirk is coming back

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:42:30 -0500

Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed piece submitted by U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, regarding the status of U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, who is in recovery from a stroke he suffered in January. As a member of the Illinois congressional delegation, I have been besieged by questions on the status of U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk. These well-intended queries come from colleagues from around the country, congressional staffers, the professional employees of the government, local Republican leaders, and the general public. When I went to visit Senator Kirk, he was clearly very happy to see me. Family …

District 31 referendum a good bet for schools

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:03:14 -0500

David Handler, a Northbrook resident, is president of the West Northfield District 31 Board of Education. Because of legal constraints, I am writing this as a parent and resident, not as a West Northfield District 31 school board member. Here’s the bottom line on District 31 and why you should vote in favor of the referendum: If the referendum doesn’t pass we will have larger class sizes; will not have any sports, plays, band, extracurricular activities, buses or gifted program; and will cut staff even further. The district spends less per student than any other in the township. The administrators …

BLASER: Frauds and phonies are nothing new to Springfield

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:26:17 -0500

The recent news that a portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln hanging in the governor’s mansion in Springfield is a fake proved not only interesting but also somehow appropriate. It was interesting because all things dealing with President Lincoln are, at the very least, “interesting.” Appropriate because most of the occupants of the governor’s mansion over the last few decades have also been fakes. Have we had a governor lately who has even read about Lincoln? They certainly don’t try to emulate him. The recent governors we’ve had in this state are mostly charlatans and frauds, political hacks and hangers-on. They …

Why we will no longer endorse in elections

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:32:46 -0500

The publications of Pioneer Press are no longer going to be endorsing candidates in local, state and national elections. This editorial tells you why.