If TLC would have been around 20 years ago and Jim Rodgers agreed to allow his private life to be on television, there would have been quite a following for this emotional roller coaster.

As it is, TLC wasn't around to document the shocking end to Rodgers' marriage at that time, but the Batavia resident is making it all very public in a book titled "The Old Guy Rules."

Rodgers, an English teacher at Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream, was determined to put his life back together after his wife left him and their two small children.

"This book is about how I put my life back together," said Rodgers, who has lived in Batavia for the past 14 years. "It's about a single father raising his children alone, while teaching and getting a master's degree, and picking up the pieces of his life after his wife did everything she could to destroy it."

Sounds like an angry fellow? Rodgers admits he was driven by anger for a long time, and his book gives you an idea of why - having moved to California after his wife was transferred, and then having her seeing another man and leaving Rodgers behind.

But he said the book project was not fueled by anger, because he had let that go. He was more interested in delivering a positive message to men and women facing similar situations.

"What pushed me to write about my experience was that I wanted them to know that they could come out of it just fine," said Rodgers, who wrote the book over the summer when he wasn't teaching. "I wanted to share my 'rules' for coping with adversity with other people."

The book can be purchased at smalldogma.com and Rodgers has his own Web site at theoldguyrules.com.

Running with snowflakes: With dwindling state funds and a golf outing fundraiser that had to be canceled, TriCity Family Services was looking for another community event to raise awareness and money.

Agency employees and the Friends of TriCity Family Services board are planning the "Snowflake Shuffle," a 5K run/walk on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Mill Creek Golf Club and surrounding subdivision.

Word will spread quickly about this fun holiday-themed event, which will be certified and have split times for each mile for those who are serious runners.

Jim Otepka, the executive director at TriCity Family Services, knew it was a good idea because he had participated in a similar event in Madison, Wis., in the past.

"It was just a good, festive community event around the holiday season, and also good for runners and others who like to stay in shape year-round," Otepka said.

A grand toast: Members and supporters of the Paul Ruby Foundation for Parkinson's Research were to partake of a grand toast at a special dinner Tuesday at the Herrington Inn.

Officials from Markham Vineyards were to acknowledge the grant money that was earned in a contest offered by the wine maker.

Ruby, who is general manager at the Herrington, has triggered much support for Parkinson's research after being diagnosed with the illness three years ago.

dheun@sbcglobal.net