Play ball! But shovel the snow first
We may be surrounded by snow, ice and potholes, but some among us are thinking far more pleasant things.
Jim Lewan is thinking sunshine, baseball and opening day.
And, never mind all that nasty weather, he invites us all to join him.
No, not that Wrigley Field opening day. Though this is the year, you know. Goats be darned.
And not the fine event at U.S. Cellular Field, where a World Series win only left us wanting more.
Nope, Jim is talking about the season start for the Tri-Cities Youth Little League Baseball, when hundreds of players from Sleepy Hollow, Carpentersville and Dundee take to the field.
The all-volunteer board is hoping local businesses will help fund the effort that permits dozens of our youngsters to play ball. You can sponsor a banner that helps fund the program and care of the fields behind Dundee Middle School while also getting the word out about your business.
If you'd like to participate, contact Jim at jiml@tri-citiesll.com.
Whether you do or not, I'm sure you want to thank Jim for bringing the vision of a little sunshine our way.
Cats and dogs
Some of our furry friends have been on the move. That means you'll soon be able to adopt dogs and cats far closer to home.
McHenry County Animal Control has shifted from their dilapidated and not-very-pleasant headquarters in Woodstock to their newly renovated spot on the corner of Woodstock Street and Route 14 in Crystal Lake.
I hear staffers are thrilled with the new facility and looking forward to welcoming your visits. I'm guessing the puppies and kitties like it better, too.
Willing to host?
Leigh Ann Porsch of Huntley School District 158 asked me to ask you if you're interested in being a host family for the Huntley Rotary Exchange Student program for the 2008-09 school year.
You need to live in the district and be willing to host the student for 16 weeks.
They believe this student will be female and she will stay with three different families during the school year, have her own spending and school lunch money. You'd provide other meals and a room.
Rotary International covers medical insurance and the Huntley Rotary pays for registration and related school expenses.
For more information, call Youth Exchange officer Rebecca Williams at (847) 683-7794. Don't wait too long -- they need to get the paperwork started.
No answer
Our wired world is wonderful when it works, isn't it? But, when it gets zapped for any reason, it is at best a challenge to communicate.
At worst, it can be petrifying, as it was for many parents and loved ones in the immediate aftermath of the Northern Illinois University shootings.
For the many Blackberry users who lost service for hours one recent Monday, it was mostly inconvenience. Ditto for the AT&T users who had no cell phone service for an extended time a couple of weeks ago.
But when cell towers jammed up as frantic parents and children tried to connect in a crisis, it was a stark reminder we need backup plans … just in case.
My adult children and family members have talked of this more than once.
Do you and your family members have a plan? Experts suggest we have set places to meet should our topsy-turvy wired world lose the power to let us reach out and touch one another when we most need.
It seems like a very good idea, doesn't it?