It's definitely leap year -- in more ways than one

Nothing quite like a white Easter, eh?

No matter what the weather, may today be one to treasure ... even if that silly Mother Nature tried to gum up the works with her unusual idea of how a spring weekend should look.

Leapin' time

Doesn't it seem weird that in a year with an extra day that everything seems to be coming faster? And closer together? It's kind of like Fox Valley traffic when you need to make a left.

How often do you see a week start with St. Patrick and end with the Easter Bunny? All coming in what seems like a month after Christmas? When they say leap year, they mean it.

Don't worry, though, there won't be another collision between the bunny and the shamrock dude in your lifetime. Thanks to the Algonquin Area Public Library, I now know that we won't have another Easter as early as this one until 2160.

Easter, as you may know, is celebrated in confusing fashion on the first Sunday after the paschal full moon -- as determined by historical tables, not by lunar cycles. The only given is it will fall between March 22 and April 25. It will be April 12 next year and April 4 in 2010, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory, which calculates those dates along with lunar cycles. This being the Chicago area, April, of course, is no guarantee it'll be any more spring-like than this year of warp speed.

On the roads

Some speed would be nicer than the current parking lot and frequent crashes that define Rakow Road, residents told transportation officials at a public hearing Wednesday. They're eager to see the planned expansion instead of the other guy's brake lights.

You've heard the only givens are death and taxes, but here in the Fox Valley we know that traffic should be right up there. Although McHenry and Kane counties' growth rates have been eclipsed by Kendall County's almost 11 percent rate, that doesn't mean we aren't still adding lots of folks to the northern Fox Valley. U.S. Census counts show McHenry County has added another 6,000 residents, which brings us to 52,000 new residents since 2000. And Kane boasts another 12,000, making it 90,000 more crowded this decade. You know plenty more are coming.

Race ya!

As you gather with family today or enjoy spring break this week -- you lucky souls -- Jenny Rehberg hopes you might consider talking with your friends and family about teaming up to join her and lots of other folks at the Relay for Life of Northern Kane County.

The always fun event runs from 6 p.m. May 2 to 6 a.m. May 3 at the Dundee-Crown High School field house.

You can come on your own or with a team, stop by for just a while or spend the night. Along the way, you'll have a blast. "The deejay keeps the place rockin,'" promises Jenny.

This year's theme is "Dancing with the Stars." And in addition to themed laps, games, raffles, silent auction, bingo and a moonwalk, I hear there might be some line dancing going on. And did I mention bingo?

If you'd like to help in any way, they'd love to have you. Go to relayforlifenorthkane.com for registration info and to learn more. It's a fun way to fight cancer, which we know is no fun at all.

Wrong number

Now this is a trick you voters vexed with robo calls might want to consider. Sandy and Al Scaletta of Algonquin used their fax to fix those making those darned automated campaign calls. They were inundated with calls not only from 14th Congressional District candidates Bill Foster and Jim Oberweis, but also from Laura Bush, Barack Obama and both the Democratic and Republican National Committees. Who knew they had your number, eh, Sandy and Al?

Anyway, the onslaught of calls got so bad the Scalettas set their fax to pick up after two rings. Ring, Ring, beeeeeeeepppppp. That seems fair, doesn't it?

Save the date

Donna Johnson of West Dundee asked me to let you know you're invited to the St. Edward Central Catholic High School's 19th annual Tidal Wave auction and dinner dance. The fundraiser features silent and live auctions, a gourmet dinner, open bar and dancing April 19 at the Stonegate banquet center in Hoffman Estates. You can find out lots more at www.stedhs.org. To donate an item, place an ad or make a reservation, you can call (847) 741-7536, ext. 123.

Bunny hop

Have a happy Easter! And may we all soon find sunshine on the horizon. Travel safe, OK? And, whether you're home or away, may you have a special time with your loved ones.