There are great daughters out there, too
There are a couple of mystery moms out there who should be very proud today.
They may not even know it, but their children are pretty terrific.
A group of young people, possibly from Jacobs and Dundee-Crown high schools, were hanging around Raceway Woods last Sunday, just chatting as they sat out on the historic track nestled in the woods west of Route 31 and north of Huntley Road.
Raceway steward Jack Redmer happened upon them and asked if they had seen the ugly damage done to the tunnel. Let's just say someone had left his mark by painting nasty words and graffiti everywhere and leave it at that.
The teens hadn't seen it, but two quickly accepted Jack's challenge for them to get involved.
Two young ladies named Joanna and Melissa bought paint, came back and got to work.
It was a much bigger job than they thought. Back to the paint store, where they purchased buckets of discount paint and covered the mess … on their own with their own money.
"We think they are exceptional young people and deserve recognition," said Jack's wife, Donna Schuring-Redmer, who is also a Raceway steward.
They sure do deserve recognition. But no one got their last names.
Do any of you moms recognize these two young women? Or, perhaps some of their friends know who deserves the spotlight here?
Welcome … or not
It sounds like lots of you West Dundee and Carpentersville residents plan to turn out for Monday night's public hearing about the Wal-Mart proposed along the outer ring of Spring Hill Mall.
I hear that many of you have good questions and concerns and also that many of you may have heard from the "fear factor."
It's important village leaders hear and respond to your concerns. And it also seems vital that everyone listen before they leap into that fear zone.
At least some of what I'm hearing is based on some distortions ... which can lead to heated discussions that aren't necessarily based on fact. The public hearing is at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Randall Oaks Golf Club, 4101 Binnie Road, West Dundee.
Speaking out is a vital right. So is listening.
Just ask anyone who's ever attended or watched a tape of a Carpentersville village board meeting.
'Through the roof'
Thank you to those who took the time to e-mail or call me about your property tax bills and assessments.
Sounds like plenty of you have seen those assessments jump through the roof. If you haven't yet weighed in, but would like to, please send me an e-mail marked "Through the Roof" with your address, township and concerns.
I'll share your thoughts with our local tax and assessment experts and see what our options are. Please also let me know if I can use your name in the column, OK?
Book it!
Lyn Kendeigh asked me to let you know you'll find some great bargains at the fourth annual Spring Books and Baubles sale put on by the Friends of the Fox River Grove Library at the library this week. It's from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday when they'll also have a $5 bag sale.
You can still donate books, DVDs, CDs, knick-knacks, toys and small household items through Tuesday. Just drop them at the library, 407 Lincoln Ave., Fox River Grove.
Relay!
If you missed the northern Kane County Relay for Life, you'll get another chance to help fight cancer this Friday.
The Jacobs High School Relay for Life is turning into one of the region's most dynamic events. They already have more than 400 people signed up for the cancer fundraiser, which starts at 6 p.m. Friday and doesn't end until 5 a.m. Saturday.
If you'd like to help them reach their $100,000 goal, go to relayforlifejacobs.com. They'd love to have you.
Flapjacks!
Sounds like you can get a great breakfast Sunday, thanks to the Dundee Lions. They're holding their annual pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 18 at Dundee Highlands School, 407 S. 5th St., West Dundee.
You'll find biscuits and gravy, sausage, pancakes, butter, syrup, eggs, coffee, milk and orange juice. It's $5.75 for adults, $4 for children with a maximum charge of three children per family.