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Some local New Year's wishes

The presents are opened, the decorations might even be put away. Just a few days ago, a new year dawned, shiny and bright. With it came the realization that the first decade of the 21st century is nearing an end! Was it really that long ago that we flipped from the 1900s to the 2000s?

Here are some local New Year's wishes:

For all residents, a desire that you put your tax dollars to good use. Visit the Geneva Public Library and borrow not only books, but also music and movies. You'll save a bundle over purchasing the books, or renting the movies. Participate in storytimes and special events there. Go sledding at Wheeler Park, or Fabyan Forest Preserve. Check out the Fabyan Windmill. Walk along one of the river paths or meander through Peck Farm Park. I recently spoke to a young mother who's been here in town only a year or so. She loves the park district programs, she told me, and thinks we have an outstanding park district with much to offer. Take that as a recommendation from someone who has experience with a different district.

Speaking of Peck Farm, Geneva Park District residents can get fit AND put their tax dollars to work by purchasing a pass to use the indoor track at the new Stephen Persinger Fitness Center at Peck Farm Park. You can even see the park from the windows. The pass? A mere $5.

For students and staff at Western Avenue School, the resilience we all know you have to cope with a new setup in the wake of the recent fire.

For our talented Geneva High School students who will soon be participating in all-state theater and music activities: a big round of applause.

For all our local high school students, success on upcoming final exams. And for you Geneva high schoolers, a wish that you enjoy the granola bars the PTO hands out on the first day.

For all Geneva students at all levels, success and enjoyment during the rest of the school year in whatever venue - beyond academics - you choose, whether it's athletics, music, writing or participating in a service club, to name just a few.

For all those looking to be healthier, a spot - but not mine! - on an elliptical trainer or treadmill, plus the mindset that exercise will always be a part of your new and healthy life.

For political junkies (and I count myself among them) still jittery with the letdown associated with finally having a decision, a cup of decaf and enjoyment in the extra time no longer spent scouring various Web sites.

For those now fascinated instead with the trials and tribulations of our illustrious governor, Rod Blagojevich, new Web sites to find and new blogs on which to leave comments.

For everyone, hope and change that the new administration lives up to the hopes and dreams of so many.

For all those who have been downsized, a new job soon.

Each year I hope, for our college seniors, fat acceptance letters from the college of their choice. I still do, naturally. But I also wish, for those who do not receive the hoped-for answer, the realization that there IS a place for everyone, an institution of higher learning where you will thrive, grow and learn.

For those same seniors, and all others in college: enough financial aid to pay the ever-increasing tab.

For college seniors, an improved job market and a welcome to the big wide world of working, and an alarm clock to get you up before noon.

For our aldermen: shiny gold stars for good attendance at City Council meetings, in the wake of the defeat of a proposal to tie pay with attendance.

For all our elected officials, a big bottle of pain reliever as you try to meet the challenge of providing more with less. To our school board members, let's add appreciation for acknowledging these hard economic times, in delaying any referendum to pay for new facilities.

Also, for those same board members, a personal wish that when those facilities come up for a vote, that you include a new auditorium to replace the inadequate, lecture hall-like facility that currently exists at Geneva High School. Do our children who participate in the arts not deserve as nice of facilities as our children on the athletic fields?

For lovers of winter sports: a continuation of snowfall for sledding and low temperatures for skating.

For the rest of us: clear roads, cleared parking lots and warm coats.

For our city snowplow drivers: rest for the weary.

And for myself, beyond the usual platitudes of good health and happiness for all my family, I wish for a clean office: tidy, all files in place, and an e-mail inbox without 5,000 (5,700, really) messages. It would be my own fresh start. (And that start starts now. I'm starting small, trying to trim at least 100 messages per day from that overstuffed inbox.)

Whatever your wishes, big or small, here's hoping they come true. Happy 2009, everyone.

Facebook, anyone?

I'm looking for adults over the age of, oh, at least 40, who have Facebook pages - and who actually use them! Please e-mail me at bbales10@ameritech.net for a possible future column.

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