Julie Hamos is a long-time state representative from Evanston, Illinois who is preparing to run for…read morestatewide office. Julie began her advocacy work in Springfield in the 1970s and later she authored Illinois' first domestic violence laws. Julie has pursued a career dedicated to public service, with a commitment to give back to America after escaping with her family from Budapest in the midst of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. She would be great for Illinois!

Don't roll your eyes; don't say 'she should be writing about great places for a martini'; don't say…read more'this makes no sense; Christmas is months away'. Well, you're going to thank me; have I got some info for you. My folks live near the prairie path and obviously it goes from here, to wherever. We were always charmed by the personally decorated trees along a way that we've walked the dog, jogged, and released frustrations. Well, when my father died recently I went in search of how to reserve a tree for him, in a special spot. It led me to the V.P. C of C. The woman who handles this was so kind and helpful: she lined us up for next year. But that's cuz I didn't know any better. If you're interested, a fresh pine with lights (donated) is yours for the decorating for 39.00. You can also choose a personalized sheet (they laminate it) for your tree; this nice woman sets it up. They go up typically around Turkey Day and come down the week after New Years. Usually, you reserve your tree in September or so. It isn't very often that you can tip your whatever at public servants who unselfishly do things just to make a family happy. What a doll!

Howard, as the Executive Director of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce, not only cares about his…read morechamber members, but also about the community he serves. Through Howard's effort, the Skokie Chamber has become one of the premier Chambers on the North Shore. Howard has made significant contributions to the LeTip business leads sharing group that he and I belong to in Skokie. I highly recommend Howard Meyer and the Skokie Chamber of Commerce as a powerful business partner and network referral source!

Carl von Linne was a Swedish botanist and physician. He is known as father of taxonomy for his work…read morethat he did categorizing plants. He formally categorized by binomial nomenclature, which is the modern system of naming different organisms. The Carl von Linne Monument was originally in another location in Lincoln Park. It was moved in 1976. It is a replica of an older statue found in Sweden. He holds a book and flowers which reflect his research and contributions to science. He also promoted breast-feeding. At the time, it was very common for upper class families to employ wet nurses to feed their babies. He observed Lapps families, noting how healthy their babies were. Based on this observation, he recommended that women breast-feed their own babies, as opposed to employing wet nurses for nourishment. His friend Celsius invented the scale for measuring temperature. Originally 0° was boiling and 100° was freezing. Carl von Linne inverted the scale to how it is used today. A very prolific life. Interesting to find this monument while walking on the University of Chicago campus.

About a month ago I got stopped for blowing through a stop sign. Now anyone who knows me well knows…read morethat I am an almost excessively law abiding citizen, but truth be told , I made a mistake. Today was my day to appear before the powers that be, to be doled out my judgment in the eyes of the law. Christopher went with me in case my knees turned to jelly, when facing the judge, We went through the security check (be prepared for lines) and made our way to the courtroom. I checked in and sat down to wait my turn. To be honest, watching all the characters come and go was like a floor show. I could have sat there all morning and been totally entertained. Then came the news that they could not find my record. Of all the folks in the courtroom, apparently, mine was the only missing file. Go figure. Well, eventually they found my file and I was called up in front of the judge. With knees knocking, I awaited my fate. Well, not only did the cop not show up, but the district attorney did not have my info on the docket. The gods were merciful and the judge handed me back my license, dismissed my case and returned me to my status of law abiding citizen. It was a good day in the City of Chicago.

So, I got pulled over in Lakeview because my trusted internet directions were wrong. I totally made…read morea left hand turn, while on the phone in the rain. So okay, I was in the wrong, I'll admit it. But the police officer gave me 3 tickets, 2 of them were bullshit. And on my court date, I go- on time and everything, go through security sit in the court room, really nervous but It was so fun! It was just like being on Judge Judy, expect you cant hear as well- so it up front. My courtroom had like 4 accidents, so my room was filled up with people in various casts/ body braces, etc. Then theres the traffic lawyers- it must be what being a dentist is to being a doctor- in the "law" field. The traffic lawyers looked pathetic, with their (i assume) cheap suits, mega comb overs and GIANT brief cases of folders. Anyways- I got off with just paying the court fee but feeling like a total bad ass.

This review is for my voting experience on March 17, 2020 at the Gage Park Polling Place, 2411 W…read more 55th Street. There were a lot of complaints about voting this time due to the Coronavirus issue (usually there is just general complaining). Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly the voting went. My neighbor and I arrived around 9:30 am. There was a table for people who are just registering that day to vote and another table for the registered voters - - that was the table we wanted. There were two judges by this table and we were able to sign in immediately. Both judges were very nice and the female judge told me that I would like the voting machine this time better than the one last time. She was right! She came over to the computer and enlarged the print for me. I really liked this computer - - I think it was a giant sized tablet. Oh, there were plastic gloves at the table if we wanted them. I didn't really look around for hand sanitizer because the restroom was just outside the voting room. There was soap and even paper towels! (At least in the ladies room) My only complaint is that the voting room is in the basement and you have to walk down a long staircase to get down there. As I was making my way slowly down the stairs, a senior gentleman was slowly making his way up the stairs. He asked if they have an elevator - - a question I have asked in the past and learned that they don't. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, another senior was taking a deep breath as she grabbed the handrail to make the long walk up the stairs. There is a shorter set of stairs if you enter the building thru the back door, but on occasion in past years the voting was in the auditorium on the main floor - - but I guess that would make it too convenient for the voters. The basement location of the polling place is the reason that I deducted a star. The voting experience itself wasn't too bad. It was quick because there were only a few people that I actually wanted to vote for, a few offices for which I voted for what I considered a lesser evil and a lot of offices for which i didn't bother to vote because there was no lesser evil or even opponent in some cases! Anyway, it turned out to be a pleasant voting experience--what a nice surprise!

SUGGESTION: Election…read moreJudges should: 1. be awake even when the polls open. Coffee should be provided. 2. be a cut above a McDonald's drop-out. 3. know alphabetical order. 3. know the difference between a first and last name. I was 5th in line to vote this morning when the polls opened at 6:00 a.m.. My election judge was a sweet old gal who asked me how I was feeling this morning; I said I was fine and asked her how she was feeling. She lamented that "dis baby ain't had no joe yet." She was looking through the voter registration rolls with great frustration. "Baby, I cain't find yo name." "Why not?" "Ain't no Michael's on my list like dat," (pointing to my first name on my drivers' license). "Hun, that's my first name. You have to look under S." "S for Michael?" No, baby, dat wrong. Yo name start with M." "But my last name starts with S. You have to look under S." "Oh, yeah." She looked more. Couldn't find it. She was looking at the Sx's, Sys and Sz's. My last name is an Sw. "Hmmm, not there." "You're looking past the W's." Staring. Flipping through the pages. "Yo name start with S." "the Sw's, hun. She found it, finally. "Damn, no lie. Oh. There it is." Get dis baby some joe!