Metering is ON

lenhoff

Pat Lenhoff biography

Pat Lenhoff has resided in Vernon Hills for over 3 decades and has been writing her column since summer of 1998, precipitated by the departure …

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The readers take over

Today, readers take the wheel with commentary about some stories we’ve discussed as well as new territory unexplored. First up is a short but sweet note from John Heinz, Director of Public Works for the village of Libertyville. You may remember that John and the …

Don’t forget Earth Day

In these turbulent times -- with almost everyone struggling to maintain some semblance of success, happiness and security -- it’s understandable that we focus tightly on those issues. As a result, many other seemingly less-pressing things get put to the side. With recent research reporting …

Golf is not as swinging as old days

It wasn’t that long ago when golf courses geared up at this time of year for a full season of duffers, scratch golfers and wannabes. Many a business pitch was made on the greens of a well-manicured course, or in the clubhouse afterwards. Foursomes competed …

Ineffective teachers should be weeded out

Ah yes, sweet serene spring break! It’s here, unbelievably, in the middle of summer -- or so it seems, given the amazingly unseasonable weather we have been enjoying. This is also the time that teachers often are notified as to whether they will be coming …

Green is the color -- and not just for St. Paddy’s

Now, you might think, based on the title of this week’s column, that the ‘green’ I am referring to is in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. And you would be at least partly correct. Not only the day dedicated to celebrating my heritage but also …

Is privacy a thing of the past?

I don’t know why I’m on Facebook. I am not computer and technology-savvy. I don’t love spending face time at the illuminated screen until my eyes glaze over. I hate the games. Hey, just give me some updated pics and blurbs about the people I’ve …

Improve roads or keep natural habitats?

Much has been written lately about the most recent discussions regarding roadways in the area. Traffic logjams, bad road conditions, expansion to ease congestion versus preservation of natural habitats. The subject might quiet down for periods of time, but it never goes away. It often …

No typical day for Heinz, Libertyville Public Works

Today in our series of “Have You Met?,” I’d like to introduce you to John Heinz, Libertyville’s Director of Public Works. Some time ago, he sent me a letter that Public Works received from a young admirer, who thanked the department staff for all their …

Did you perform a random act of kindess?

Today we once again visit the land of Loose Ends & Random Ramblings, a vast domain comprised of those little pet peeves or asterisks after the meat-and-potatoes issues, which may not shape our lives but certainly add flavor. In the lead-off spot is a question …

Rankings important -- but at what cost?

It would be hard not to know about the drug probe issue that has been going on at A.E.Stevenson High recently. Initially at least one suburban-focused daily newspaper buried the first story on the bottom of page four, a move that brought at least one …

How my Valentine’s Day has changed over 40 years

On Feb. 14 we celebrate Valentine’s Day, often viewed as a changing of the guard from dead of winter to the remote scent of spring. So far this year, it hardly feels that we deserve to celebrate that seasonal shift, since most of winter has …

Strange weather reminds that nothing is permanent

I’m pretty sure that most of us, ski and snowboarders being the exception, are loving this winter’s weather. Sustained mild temperatures, a minimum (so far) of snow, and the ongoing seven-day forecasts continuing to show mild 30-40 degree weather during the time that we normally …

Didja ever wonder ...

Hard to believe that it’s almost time for the Super Bowl; it seems like just a week ago we were shouting “Happy New Year”. Am I complaining? No way, we have been unbelievably lucky so far this winter, escaping all of December and much of …

Local readers take the floor

Today I step back and let you, the reader, take the floor and have your say about local issues. But first I have to say that I was contacted by many readers to let me know that Mariano’s had in fact moved the piano and …

There will always be some form of distracted driving

Lately, much press has been devoted to the increasing problem of distracted driving, in particular the use of cellphones by drivers. Horrible scenarios graphically portrayed in online videos show carefree teens texting one minute and broken and bloodied the next, victims of their own distracted …

Time to upgrade Hawthorn mall

And so it begins. The start of a nice long string of boring, nothing-to-do, nowhere-to-go days and nights. A crackling fire, good television back on the airwaves, enjoyed in pajamas with no company due to visit, just the family alone once again, back in the …

New Year’s Eve may be end of an era

As is true in the vast majority of homes during this busy holiday season, time seems to fly by and suddenly all we see are the red taillights of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Day. Often, much as I am ready on Jan. 2 …

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