Snow and Wilmette Sidewalks

Many years ago the Village of Wilmette plowed sidewalks. They stopped a couple of years ago, and after many howls by the citizens, began again. But what happened? Following the snow on Saturday only the sidewalks of people with snowblowers are clear. This is basic stuff; I can't figure out why suddenly plowing a sidewalk became too difficult. The issue is basic services here. We used to have trash collection twice a week, and it was included in the taxes. Now it's once a week and charged on the water bill. (That's how they keep taxes from rising more than the citizens can endure.) Mayors of cities have learned what citizens like best are basic services. Why can't our village learn (and apply) that?

Web Tourism and Temptation

My latest web tourism resulted in a great find: a Finnish blog with a wonderful picture of a snowman and other snow pictures as well. I know it would be wrong to right click, save, then post the picture up as a picture of me, on "my profile," but I have to admit the temptation is stong. So if you would like to see how I would like to look to the rest of the world, you will have to scroll the "tammikuu 18" post. Cute, huh? Meanwhile, not much happening here in Wilmette, and with energy prices soaring, I am grateful for the unseasonably warm weather.

Web Tourism

If you like web tourism, clicking on the "next blog" at the top right hand on this page can be a great way to use all of your vacation time and then some. For example, today I discovered a great place to add a clock to a blog or a website. Or, if that's too tame, perhaps a visit to undersea Timor might be to your liking. All this web travel can keep your mind off the fact that the current warm weather in Wilmette may shortly turn to snow.

Barbie's Wardrobe Malfunction

Worrisome and disappointing news. Our old pal, Barbie, the doll with an outfit for every occasion, has really goofed. Seems that Barbie's failure to have a hijab has put her out of business in the Middle East, where imposter Fulla is selling like crazy as a present for Eid. If clothes make the woman, no one has been as versatile as Barbie over the years. Somehow Barbie failed to get the memo on this one, but the Chinese factory that supplies both dolls is blissfully manufacturing away. Frankly, Barbie, I'm disappointed in you. But its not too late! Quick, will you PLEASE consider covering up right away before Mattel loses France, too? Frankish Fulla just won't work there--her lack of your clever sense of style is likely to distress those jeunes filles who could do a side-by-side comparison here.

Parking Roulette in Downtown Wilmette

This bit of gossip you will love. Apparently there is a new, high-tech way to monitor parking in downtown Wilmette, where parking is limited to 2 hours. Until recently, the police chalked your tires to monitor cars that had not been moved. Now they read your license plate into a scanner, and parking is divided into zones. A couple of hours later, the parking officer drives by again and re-scans the license plates. If the same car appears in the scanner in the same zone a second time, BINGO! You get a parking ticket! Now only one problem: suppose you run to the dry cleaners or to get a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Then you go home or to your office, get your work done, and go back to the village to buy--say--some vacuum cleaner bags. The first time you park your car is scanned. Then, after you return, the parking officer comes by for a second time, scans your car, and gives you a parking ticket! That is sure to make your day. Meanwhile, the Village Board chronically complains that they cannot attract enough people to do their shopping in downtown Wilmette. With shopper friendly policies such as these is it any wonder people want to buy what they need on the Internet?

Beyond our borders--help from Cyberspace

Needless to say, this blog details a bit of my loss of faith in the political process. It never fails to amaze me how government--or its officials--continues to reinvent itself to thwart the will of the People. This is not a good thing. Eternal vigilance may be the price of liberty, but it is wrong that in a democracy that we have to be on Orange Alert at all times. At least, that is how it seems in Wilmette with our local government. But hope spring eternal. You can read a great story about how people are moving beyond government here. You will be comforted by the fact that occasionally people can get work done without the government being involved at all!

Lords a Leaping - Happy Tenth Day of Christmas

Happy tenth day of Christmas! Unfortunately the continual merry making of the twelve days of Christmas has been somewhat slowed by the need to get a little work done.

I do have a concern, however. It's never been clear to me whether the gift of ten lords a leaping is just a gift of a single performance, or whether those lords just come leaping over to your house and stay permanently. So if your true love sends over a present for the tenth day of Christmas today, could you let me know?