For You Elgin Residents, What Topics Most Interest You?
As a writer on this platform in order to be "successful," it behooves me to concentrate on issues that relate to my community. That said, I've lived in Elgin for over twenty years and to me, nothing of any note goes on here unless it's something negative.
Read full storyOpinion: Morbid Obesity Will Never Be Beautiful
Whether it's portrayed in a commercial for Dove products, or anywhere else. The other day, I was at our local Jewel-Osco, here in Elgin, IL when I saw a young mother with her daughter waiting to be served at the deli counter. They were right next to me.
Read full storyElgin Man Talks Woman's Ear Off at Local Jewel-Osco
It was an act of kindness that hopefully, he'll pay forward. Disclaimer: This story is a personal one that I hope makes you smile and also, realize that there are people who are lonely and just need someone to "hear them out."
Read full storyCary Man Pleads "Not Guilty" to Child Pornography Charges
A former Community Unit School District 300 employee accused of soliciting child pornography, electronic harassment, and cyberstalking has now incurred additional charges. According to Patch.Com, Donald J. Peters, 34, of Cary, was arrested last month after investigators with the Algonquin Police Department obtained a search warrant and searched his home. At that time, he was charged with nine felony counts, and three misdemeanor counts of child pornography, intimidation, and electronic harassment.
Read full storyIt Takes Some Looking, but Elgin Serves Up a Number of Decent Dining Options
Disclaimer: This story contains some content written by AI. In previous stories, I've been vocal about the fact that, as a longtime Elgin resident, I believe the city needs to step up its game when it comes to dining out, or even, takeout.
Read full storyStreamwood's Ollie's is Open for Business
And I've already been there three times. I never heard of Ollie's stores until I was driving down Barrington Road, in Streamwood, and saw all the construction vehicles in the Westview Center, strip mall parking lot.
Read full storyCanned Soup Doesn't Have to Taste Canned
With a little creativity, you can enjoy a "homespun" and comforting bowl of warmth. The other day, I was pondering how spoiled we’ve become by the ability to find nearly everything online. Like recipes.
Read full storyOpinion: Some Amazon Reviewers Should NOT Take Selfies
No one needs to get that "up and personal." I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’m a beauty product junkie. And, when I’m bored, or my muse has taken a flyer, I spend “quality time” perusing health and beauty products, along with dietary supplements, on Amazon Prime.
Read full storyBored With the Same Old Bowl of Oats? Spice it up!
"Savory" oatmeal makes for a hearty, nutritious, and delicious meal. There are a lot of reasons to eat oatmeal. Because oats are a whole grain, they're filled with fiber, a whopping four grains for half a cup. This helps you feel full for hours, making oatmeal a great addition to a meal plan for anyone seeking to drop a few pounds.
Read full storyCan a Chair Make Your Butt Fat?
I’ve never thought of furniture as something to fear, other than when I trip over a coffee table. To borrow from the great Spencer Tracey in Father of the Bride:. “One is so quick to attribute such things to alcohol.”
Read full storyFlirting at the Gym, a True Story
Yesterday, I went to the gym as I hadn’t been since writing the story about the ass-revealing shorts known as “Scrunch Butt Shorts” on Amazon. As an aside, I encountered another wearer of these buttcrackers. A young woman, who looked to be about eighteen or so, was checking out her sumptuous bootie in the restroom mirror. For a few seconds, she turned this way and that, and then, she allowed herself one last peek and left. The shorts were hot pink, by the way, like a heat-seeking missile for pervs.
Read full storyThe Elgin Fresh Market is Charging $10 for Rotisserie Chickens
That's a hard pass for me. For years, the only meat I consume has been chicken and, I hope to give that up, but, as I've been lazy about cooking in recent months, my go-to has been store-bought rotisserie chickens.
Read full storyEasy Eats in Elgin: Fresh and Tasty Gazpacho
Perfect for the "Dog Days" of summer, and all those leftover tomatoes. Although I’ve never actually made it, the idea of enjoying a chilled, refreshing bowl of what is essentially a Spanish take on cold tomato soup is immensely appealing to me. The prep work for gazpacho, however, is not.
Read full storyOpinion: Women, if You Don’t Want Attention From Random Men, Don’t Bare Your Butt at the Gym
There's a time and a place for "in your face." Warning: The following may trigger a myriad of emotions such as hostility, outrage, and deep denial. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a young woman, early twenties maybe, flounces by you at the gym on her way to the restroom, and your eyes, like a guided missile, immediately home in on her bootie.
Read full storyOpinion: If You're an Xfinity Customer, Note this Dangerous Security Breach
Here's one more reason to bail, aside from inflated fees and lousy customer service. By nature, I'm not a gullible person. Quite the opposite. Yet, I was scammed to the tune of $600 by a scum-of-the-earth team of crooks claiming to be Xfinity staffers.
Read full storyOpinion: Holiday "Fun." The Sound and the Furious
A reflection on the ignorant at play. Last Tuesday evening, as I tried to immerse myself in my latest Kindle Unlimited psychological thriller, I was distracted by what sounded like gunshots reverberating throughout my neighborhood.
Read full storyOpinion: Who Wants to Poop in the Box?
On choosing ease over efficacy. If you’re a longtime CNN viewer then certainly you’ve seen the commercials for those at-home tests for colon cancer. I mention CNN because that network is notorious, in my warped mind, anyway, for airing commercials that make the viewer want to hide under the covers.
Read full storyCooking Easy: Canned Tuna is a Staple in My Pantry and Should be in Yours
Stumped for a quick and easy meal? You can't go wrong with canned tuna. When I grocery shop these days, I often leave the store with a headache after checking my receipt and realizing that I spent $70 and barely covered ingredients for more than one meal. That said, I never leave the store without two or more cans of tuna. There's always at least one brand that's on sale and I stock up so that I'll have the beginnings of an easy, nutritious meal whenever I want. Sometimes, If I want to keep things really easy, I'll just toss a can of tuna with a bag of broccoli slaw and "create" a salad from there.
Read full storyBeauty: DIY Skincare Utilizing Fresh, Simple Ingredients
No parabens, phthalates or chemicals of any kind. I've always loved concocting my own skincare products for a couple of reasons. I know what I'm rubbing into my body and, given the price of many health and beauty items, I end up saving a bundle.
Read full storyThings to Know if You're Considering Moving to Elgin, IL
It's been twenty years and it still doesn't feel like home. Twenty or so years ago, when my husband and I made the decision to buy our first home, we were living in a gorgeous three-bedroom apartment in a vintage three-flat in the Rogers Park neighborhood, of Chicago.
Read full story