Maybe it's time to look ahead, not back...

So here it is – just a few days from the dreaded Packers-Bears showdown and I, a Packer backer, am going to open this blog with a quote from – gasp – a Bears coach.

               As it has been around the newsroom of the Tel Aviv Times – hold the back page.

               But it’s what former Bears coach Mike Ditka, the last Bears coach who made press conferences interesting, once said, the only people who live in the past are losers and cowards.

               This is why I subtly roll my eyes when newspapers, web sites, stained glass windows, TV news reports, and news magazines bombard us with “highlights of the past year”.

               We get the chance to set the way-back machine to recall the events that some peopled would prefer to forget.  Things like floods, gnats, hail, locusts, public hearings etc.  We’re also reminded of things, mostly bizarre, that some folks said or did.  Really?  Do we need to revisit people’s misfortunes and bonehead deeds?

               It’s also the time of year when we remember the famous people who died during the previous 12 months.  Maybe rather than regale in the faults and failures of people, companies etc, we should look at the lessons of those who died.

               Maybe there’s more to gain from Nelson Mandela than disgraced politicians.  Maybe instead of focusing on the acrimony surrounding projects like Weiland Road and the instant downtown there can be a focus on the positives that can come from compromise and rational thinking.  Well, OK, it’s not all seashells and balloons.

               But perhaps instead of reminding us of the heavy rains that hit the area, we recall the eight first responders who gave up their time to help folks in tornado-ravaged Washington, Illinois, or maybe the fire fighters who gave up their time to do their annual collection for MDA, or the Heart of Buffalo Grove winners.

               It seems to me that maybe the little things that happen throughout the year may actually be the big stories – the ones about everyday heroes. I can’t help but wonder why a death, catastrophe or arrest is what puts people in the spotlight.  It seems to fit the mantra often associated with broadcast journalism and social media – if it bleeds, it leads. 

               And if you’re looking for a New Year’s resolution, forget it.  The endless stream of pieces written about things people resolve to do little more than take up time and space.

               If you want a resolution, just look to Nike.

               Just do it. 

Grocery wars ahead?

What a difference a few months can make.

               Buffalo Grove grocery shoppers, which until recently had limited selection of grocery stores in the village, may soon have a wider variety thanks to the closing of the three Dominick’s stores in the village.

               With Mariano’s grabbing the Dominick’s at Half Day and Buffalo Grove roads there remains speculation and hope that the remaining two sites at Lake Cook and Arlington Heights roads and Dundee and Buffalo Grove roads, would attract new tenants.

               It looks as though the Dominick’s at Buffalo Grove and Dundee roads may become a Garden Fresh Market.  Village officials have confirmed that the Mundelein-based firm has applied for an “an application for Tenant & Use” for the site.

               It will be interesting to see how Jewel handles its new competition.  In addition to Mariano’s and Garden Fresh, the Sunset in Long Grove is a 9-iron shot from the village while the newly opened “The Fresh Market” in Lincolnshire is a par-five from the village.

               I am amazed that grocery stores flaunt “fresh” in their name. Maybe it’s me, but I’m not in the market for dated food. 

               As a friend of mine noted, it seems like more and more consumers are making multiple trips for groceries, almost like they go the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker.  If he’s right, then the Caputo’s at Rand and Hicks factors in because it strives to be a major player in the produce game – my guess it’s fresh as well.
             If Garden Fresh gets the green light and opens at Dundee and Buffalo Grove road, it could make things interesting for Jewel.  If Garden Fresh emulates its Northbrook store, it would bring a very active kosher operation to Buffalo Grove, something Jewel has been trying to do in recent years.  But not on the scale as Garden Fresh.  In addition to have a Chicago Rabbinical Council approved “Kosher Korner” and a dedicated kosher manager – not to mention an afternoon minyan (services).  Calls to Garden Fresh’s corporate office have not been returned.

              As for Mariano’s, they will likely sabre rattle with Sunset and The Fresh Market since the three tend to be a bit more “upscale”.  Despite what has been reported, the Mariano’s concept is not a Bob Mariano idea.  One Mariano’s official told me the store is modeled after Rochester, New York-based Wegman’s.  The chain, which has stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Massachusetts, Virginia and Maryland, features food courts with prepared foods and tables.  They thrive on community involvement and local ownership, similar to what Mariano’s aims to be.

               Other players?  Rumors have been flying about Kroger coming to the Chicago area.  It would not surprise me if Cleveland-based Heinen’s, which has a store in Barrington and one planned for Glenview, would make a bid for one of Chicago area Dominick’s.  Buffalo Grove would be a good fit since Heinen’s does well in suburban areas.   I have visited Heinen’s stores in Cleveland and Wegman’s in both Erie, Pennsylvania and Jamestown, New York, which should give you an idea as to the excitement that often reigns in my life.  Most visits include my mother-in-law, which concerns me because if either Wegman’s or Heinen’s opens nearby, she may be tempted to visit more often.   No further comment.

               In the meantime, the village’s grocery landscape is rapidly changing.  No more will it be two standard stores, but there will be a little variety and competition.

               And who knows, maybe even a minyan too.

              

               

Going the extra miles to help...

So what did you do last week?

               Chances are you rounded you the family for a long Thanksgiving weekend, maybe hung holiday decorations or did some holiday shopping.

               Sounds like a plan.

               Unless of course you were one of 14 members of the Buffalo Grove police or fire departments who gave up their time to help first responders in central Illinois whose lives were thrown into turmoil by the Nov. 17 tornadoes.

               More than just a fund-raising drive, eight took time off and went to Washington, Pekin and Coal City to help fellow cops and fire fighters with getting their lives back in order.

               Wait, is this another blog lauding the efforts of BG’s first responders for their charitable work?

               Damn right.  Deal with it.

               Most of the time their efforts go unheralded.   Fire Chief Terry Vavra will remind residents of the annual “Fill the Boot” drive for MDA.  Vavra and the fire department also were front and center in the war against Breast Cancer a few years ago by having pink fire trucks stop by BG Days.  The fire fighters also sold pink T-shirts and sweatshirts to raise funds to fight breast cancer.

               So it wasn’t a complete surprise when Vavra Police Chief Steven Casstevens told the Village Board Monday night about the efforts of the BG 14 who went with a truck supplied by high school district 214 to the storm ravaged, areas armed with supplies, clothing and $8,600 worth of gift cards.

               The eight who went? Dan Pasquarella, Frank Horbus, Roy Bethge, Hector De La Paz, Michael Rodriguez, Randy Smith, Ross Valstyn and Melessa Horbus. It was no picnic, two videos at this link, BG First Responders help tornado victims, document their efforts.

               They’re not household names as the Village Board or staff may be, but their efforts reflect well on the village.  These are the professionals who respond residents’ call for assistance.  Checking the police report every week, I can tell you their service is outstanding – not to mention their patience.

               The efforts to fund raise or help others are great examples of going above and beyond.  As Vavra told the Village Board Monday night, “They were Told stories by first responders that are Horrific ; the devastation is unbelievable;  I’m glad we can make difference  in their lives in a small way. It shows us this (Buffalo Grove) is a great place to live and work.”

               The accompanying pictures are worth more than a thousand words.  There are just four more needed.

               Great job; thank you.

Unloading supplies from trucks supplied by High School District 214

Buffalo Grove's  Melessa Horbus (far right) with officer Hector De La Paz and Officer Frank Horbus.

Second from left is Pekin police officer Nathan Ujinski.