Happy birthday to my favorite uncle

Dear Uncle Sam,

I was in a card shop the other day looking for a birthday card for you.

I saw cards for kids, 20-year-olds, 30-year-olds, and 60-year-olds.

But none for a 238-year-old.

That’s too bad.  I don’t think there’s a person who has an uncle who has done what you, or endured what you have. Even though your image didn’t permeate America until 1916, your message, which is your heart and soul, is 238 years today.

So Happy Birthday Uncle Sam.

I imagine with each birthday you look back on your nieces and nephews that make up this great country and you laugh, cry, worry, and beam with excitement at what lies ahead.

What a family you have.

A family that has loved, hated, fought and made up. 

This has been a heck of year for you.  Just last week you celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the signing of the civil rights act.  Sure, there is still hatred among some people, but at least we recognize the rights of all people.

Last month you beamed with mixed emotions as the allies recognized the 70^th anniversary of D-Day.  You beamed with pride because the America-led coalition stormed Normandy in the name of freedom and peace.  However, you wept as you recall the many nieces and nephews who perished on those distant shores.

You continue to be filled with anguish because we’re still sacrificing our troops – the purest form of American heroes – on distant shores – whether Korean, Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan. You wish the rest of the world would embody some of the fundamental freedoms and principles that you have tried to instill in your American family.

You’ve been busy for 238 years making sure the welcome mat to United States is clean and the doors open for those who come here seeking a better life.  No doubt you grouse when newcomers expect us to speak their language, as they overlook the fact they came here to experience freedoms and opportunities they’ve never had before.  But still, you do what you can to accommodate them.

And while you clean the welcome mat, you make sure the door is kept open for persons who may have been our enemies at one time.  But you try not to live in the past, you are quick to forgive and quick to welcome, perhaps, some may say, to a fault.

As you look at the family album for the past 238 years, you probably beam with how the family has overcome obstacles.  You recall with bittersweet tears how we overcame the Civil War to be united.  You smile with amazement at how during the depths of the Great Depression men were selling apples on the streets to survive, but yet in what seems to be a short few decades, men and women were selling Apples because they were a pinnacle of American technological know-how.

Long before you turned 200 you looked on with horror as JFK and MLK, two voices of hope were gunned down because of what they believed.  You probably panicked in 1968 as the major cities erupted in violence, adding to the turbulence that was rocking America.

But, dear Uncle Sam, you beam with pride at the resilience of your nieces and nephews.  With a heavy heart, you point to Sept. 11, 2001 when more than 3,500 family members died because insurgents resented our freedom and success -- Freedom and success for everyone regardless of their race, religion, creed, sexual orientation.

And while the sense of ensuing unity brought insatiable pride to you, the opening of the 9-1-1 Memorial made everyone realize just how lucky we are.

You’re a great teacher, Uncle Sam.  You teach by example.

I wonder how many people spend part of your birthday cheering for their favorite baseball team with little thought the traditional American pastime is truly American – the rosters of Major League Baseball teams are filled with players from more than 10 different countries.  It’s hard to believe that it seems like only yesterday that Major League Baseball teams were limited to white players only.  It’s also hard to believe that you were only 132 when the Cubs last won the World Series.

It’s fitting, in some ways that your birthday this year is on a Friday because it’s the start of the weekend when your nieces and nephews will take time to worship in synagogues, churches, temples and mosques – a guaranteed freedom missing in many countries.

But not here.  Through it all, the pride and independence that you represent resonates across America for better or worse.  We’re not perfect, but we’re light years ahead of most countries thanks to you and your unwavering support and guidance.

So to my favorite uncle – Happy Birthday.  And thank you.

Because of what you stand for, it’s easy to say “God Bless America.”

Signed,

A grateful nephew

They continue to serve and....

Well it has been a while since we checked in on Buffalo Grove’s finest and the calls they respond to. Here's a sampling of the calls police respond to.  Seriously.

·         Yeah, right, the renewal is in the mail.  A motorist involved in an accident was cited for driving with an expired driver’s license.  The license expired in 2009 -- five years ago.

·         The wheels on the bus?  A Pace rider was asked to leave the bus for using foul language. Police told him to wait for next bus -- or find another way home.  Sounds like a good idea.

·         Seriously?  A resident called police because her neighbor cut part of her grass too short.  Police report that “she was upset” Police told her it would grow back.

·         Seriously, Part 2 -- Police report that a cell phone was stolen from a church. Is nothing sacred?

·         Guess it wasn’t happy hour.  Police report an intoxicated male did not take kindly to being processed at the police station.  According to police reports, he took fighting stand and swung at a police officer.  While being processed, took fighting stance and spit at camera.   Talk about a Kodak moment.

·         Speaking of spitting.  Police report that a man spit on car next to his because he didn't like the way it was parked.  Said he was making a statement.  Seriously.

·         Why does this not surprise me?  Police report several incidents of dog bites at the Happy Tails dog park -- really?

·         Talk about recycling.  A resident reported their mail box missing.  It was located, post and all, found in a mulch pile.

·         Seriously, Part 3.  Police reported they stopped a motorist for texting while driving.  Now that’s bad enough, but the motorist also lacked a driver’s license. 

·         The itsy, bitsy spider.  Folks, I can’t make this up.  Police responded to a case of road rage brought on by a spider.  Seriously.  The female motorists reported seeing spider on an envelope in her car.  Panicking, she three it out the window of her car.   Another motorist approached her car and lectured her about littering and then allegedly verbally abused her and took pictures of her license plate.  The spider was not charged.

·         If you decide to drive after drinking, take into consideration the following:

A woman got stopped for speeding – doing 51 in 35 mph zone.  Big deal, right?  But wait, she decided to, ahem, help the officer.  Since she could not find her insurance card, she told the officer to give her a ticket for not having an insurance card.  But wait, there’s more.  When the officer asked her if she saw police car, -she said yes, but was on cell phone and was also texting.  Being cooperative, she told the officer to give her a ticket for both.

But wait, there’s more.  She told the officer that she wasn’t drinking, but then admitted to having Bud Lights / Coors Light.

Surprise – she did not pass field sobriety test, after which she was taken to station, where, according to police, she started "making odd statements".  Like what, you ask?

"I pay your salary” Even though she’s from Schaumburg.  She then told the officer that he should “rebel against the government".  This was followed by a “heil Obama” comment and a declaration that and she was not drunk because "I'm a 120 pound woman and had three beers".   Must have been a full moon.

·         Draw your own conclusion.  A resident complained to police that she heard “juvenile noise” the night before.  The next morning she reported finding used condoms the next morning.  She discarded them before her children saw them. 

·         If you decide to drive after drinking – Part 2. When a police officer goes to administer a field sobriety test, do not say “no, F^&* you.” 

·         Talk about distracted driving – A resident called about a vehicle traveling at a moderate pace as the driver was on the cell phone. He was driving on a village bike path.

·         Read the fine print – Police were called to a restaurant because a customer did not want to pay bill. The resident brought in two coupons from restaurant.com – Even though the offer said customers could use = only one...he wanted to use two.... was not going to pay due to confusion on web site.  Seriously.

·         And you want the police to do what?  -- A resident called police because he upset because landscaper stuff blew into his yard.  The landscaper agreed to use lawn trimmer next time.

·         Getting forked over – A resident reported that his lawn had been vandalized by numerous white plastic forks.  Seriously.

·         A political statement? -- Someone vandalized a bike path by spray painting the word "devil" on the bike path -- it was on the Elliott Hartstein Trail.

·         Check it out.  – A resident reported to police about a Craig’s list purchase – He purchased a car which needed work.  But there was a reason for it – he found out later it had been salvaged and rebuilt.  Oops.

·         Seriously? Part 4 – Police noticed a home with its doors open late.  It turns out the owner had been out watching storms and left doors open,

·         Write your own conclusion -- A business operator noticed kids with a “large bulge in the pocket of his cargo pants and suspected an attempt to shoplift alcohol.

·         And finally --- A new meaning to suspicious person.  Responding to a report of a suspicious person, police found a man sitting in his car playing video games.  But why?  He told police his wife does not like him playing video games at home, so he pretends to go to the health club and then parks and plays video games.  Seriously.

A chance to not just talk the talk, but walk The Walk

Ah, June….the month that gets Nettie Flower and the rest of the gang from New England pumped up.

                Ah, June….Baseball in Chicago, Stanley Cup hockey – OK -- maybe it’s not all seashells and balloons.

                June, however, is when high schoolers are set free to embark on a litany of activities that generally get them away from academia and the halls of school. 

                But not always.  There’s a group of students from Buffalo Grove and Stevenson high schools that may be enduring their most busy week of the year (academics aside, of course).  Once again, students from both schools are working together to coordinate the “Relay for Life”, a major fund raising initiative of the American Cancer Society.

                This year’s Relay starts at 7 p.m. this Friday at Stevenson High School.  As of Tuesday, the web site for the BGHS/SHS Relay reports that there are 43 teams  participating, which have so far raised $73,017.34  That’s not a bad start, but when you consider the 2012 census puts the population of Big Animal Grove at 41,715, that comes out to $1.75 per resident.  That may buy you a cup of coffee at Starbucks – unless you’re into their fancy caramel lattes with skim milk and extra whipped cream – then it’s a whole lot more.

                The late Will Rogers reportedly once said that America was the only place where a man would drive a Cadillac to the poor house. That may not be possible today not because people aren’t poor, but probably because GM would recall the car before a guy got to the poorhouse.

                Rogers, however, may have been on to something. There are folks who have more than a little spare change who snub a chance to be charitable.  When you look at the work the students from Buffalo Grove and Stevenson high schools are doing – and what they’re doing it for – supporting them should be a no brainer.

                But they’re not doing it alone.   A look at the Relay’s web site, which by the way is http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=57828, will give you a look at the variety of teams that are participating.  The teams represent area corporations, bands, groups of friends and even the Village of Buffalo Grove, which once again has a team in the Relay.

                The team’s captain is Trustee Jeff Berman who takes on that role not because he was asked to, or because he wants notoriety.  It’s because he lost his mother to cancer – 39 years ago – when he was a teenager. So rather than simply recall that his mom died from Cancer, Berman does what he can to not only raise funds, but awareness of the continuing need for research into cancer.

                As of Tuesday, the village team has surpassed its goal of $1,200 by more than $1,800.  A lot of other teams have exceeded their goals as well, but there’s still a long way to go.

                It’s one of the few times when you hear people not only talk the talk, but walk The Walk.

                It’s an easy thing to do.

                Can’t walk?  A little support can go a long way.  Just think of Nike.

                Just do it.

               

Sometimes simpler is better....

If you watched the news on Memorial Day, you saw the exhaustive coverage of Memorial Day events.

Parades, wreath layings, special services.

And while many had the glitz of marching bands, prominent politicians, and floats, they may not have had the home-grown warmth that was reflected at the Memorial Day observance at the Knopf Cemetery. 

Annually coordinated by Kingwood United Methodist Church, the 35-minute program brings together multiple generations from veterans to Boy Scouts and just about everyone in between.

Members of Troop 401 salute the flag

The program proves that you don’t need the aforementioned bands and floats to drive home the importance of the holiday.

In fact, it was Buffalo Grove Board President Jeff Braiman, one of handful of presenters, who hit the nail on then head when he told the 100 persons in attendance that the importance of Memorial Day is not found in at shopping malls offering special sales, but rather in the time it takes to remember and honor the nation’s military veterans.

Joining Braiman in presenting remarks were Lake County Board member David Stolman, and Kingswood church members Janet Kyte, Mark Rhode and Jeff Koppenhaver.  Rev. James Preston presented the invocation and benediction.

One of the coolest parts of the ceremony was the involvement of Boy Scout Troop 401 of Kingswood United Method Church under the direction of Dave Stickley of Kingswood.  The troop, whose members are a blend of diversity that has become the fabric of America today, handled the flag ceremonies, which included the retirement of the cemetery’s flag, the presentation of the new one, the pledge and the flag retirement ceremony.

Members of Troop 401 retire the flag that flew at Knopf Cemetery

More than simple parts of the program, the Troop handled each with the utmost respect and provided insightful information – especially about the flag retirement.

Parades -- They’re fun.

Wreath layings -- Meaningful.

But what can you say about a multi-generation program put together as a community service by a local house of worship?

Just two words.

Well done.

A lesson learned...

The recent explosion that leveled a Long Grove home did more than stir up late-night conversations with neighbors or flood 9-1-1 with calls.

                It served as a wake-up call.  It seems as though events like that happen elsewhere as we watch media reports and think that it can’t happen here.

                It can and it did.

                The Long Grove blast was not in some low-end housing development -- we’re talking Royal Melbourne where homes generally run from $1 million on up.

                Media reports say the explosion, which damaged as many as 30 homes, was apparently caused by a natural gas leak.  There were no reports of serious injuries or fatalities.

                Despite the destruction and damage, the incident did prove that systems for handling such situations worked.  Despite some complaints, the response by 9-1-1 operators worked, even though not the way people thought it would.  Some people seem to think that emergency calls in the village are handled by members of Buffalo Grove’s police or fire departments.

Fire Chief Terry Vavra
(Photo courtesy  Village of Buffalo Grove)

                They’re not.  Buffalo Grove is one of 11 area municipalities that are dispatched by the Northwest Central Dispatch System, which handles emergency calls for a dozen communities.  The system offers a variety of services, including some for residents.  You can learn about the system at http://www.nwcds.org/. The night of the Long Grove blast, it was hit, according to media reports, with more than 1,200 calls from area residents.  No dispatch center can handle that load.  That, however, is the unique thing about the Northwest Central Dispatch System.  When its inundated, calls bounce to other dispatch systems to ensure that a call can be answered and help dispatched – which is what happened the night of the Long Grove blast.

                As soon as the explosion hit, sending shock waves through a wide area, people seem to do one of four things:  1.) Call 9-1-1,  2.) Go outside and talk to neighbors,  3.) go on social media or 4.) Drive up to the site to see what was happening. Options one, two and three are probably the most logical.

                Beyond nearby municipalities, the blast appeared to be felt to the southwest.  Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Terry Vavra speculates that geography may have played a role because of the home’s foundation which had a substantial portion facing the southwest. 

                In Buffalo Grove, the flood of calls sent the fire department to respond to a call stemming from the explosion.  Despite the initial uncertainty of the incident, Vavra said the plan for major emergency events worked as expected.

                Vavra notes that Buffalo Grove is part of MABAS – the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System – that consists of 550 fire departments in Illinois. The departments, notes Vavra, are split into a number of divisions so departments with reasonable proximity can work together.  Buffalo Grove is in Illinois MABAS Region that is essentially Lake County.

                The MABAS program, which got its start after the Chicago Fire in 1871, is a “Standard single mutual aid agreement,” Vavra says.  In essence, he says it provides a predetermination as to how departments will respond to a specific type of emergency.  “We know based on how the cards developed how we will respond and with which pieces of equipment and personnel,” Vavra says.  The cards, known as “run cards”, are the same for every MABAS member so when there is an incident that requires mutual aid, each department knows what kind support it will get or provide. 

                The program, Vavra says, is national in scope and goes beyond local fired emergencies.  He says the consortium of the more than 550 fire departments in Illinois offers agencies the opportunity for enhanced purchasing power, especially for grant-based purchasing.  Vavra says organizations that provide grants see that their support extends beyond a local department. 

                Vavra also notes that MABAS members do more than fight fires. “After (hurricane) Katrina, the governor of Louisiana reached out to other states, including Illinois, and, Vavra says, in a day-and-a-half, more than 300 fire fighters were in Louisiana to help. 

                The same held true this past November after tornadoes ravaged parts of central Illinois.  Vavra said departments Region 4 assisted by manning fire stations in the stricken area.  He said the region sent a couple of engines, a truck, and ambulance along with personnel.  Despite the severity of the situation, Vavra says it went well because there a pre-established plan.

                “This (Long Grove explosion) was not the first time this has happened,” Vavra says, adding that after every major mutual aid call, the region looks at how the process works.  In addition to the reviews, ongoing interdepartmental training is part of the regiment so the program remains effective.

                Which make sense because what has made headlines elsewhere, can happen locally. 

                

They deliver for you...if you're able

                I’m not sure how many times I have been to the Buffalo Grove post office.  Maybe hundreds. 

                But it wasn’t during a recent visit that something sparked my interest.  Perhaps it was a

There are two parking spots for motorists
with physical challenges.

sore shoulder (which, along with my age may qualify me to pitch for the Cubs) that drew something to my attention.  I noticed that the doors to the Post Office seemed heavy – which I probably would have ignored if it had not been for my shoulder.  Then something entered my mind – what does someone who has physical challenges do?

              No problem; I’m sure the other doors are handicapped-accessible.  It’s not.  I looked for another entrance to see if it was set up for wheel chair users.  There isn’t one.

But no accessibility for the physically challenged here...

                So the United States Postal Service, which vows to deliver for you, does so only if you’re physically able to visit one of its post offices.

                In an apparent display of kindness, there are two spaces for persons with disabilities.  Great.  It seems to me that the message is “welcome, park here, but beyond that – you’re on your own.” 

                I was going to talk with the postmaster, but to no surprise, there was a line and it was approaching closing time.  My initial thought was that there had to be some error because how could the United States Postal Service not comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

               

...Or here

It’s easy.  It does not have to.  Seriously.  According to its website, USPS.com, “…The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers private-sector employers while the Rehabilitation Act covers public-sector employers. Even though the ADA does not apply to the Postal Service, the two Acts mirror one another and the same regulatory standards apply…” So I checked it the Rehabilitation Act and to no surprise, there was no clear cut edict.  An Internet search yielded a litany of information about protest by, you guessed it, physically challenged Americans, who were, justifiably, upset because they could not easily, if at all, access government buildings – including post offices.

                The village has long been proactive in addressing the needs of residents with disabilities.  Its mission is “…is to assess the needs and concerns of citizens with disabilities and to cooperate with the village government and all other governments in the promotion of quality-of-life issues for persons with disabilities...”.

                It’s not the village’s fault, or the commission’s “fault” that the post office doesn’t want to deliver for everyone.  There is, however, a bit of irony – the federal government is quick to offer funds to improve things in a village – like road projects – but yet for reasons that are not easily found, it chooses to not be as accommodating for a segment of the population that needs as much assistance as possible.

                The village, as previously noted, has its hands tied because, well, the federal government seems to march to the beat of a different drummer.  While it’s a tall order to expect the Commission for Residents with Disabilities to take on the feds, it might want to send the Buffalo Grove postmaster a copy of its mission statement.  And while they’re at it, send a copy to Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer to let him know of local concerns and that if the Postal Service is going to “deliver for you…” it needs to do so for everyone.

                Whether the commission does or does not is its business.

                But here’s a tip for commissioners.

                Play it safe; send it by Fed-Ex.

Continuing to serve and protect....

And so Buffalo Grove, your police officers continue to serve and protect as evidenced by these gems from the police reports:

Must have been trying to send a tweet -- Officers responded to a call about a suspicious noise on the roof.  Investigators found a bird in a dryer vent.

Oh say can you see?  Police received a complaint about possible/internet fraud after a resident said he approved a transfer of funds to a South Korean company totaling  $54,480 -- for eyeglass wear.

Oopps -- Police received a call from residents complaining that a handyman was at the house ready to do work.  The handyman was reportedly doing work for a mortgage company.  But the homeowners hadn't moved out yet.

Give him A for originality -- A resident who drove off from a gas station without paying said he did so because he was having trouble with the credit card.

You would think she would know -- A woman said she received a call that her grandson was in jail.  No, she said, he was work. 

There may be a better way -- It seems that a resident felt his neighbor's music was too loud and decided to do something about the problem. Police were summoned when the neighbor returned home and found the cords on his stereo cut.  Police suspect the next-door neighbor may be involved.

Danny DeVito, where are you when we need you? A resident complained that he was overcharged for a cab ride.  Nothing new here. However the cab driver told police that the resident fell asleep and he could not wake him up.

Calling Lizzie Borden -- A resident called police saying he found a fire hatchet found leaning against a fire hydrant.  Police did the obvious and checked with the Fire Department.   Nope, they said, it wasn't theirs.

At least it wasn't for their email --- Residents reported the theft of their mail box. Really

Bounced checks?  Police report they were summoned to investigate a theft from Xtreme trampolines

A selfie too?  Someone got a text from God.  Police said the texter apparently had the wrong number.

These boots are made for walking...A woman police to report her daughter's boots were taken.

Going postal?  A resident was asked to leave the post office after raising voice because the automatic vending machine did not give him his stamps.  To no surprise, it took the clerk a while to discuss the matter and check to machine, something which further agitated the man.  Police came -- And by gosh the man was right.

Bill Gates it ain't -- Caller said he was from Microsoft and could clean up person's computer for $179 via remote access.  Scam.

Yah mon, you're a winner. --   A man with a heavy Jamaican accent who identified himself as John Walker called saying he was from Publishing Clearing House and had a prize for the resident.

Just how long was it there?  Woman reported her car was missing from Metra station.  Police found it -- In the parking lot, which is where the woman had parked it.  The car was complete with a fresh coat of snow.

Patience...patience...patience -- or lack of -- A neighbor broke door down his neighbor's door wanting to know why owner did not answer.   The answer was simple, he was in shower.  The angry resident wanted to know why he was running the water and said he would kill the neighbor if he did not turn off water.  Really.