April 2009 Archives

This week while reading a magazine in Barnes and Noble at the Promenade, I came across an article about a celebrity and her charitable organizations. Some might so, "Oh no, not another celebrity and their charities." Or, "Oh yeah, they're rich of course they can give."

As we see people across the country suffering, I've been thinking about the whole issue of giving. In an economy like this, there's definitely the inclination to feel as though we can't give, because our own needs are standing like lamppost before us.

When we feel as though we're in need, we close down our outflow, and I'm sure we've all heard that outflow determines inflow. I've found this to be the case in both my life and in the lives of people around me.

When I look at everyday people, people that I know who are always giving I find that they're rarely in need. I have a girlfriend who hasn't worked in years, but I have never known her go without anything. She's constantly giving cards and gifts to her family and friends.

And I have a neighbor on my block who is constantly giving without ever asking. One day I was having a conversation with him and I mentioned that I needed new tires for my car. About a week later, he showed up at my front door with four tires. Every time I see him, he's giving. And once again, he doesn't seem to be a man in need.

I used to think that giving consisted of going to church and putting my offering in a tithing plate, or finding an organization that I trusted. In truth we can give to the person right next to us, because giving is giving. And it doesn't always have to be in the form of money. We can give the gift of time, thought, prayer, or just an encouraging word, especially during this time.

There are so many places and ways that we can give right here in Bolingbrook. Take a look at Bolingbrook Community Television for the different non-profit agencies in the area, or volunteer at local organizations such as Bolingbrook Park District, Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital or Humane Haven Animal Shelter. Or just consider giving to a neighbor right here in the Brook.
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I was in my children's school this morning. As I was signing in, a little boy walked up to me and said, "Hey, I saw you in the newspaper."

The little guy is a student in my son's class. And he was quite surprised when I turned and said his name. He didn't know that I knew him. I try to talk to my kids about all of their relationship in school. It's just a thing that I do.

But as I walked away, I thought how my children must feel to have a mother who is a reporter. I've always been a reported and they've always seen my name in the newspaper. I often share that part of my life with them.

Right now we have a chance to share with our children what it is that we do for a living. Career Day is happening throughout the Bolingbrook School District, and they're looking for volunteers.

I know there may be some who will feel as though you don't have the sexiest jobs on the plant. But at least you've got a job, and I'm sure your child would be proud to have you stand before his or her class and share your work life. So consider taking the time to be a part of Career Day. The person, who will benefit the most, I assure you, will be your own child.

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If you're a gardener, you've probably already done your preparation work.

I consider myself a gardening wannabe, meaning I've read a lot, but I haven't done a lot.

This weekend, my sister and I visited two Bolingbrook gardening nurseries, Home Landscape Materials located at 751 N. Bolingbrook Dr (Rt. 53) and Johansen Farms, located at 680 N Bolingbrook Dr.

I found Home Landscaping to be the Mecca of all shrubs and trees. I've been driving past that place for months says, "I've got to go there." Well it was worth the stop. For the novice landscaper, they've got every tree under the sun (no pun intended). And I found their staff both helpful and informative. They gave me the "101" on scrubs.

Then we went right across the street to Johansen Farms. The colors of their nursery flowers were almost blinding. I have never seen so many bright beautiful and healthy flowers all in one place. We really got the sense that they care about their plants. We also met a Johansen employee name Patti, who walked us all over the place showing us what plant, grows best where.

So, now I feel like the gardening professional.

If you're looking for healthy hearty shrubs, now you know where to go. And if you're looking for rich vibrant flowers, you also know where go. And when you get there, tell them Lively in the Brook sent you.
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Now that Easter dresses and egg hunts are behind us, Easter and spring generally signifies a new beginning. And here in Bolingbrook, we're kind of experiencing our own new beginning. We have new school board members and our mayor is entering a new term. And in the state of our economy, newness is highly desirable right now.

I called Mayor Roger Claar to see how he plans to start this new period in the Brook. And I found that he has taken a pause, a vacation, no doubt to rest and fortify himself for the challenges of leading Bolingbrook through the recession. He stated in an earlier interview that several new companies were coming to town, and would be giving jobs to some of our residents. Hopefully, that will be a promise kept.

And on the topic of newness, I was reading a woman's magazines and I found an article on the current state of women's employment. The article stated that this economy is a time for new beginnings for women, a time for us to "reinvent" ourselves.

I thought to myself, "Wow, what an interesting way to think about this period in our lives, where there's so much uncertainty lingering. This particular article showed several different women who had developed businesses in the "green" industry. One woman had created rubber sidewalks and another had developed an organic skincare line.

As I thought about it, I could feel how stabilizing and powerful the word felt. Not to be all philosophical, but whether you're a man or a woman and you're unemployed or in a state of transition, and if you can think of it as a time to reinvent yourself, or as a new beginning, it can perhaps give you the legs to stand-on and make a better decision about what to do next.

After being challenged for the first time in many years, perhaps Mayor Claar is also thinking of this as a new beginning, as a time to take Bolingbrook into even more growth, to bring those promised jobs, and even more to the area. If this is the case, then all of us in the Brook are headed for a new beginning. See you around in the Brook.

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Did you know that the village has over 450 acres of natural land?

That's a lot of land.

I like to think of myself as a natural enthusiast.

I always have my antenna up for issues and news relating to the land.

Not to mention that I recently saw the movie "Knowing," where the earth's ozone layer was shattered and life as we know it was destroyed...but that's another story.

But right here in our own backyard, our own land is managed by Stewards of Natural Areas in Parks ( SNAPS), a volunteer group that works to restore and maintain all of the Bolingbrook Park District natural areas.

Currently the group is concentrating on the Winston Woods area, in east Bolingbrook, where there's an overgrowth of invasive mustard garlic, a fast-growing plant that smells like garlic. The group was there earlier this month and will return again on April 18.

"We're pulling mustard garlic," said Alice Eastman, superintendent of natural resources. "It's a good opportunity, especially for young kids. We tell them; if it smells like pizza, pull it out."

Many volunteers use the events as a way to fulfill service requirements for school, scouting or church groups. Volunteer groups can range from 10 to as many as 60 people. Helpers will also work to collect native seeds and remove litter. And anyone under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

If you're interesting in lending a hand, contact Alice Eastman at (630) 783-6570, or visit www.bolingbrookparks.org
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As I've been out walking my mother's dogs this week, I've noticed a great deal of dog feces in the park and in the common areas around my home. I see the signs warning against failure to pick up ones dog's poop.

I often see people in the community walking their dogs. Some have doggie bags and some don't. I fully understand that few enjoy picking up dog poop, me being one of them. When I have to do it for my mother's dogs, two dogs that I love dearly, it causes me to question my dog loyalty.

And we've all had times when we've perhaps left the dog bag at home, and looked around to see if someone's watching as we walk away from the mess. And there's rarely a cop standing near-by to say, "Hey, pick up that poop!" But perhaps we should say that to one another, because there are many dangers to leaving dog poop on the ground. It attracts rodents, kids can track it into your home, and dogs can get terribly ill when coming into contact with the feces of other dogs.

So the next time you're on a dog walk. Don't forget your bag, or somebody might yell at you saying, "Hey, pick up that poop!"

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I took care of my mother's dogs this week. And it got me to thinking about Bolingbrook families and their pets. How are families supporting their animals during this recession? What I found out was both encouraging and somewhat discouraging.

"We're finding that more people are coming to us in what we call owner give-ups," said Ken Teppel, spokesperson for the Bolingbrook Police Department. "We're seeing an increase, which is good and bad. It's heart breaking when people turn over their animals, but it means they're being responsible," he said.

The police's animal control division takes animals under extreme conditions, such as when a family is evicted or someone loses a job. The department attempts to place the animals with local shelters like the Naperville Humane Center and Bolingbrook's Humane Haven Animal Shelter.

Animal Control has seen a 25 to 30 percent increase in relinquished pets. When owners give up their pets to the department, they're asked to sign an agreement stating that they're giving up rights to the animal. This is to protect a potential adopting family. Also relinquishing owners often provide an animal's pet collars, leashes and animal papers. Which is helpful to an adopting family.

Even during this economic state, adoptions are still happening, said Carlotta Cessna, founder of the Humane Haven Animal Shelter, an organization that stresses quality adoptions . Her agency still manages to adopt out about two or three dogs a month as well as about 10 cats a month, which is roughly the same numbers before the recession occurred. "I thought adoptions would drop off, but they haven't," she said, "So far, so good."

Humane Haven holds adoptions hours where potential families can meet the animals on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m.; and again on Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. for cats at the Bolingbrook Pets Mart, located at 159 N. Weber Rd, and for dogs at the VCA Bolingbrook Animal Hospital, located at 570 Concord Lane, Bolingbrook.

Adoption fees are $100 for cats and kittens, $130 for dogs and puppies. The fee covers many of the animals' medical expenses such as veterinary examination, spaying and neutering, micro chipping and distemper vaccinations.

The shelter takes a financial lost with each adopt so it holds regular fundraisers to recapture the cost. It will hold its annual Extreme Bowl on Saturday, April 18, at 9:30 p.m. at the Bolingbrook AMF, on Boughton Road, and a "Painting with Your Pooch" arts and craft event, on May 3. If you're interested in adopting an animal, call Humane Haven at 630-378-4208, or visit online at hhas.org.

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