Mouth By Southwest

If a pregnant woman on bed rest can fight for our state parks, we all can.

While doing interviews for today's story on Morris officials fighting our Governor's attempt to close 11 state parks, I spoke with the woman who started the online petition.

The petition, which can be accessed here, currently has almost 1,500 signatures and has been posted for less than two full days. I am writing this on Wednesday so by the time you read this I'm betting it has over 2,000 signatures.

I usually love long drives, especially when I am alone in the car. I get to do things like blast music and have my own American Idol tryout in the front seat, or allow my mind to wonder to places that my daily schedule doesn't allow.

But most importantly it is just some me time where I can enjoy the scenery and my air conditioning. Yes I said air conditioning, not the wind in my face.

I am not an open window driver. Sure it is ok for short drives, but not for road trips. It is too hot outside and the wind is too loud and I can't hear my self sing.

But on this trip I wasn't in my little modern Scion TC. No I had to take my boyfriend's 13-year-old, loud, Dodge Dakota because I had to bring up a piece of furniture.

No Scion meant no air conditioning, which was OK for the ride up because it was night time. But horrible for the ride home during the day Monday when it was in the high 80s.

My boyfriend on the other hand had my car Monday and didn't put the air on once. He tells me I am spoiled. Which may I add was the wrong thing to say since I was extremely crabby because I was covered in sweat and smelled from my five-hour car ride.

In addition I received a speeding ticket when I was driving too fast in effort to bring more wind through the windows. Yes, this is the excuse I am sticking with.

So, is this a spoiled girl thing, as my boyfriend puts it, or is this a normal person thing?

I maintain anyone in their right mind prefers air conditioning over windows. Please share your thoughts, but please note this does not include convertibles or nice, COOL days.

Your input will be very helpful in my attempt to prove to my boyfriend that his lovely girlfriend is not spoiled. And that we must replace his truck with a newer vehicle that has working air conditioning.

It's not just freshmen who are rooming the halls of Morris High School getting to know their new stomping ground.

The school district hired four new teachers this year and sent out a brief bio of each that I will post below.

If you see these new people make sure to say hello, welcome them to Morris and thank them for taking on a job to help shape Morris High School students into well-rounded adults.

With Bucky Covington coming to Corn Festival, Grundy County has really made it big...even bigger than Mary Kate Olsen's bad taste in fashion.

On TMZ.com today Grundy County has been introduced to the gossip world. TMZ is gossip and celebrity news Web site.

It features a cut out of Bucky holding a corn on the cob with a map of Grundy in the background. The short article titled "Bucky Covington is Huge. . . Somewhere," pokes a little bit of fun at the "American Idol" runner up and Grundy's Corn Fest for making arrangements to move the venue in order to fit the expected large crowd.

See my original story here.

As a woman in her mid-20s it is guaranteed I will attend at least one wedding or baby shower a month throughout the summer.

The more I climb into the 20s the more of my friends, co-workers and family members are getting married. Off the top of my head, so far I have been to five showers this summer and I have three weddings to attend in the next month - two of which I am a bridesmaid.

At every shower you receive a token of the bride or mother-to-be's appreciation. Some of the common ones are a picture frame of the couple, mints in a princess slipper, or cookies in a cute trinket box.

I'm a fan of the edible treats since I'm usually starving when I arrive, and dinner is most likely going to be another hour. I'm even OK with the picture frames because even if I'm not close with the bride and groom, I can replace the picture.

But there are others that are so useless that I'd rather the host just leave me a thank you note on my plate than give me their favor.

Elvis served food and even sang some tunes at Culver's in Morris Aug. 12 in hopes of raising money for Angels of Hope.

Culver's donated 10 percent of its proceeds to the group during the three hour fundraiser and this resulted in a gift of more than $200.

The information below was sent by the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

"If you've been curious about Curves in Morris or just want to know what they have to offer, then stop in on Aug. 27 and 28. Curves will have an open house so you can take a peek.

Curves provides an exercise and weight control program designed specifically for women. Whether you're interested in getting more exercise for health and general condition, or want to lose weight or tone your muscles, Curves can help you establish a regimen to help you meet your goal.

Curves' exercise program consists of 30 minutes of exercise three times a week, during which participants work all major muscle groups and receive a great cardio workout. It includes all five components of a complete exercise program: warm-up, strength training, cardio, cool down, and stretching.