February - the start of something new

Days are getting longer, all of the Christmas stuff is packed away - except for that one thing that you forgot - might as well leave it up for next year. To some, February is the doldrum month - gray, still cold, kind of boring - you are ready to start something new.

One of my best newly started February projects was a working book group formed by Laura Birmingham, former circulation manager at La Grange Park Public Library. While in the library one day, I noticed a flyer on pretty paper asking whether I wanted to journey into my creative heart. It being February, and my feeling then as I do now, ready to start something new, I signed up for the Vein of Gold introduction.

Jane Kucera presented what the Vein of Gold is and what it might do for us: it is a book by Julia Cameron that delves deeply into who you are, what you want and where you can go to fulfill your creative self. There were about 30 people in the room and we broke off according to a time and day convenient for each of us to meet.

The journey provided me with personal revelations as well as lifetime friendships. If you do all of the activities in the book, it does take some time - and thought and creativity. The book is divided into 'kingdoms' and each helps lead you to your vein of gold. There is no prescribed limit as to completion of the 'course' - at the beginning, there were 6 of us and we met every week. Two left, one joined, she left and there were 3 of us that went through the exercises each week.

Many people have remarked that the Vein of Gold set them on a new direction. Some say the course changed their lives. Jane Kucera went on to publish her life story.

Our group met once a week for about two hours. Remarkably, in our busy, everyday lives, we each found time to absorb the exercises even if we did not finish them. There is much food for thought in this book. Cameron definitely subscribes to the idea that if you can dream it, you can do it.

Safe in our Homes

I recently attended the presentation at the La Grange Park Public Library about being safe in our homes. Sgt Felix Hernandez started the evening with an introduction of Commander Ed Rampa.

Rampa wanted to quell rumors that there has been a 'rash' of burglaries in our town. Through the internet and the ability of our receiving instantaneous information, it appears that there are more break-ins than normal. The truth is that there is only one more than the normal number of break-ins in la Grange Park - to date, we had had 20; the standard number is 19.

Rampa is passionate about the professionalism and work ethic of our police force. After hearing him speak, all attendees believe that our men and women in blue are out there, know the community well, know the people well and are accessible.

As Rampa confirms: "The reorganization of our patrols has made a big difference. We are much more in touch with what is going on."

Though much of what Hernandez had to say is common knowledge, much bears repeating. Lock the doors, have lights on when you leave, remove the opportunity of a burglar. A person may have the desire, the knowledge to rob your home, but we need to take away the opportunity.

We live in an area where neighbors care about one another; watch out for each other. The La Grange Park Police Department encourages us to call IF WE HAVE ANY SUSPICIONS ABOUT ANYTHING. Do not hestitate to call 911. The non-emergency number that puts you in touch with the dispather at the department is 352-2151. Let the police check out a strange van, car or person that you may notice around your neighborhood.

In the winter issue of The Rose Clippings on page 5, there is a detailed listing of burglary prevention tips. The La Grange Park Police Department provides an in-site security check for homes and businesses at no cost. To schedule an appointment, email Sergeant Hernandez at fhernandez@lagrangepark.org.

Additionally, you may sign up on the La Grange Park's website for email alerts as to what is going on in the village. Go to www.lagrangepark.org for further information.

ice skating

As I was driving down the Woodlawn Lane or whatever we call it - the little passway next to Panera on the way to the Jewel, I was getting nostalgic about ice skating - as kids, we would go down to the park with our skates on (with the skate guards so we could walk on the sidewalks, all bundled up for an afternoon of skating in the ice cold air. I loved ice skating. I grew up watching the Ice Capades.

Just as I was thinking how nice a neighborhood rink would be, there right in front of me was an ice rink - ! The Community Park District of La Grange Park has opened a rink at Memorial Park. The rink is 115' x 65'. A prerequisite for the rink opening is three days of below freezing weather conditions. (yup, we met that this year!)

A green 'flag' at the site will indicate that the rink is open and a red 'flag' will indicate that it is closed. For schedule and rules information go to www.cpdlgp.org (new website) or phone the Park District at 708-354-4580. The Park District after-hours hot line message will also report skating conditions. That number is 708-354-4580 x 300.

Sharpen those skate blades and take a whirl around the Memorial Park Rink - just for old time's sake.

barber shop

My husband goes to an old-time barber shop - Countryside Barber Shop on Brainard and 55th - complete with the striped pole and where he doesn't get his hair washed by a shampoo person. He likes it that way. The other day when he went in for a haircut, the phone rang. His barber answered the phone.

"Barber shop."

"Uh, huh - yup, that's okay if he's old. We take oldsters."

"Uh, huh - yeah, sometimes they're cranky. That's okay too."

"A MUZZLE?!!?? - Here, Joe, take this call."

Joe, another barber, took the call and hung up laughing.

The woman had called 411 and asked for the Barker Shop, a dog grooming shop on 55th in La Grange, close to the Countryside BARBER Shop. She was calling about her elderly, not too friendly dog.

Life in La Grange Park remix

When my column 'Life in La Grange Park' was put on hiatus by the Suburban Life last spring, I was at a loss. I really enjoyed writing the column, it was fun and I usually learned something new. So, I decided to start a blog about the village of La Grange Park - following the format of the column.





I will write stories about people, happenings, events, discoveries. I am always on the hunt for good stories, please keep me in mind - I will post your story here and hope to have many followers.





I wrote for the Suburban Life for nine years. During that time, I loved writing the column. I always had fun and mostly always learned something new.





Please email me at laurie@lagrangeparklive.com. Looking forward to hearing from you !

walking in the winter

This morning while I was out walking Mitch, my dog, I noticed that there were some yak trax tracks. Since we had our first snowfall of the year this past week, and it was frigid, there is still a lot of snow and ice on the sidewalks.

Yak Trax are the best! They are unique traction devices that strap onto the bottom of your shoe. When I discovered them a couple of years ago, we had a very icy winter. Mitch weighs 75 pounds and nearly pulls my arm out of the socket each time he sees a squirrel, so I needed to be stable on ice while walking him. After that winter, I have a pair of winter walking sneaks with Trax that are specially for walking on ice and snow.

I bought mine at the Competitive Foot in Western Springs. They are $29.95 for the Yaktrax Pro - a heavy duty version of the original Yaktrax. Yes, they are available on line and for less money, but when we spend our dollars here in the community, they stay in the community. The owners of the Competitive Foot are neighbors of mine in La Grange Park.