patching...
Update: Do you receive our Vernon Hills Patch email newsletter? It's free! Click here to sign up! »
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Opinion

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Win Free Tickets to See Don McLean and Judy Collins at Ravinia!

Just sign up for our free daily newsletter and you'll be entered into the drawing for tickets to their June 6 show.

Returning hit-makers Don McLean and Judy Collins open Ravinia's 2013 season on a double bill early next month, and we want you to be there! McLean’s 1971 hit song “American Pie” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and he was inaugurated into the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. Known for her blend of folk songs and contemporary themes, Collins has enjoyed a career that has spanned over 50 years. She continues to produce new music and recently released her album Paradise, a collection of songs and duets. We want to send you and a friend to their show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6 for free. All you have to do is sign up for our free daily newsletter.  The deadline to enter is 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, when we…

LaVerne

8:50 pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2013

If your already signed up for newsletter are you entered in the Contest?   more ›

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Sunday Comic: All Eyes On the Tea Party Graduate

Some people are destined to draw more attention than others, apparently.

Comment_arrow

Tired of the B.S.

10:23 pm on Saturday, May 25, 2013

Sully, No, your question was why did Reagan get a break. For crying out loud....you asked it , not me. If you wanted to ask about Iran-Contra, you should have. If you don't even understand your own questions, how can anybody else? Maybe you have been hanging around with Butch too much. Since you seem to be fascinated with Reagan, I remind you that it has been over 20 years since he was President …   more ›

Friday, May 17, 2013

Jewel Repeals Mandatory Cart-to-Car Service

Patch readers had a lot to say last month when asked what they thought of a new store policy in which baggers were obliged to follow customers and their carts out to their vehicles whether they wanted help or not.

If you've avoided shopping at Jewel-Osco for fear of being awkwardly trailed to your car by an employee, you're not alone, but there is good news. The once mandatory policy created by Jewel's new owners, Cerberus Capital Management LP, has been repealed. A statement on the store's website says the cart-to-car service will still be offered to customers, but it will no longer be forced upon them. Parts of our customer service philosophy are things that every grocery store should do, like ensuring the stores are clean, the shelves are well stocked, and asking if you need help finding an item. Now, we’ve expanded our service to include taking your groceries out to your car. And, if you don’t want or need help, that’s fine too. Many customers …

Theater Review

Authentic 'Stella & Lou' Makes Case for Second Chances

Northlight's comedy-drama takes us on a masterfully acted, well written tale of two people who have experienced loss but are finding the courage to open their hearts again. It features Rhea Perlman and Francis Guinan.

  When life and love have punched you in the heart and left you sprawled on the sidewalk, is it really possible to pick yourself up and expose your tender feelings again to the possibility of new love? Though it's cloaked in comedy, that's the central question in Northlight Theatre's Stella & Lou. This beautifully-constructed play, in which playwright Bruce Graham tempers his musings on loneliness and courage with quick-witted comedy based on human vanities, is a marvel in itself. With Rhea Perlman, formerly of the TV show Cheers, bringing out Stella's warmth, wise-cracking and down-to-earth compassion, and Steppenwolf Theater Company veteran Francis Guinan exploring the nuances of Lou's reticence to leave the past behind, it's clear 10 …

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Tough Week? Here's Some Inspiration to Get You to the Weekend

It's been a long week. You need a pick-me-up.

Friday's here. Thank goodness. One more day of work, and that's it. Here's a little inspiration to get you through to Saturday.  For more than a month now, Patch and Grape-Nuts have teamed up to present stories about your neighbors, neighbors who have faced challenges that would seem insurmountable to many of us.  But not to the people we've featured in this series, Journeys. Not surprisingly, the stories have generated dozens of comments on Patch and on Facebook: "Great story..." "Thanks for sharing..." "So wonderfully inspiring..."  And, so, here they are again. Great stories shared to inspire. Take a look at what these people have faced. Then click on the story to see their responses. And feel better about your tough week. Pit Bull …

Comment_arrow

Jason Akai

6:58 am on Tuesday, May 21, 2013

GOM - you're right. The worst part of the Patch is comments. You find me a feel good patch article, and I will show you a list of people who are angry about it. People just like to vent, I suppose. Its easier to do behind an anon name.   more ›

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Wi-Fi on Metra Trains: Pricey, but Worth It?

Why doesn’t Metra have wireless internet on its trains yet? Mostly because it would be enormously expensive and a technological challenge, too. But should they?

Should Metra get Wi-Fi? Even if it’s expensive and hard to implement and maintain?  The commuter-rail network is considering the possibility, the Chicago Tribune and other news agencies report, but price and technology continue to be two major barriers, despite that a DePaul University report shows 48 percent of Metra riders use personal electronic devices during their commutes.  According to the paper, it could cost over $70 million to install wireless internet on all 11 Metra lines over five years—though some of that could perhaps be recouped by paid plans or sponsorships—and there’s a fear that the technology might quickly become obsolete or go unused by customers who prefer other connectivity, like smart-phone hotspots or air-cards. "(…

Comment_arrow

Walter White

9:44 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013

Metra ought to stay out of the phone business, and focus on the train business.   more ›

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Angelina Jolie Undergoes Preventative Double Mastectomy

Jolie announced Tuesday she underwent a double mastectomy to prevent her chances of breast cancer. Her likelihood of developing the cancer was at 87 percent. Tell us what you think about Jolie's decision and announcement in the comments section.

Actress and director Angelina Jolie announced today in a New York Times op-ed piece that she recently underwent a double mastectomy to cut her chances of developing breast cancer. Jolie wrote she decided to receive genetic testing since she was at a higher risk of breast cancer — her mother fought the disease for almost a decade before dying at age 56 — and because she wanted to make sure she would be there for her children, according to her New York Times column.  Jolie said she carries a "faulty" gene, BRCA1, which raised her risk of developing breast cancer to 87 percent, according to the Associated Press. After having the double mastectomy, her chances of developing breast cancer dropped to five percent, according to the Associated …

Comment_arrow

Ziva Green-Kredow

2:17 am on Friday, May 17, 2013

As a BRCA1 mutation carrier and FORCE sister, I thank you, Heather, for all you do for our high-risk population. BRAVO to A.J.   more ›

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Sunday Comics

Sunday Comic: Obama Labels Illinois a 'Disaster'

April showers brought flood of problems to an already troubled state.

Butch

9:27 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Pending Approval Butch 4:13 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 U LOG CABIN LGBT SISSIES have not even appeared in a IRS HEARING! if the IRS was serious they would examine their taxes and have the State Dept revoke their passports. No more of those Swiss jaunts, The tax avoiders are going to run their 40th vote ag Baucus ACA NITWIT HE WROTE IT and got 5 million in campaign fundraising for it and now is…   more ›

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Sunday Comic: Can Iron Man Obama Rescue the Country?

Where's a superhero when we really need one?

Butch

12:30 am on Sunday, May 12, 2013

and a third, I am starting to think they cancelled the welcome wagon! Pending Approval Butch 12:26 am on Sunday, May 12, 2013 Ahh the good ole daze! We have the have's, the have mores, and the have a liitle wannabe's who with 5 Black robes decided the very lazy black, seniors and trailer trash in Dixie making 12,000 a year are not even going to get any health care despite the INS-PHARMA ACA. so …   more ›

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Sunday Comics

Sunday Comic: Check Out the George W. Bush Presidential Library

A trip to the newly unveiled Presidential Center in Dallas could leave a visitor in shock and awe.

Comments on this post are now closed. All you have to do is read a few to know why. Sweet fancy Moses.

McCloud

7:21 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013

Dick Durbin is the worst of the worst. Anybody who voted for him should be asking for forgiveness.   more ›

Got a Hot Tip?