Aurora doctor: 1918-type pandemic less likely now
I am intrigued by Swine Flu. While some people are near panic and others ignore it -- for me the idea that something like this will kill millions is simply a question of time. Naturally, I don't want to see a repeat of 1918, when between 30 and 50 million people worldwide died of influenza.

Importance of past reflected in Native American presentation
Samhain -- or Halloween -- is when the veil between the worlds of the past and present is thinnest. It is the time when we remember ancestors and others who lived before us. But for Marjorie Waheneka, every day is a remembrance of those who went before and the way they lived.

Resale store helps workers as well as its customers
Since we're all looking for bargains these days, I thought Aurorans would want to know about the Two Rivers Head Start Resale Shop at the corner of Sullivan and Randall Roads. It has a variety of child and adult sizes, including kids' Halloween costumes. I've always been impressed at how clean and well displayed things are at Two Rivers.

AU soccer donations help save a bit of the world
Aurora University sees the education of men and women of equal importance. Unfortunately, not all people do. In the Yao culture of Mozambique in Africa, girls are sometimes pressured to cease their education and get married as young as 14 because their parents can no longer care for them in their crushing poverty. That's why Aurora University recently donated soccer equipment to a group called Malo Ga Kujiliana in the Nomba village in Mozambique.

Batavia's Campana building turned into haunted factory

First, zombies took over Aurora’s Riverfront Playhouse. Saturday a haunted factory is opening in Batavia. Halloween can’t be far! The West High Stage Crew is collaborating with All Dressed Up Costumes of Batavia to create “The Crypts of Campana” at the old Campana Building on the northwest corner of Route 31 and Fabyan Parkway.

Mutual Ground walk vital to reduce domestic abuse
When you are in an abusive relationship and can't imagine how to get out, hope can be hard to find. As we saw in the Oswego murder/suicide that took Kari Clawson's life on Sept. 8, too many of these stories end tragically. This is why Mutual Ground sponsors the "Walk for Hope" each year.

Home brew to save money and go along with the grain
Tom Fitzpatrick of Batavia said "Home brewers are notoriously cheap," when I asked him about the idea of brewing one's own beer to save money. If you're looking for standard light beers, then commercial fare will do, but if your tastes run toward more interesting craft beers, home brewing can save you significant money.

Want a good man? Seek out an Eagle Scout
How do you recognize a good man? One place to look is among those who hold the title Eagle Scout. Promising to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent, an Eagle Scout only earns that title after demonstrating that he values hard work and citizenship by earning merit badges in such things as first aid, personal fitness, communications, emergency preparedness and citizenship, then organizing a major community service project and passing a board of review.

References to Nazis have no place in civil debate on health care
Make no mistake, there is evil loose in the world. We saw it eight years ago today when planes were flown into the Pentagon and the Twin Towers. Those acts of terrorism can be called by no other name but evil.