I'll always carry God's message
I feel like an open book. I feel like I know you and shared my life with you, but with time comes change. With the new format of The Herald-News, the Common Sense columnists are being asked by management to focus on local matters.

Hearing loss my senior moment
A nother challenge of becoming a "senior" is that your hearing isn't what it used to be. What to do about it?

New water rates leave us soaked
'W here are you?" I yelled from the top of the staircase.

My special, talented gymnasts
C hicago may not have won the Olympics bid, but there are some special athletes in training for gymnastics in Plainfield.

Freedom comes with flu
R ight now I have three jobs in three different places. Well, four, if you count this column. I also have three children. Two of my children are in "The Nutcracker" this year, which involves multiple rehearsals, meals on the run, plenty of time in the car, lots of sewing, cajoling and consoling.

Give us all facts on flu outbreak
B y now, you've heard about H1N1 virus or swine flu, as it was called in the past. You can't help it. News about the virus is -- literally -- everywhere!

Two notable veterans to honor
O ne of the powers granted to our government in the Constitution is to "provide for the common defense." Since 1787 Congress and the president have used citizen soldiers to defend our country's interests during peace and war. Local veterans Jim Policandriotes and Paul Kaupas are two such examples.

Take a stand against bullying
B ullying. It's a subject we've all heard a lot about.

Bishop urges prayer for health care reform efforts
R espect Life Sunday was Oct. 4. Symbolic cradles and small crosses stand in support of the unborn, made vulnerable by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade.

Quinn fights MAP cuts he made
For weeks Gov. Pat Quinn has been speaking at colleges and universities across Illinois, encouraging students to lobby lawmakers to reinstate funding for the Monetary Award Program. MAP grants provide financial assistance to students from low-income households, but the program's budget was recently cut in half, leaving 137,000 students without assistance for the spring semester.

Not ready for chickens
While I believe fellow columnist Rey Flores has very good intentions and is a responsible pet owner, I cannot agree with him concerning ownership of chickens as being a good thing.

Time to talk chicken in Lockport
Why did the chicken cross the road? To live in Lockport, of course!

Health plan too taxing on me
An article from www.medicalnewstoday.com states, "Doctors and drug company executives say current reform legislation doesn't do enough to fix the problem of rising costs in the U.S. health care system or encourage healthier lifestyles."

Walk to protect women, children
A remark yelled by Richard Gere in "An Officer and a Gentleman" came to mind as I scanned the walkathon flier in my hand. Gere had exclaimed, "I've got nowhere else to go!" It mingled with another innocent snippet of conversation I overheard as a father and daughter rode by on bicycles; "What if you didn't know the way home?" the little girl asked.

A passion for saving our country
Look in the mirror? Apparently, that's what I'm supposed to do because I and many others have "crossed a line" with our political speech. We've crossed from political apathy to a passionate campaign to save our country. You remember our country, don't you? The one created 233 years ago?

Bring on more noise if it means White Castle, too
The New Lenox Town Center is officially under construction. The 72-acre site near Route 30 and Williams Street in the village will feature a Walmart Super Center, Menards and at least the following: White Castle, Auto Zone and Discount Tire. Previously I referred to this development as the Recession Center, where you can always find low prices, repair your home yourself, down a Slyder and buy oil and a filter.

Cut back on crime reports
The Herald News will usher in a new format on Monday. We've been notified by mail of the changes, and I'm looking forward to reading it. I expect it to be smaller, and I look forward to carrying it more easily.