Just a phase: The three 2018 moons we’re about to experience

We’ve all wondered what might happen once in a blue moon or stared up at a harvest moon, reflecting on autumns past. But did you know that each month’s full moon has a name?

After my Instagram and Facebook feed lit up this month with a strange amount of mentions of the Harvest Moon, I decided to take a look.

This year, we’ve still got three to go: the Hunter’s Moon (October), Beaver Moon (November), and Cold Moon (December).

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Two Sun City houses catch fire in same week, lightning strike repsonsible for one

A fire destroyed a Sun City townhome on September 4, and its effect will probably be felt by residents of Neighborhood 8 for many months to come.

The blaze, which neighbors and witnesses reportedly said was accompanied by sounds like explosions, occurred in a six-pack cluster of townhomes in the 13400 block of Michigan Avenue, in Neighborhood 8.

At a cross for words

Kathy Weinberg has been solving crossword puzzles for over 30 years. Her husband Roger became interested in the activity and so it began.

“I started working with Roger on the New York Time’s Monday puzzle. Monday’s version is the easiest and they get harder each day and Sunday’s puzzle is huge,” said Kathy.

Soon, however, the couple would do more than solving the puzzles.

Getting jolted by a lightning bolt (or two)

You would think that almost being struck by lightning in the morning would be the most exciting part of your day, wouldn’t you? I would have thought so, too — until it happened, and it wasn’t.

Village reveals details about new firehouse

Sun City sends about 35% of the paramedic and fire calls made annually to the Huntley Fire Protection District.

About one year after Sun City opened in April, 1999, the fire district built what is now called station 3, located at Regency Parkway and Farm Hill Drive. This location is about one city block from Sun City’s eastern boundary and has been the primary source of fire-rescue service to Sun City.

Animal House Shelter receives special donation

For her 7th birthday party, second-grader Victoria Gore decided to give gifts to the Animal House Shelter rather than to get them for herself.

Why?

“Because I want to make sure the kitties are healthy and have everything they need, including toys to play with,” she explains.

How’s my Driving?

Did you know that the number of Americans, age 65 and older, has grown from 35 million in 2000 to 49.2 million in 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau? With the average senior living longer today, a tremendous increase in older drivers has occurred on our country’s highways.

Fall into an adventure this season

On September 12, I received a text from my daughter Sarah. It read ‘A few of my friends and I are thinking about going to a concert this weekend.’ Without hesitation I responded ‘Great! Have fun!’ as soon as I hit the send button, I realized I should have answered a bit more cautiously. I quickly texted ‘Where is it?’

‘Colorado’ was the answer that followed.

Running back to safety

This is a story about football violence and the leadership of an American President.

First, a question: What U.S. President has been called “our first athletic President?”

I’ll give you a clue – he is known for his contributions to a sport, not because he was a great athlete.

The Wife: Stay home

This gets one star only because of Glen Close, who gives us an Oscar worthy performance as the wife, lost in the throes of a forty year marriage slowly going astray. This might have been a two star movie because of the fine acting all around, but the profanity blew the story out the door for us.

Gifford’s… not Kathy Lee

“What’s in a name”?

“You can’t judge a book by its cover”.

These two sayings apply to the restaurant we are reviewing today. The building’s exterior does not do justice to the beautiful wood accented interior. We are referring to Gifford’s Kitchen & Social in Elgin. Dining Duo Useless Information: This restaurants namesakes, Hezekiah and James Gifford, founded the city of Elgin in 1835.

Both the village and area developers have been talking together for the past year about the future of the now-vacant property. They agree on the need to redevelop it into something financially and commercially viable. But there are varying opinions between the property owners and village officials regarding exactly what to do.

Are those abs under your shirt or ads?

During my senior-year high school art class, I would almost daily ask the teacher for the bathroom pass, but instead of heading to the bathroom, I’d pass them up and head straight for the cafeteria with a pocket full of money and several snack orders from other students. I’m not sure how I got elected to be the official third-period snack runner, but it became my job.

The Craftsman hammerhawk lesson that will outlive Sears

When I read that Sears was closing still more of its stores nationwide, my nostalgia gland ached just a bit, because once long ago I learned a valuable life lesson in a Chicago Sears hardware department.

When I was a kid, my philosophy of life was: “Let Someone Else Break It.” It worked like this.

There are the White Sox and Red Sox, and then there are Chuck Hund’s socks

Baseball uniforms are unique for teams in the majors, minors, Little League, t-ball and Sun City.

The uniforms here in Sun City reflect the generous sponsorship of the community. But nothing is as unique to baseball as the stirrup sock.

Chuck Hund, a team member for the Capitals, is known for the variety of Socks he wears to the games.

Coffee sessions focus on giving residents a voice

No one can say that the Sun City Board of Directors isn’t trying to communicate with residents.

The board recently expanded its written communication with residents through the Lifestyle Magazine and the community website, with more detailed reports on board meetings, more details in the staff’s weekly e-mail messages, and similar initiatives.

Board discusses range of topics from lightning safety to insurance

Topics ranged from lightning warning, insurance policies, parking lot improvements, and a refuse and recycling contract, among many others, at the Sun City board of directors meeting on August 22.

The following is a report on discussions held and actions taken by community directors.

CPR: Knowing the lifesaving basics

My high school girlfriend’s 76-year-old husband suffered 5 life-threatening incidents recently. The former Chicago gym teacher had suffered a pulmonary embolism causing his heart to stop 5 times. Thank goodness he was in a medical facility at the time and was rescued at each of the occurrences through the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Last Chance to see Old’s Cool this season

If you were one of the hundreds of people who enjoyed dancing to Sun City’s favorite party band Old’s Cool at either Fountainview or at Drendel Hall in August, you won’t want to miss their show at Trio Grille in Marengo on Sunday, September 30, because this will be your last chance to see them this summer and fall season.

Searching – a technical marvel

Written and directed by Aneesh Chaganty, the movie uses a decidedly different technique to present its story. Ninety percent of the film is seen on computer screens, as the principals use Facetime to communicate. If you’re not accustomed to spending time on your laptop, this may become a little more than you want to deal with, as Google searches, emails, texts, and Facebook pages are intermingled with computer screen conversations. The technology used is well past anything I am familiar with, but is fascinating to watch.

Whatever the season – it’s okay

My son, Christopher, was hospitalized recently. While any hospitalization is concerning, when it is a child and involves a two-hour ambulance ride in the middle of the night, it can be particularly frightening. On the second day of the hospitalization, between sitting by his bedside, running to Starbucks for some caffeine, and texting worried family members, a message popped up on my phone: ‘Everything is OK.’

Where’s the ‘Grits!?’

When we were reviewing Niko’s Tavern & Neighborhood Grill in Campton Hills, we drove by a little place called Mel’s Diner. Could this be the place where the 1970’s sitcom “Alice” was filmed? Will Mel and Alice be inside? Would Flo be there yelling “kiss my grits”? Inquiring minds want to know.

Ask the Woodchucks: Refrigerator Preventative Maintenance

There are several areas of a refrigerator that need to be maintained to keep it operating properly.

Ask an Angel: September 20, 2018

Are there specific tests for Alzheimer’s disease?

Hang Your Hat: September 20, 2018

Letters for the week of September 20.

Tipping your hand

Sun City resident Anne Fortin knows how to beat the odds.

“I worked for Hollywood Casino for 5 years. I was hired in June 1993 and received 8 weeks of training and received certification from the State of Illinois. I was trained on blackjack, Caribbean stud poker, and the roulette table. Blackjack is the most popular table game. When you sit down at a blackjack table and face off against a dealer, you are playing the best odds in the house.”

Proudly Serving the Community of Sun City in Huntley

Proudly Serving the Community of
Sun City in Huntley