stanford
Leave it to politicians to decide when spring is near
Last week we saw a hint of spring and the warmest temperatures we’ve had in months. Though brief, the warm-up conjured up thoughts of springtime. Most of the 20.3 inches of snow dumped on Groundhog Day by Mother Nature are gone. I guess I’m desperate …
Stash of cash in car just doesn’t add up
The legal battle over the $190,040 confiscated from Jesus and Jose Martinez by astute Aurora police officers and drug sniffing K-9s last October is likely to continue into the near future. The good news is that the city of Aurora will not be held in …
Can we agree to back away from consensus candidates?
A substantial number of former Chicagoans make their home in Aurora and west suburban communities, and as Chicago’s longtime mayor Richard M. Daley prepares to leave office, interest in Chicago politics is intense. When I attend local functions and encounter Chicago transplants, they long to …
New Year’s resolutions for dummies
OK, let’s get this out of the way: I resolve not to write another column about New Year’s resolutions until 2012. As far as personal resolutions are concerned, I sometimes think, who really cares? I mean, aside from the person making the resolution and people …
Elizabeth Edwards no conventional political spouse
People connected with Elizabeth Edwards’ courage and candor. It was as if she was showing us how to prepare for the difficulties that are part of the human condition. I don’t think it’s overreaching to say that on Dec. 7 Americans were moved by her …
Talk to children about economy, how it affects even them
Editor’s note: This is the last in a series of columns from Tony Stanford related to child nutrition, healthy food accessibility and hunger. Over the past few weeks, I’ve written about issues related to hunger, nutrition and poverty. It’s rare that a day goes by …
Hoping negative campaigns stay in rear-view mirror
When A. Ray Lambson said in a letter to the Los Angeles Times more than a decade ago, “I don’t believe the Democrats or Republicans are lying to us, I think that every dirty, rotten, lowdown thing they say about each other is true,” it …
Unappetizing school lunches a thing of the past
Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of columns from Tony Stanford related to child nutrition, healthy food accessibility and hunger. School lunch has come a long way. A few days ago, I had lunch at West Aurora High School where even the …
‘Skillets’ relevance shines in these hard times
In her book, “After Great Pain: A New Life Emerges,” Diane Cole said this about artists: “The artist’s struggle to transcend his pain can become the seed for many others’ hope, transforming a personal journey into a vision for us all.” If you have not …
Local hunger stats aren’t easy to stomach
Hunger, poverty and homelessness have a firm grip on communities across the country. The prolonged recession, job losses and foreclosures are hitting the collar counties hard. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, poverty in Illinois has increased 24 percent over the past decade. And get this: The number of Americans living in poverty has climbed to an unprecedented 14.3 percent, and rising exponentially in Illinois.
Child nutrition at forefront for schools, leaders
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of columns from Tony Stanford related to child nutrition, healthy food accessibility and the painful issue of hunger. In the tradition of our nation’s first ladies, first lady Michelle Obama is championing an issue important to …
Group works against black homophobic ideals
Ostracism of gays and lesbians is pervasive and occurs in every race. Recently, bullying caused one young man to commit suicide when his sexual encounter was broadcast over the Internet. Gay teens attempt suicide at four times the rate of heterosexual youth. Today’s column focuses …
Clerk hopeful makes a point to stick it to them
A while back, I was on pins and needles after playing an extended game of phone tag with my friend Mavis Bates. It’s all because I’d heard this rumor that she was running for the office of Kane County clerk, and it just didn’t add …
Praise cop’s off-beat approach to gangs
Reaction to Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis’ decision to meet with gang leaders brought anger, praise and speculation. It seems to me that anyone angered by this is politically or selfishly motivated. Frankly, some appear more interested in advancing their agenda and celebrity than getting behind serious-minded efforts to end the killing. There, I said it.
Remove N-word from American vocabulary
Dr. Laura Schlessinger's repeated use of the N-word on her nationally syndicated radio program revived controversy about its use. Here in the Fox Valley, the response has been heated but respectful. You'd think that Don Imus, Michael Richards and Duane "Dog" Chapman, bounty hunter, had …