This, from a friend in Colorado. He ought to be working for a Chamber of Commerce...

Holidays 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide us with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of our country's economy. This year could be different if we give the gift of genuine concern for our neighbors. 

Isn't it time to think outside the box? Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese-produced wrapping paper? Everyone gets his/her hair cut. How about giving gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who want to get or keep in shape.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed?  Small, locally owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Do you have a big gift budget?  Perhaps a gift recipient would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or some rounds at the local golf course.

There are so many owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your parents, kiddos, friends aren't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast place? This isn't about big national chains -- this is about supporting your home town neighbors with their financial lives which are on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by a local working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom might LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

Computers can always use tune-ups, it seems, and I KNOW there are young people majoring in computer sciences who need extra cash for tuitions or owners of small computer businesses where there's someone who's struggling to get his repair business up and running.

If you're looking for something more personal, how 'bout checking local craftspeople who spin their own wool and knit them into scarves or make jewelry, pottery, notecards with original photos?  These are just a few suggestions.  The list goes on and on.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre?  Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house?  Why not use those bucks to tip the mailman, trash guy or babysitter?

Let's think about a new holiday tradition--a simpler one, less materialistic, that helps our neighbors and allows us to be a part of our country's recovery.

Happy Holidays!

Something I might add to this is to give of yourself. There are many lonely people who appreciate sitting down to a dinner with a family. A note in a Christmas card offering a meal a month with someone who lives alone can be the greatest present of all. An offer to give rides to appointments or for shopping trips can mean so much to someone who can drive but would love to have company when shopping at the grocery store or somewhere else. I can only tell you the rewards you get from doing these things are immense.

"Victory or Death"

Thanks to the reader who included this link to a speech by Newt Gingrich in November 2009.

I encourage you to watch this again.

www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=qtjfMjjce2Y

Missed a week, and WHAM!

There are some really nice people in the world, and I would like to thank all of you who have written and called me and thanked me for keeping Beth's name in the news for the past 19 months. You all are all the more appreciated after today. I realize I missed writing about Beth last week and also today, and I thought maybe no one had noticed (or cared).

And just now I found out that someone does care. She wrote:

"Dear Gus,
You don't need to know who I am but you are very sick individual for constantly having to get your nose into other people's business. It's disgusting to think that you have no relation to Beth and yet you write about her and her family every week. Drop it. It doesn't concern YOU or anyone YOU care about. Your over 50, go move to Del Webb and get a hobby. Your BS and slander is the fact that you have nothing better to do than to keep getting on Beths case and her family. Why don't you put yourself in the families shoes and then think about what you say. Josh is a very sweet, kind, caring, loving, respectable, and RESPONSIBLE individual. Stop thinking you are high and mighty because you sit behind a computer and talk about other people's lives like it's nothing. Seriously old man it's about time you find something better to do than waste all your time (the time you do have left) on other people's personal business. You have many enemies my friend and don't think that someone won't do something to you one day. Whether it be revealing one of YOUR secrets or YOUR families just be aware of your surroundings. One thing is for sure Gus, what goes around will come back around and I can tell by your cocky attitude that you will be bitten 10x harder and you will get what you deserve.

"PS. I don't know if you remember deputy but libel and slander is illegal and that's exactly what your doing because YOU have nothing to do but ASSUME things and spread it like wild fire"

Shall I provide the email address through which she wrote?

Give your opinion to the Northwest Herald today (Sunday)

There is a reader poll on the online version of the Northwest Herald today regarding a fund to provide services to developmentally-disabled persons in McHenry County. I believe this would be a 377 Board.

This would be similar to the 708 Board for provides funding for the McHenry County Mental Health Board.

Please go to www.nwherald.com right away (today, Sunday) and vote in the reader poll at the bottom right of the homepage. (I have suggested to the Northwest Herald that they move the poll up to top right, where readers would find it, but they must like it where it is.) As of 7:07PM only 249 readers have voted.

Here's their question today: "Would you support a local tax for the developmentally disabled?"

The property with a blanket question like that is this. How much of a local tax? Some people will say No to any tax. Others would be willing to pay a tax, but not over a certain amount.

How much is the current tax for the 708 Board for mental health services?

Advice for "Occupy" Protesters

Marybeth Hicks (www.marybethhicks.com/) has some great advice for the protestors who are personally responsible for disrupting the economy with their stupid protests. Can you figure out where I stand on this?

Check out her website for her advice. She asks, "Who parented these kids?"

In summary, it's 

• Life isn’t fair. 

• Nothing is “free.” 

• Your word is your bond. 

• A protest is not a party. 

• There are reasons you haven’t found jobs. The truth? Your tattooed necks, gauged ears, facial piercings and dirty dreadlocks are off-putting.

The 99%-ers won't like this

Check out Bill Whittle on Afterburner about the "Occupy" protesters' problem. I think he gets pretty doggone close.

It's not long, but perhaps every American, young and old, should watch this. Especially the younger generation. And those who don't want to watch it. Make 'em watch it. Shut off their iPhones; take away the TV; make 'em sit still and watch it. And then discuss it.

www.youtube.com/embed/OAOrT0OcHh0?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent

Ticketing expired plates within 1-2 days

Is it any wonder that the public is beginning to hate cops? What is it that cops do to earn the dislike of the public?

One of the things is writing a ticket on the 1st or 2nd day of the month for expired license plates.

The driver gets a $120 ticket.

Now, why wouldn't a vehicle owner renew license plate registration in time? Could money be a reason? Maybe not having the $99 right away? Or at least not until the last payday of the registration period, when suddenly it's urgent, not just important?

The State of Illinois allows you to renew a license plate without financial penalty within 30 days after expiration. Some people mistakenly believe there is a grace period for tickets, too. There isn't.

An observant cop has the legal right to stop a vehicle with expired plates. No question about that. But to write a $120 ticket to the driver? On the first or second day of the month after the plate expiration?

When tickets were $25, that's one thing. For many people, $120 is a lot of money. For some people, it's a LOT of money. And, if you are unemployed or a person with low-income, it's an IMPOSSIBLE amount of money.

And, if you go to court to fight it - and lose, the court system is going to tack on $100-150 in court costs. So the pressure is on the person to cough up the $120 to avoid the gamble of losing.

What would be the harm in issuing a Warning? Some drivers don't realize that the plate has expired? Why not give them a penalty-free five days to go into the DMV and get the current tag? Is there really great harm to the public in doing this?

The only loss is the $120 revenue to the court, out of which a municipality (City of McHenry, I'm thinking of in this case) probably earns $20-40.

Of course, the cop could have required the driver to park the vehicle, or the cop could even have had the vehicle towed. So he did give a break to the driver and should be thanked for that.

Have you ever gotten a ticket for an expired license plate? How many days into the next month were you?