http://nwherald.comThe latest news from the nwherald.com websiteen-usIn newsrooms across the country, journalists like me – the ones who actually remember dummy and paste-up days – are working with an enthusiastic younger bunch who’ve grown up with the Internet, blogs and the like.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/11/19/r_aivosjdpt2mjsb0duitkyw/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/11/19/r_aivosjdpt2mjsb0duitkyw/index.xmlFri, 20 Nov 2009 07:15:00 GMTThere were many things that made my early childhood nearly perfect.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/11/12/r_oqxgcjkyrx6v5bjwrg5nq/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/11/12/r_oqxgcjkyrx6v5bjwrg5nq/index.xmlFri, 13 Nov 2009 07:15:00 GMTRetailers are losing no time putting out the red, green and glitz for holiday season 2009.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/11/05/r_xbxitphgqeez_yonkqhb4q/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/11/05/r_xbxitphgqeez_yonkqhb4q/index.xmlFri, 06 Nov 2009 07:15:00 GMTFrustration was rampant among McHenry County College students and many of their parents Thursday as computer server malfunctions, phone line freezes and lengthy lines made for a not-so-smooth start to the spring 2010 registration process.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/10/29/r_wohwcx7q7mqemxkp9izla/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/10/29/r_wohwcx7q7mqemxkp9izla/index.xmlFri, 30 Oct 2009 06:15:00 GMTEven those who never boat on the Fox River or Chain O’ Lakes would be hard-pressed to deny their local economic impact. http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/10/08/r_drmqskjosiuxwnknrjfkhg/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/10/08/r_drmqskjosiuxwnknrjfkhg/index.xmlFri, 09 Oct 2009 06:15:00 GMTTough times can bring out the nastiest in people, providing those determined to capitalize on the misery of others – scam artists of all varieties – more than ample opportunity.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/10/01/r_vkjqdajprqgcmxxaib8ksq/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/10/01/r_vkjqdajprqgcmxxaib8ksq/index.xmlFri, 02 Oct 2009 06:15:00 GMTA more educated local work force.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/09/24/r_bwyknjusrucgmkg_hf06oa/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/09/24/r_bwyknjusrucgmkg_hf06oa/index.xmlFri, 25 Sep 2009 06:15:00 GMTIn the past eight years, I’ve mourned a mother, lost a marriage, and gone from parent of a 12-year-old to parent of a 20-year-old. Through days of grief so raw that consciousness burned, and others so sweet they sent the soul soaring, I have been privileged to draw breath.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/09/10/r_tdkqmgk9tqa1hyfmcwbwta/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/09/10/r_tdkqmgk9tqa1hyfmcwbwta/index.xmlFri, 11 Sep 2009 06:15:00 GMTFinally, a school board gets it.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/09/03/r_th0bccn1svimtgiktwncpq/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/09/03/r_th0bccn1svimtgiktwncpq/index.xmlFri, 04 Sep 2009 06:15:00 GMTThose who don’t frequently traverse the intersection of Chapel Hill and Lincoln roads might not comprehend the sense of jubilation emanating from those of us who do.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/08/27/r_lce104wytpskodma0ul5q/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/08/27/r_lce104wytpskodma0ul5q/index.xmlFri, 28 Aug 2009 06:15:00 GMTIt is horrendously frustrating to read an account of what happened to Brian Carrick of Johnsburg back in December 2002 while not also reading that someone – finally – has been charged with Carrick’s murder.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/08/20/r_p9ngpoxxqcgv5dozvgfrmg/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/08/20/r_p9ngpoxxqcgv5dozvgfrmg/index.xmlFri, 21 Aug 2009 06:15:00 GMTWilliam Barth appreciated it when Viking Dodge provided him – at what was supposed to be Viking Dodge’s cost – a loaner car while mechanics tried to fix an oil leak on his 2007 Dodge Ram.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/08/13/r_pfnbbjzcrbegktz5uj_5tg/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/08/13/r_pfnbbjzcrbegktz5uj_5tg/index.xmlFri, 14 Aug 2009 06:15:00 GMTThe online version of our naming Vulcan Lakes story certainly drew the Negative Nessies and Neds from the deep.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/08/06/r_ostev917quob7mzo8kxlag/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/08/06/r_ostev917quob7mzo8kxlag/index.xmlFri, 07 Aug 2009 06:15:00 GMTIt’s been a while since I reminisced about the Barry family – legendary in the neighborhood of my youth for its sheer size.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/07/30/r_e6fqrbntr5kzaivvyapzba/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/07/30/r_e6fqrbntr5kzaivvyapzba/index.xmlFri, 31 Jul 2009 06:15:00 GMTHabitat for Humanity is one of the most well-regarded nonprofit organizations in existence.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/07/23/r_tlcqe1m1tkevgufw9ksgnq/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/07/23/r_tlcqe1m1tkevgufw9ksgnq/index.xmlFri, 24 Jul 2009 06:15:00 GMTTalented, knowledgeable, and, perhaps, most of all, nurturing.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/07/16/r_hp5ee4vtbq8pnperjuefa/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/07/16/r_hp5ee4vtbq8pnperjuefa/index.xmlFri, 17 Jul 2009 06:15:00 GMTGov. Quinn has displayed an interesting poker face when it comes to Illinois’ budget game, for weeks holding the capital bill cards close to the vest while pushing lawmakers to ante an income tax rate increase.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/07/09/r_1zmz6cj2qnc4rsc1mptxjw/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/07/09/r_1zmz6cj2qnc4rsc1mptxjw/index.xmlFri, 10 Jul 2009 06:15:00 GMTBig blue eyes gaze out from under a bald head that rests in the toddler’s hand as he looks toward the camera lens.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/07/02/r_pzoe2drsqlm2vxlhaadwbq/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/07/02/r_pzoe2drsqlm2vxlhaadwbq/index.xmlFri, 03 Jul 2009 06:15:00 GMTSometimes the mind becomes so fixated on tasks that we think demand our immediate attention that we ignore – at our peril – what’s truly important, even as it dwells right under our misdirected noses.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/06/25/r_sjaysqr1tjejeaojx2z51g/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/06/25/r_sjaysqr1tjejeaojx2z51g/index.xmlFri, 26 Jun 2009 06:15:00 GMTIt’s not a great time to announce that $500,000, and likely much more, in state money is being earmarked for a Chain O’ Lakes island renovation project.However, it is worth looking at a couple of factors: 1.) The bigger picture where this now publicly owned island is concerned; and 2.) How these particular funds can and cannot be spent.http://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/06/18/r_45rldfvjstk54gqfxf9mxw/index.xmlhttp://nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/06/18/r_45rldfvjstk54gqfxf9mxw/index.xmlFri, 19 Jun 2009 06:15:00 GMT