Right Here in River City

-30- (end) for veteran newsman Jim Kulp

April 9th, 2012, 11:31 am by Linda Weller

The death Saturday of longtime Telegraph reporter, editor and columnist Jim Kulp is both the passing of a man and one more “old school” journalist, such as those who taught me the trade in college.

Unlike so many in the field today, Jim just wanted to tell the story. He did not go into journalism to make a name for himself, to make it all about “Me” or “I” or become a local celebrity, if just in his own mind.

Jim retired in 1988, before I started writing part-time, then full-time, for The Telegraph. He still had ink in his veins so he didn’t stay away for long. He returned to work for the paper in various part-time capacities, so I did get to know him in the 1990s and beyond.

Jim was quiet as he worked, so when he did say something, it had meaning — although it could be a refreshing bit of his dry wit to lighten the day or evening.

When Jim praised my work or when we commiserated over a certain lack of professionalism in journalism or by a public figure (shaking his head gently), it took me back to a certain professor I had at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

It held weight.

I was honored to be one of the people Jim invited to his going-away luncheon that Lewis and Clark Community College held for him, as Jim covered their board meetings for years. He was quitting to take care of his wife, who was in poor health and whom he did not want to leave alone at night.

A few times he gave me career advice or told me of a job opening. More than once he commented admiringly on how women do so much work at this newspaper. Back when he started working in journalism, he didn’t see many women reporters, they mainly limited to the “Society” page.

Even after he quit reporting or editing, Jim wrote columns.

Yes, they included himself, his opinions and events in his life, but they always had a bigger picture than just being about Jim Kulp. They also reflected intelligent opinions. I could relate to many of the columns as he was close in age to my mother. Their recollections and stories were similar regarding World War II and the Depression.

Back to his wit.

The only column I cut out of his — which I mailed to my daughter — detailed how much he disliked cats. They were this and they were that. So, for some reason I can’t recall, he had to take care of his son’s cat for an extended amount of time.

The column got funnier and funnier as he grudgingly grew fonder and fonder of the feline, despite his efforts not to like the animal.

At the end, there was no way Jim ever was giving that cat back to his son!

Once Jim retired for the second time, he used to say how eager he was every morning to go outside and get The Telegraph and open it to see what we had written about this time. He was so appreciative of the amount of content in the paper, despite a small staff.

The man apparently still had that ink flowing through his veins to care so much about the newspaper.
I consider it a privilege to have worked, albeit on-and-off, with Jim Kulp.

-30- Jim -30-

Posted in: interesting people • media • Right Here in River City • The Beat | 1 Comment »

It was a mob, with cash…

March 26th, 2012, 12:57 pm by Linda Weller

I was glad to see a Cash Mob finally came to The Telegraph area Saturday after seeing a Kansas City-based television news report on the phenomena a few months ago.

At that time, I thought the whole concept was great and wished someone in our area would organize such an event, and at a business I would patronize.

The idea is simple, the organizer uses social media such as Facebook, Twitter, websites and emails — and, even good old-fashioned newspapers — to spread word for people to show up at a certain time, date and at an independent, locally owned business, hence the “mob.”

Ideally, people are to bring $20 (or more) to spend at once to give a boost to the shop owner. No one believes this will keep a particular business running if it is failing, but it sure can make for a great day or week for its owner.

Besides generating a party atmosphere, as a side benefit, the “mob” likely will include first-time visitors to the business as an introduction to its wares in a fun setting. Those people potentially may return and spend again.

Anyway, the national television report piqued my interest. When I read in our newspaper about plans for a Cash Mob at Olive Oils and More, 1063 S. State Route 157 in Edwardsville, I felt obligated to go.

I wanted to watch, experience and, yes, spend a bit.

I am not a shopper and I dislike crowds, but this first-in-the-area Cash Mob on National Cash Mob Day was fun. I arrived just after the set time, 1 p.m., and counted 27 people in the small shop, aside from store staff, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce reps and media.

I was not there as a reporter, just a shopper and observer incognito who happened to snap a couple pictures for this planned blog.

Within five minutes or so, there were more than 30 people helping themselves to little sips of plain or infused (flavored) olive oils and balsamic vinegars they dispensed from large metal urns around the room. The atmosphere was upbeat, people were chatting to strangers, discussing flavor preferences, making choices and enjoying themselves as they seemed in no hurry to leave.

They also were buying.

A line of shoppers patiently waited to purchase those olive oils, balsamics, gourmet pastas, spices, jams, boutique soaps and other specialties. Owner Mary Burke seemed a bit harried, but in a good way. She chatted to everyone, as usual. I’m sure she and her son, who manned the cash register, were glad the Cash Mob was not a surprise.

Her busy son called the rush of shoppers “bittersweet.”

The woman in front of me in line seemed really excited about the event as she waited to buy several items that totaled much more than $20. I said it was a great idea, especially if the business owner sells quality merchandise which is useful, and the people are nice. She said that store qualified on all counts, flashing a big smile.

I consider gourmet shops only an occasional treat, so I just purchased one bottle of olive oil that I thought could have multiple uses. I chose the Tuscan oil, infused with various Italian herbs, garlic and sundried tomatoes that topped off some pasta quite nicely that evening.

Neighbor Bella Milano tagged on the effort, offering a 50 percent discount on lunch that day to everyone who brought in a receipt for a purchase they made during Cash Mob, perhaps sharing some bonus customers who got hungry for Italian food while shopping.

At least one Cash Mob was held at Lafayette Square in St. Louis on Saturday and another is planned for April 20 in Belleville at a location to be announced.

The Cash Mob website suggests first telling the public the time and date, but not the location until right before the event so as to create a surprise element and generate excitement.

I don’t know how long people will keep organizing Cash Mobs across the country, but I would like to see some happen in Alton and surrounding towns. I’m sure this area could support a couple Cash Mobs on one day. It doesn’t seem very difficult to get the word out with social media.

I don’t know of any other Cash Mobs plans in the near future, but I’m sure lots of independent businesses would love to participate!

www.cashmob.com

http://www.oliveoilstoreandmore.com

Posted in: business focuses • media • National news | 1 Comment »

FCC, can you hear us now?

February 28th, 2012, 12:38 pm by Linda Weller

I was heartened by the news a few weeks ago that the Federal Communications Commission finally is cracking down on telemarketers’ robocalls. A man named Denny had just called me to see if I had any ideas about stopping such calls hawking credit cards or additional bank services he doesn’t want.

I wish.

Actually, we talked a bit and commiserated. He said he was tired of the calls filling up his voice mail, and how he does not want to race to answer the phone just to hear a machine. At the same time, he doesn’t want to miss a call from someone he does want to talk to.

I told him of the same, “last chance to take advantage of this opportunity” calls I’ve been getting over and over during the past year. And, even more annoying are the new calls I’ve been getting that make it sound like I called Them. As soon as I pick up the phone, a recording tells me to hang on and someone will get to me just as soon as an associate is available. Huh? I tried hanging on for awhile, once, so I could tell them I am on a no-call list and to quit calling me. I finally gave up.

(For the record, people can file online complaints about annoying calls at: http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm, provided they know who the offender callers are).

Anyway, on Feb. 15 the Associated Press reported that the FCC decided: “it will now require telemarketers to obtain written consent from people before placing a robocall. Written does not mean handwritten, though — electronic forms are OK.

“The new rules also eliminate a loophole that allowed telemarketers to place robocalls if they had an ‘established business relationship’ with the consumer. Now, they will have to obtain consent even if they had previously done business with the person they want to call.

“Telemarketers will also have to provide an automated way for people to revoke their consent to the robocall by pressing a few keys on their phone during the call. If this happens, the new rules require telemarketer to add the person to the company’s do not call list.

“The FCC said it is not changing rules that apply to informational robocalls, such as airline flight updates, school notifications or warnings about suspicious bank account activity.”

The FCC and the Federal Trade Commission already had rules aimed at preventing unwanted marketing calls, the story says. “But the FCC said despite this, ‘too many telemarketers, aided by autodialers and prerecorded messages, have continued to call consumers who don’t want to hear from them.’ ” ( story is at: http://news.yahoo.com/fcc-adopts-rules-against-robocalls-194305538.html)

That news excited me more than anything else that came across the newswire that day — until I realized no one will comply unless the FCC hammers those who ignore the rules. Like the ignored no-call list?

Last night when I got home from work there was a message on the machine. With the FCC’s new ruling, I knew it should be from someone I know or deal with. Surprise, surprise. Once again, it was my LAST chance to take advantage…

Posted in: media • National news | Post a Comment »

It’s #200 for Charles!

February 7th, 2012, 10:16 am by Linda Weller

Happy 200th birthday, Charles Dickens!

It’s a big deal today over in England. Leaders there are getting copies of ol’ Charlie’s books that dwelled on dire poverty for some, and arrogance of the rich in 1800s England, as today’s officials deal with that country’s poor economy.

I started loving Charles Dickens back in English classes in junior high and high school. We had to read “Great Expectations” in ninth grade where I was fortunate to have a dramatic teacher who was a part-time actor. He made it so much more interesting, when the class discussion could have been really dry. I was fascinated with rejected Miss Havisham just letting everything sit for decades. Move on!

Smitten by Dickens, I chose to read, “A Tale of Two Cities” for a book report later on in high school when others were racing through much easier reads. Its opening lines are so often quoted, I wonder how many of these people actually have taken the time to plow through this read. I never will forget how the women knitted a stitch every time a head rolled from the guillotine. I later read some of his other works, which always will have a place on my crowded bookshelves.

I wonder how many students these days read Dickens in school? I don’t remember any of my children carrying home any of his volumes. (And going to, “A Christmas Carol” production in December doesn’t count.) I saw proof of this today on a national, morning news broadcast when the “reader” commented that the books going to English officials will show them how the poor live. Um, I don’t think in England or the United States we have the rampant child labor in horrible work conditions, including physical abuse; the huge orphanages (Oliver Twist); debtors’ prisons and other such dire living conditions. I came to the instant conclusion she hadn’t read Dickens, but she heard he wrote about disparities between rich and poor so it must be the same today in England.

Dickens, who had a harsh childhood and had to work as a boy, showed a sense of humor in his writing. He especially was clever in naming some of his 13,143 characters that later would be reminiscent of some of the people in W.C. Fields’ movies. Among them: Old Bill Barley, who liked rum a lot; Mr. M’Choakum Child, a harsh teacher; unhinged Miss Flite; Thomas Gradgrind, a retired mill owner, and my favorite, Tony Weller. Unbeknownst to me, I named my feisty black cat after a Dickens character!

I would say Dickens ranks in my list of top five authors, but I need to read his works again with a more mature eye. Does anyone out there have a favorite Dickens book or character?

Again, Happy Birthday Charles, you have no idea how long your legacy has lasted — at least by those who take the time to read your books and papers.

Posted in: books • interesting people • media | Post a Comment »

Bye, Bobbie…

January 18th, 2012, 8:50 am by Linda Weller

I will miss talking to sweet Bobbie Vandalia, who could inspire anyone to action.

Her telephone calls always were enthusiastic about the next event she was planning, whether a Halloween party for children outside her church, a World AIDS Day program/update on the area’s AIDS quilt or the annual, free Christmas dinner at College Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Our talks went back to the mid-1990s, when she still was operating Golden Shears Hair Studio in Alton, apparently chatting as she removed hair rollers or combed out a client’s hairdo. She didn’t mind if I called her at work, the important thing was to get out the message.

I always was happy to put a plug in the paper about her need for volunteers, big cans of vegetables or pie donations or a notice about an upcoming event.

She always got good responses to her calls for donations and helpers — eventually — sometimes coming down to the last days.

Bobbie, 67, died unexpectedly Monday night at her home of a massive heart attack after years of having various health problems.

I had heard shortly before Christmas that her health was deteriorating further. I had meant to send her another card.

Last month, for the second time she could not attend the free community dinner she and husband Bob organized for 15 years. The couple and their loyal volunteers still were able to feed dozens of people at the church and by home delivery. Bobbie had done her part in absentia for this last Christmas dinner she would plan, never leaving the work to others.

Bob said Tuesday that she had been “petrified” of having to go to a nursing home or hospital.

Instead, she slipped away in her own home with her husband of 43 years at her side.

While the dinners the Vandalias held are fresh in the community’s minds, we can’t forget she boldly stood with the church’s now retired pastor, the Rev. George Humbert. He and the Vandalias helped and comforted people with HIV/AIDS, raised awareness of the disease and how to prevent getting the virus that causes it, held World AIDS Day programs and started a Madison County AIDS memorial quilt.

Those activities were not popular with some people in the church and community, but no one would stop Bobbie from her mission to help others. It definitely took courage back then.

I would welcome anyone to share with me his or her memories of Bobbie to attach to this blog.

I’ll miss you, Bobbie!

Posted in: Alton events • interesting people • Right Here in River City | 2 Comments »

A truly giving man from Michigan…

November 27th, 2011, 12:10 pm by Linda Weller

An American Horse, Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park & Linda Weller

I’m sure if most people in The Telegraph area noticed online or elsewhere that Frederik Meijer of Michigan died last Friday, most would not know who this man was or have any inkling of the extent of his “giving back.”

A year ago I wouldn’t have known, either.

Last May, though, I visited the 132-acre, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Mich., probably the most remarkable example of which the late, super-center store owner established for his enjoyment and that of the public. Either the impressive sculptures placed about the grounds, or the outdoor and indoor gardens, could stand as independent attractions. They are on par with – or even more impressive than – Missouri Botanical Gardens (depending on an individual’s interests or means of evaluation). The gardens are in no way set up as monuments or shrines to Meijer.

The enclosed botanic gardens have temporary attractions, such as visiting colorful butterflies in the indoor tropical area when we were there. There is attention to educating visitors and preserving the environment in the living displays.

I enjoyed the indoor desert with its carnivorous plants; there is an interactive children’s play area and an old “farm,” that attracted school groups. The sculptures throughout appeal to all tastes, from modern to classical., some in tiny individual gardens or enhanced with water. Among the most striking is a gigantic black metal horse.

Mr. Meijer, who had no stores in the St. Louis area, was 91 when he died. An older man visiting the garden last May tried to joke with a docent, asking if Fred was around that day. Instead of laughing him off, the woman responded that Mr. Meijer frequently came by for a visit but could not say when he would be back.

When I left the gardens, I remarked how wonderful it would be to have so much money to create such a large, beautiful gift to the public. At that time I did not know the son of a Dutch immigrant also donated land for a college campus and later paid for its new PBS station that carries his last name; he donated a section of the Berlin Wall that is on display in the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids; $1 million to a Michigan state park; and a large amount of money to renovate an old theater in Grand Rapids.
He also established a college chair for the study of Dutch language and culture.

I’m sure he probably donated untold amounts of money elsewhere, as well, which is what philanthropists do. I hope Mr. Meijer got back a fraction of the enjoyment other people have experienced from his gifts that enhanced quality of life and education in that part of Michigan. He obviously understood, “You can’t take it with you.”

www.meijergardens.org

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Password perils, from letmein to trustno1…

November 21st, 2011, 4:43 pm by Linda Weller

A list just came out of the worst, most often hacked passwords people should not use on their computers. If anyone remembers, I wrote a blog earlier this year about how I was suffering from password overload . I have so many email, company, insurance and online retail accounts with different (albeit similar, in most of them) passwords that I had to make lists. Of course, some sites require me to change them every few months, adding to my aggravation.

So, password management app maker SplashData comes out with its list of no-no passwords for 2011, some of which I thought were not so bad. Apparently enough users liked the top 25, but the hackers. got wise to them. I particularly liked “letmein,” which I thought was clever and runs through every computer user’s mind when signing in, especially if it’s going slowly. Not to be, though. Hackable. “Trustno1″ is on the list, so I guess it also was easy to figure out. I wouldn’t have guessed either of them.

People who use 12345…or ABCD or qwerty (letters in order on the top, left row of a keyboard) or their first names or birthdates are asking for trouble, I knew that much.

But why did so many people use “monkey,” “dragon,” “master” or “sunshine?” Baseball and football are easy to understand, especially if someone is setting up an account during one of the sports seasons. I guess there are a lot guys named Michael or girls named Ashley – or people who love Michaels or Ashleys. Either reason would explain why those passwords were hacked frequently. I’m sure popculture “vampire” and “zombie” are part of a lot of logins, and probably celebrity names. (Kardashian, anyone?)

People are supposed to come up with passwords that are strong, meaning unique (and probably hard to remember), with a mixture of letters, numbers and symbols to prevent someone from getting into bank accounts or committing other identity theft, fraud or thievery. Even if the account doesn’t force or prompt it, computer users are supposed to change their passwords a couple times a year. Great.

I would think some of these combinations might make good passwords, and maybe people are using some of them (add your own numbers and symbols to personalize): Pizzayum, needabeer, lovemycat, wannabe@thebeach, IwishitwasFriday, PleaseBFriday, NotanotherMonday, junkycomputer, workin4theweekend, thebossisxxxxxxxx or quittingtimeyet?

What are some favorite passwords you USED to use (keep it clean)?

SlashData’s 25 worst passwords of the year :
1. password 14. master
2. 123456 15. sunshine
3. 12345678 16. ashley
4. qwerty 17. bailey
5. abc123 18. passw0rd
6. monkey 19. shadow
7. 1234567 20. 123123
8. letmein 21. 654321
9. trustno1 22. superman
10. dragon 23. qazwsx
11. baseball 24. michael
12. 111111 25. football
13. iloveyou

Posted in: Right Here in River City • the lighter side | Post a Comment »

Learn about a deadly drug Wednesday night…

November 15th, 2011, 7:40 pm by Linda Weller

People who are just starting to hear about the growing use of heroin in the St. Louis area, including Madison County, might want to learn more Wednesday night (Nov. 16) – especially if they are parents.

The Project Alert Drug Forum will begin at 7 p.m. in the Alton High Commons, 4200 Humbert Road in Godfrey.

Those who attend will learn about symptoms of heroin use, how it is ingested and hear first-hand the story of a woman’s struggle with the sometimes, fatal drug. A movie about the death of an East Alton man from a heroin overdose also will be shown to further hit home the evils of the drug, which is much stronger than it was in decades past.

I am sure attendees will hear the latest count of deaths – or suspected deaths this year – from heroin in Madison County during the town hall forum. The forum will be similar to a program held last month at Edwardsville High.

I plan to cover the event for The Telegraph, and I’m sure I’ll learn something new. The first anti-drug education I ever got in school was about heroin, in the 1960s. I remember seeing a disturbing film of a man writhing and flailing about on the floor of a jail cell in agony as he withdrew from the drug. Between seeing his pain, hearing his moans and yells and personally hating hypodermic needles, I didn’t understand the attraction to the drug.

There also will be information on synthetic drugs such as K-2 and bath salts at the forum, which contain new substances about which parents might know little or nothing. Those also can be fatal.

While the free program is aimed at adults, parents are welcome to bring their children, if they deem the presentation content appropriate.

Chief David Hayes of the Alton Police Department organized the program in conjunction with APD and Alton School District’s Drug Free Alton and Project Alert.

A number of local officials will be on hand to speak or answer questions: Hayes, Madison County Sheriff Robert Hertz, State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons and Coroner Steve Nonn; U.S. Attorney Stephen Wigginton of the Southern District of Illinois; school resource officers Pfc. Dustin Christner and Pfc. Mike O’Neill of APD; Dawn Hirsch-Gregorio of WellSpring Resources of Alton; and Ken Spells, superintendent of the Alton School District.

Emcee will be Steve Jankowski, director of alumni activities at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Jankowski and SIUE mass communications students made the graphic, heart-wrenching video, as well as one aimed at students.

I’d say it’s worth investing the time to hear about this resurgence of heroin use and the synthetic drugs. It’s never wrong to be informed. The program organizers should be commended for their efforts to educate the public on these substances.

Posted in: Alton city issues • Alton events • Alton schools | Post a Comment »

Reebok, Reebok …

September 29th, 2011, 8:55 am by Linda Weller

Usually I follow the adage that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t. But last year, several women at the exercise club I frequent had high praise for two brands of athletic shoes that advertised a “bonus” workout to the thighs and buttocks by just wearing their products.

The television ads were enticing, too, showing fit, muscular women in tight workout wear getting that extra boost while working out or walking, simply from the shoe design.

One of the companies, Reebok, claimed someone wearing its EasyTone shoes could strengthen her calves up to 11 percent – or her buttocks by 28 percent – more than regular athletic shoes simply by walking.

At that time, my athletic shoes were wearing out, complete with holes in their backs. Naturally, I checked out the super shoes when they went on sale at a local store, the others being Sketchers.

Why not go for the extra workout? Women online were swearing by it, too, saying their leg muscles were more tight after walking or working out, apparently an indication that the shoes were pulling on something.

Plain old Reeboks have been my favorites for decades, so I gravitated toward them first. The saleslady recommended the Sketchers, but I didn’t care for the curved sole. I felt unsteady, as though I might continue that back-to-front action all the way to the ground.

So Reebok EasyTone it was.

Anyway, several months after I bought the special, pink-accented breast cancer awareness EasyTone, I began reading that the company’s advertising claims were overstated. In fact, the ads allegedly were overstated to the extent that it led to a lawsuit and just-announced, $25 million settlement. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/09/reebok.shtm

As a result, purchasers of several, specific Reebok products on or after Dec. 5, 2008, can file a rebate claim online. What they may receive is unknown at this point, as there are several variables.

The form is available at: https://cert.gardencitygroup.com/rbk/fs/ftc-1

Despite the settlement, the company stands by its products, putting out the statement:
“On September 28, 2011, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that Reebok and the FTC have come to a settlement agreement on the FTC’s allegations regarding the U.S. EasyTone advertising campaign. The allegations suggested that the testing we conducted did not substantiate certain claims used in the advertising of our EasyTone line of products. In order to avoid a protracted legal battle, Reebok has chosen to settle with the FTC. Settling does not mean we agreed with the FTC’s allegations; we do not. (my emphasis).

“We fully stand behind our EasyTone technology – the first shoe in the toning category inspired by balance-ball training. We have received overwhelmingly enthusiastic feedback from thousands of EasyTone customers, and we remain committed to the continued development of our EasyTone line of products. Our customers are our number one priority, and we will continue to deliver products that they trust and love.” http://corporate.reebok.com/en/about_reebok/FTC%20Easytone.asp

I can’t say anything bad about my shoes, I like them.

They have been comfortable as I exercised, and walked all through my neighborhood, the hard sidewalks of Chicago, trails in the Great Smoky Mountains and other places. I plan to take them on my next trip, which will involve a lot of walking.

I would buy the shoes again if my current pair ever wears out. I have a bad foot so not every shoe works for me.

But remembering those ads…. I’m still waiting for my 11 percent and 28 percent results. I want to look like the women in the commercials.

If they said it on TV, it must be true, right?

Posted in: business focuses • media • National news • the lighter side | Post a Comment »

Helpful Hint: Put down those cellphones if you are near a school…

August 16th, 2011, 3:27 pm by Linda Weller

I can remember how hectic it was the first few days of school each year, so I’m doing you parents and grandparents a favor here in hopes of saving you a $120 fine:

Put down your cell phones in a school zone!

Talking on them is unsafe and illegal in school zones in Illinois. As they did last year, Alton police outright say they plan to zero in on enforcing the laws in those zones starting Wednesday, the first day of school in the district.

The first new school year that the state law was in effect was 2010. City police consequently issued dozens of tickets to motorists in just the first three months, continuing through the school year. Just from mid-August through Nov. 22, 2010, Alton police issued 115 such tickets before posting 25 warning signs in November.

Many of the people, I’m sure, were parents and grandparents dropping off the kids at the schools. Many recipients told police they were unaware of the new law. Others said they forgot about the law in their automatic response to pick up the phone when a son or daughter called, a police officer told me.

One person called The Telegraph last year after receiving a ticket to complain that she was holding her phone, but not talking on it. I don’t know how she expected to prove that, or what we should do about it. If you look like you’re talking on the phone, or just listening to someone talking, you too may get a ticket.

As part of my reminder, Alton drivers should know that the technically vacated Horace Mann and Mark Twain buildings – 2708 Edwards St. and 907 Milton Road, respectively – once again are being used to house students so the “school zone” is in effect at those places.

With extensive renovations going on at East Elementary, 1035 Washington Ave., its student body is being split between the two locations. Therefore, you may see police officers near Horace Mann and Mark Twain, as well as the other schools, in the weekday drop-off and pickup hours.

The special police enforcement also will include looking for speeders in school zones and those violating seat belt and child restraint laws.

Need I mention texting and driving?

Everyone with a drivers license should know it is illegal in Illinois to be texting and driving, regardless of whether you are driving in a school zone or not. I know some people can do it sneakily, but if you don’t crash first, you could get a ticket.

Just from my observations, some people still don’t know that or care. I saw two women texting while driving (in one case coasting, since she didn’t have any hands on the wheel) just last week on busy roads.

The first one was on Landmarks by Henry Street, not a great place for distracted drivers.

The other one – I’m talking to you, lady in the white GM mini-van at about 5 p.m. Wednesday westbound in front of the Wood River Shop ‘n Save and the car dealerships on Rte. 143. She also was chatting to another woman at the same time she was pecking out her message.

I was trying to figure out a good hand signal to convey, “Put it down!” but then she was too preoccupied to see me driving alongside her. She was too preoccupied to see any other cars, I’m sure.

Was I supposed to dig my phone out of my purse and call police – risking me crashing my car – to report her poor driving?

I thought it best to escape, and I scooted away.

Now that is when I really would like to see someone get a ticket.

Be careful out there with all those kids around the schools.