Meet the Candidates follow-up.

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce held their 'Meet The Candidates' event Monday night. They had quite a few candidates attend. A candidate may have many reasons to not attend (a previous engagement, etc.), but this close to an election, any candidate that shows up most likely considers the event important. So I really appreciate that State Senator Dan Rutherford, Republican candidate for Secretary of State (S of S), attended. Dan was the only State-wide candidate to show up.

It is hardly news that I support Dan, as I co-hosted a fund-raiser for him. He is a great guy. I am disappointed in Jesse White, our current S of S. To mention a few reasons: It doesn't seem to me that the office is suppose to be an employment agency for his family. He has promoted his daughter in the S of S office to an executive level and hired 4 additional family members. He gave no-bid contracts to the wives of two of his Senior Staff members (possibly in violation of conflict of interest laws). Hired a felon as a Director, who ran a ghost-payrolling scheme, and the Director was recently convicted of it.

More importantly, Dan has several specific plans to improve the agency. Anyone who has had to get a license renewed or other service in a Driver's Facility will recognize how important it is to improve customer service. Dan's day job is with ServiceMaster, a company that is a reknown service company. When Dan is elected, you will be able to make an appointment on-line for the service you need. A business will be able to do many corporate reports online. Dan will walk the office into the 21st Century.

So the bottom line is my suggetion to vote Republican and especially vote for Dan Rutherford.

Your Chance To Talk To The Candidates

I would encourage everyone to take time to go to the 'Meet The Candidates' event being put on by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has invited all the candidates that might be on the ballot to attend, to give a little speech and, most of all, to mingle, so you can ask your questions.

When: Monday, October 23, 2006 5-7 pm
Where: Riva Naperville 2020 Calamos CourtNaperville, IL

Directions: North on Rt. 59 to the first light north of I 88. Turn Right (east) to the first drive, turn right and follow back to Riva's Restaurant in the Calamos building.

Halloween Walk

If you haven't been to the Halloween Walk at Fullersburg Woods, you've missed out on some Halloween fun. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County creates a wonderfully delightful, storied walk through the woods. This years theme is 'Notre Dead University'. I am not privy to the script (I like to be surprised with the show, anyway.), but it usually starts with a puppet show and then a stroll through the woods. Along the way, one meets up with various skits and other surprises that makes for a fun evening. Of course, there might be a 'scare' or two.

The Walk's are taking place October27 - 29 starting at 6:00 pm each evening. A group goes out every 15 minutes or so. We also request that you show up about 15 minutes before the time on your ticket to make sure you can go with your group. The price of admission is $6 per person, about the cost of a movie. This event is sold out every year, so get your tickets now! Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center is located at 3609 Spring Road, which is one mile south of 31st Street in Oak Brook. For more information, call (630) 850-8110.

I guess I am the expert

October 6, 2006 is "Ask the Expert" Job Shadow Day at Naperville North High School. This program is intended to help students better understand the direct relationship of curricular subject areas to life skills and career opportunities in the workplace. I have 5 seperate groups that I have to speak to regarding Horticulture and related fields. So I am anticipating some questions and preparing answers, so that I look like an expert.

Q1) Can a horticulturist become rich? A1) Yes, of course, why do you think there is lotto?
Q2) Did you study hard in high school? A2) (unintelligible mumbling) Next Question! (remember to point emphatically in the other direction.)

Enough of the humor.

I actually am looking forward to speaking to these groups. Horticulture, in my mind, is the perfect blend of the arts and sciences. The perfect job for people that think with both sides of their brains.

Whereas I have many people comment on the beauty of a garden, I have yet to have someone tell me that asphalt is as enjoyable.