opinion
Geer: Performance, not tenure, counts in teaching
One of the definitions of the word "tenure" is "permanent status in a job, usually after a period of probation." For some teachers, it is the Holy Grail that ensures a long career; it is a six-letter, 10-dollar synonym for "job security."
Feb 22, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Mesiti: Christians always must be ready for life's challenges
"...and be of a ready mind..."
Feb 22, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Dailey: Writing column has been a God thing
Life is funny, sometimes in a "ha, ha" way, and other times in a thought provoking way. I've had a lot of moments that are both kinds of funny, and just had occasion to review 25 worth in one setting.
Feb 22, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Amsden: Run your life's race with determination
My son calls me his balcony person. By that, he means that I cheer him on as he runs the race of life.
Feb 22, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Brady: Writing is easy; getting published isn't
Have you written your book yet? Why not? Everybody's doing it. Word processors and the Internet have made it easy. Before all this wonderful technology, it wasn't so easy.
Feb 22, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Amsden: Wisdom needed to match dream with reality
I awakened with an epiphany. Indeed, it was inspiration meets ideology compounded by incentive. The dream could become reality.
Feb 16, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Costello was right to stand up for firearms' owners
Costello was right to stand up for firearms' owners
Feb 15, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Columnist needs to check his facts
Columnist needs to check his facts
Feb 15, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Abortion, birth control debates do not belong in politics
Abortion, birth control debates do not belong in politics
Feb 15, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Geer: Electronics recyclers have much to learn
In 1996, recycling was something still associated with granola-munching tree-huggers. At that time, I wrote about the frustration of taking newspapers, cans and soda bottles to the nearest community recycling center, then in Fairview Heights.
Feb 15, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Mesiti: Jesus goes with us on our walk through life
"The steps of a good person are ordered by the Lord ..."
Feb 15, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Valencia: The greatest item of all is free
Presently, families all across the country are facing financial strain. The economy is at an all-time low. Sales, so they say, are down all over the United States. Merchants are scratching their heads trying to work out a solution.
Feb 15, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Geer: The (four-letter) words get in the way
Anyone remember the Olympic Drive-In? Located in the North County suburb of Pagedale, this single-screen theater was notorious for showing such X-rated movies as "Three-Way Split" and "A Fistful of 44s." It was so raunchy, its owner once erected huge black curtains to hide the screen from the vie…
Feb 08, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
HORN: Election could stir up class warfare
President Obama and the Democrats have drawn up their battle plans for his re-election. It certainly couldn't be on his accomplishments. It's going to be the rich against the poor. It's going to be the 99 percent against the 1 percent. Of course, Obama, who made $7 million last year, doesn't cons…
Feb 08, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Dailey: Make love the focus of Valentine's Day
Like it or not, we are approaching another Valentine's Day. Today's column begins as a reminder for those of you who may have otherwise forgotten to plan a special something for that special someone, as well as an opportunity to check out last-minute travel deals for those of you who care to esca…
Feb 08, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Convention center can pay their bill
Convention center can pay their bill
Feb 08, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Amsden: In the contest of vacation spots, Hawaii wins
Saying goodbye to Hawaii is not an easy thing to do. Our week of vacationing on Oahu had passed quickly and the day of our departure was at hand. My husband and I decided to spend the last few hours sitting at a quiet café and recounting our amazing anniversary celebration.
Feb 08, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
President's actions have risen gas prices
President's actions have risen gas prices
Feb 01, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Cell phones should be silenced more often
Cell phones should be silenced more often
Feb 01, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Dailey: Babe, I got you ... to warm my feet
Tomorrow is the 125th anniversary of the first Gobbler's Knob Ground Hog Day in Punxsutawney, Pa. As tradition goes, if Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog of honor, sees his shadow when he comes out of his hole in the morning, he will race back into his hole in anticipation of six more weeks of win…
Feb 01, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Valencia: Love is in the air
Valentine's Day is the one day a year that spouses, lovers, children and parents spend millions of dollars on chocolate, jewelry, flowers and other expensive gifts. All this to show our love and affection. Love should be the number one motivating force in our life. Love is not shown by the sort o…
Feb 01, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Mesiti: 'Bottom-line' Christians help others to know God
"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ..."
Feb 01, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Amsden: Vacation trip brings balance to life
My husband and I are in Hawaii for a week's anniversary celebration. We have been saving credit card bonus points and airline miles to apply toward this dream-come-true vacation.
Feb 01, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Mesiti: Look to Christ for help dealing with fear
"God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind."
Jan 25, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Letter: Treasurer unveils taxpayer advisory committee
Treasurer unveils taxpayer advisory committee
Jan 25, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Dailey: All hands present for daughter's boyfriend's proposal
I never noticed how many hands were on display until after I lost my mother-in-law, Loray, a few years ago. You see, she was an occupational therapist who specialized in hand therapy at Shriner's Hospital.
Jan 25, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Amsden: There's a balance between inspiration, obligation
Every week I have the honor of writing an article for the newspaper. Every week, knowing that a deadline is approaching, I begin looking for a theme or some point of inspiration upon which to base my writing.
Jan 25, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Geer: Political attack ads are media's dandelions
In 1971, I was 19 and in my first year of college. The Vietnam War was at its bloodiest; anti-war activism was at its highest. Young men sought college deferments to avoid the draft.
Jan 25, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Geer: J.P. hears what he's been missing — it's a scream
As he approaches nine months, little Jackson Paul is more aware of the wide, wonderful world around him. He sees new colors, feels new textures and tastes new flavors.
Jan 25, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Mesiti: Applying God's wisdom can solve problems
"Happy is the person who finds wisdom."
Jan 18, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
City Council didn't tell the whole story
City Council didn't tell the whole story
Jan 18, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Mayor sided with council and employees, not taxpayers
Mayor sided with council and employees, not taxpayers
Jan 18, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Amsden: Even in darkest surroundings, eye seeks light
By Patti Amsden
Jan 18, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Geer: Driver is most important safety feature on car
What is the most important safety feature on your car? The front, side curtain and ceiling air bags? The front and rear crumple zones flanking the steel safety cage in which you and your passengers sit? The sensor linked to the color monitor in your dashboard to keep you from backing into — or ov…
Jan 18, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Dailey: Cell phone brings disturbing sound to symphony
I was surfing the net last week when a story on foxnews.com caught my eye. "Ringing cell phone disrupts New York Philharmonic performance" was the title of a story in which maestro Alan Gilbert halted a performance of Gustav Mahler's Ninth Symphony to face down an audience member whose cell phone…
Jan 18, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Like movie, hospice provides hope
Like movie, hospice provides hope
Jan 13, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Mesiti: God made us all uniquely different
"I will praise you, for I am ... wonderfully made."
Jan 11, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Geer: You can't hurry love — or waffles, either
Men are from Mars. Women are from Venus. In the same way, breakfasts beyond corn flakes and milk are just as different.
Jan 11, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Dailey: Maybe when I'm 50, I'll know a lot more
A reader once commented on my column that a person isn't entitled to have an opinion on the Scriptures until he or she is 50 years old. This was his response to a piece I had written about the successful rescue of a group of Chilean miners who had not given up hope, and the value of prayer.
Jan 11, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Amsden: Illness disrupts dreamy Christmas tradition
Christmas had ended, and the children were all tucked away in the bedrooms for well-earned sleep. By children I mean my children, their spouses and all the grandchildren who come to Nana's house for a Christmas night sleepover and a morning after Christmas family gathering.
Jan 11, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Column: Six-year-old son follows dream to completion
As children, we dream of what we want to be as an adult. Everyone has a dream. Some realize their dreams, while others never seem to achieve theirs.
Jan 11, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Mesiti: Listen to God and be filled with hope
"For he (Zacharias) remained speechless"
Jan 04, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
Letter: It's time we start accepting
It's time we start accepting
Jan 04, 2012 | 12:00 am | Loading…
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