The National Weather Service predicting up to eight inches of snow today and tonight.  Our local municipal officials in Oak Park, River Forest & Forest Park are urging residents, merchants and visitors to plan accordingly.  When – let’s be proactive here and assume the worst – the Snow Emergency Parking Rules go into effect, cars may be towed.

Also, please be considerate of your neighbors by shoveling their sidewalks, if you’re able to do so.  You might receive some home-made goodies, or at least a smile from them.  What a wonderful way to show that you’re not such a bad neighbor.

Finally, we’ve said it before and we’ll say in again… if you experience an emergency, please dial 9-1-1;  and be sure that you’re not overexerting yourself moving the snow.  Many a heart attack comes from “just one shovel more!”

• Please pay close attention to the cold temperature and how tired you become. Don’t work to the point of exhaustion. Take breaks indoors to warm up.
• Stay hydrated – and that doesn’t mean beer or hard liquor!  You sweat more than you think while shoveling snow. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids before and after shoveling to replenish fluids lost in the process.
• Bend legs slightly at the knee, letting thigh muscles do most of the pushing and lifting work. Better yet, push the snow, do not pick it up!
• Your clothing should be well-fitting and worn in layers, and you should shed clothing as the body becomes warm. Remember, overheating puts strain on the heart. Wearing a scarf over the nose and mouth helps reduce breathing cold air, which also makes the heart work harder.

And remember… Snow shoveling is not the exercise to use to start getting in shape!  Use common sense and reach out to your neighbors both to assist and for assistance!

The Weather-guessers are prognosticating appreciable amounts of snow.  Let’s get ready to shovel!  Is it just me?  I’ve never heard the term “plowable” applied to snowfall – agriculture, and possibly social pursuits, but not snow!

WHY CAN’T MY MAIL GET DELIVERED AT THE OFFICE?

We’ve suffered a tragedy here at the Galactic World Headquarters.  Our letter carrier, Gary is retiring at the end of the year.  And it would appear that he is taking his accumulated vacation time in advance of his pending retirement.  All well and good!  Except for the fact that US Postal deliveries have been suspended!  The US Postal Service Supervisor assures us that the US Mail will be delivered… only the Supervisor didn’t say when.  The US Postal Service is a sick joke!  And evidently it is getting worse.  If the Oak Park Postmaster has any integrity we’ll hear something, but probably not…

WE’LL MISS RON SANTO

We are White Sox Fans!  After living and passing Wrigley Field twice a day during High School every weekday, and being disappointed too many times, I switched!  Having admitted that, I will miss Ron Santo!  He was a classy guy both in person and on the air.  And his work on behalf of The Illinois Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is incalculable.  His courage and grace in dealing with multiple amputations and complications from both Diabetes and Cancer were and are to be admired.  We offer our prayers and sympathy for his family and friends.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend!