OPINION

GUEST COMMENTARY LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Community support made D.A.R.E. lock in a great success
I’m just not ready Saturday was our 13th D.A.R.E. lock in and
we had more than 430 students from
Township youth program there as well. We
had two DJs, inflatables, Rock Band and

for the next decade Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills and Burr Ridge.
The idea behind the lock in is to reinforce to
students that they can have fun away from
Dance Dance Revolution, basketball and a tug
of war and Jello eating contests. Every one
received a cool lock in shirt on the way out.
I went through a as of yet. But she mom and dad, stay out and up all night away Thanks to the many people and organiza-
life changing has been (Lady) from drugs, tobacco and violence, and meet tions who made the lock in very successful:
moment last week. Gaga’d. new friends. Hinsdale Central High School, Kramer Foods,
It hit me in the gut The coolness Besides myself, Officer Angie Zucchero of Talerico-Martin, Clarendon Hills Library,
and caught me factor also includes Burr Ridge Police Department and Rick Downers Grove Township Youth program,
completely off how you refer to Talerico of Clarendon Hills Police Willowbrook Target, Woodridge Sam's Club,
guard. No, not your father. And Department, there were 11 other Hinsdale Ultra Foods, M&M Mars in Burr Ridge,
involve shoveling 20 calling me police officers chaperoning and interacting Hinsdale Citizen Police Academy alumni,
inches of snow. Not “Daddy” — espe- with students. We also had a paramedic there Burr Ridge Police Department, Clarendon
finding a parking cially in front of most of the evening. Hills Police Department, Hinsdale Police
space on her pals — is just It is truly a community event since there Department and many parents from the com-
Washington Street. Mike Neiman not cool any were parents , high school students and mem- munity. — Officer Michael Coughlin, crime
My 10-year-old longer. bers of the citizen police academy alumni prevention/D.A.R.E./juvenile officer,
daughter Madison called me Dad isn’t me, it’s my father. chaperoning the event. We had the Clarendon Hinsdale Police Department
“Dad.” All the gray hair that has Hills Public Library and Downers Grove
I received the promotion been itching to sprout will
from “Daddy” and I’m not
ready for it. It came on the
now likely cover me. What’s
next? Will I start looking for
Intersection has too many signs for one driver to read
heels of health education at early bird specials and AARP A police officer recently chided me for not I believe this and the Washington/Hickory
Robert Crown and unfulfilled discounts? Should I move to reading the sign at an intersection so I pon- stop signs would not be necessary if drivers
pleas for a cell phone. My lit- Florida? Do I own Tom Jones’ dered a minute if at my ripe age, perhaps I used a little common sense when going
tle girl is growing up. It Greatest Hits? I’m just not was losing “it?” I soon dismissed that irrever- through intersections.
seemed like just yesterday ready! ent thought, surveyed the intersection and As the great ’70s philosophers Five Man
when I was Prince Charming And now I have to face the counted 14 signs. Fourteen! I am often Electrical band once penned in their poetry
to her Snow White and we next 10 years. The ones I’ve reminded at work and home, where I am “signs, signs, everywhere are signs, (muckin’)
paraded through the house feared since she was born. completely surrounded by females, including up the scenery, breaking my mind,” I realized
with seven stuffed dwarfs in Boys! Cars! Boys! High the dog, rarely can I concentrate on two things it’s not that I’m losing my mind. The problem
tow singing “Whistle While school! Boys! While I’m not at the same time. So I cannot imagine being is there are too many signs! We are numb to
You Work.” prepared for her to grow up, able to read 14 signs while avoiding collision the myriad of signs decorating most intersec-
I have many other wonder- I’ve been plotting how to with my fellow drivers. tions to read them all. I think this may explain
ful memories that started the handle the dating scenario My neighbor successfully petitioned to have the success municipalities enjoy with “photo
day we took her home from for years. a “yield” sign placed in our unmarked inter- enforced” intersections. Perhaps we need to
the hospital, but we’re enter- Each boy will be escorted section and asked if I noticed. I commented I go back to simpler times and remove a few
ing a new phase now. And it’s into the living room where a hadn’t and asked her if she really thought a signs so that we can think for ourselves again?
happening way too quickly poster-sized photo of sign would make a difference. I feel the same — Ivan Valcarenghi, Hinsdale
for me. Madison’s uncle in his police about the Lincoln and Eighth street stop sign.
Madison is now what mar- uniform will be displayed
keters call a “tween,” the front and center. Then yours Bill would help school districts with eating disorder prevention
stage between middle child- truly will grill the young man
hood and adolescence. on his intentions and lay Each year, millions of students struggle to why I introduced the Eating Disorder
Basically, she doesn’t want to down the law. My goal will be overcome the devastating fears and anxieties Awareness, Prevention and Education Act of
be treated like a child except met if he is fully terrorized that accompany eating disorders like anorexia 2011 (H.R. 36), which will enable our local
when it’s in her best interests. when he walks — or better and bulimia. Too often, the results are fatal. school districts to develop programs aimed at
Trying to be cool is para- yet — runs out the door. That’s why concerned parents and non-profit offering students education and support when
mount. Musical and fashion Now that I know how advocates have proclaimed this week, Feb. 20- it comes to eating disorders. My bill provides
tastes change regularly. quickly time goes by and I 26, National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. greater flexibility within existing federal grants
Abercrombie is the current can’t put the brakes on it, I The goal is to heighten public awareness of and allows school districts to develop their
fashion flavor of the month. plan to enjoy the ride for the the disease and promote resources for those own eating disorder prevention programs.
Imagine my dismay when I next decade. I suppose there who need help. We may never be able to pre- This bill provides educators with the training
see shopping bags featuring are worse things to be called vent teenagers from obsessing about body to recognize the warning signs and ensures
bare chested male models. Is than Dad, like “crazy old image, but together we can help them over- our schools are equipped to offer students
this really necessary for a man” or “Grandpa.” come pressures that can lead to purging, star- somewhere safe to turn for help.
store targeting tweens? Or — Mike Neiman of Hinsdale vation and mal-nutrition. Most importantly, As caring adults, we all have a role to play in
am I just sounding like an is a contributing columnist. we can help them recognize their own self- helping our children live healthy lives. This
old, cranky Tea Partier? Readers can e-mail him at worth. National Eating Disorder Awareness Week,
Fortunately, Madison has- news@thehinsdalean.com. Unfortunately, one of the biggest challenges let’s work together to give our local educators
n’t been (Justin) Bieber-ized in addressing eating disorders is that the dis- the tools they need to do their part. — U.S.
ease often goes unnoticed in schools. That’s Rep. Judy Biggert (R-13, Hinsdale)

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The Hinsdalean • February 24, 2011 • Page 11