Mr. Spencer, you are an absolute nut! But I love your creativity! [I’ve Cubs got Cubs on the brain, Brad Spencer, Sports, Oct. 1]

It was an exceptionally rainy night, with up to six inches of precipitation in some parts of our villages. The local storm occurred on a day when Hurricane Ike battered the Texas/Gulf area-a point not lost on some of the attendees of the sixth annual gala for Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple, which featured (after one too many long-winded speakers) the Orbert Davis Quintet.

I am forced to admit a fatal fascination with Sarah Palin. I think that some very sharp Republican operatives have ensnared me in a magician’s trick. Boy, that ol’ maverick John McCain really gambled on this one. And it looks like he has come up all aces

In recent months, Helen, we’ve exchanged thoughts on Jesus, “The Way,” as he described himself, who leads through close-to-home places like public high schools and prisons. Let’s think about another stopping place: being gay and being on The Way.

Remember the movie Network, when Peter Finch opened all the windows and shouted: “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!” Well, that’s how I feel about the parking in Oak Park.

Just wondering why the gas prices in Oak Park are higher than any other nearby area. Oak Park stations are charging anywhere from $4.19 per gallon to $4.29 while surrounding suburbs are charging much less.

Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Colleagues: It is with very mixed feelings that I am announcing I have decided not to run for a fifth term as village clerk of Oak Park. Working for the village, both village clerk for 16 years and in the Community Relations Department for the eight years before that, has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding periods of my life.