PAYING IT FORWARD: BACK AT 'CHA!

Welcome back! To you, that is, but mostly from me, after a brief hiatus due to a number of complications both medical (surgical that is) and mechanical (OK, my car and computer blew up, again) and letting the holiday madness take control -- proving that yes, even us dyed-in-the-wool 24/7 newshounds need to take a break sometimes.
Anyway, it's me, the big tall bearded guy, trying not to limp around, always ferreting out the latest "goooood staw-wee" (as the Sun Times' late great Harry Golden used to say every time he scooped his cigar-chomping City Hall pressroom peers). And this year is no different.

But with Barack taking office next week? Isn't He, as it were, the story of the week?

Maybe, if you're sick of hearing about Blago or are a fan of La Grange's own -- the locally famous -- Lawn Rangers, who prepped for their inaugural parade appearance Monday night at Palmer Place and deserve second-billing, top-of-the-fold coverage if I had a front page.

(Then I'd cover those endorsements we missed, the continued, disputed sale of a piece of Gordon Park and the continued undisputed existence of the still-standing empty Y, why we no longer see the lady in black or that Bible-thumpin' loud man at La Grange & Ogden, Cafe 36's national appearance on FOX-TV's "Kitchen Nightmares" tonight, even that great movie with Paul Rudd and the guy who played Stiffler still playing for $3.50 at the La Grange Theatre or why the clock that should have been given to Jerry Burjan rarely, if ever, sports the correct time.)

But THE HOTTEST La Grange political story this side of Harlem, Cicero or Austin, heck Fifth Avenue (La Grange Road for you young tykes and grandmas who don't remember), depending, of course, on where you hang your hat and where your Chicago border is (since that is where our beleaguered governor prefers to live and work and attend baseball games) involves a reform-minded politician being accused of requiring that some citizens to pay if they want to play.

I wish I was referring to that latest somebody who actually had the chutzpah to file petitions next week challenging the "recommended" caucus slate, especially after all that hoopla over purpose and bylaws and future, conflicts of interest, a whole 20-something delegates voting at times and why oh why the former Park Board prez was not endorsed. Oooh La La?

No thank you ma'am. Like a reader once wrote to me about the alarming news concerning prohibited first-floor retail swing dancing in downtown La Grange ('What next? Bendable straws?' Ha!) ... Oh my my, La Grange. Oh my my.

(SEE 'THE NEWS' BLOG TODAY AND WATCH THE TONGUES START WAGGIN' IN THAT OTHER BIG GUY'S COFFEE SHOP. THIS IS BIG NEWS!)

In my estimation, that means stick around, wander back to the main page, click on 'The Talk' blog and Read On, loyal readers. Then register on our site (if you aren't signed up already) and let us know what YOU think. Boy I love this competition thing.