Saturday, May 18, 2013
Patch readers had a lot to say last month when asked what they thought of a new store policy in which baggers were obliged to follow customers and their carts out to their vehicles whether they wanted help or not.
If you've avoided shopping at Jewel-Osco for fear of being awkwardly trailed to your car by an employee, you're not alone, but there is good news. The once mandatory policy created by Jewel's new owners, Cerberus Capital Management LP, has been repealed. A statement on the store's website says the cart-to-car service will still be offered to customers, but it will no longer be forced upon them. Parts of our customer service philosophy are things that every grocery store should do, like ensuring the stores are clean, the shelves are well stocked, and asking if you need help finding an item. Now, we’ve expanded our service to include taking your groceries out to your car. And, if you don’t want or need help, that’s fine too. Many customers …
Why doesn’t Metra have wireless internet on its trains yet? Mostly because it would be enormously expensive and a technological challenge, too. But should they?
Should Metra get Wi-Fi? Even if it’s expensive and hard to implement and maintain? The commuter-rail network is considering the possibility, the Chicago Tribune and other news agencies report, but price and technology are major barriers, despite that a DePaul University report shows 48 percent of Metra riders use personal electronic devices during their commutes. According to the paper, it could cost over $70 million to install wireless internet on all 11 Metra lines over five years—though some of that could perhaps be recouped by paid plans or sponsorships—and there’s a fear that the technology might quickly become obsolete or go unused by customers who prefer other connectivity, like smart-phone hotspots or air-cards. "(Wi-Fi) would be…
Thursday, May 16, 2013
It's been a long week. You need a pick-me-up.
Friday's here. Thank goodness. One more day of work, and that's it. Here's a little inspiration to get you through to Saturday. For more than a month now, Patch and Grape-Nuts have teamed up to present stories about your neighbors, neighbors who have faced challenges that would seem insurmountable to many of us. But not to the people we've featured in this series, Journeys. Not surprisingly, the stories have generated dozens of comments on Patch and on Facebook: "Great story..." "Thanks for sharing..." "So wonderfully inspiring..." And, so, here they are again. Great stories shared to inspire. Take a look at what these people have faced. Then click on the story to see their responses. And feel better about your tough week. Pit Bull …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Do you think it should be mandatory for Jewel-Osco employees to follow you — and your cart — out to your vehicle? Let us know in the comments section.
Residents sounded off recently on a new policy at Jewel-Osco, which required its employees to follow customers — and their carts — out to their vehicles. The service was once mandatory, according to couponsinthenews.com, and whether you wanted the help or not, your bagger was expected to follow you out to your vehicle. "We understand that this is a very different service and it might take our customers some time to understand that we want this to be the norm," said a Jewel customer service representative last month. Jewel has since issued a statement that acknowledges the company has received strong feedback and indicates that the service is now optional, according to a release on the company's website. "And, if you don’t want or need …
Jolie announced Tuesday she underwent a double mastectomy to prevent her chances of breast cancer. Her likelihood of developing the cancer was at 87 percent. Tell us what you think about Jolie's decision and announcement in the comments section.
Actress and director Angelina Jolie announced today in a New York Times op-ed piece that she recently underwent a double mastectomy to cut her chances of developing breast cancer. Jolie wrote she decided to take a blood test since she was at a higher risk of breast cancer — her mother fought the disease for almost a decade before dying at age 56 — and because she wanted to make sure she would be there for her children, according to her New York Times column. Jolie said she carries a "faulty" gene, BRCA1, which raised her risk of developing breast cancer to 87 percent, according to the Associated Press. After having the double mastectomy, her chances of developing breast cancer dropped to five percent, according to the Associated Press. …
Sunday, May 12, 2013
April showers brought flood of problems to an already troubled state.
Sunday Comic.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
If you've got wit, add your caption to Patch's weekly comic challenge and win a personalized print.
Patch cartoon.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Fire officials tell the Northwest Herald that most of the homes had cedar shake roofs, which can be more combustible.
While a blaze that damaged five homes on Carrington Drive in Crystal Lake last week remains under investigation, fire officials told the Northwest Herald most of the homes had cedar shake roofs, which have shingles that can be combustible, that burned. The home where the fire originated at 3217 Carrington Drive on May 1 was destroyed by the blaze and one of the homes the blaze spread to at 3222 Carrington Drive was uninhabitable. Three other homes were damaged by the fire. While cedar shake shingles are good for running water off a roof, a few years in the sun can mean the shingles "are more at risk for burning easily," Crystal Lake Deputy Chief Paul DeRaedt told the Northwest Herald. The shingles can be treated to prevent fires, DeRaedt…
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Where's a superhero when we really need one?
Sunday, April 28, 2013
A trip to the newly unveiled Presidential Center in Dallas could leave a visitor in shock and awe.
Patch Sunday cartoon.
azulteste
8:56 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Hmmmmmm. While I usually want to take my own groceries to the car, I don't have to worry about the next jerk letting the cart roll away when a Jewel employee is there to control it. more ›