http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/Columns, Editorials & OpinionenMovable Type Enterprise 4.29-advance http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/noColumns, Editorials & Opinionrickfitzgeraldhttp://feedburner.google.comhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/tM0mE-gfi_s/final_column_heartbreak_mixed.htmlRick FitzgeraldThu, 26 Mar 2009 21:25:18 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/rickfitzgerald//2822.2438784 ]]>I had planned to write today about nominations for our Young Citizen of the Year award. I wanted to implore the community to send nominations before the April 2 deadline had passed. And I had planned to comment on the...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2009/03/final_column_heartbreak_mixed.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/VJGadZ30gCU/we_deserve_better_from_our_pub.htmlRick FitzgeraldFri, 20 Mar 2009 05:46:06 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/rickfitzgerald//2822.2410771 ]]>Life is full of disappointments. As children, we're disappointed in some of the decisions our parents make. As parents, we're disappointed with some of the choices our children make....http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2009/03/we_deserve_better_from_our_pub.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/DIjMlIfAbHM/the_need_for_blood_donations_n.htmlRick FitzgeraldThu, 12 Mar 2009 21:03:28 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/rickfitzgerald//2822.2359352 ]]>My year-long wait is over. I can give blood again. You have no idea how embarrassing it's been to be banned from giving blood for a whole year while serving on the board of directors of the Livingston County chapter...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2009/03/the_need_for_blood_donations_n.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/3A-vCK7dL1c/nominate_a_teen_for_annual_you.htmlRick FitzgeraldThu, 12 Mar 2009 05:53:25 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/rickfitzgerald//2822.2318854 ]]>Download nomination form We're hoping that the third time is the charm. This is our third year of honoring high school students who find a way to balance academics and community service ... along with all the other activities that...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2009/03/nominate_a_teen_for_annual_you.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/CEpqP3WgJNQ/dig_deeper_theres_good_news_ou.htmlRick FitzgeraldThu, 26 Feb 2009 21:23:04 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/rickfitzgerald//2822.2266340 ]]>Yes, the economy is in the toilet and that's not good for anyone. But don't be fooled into thinking there's no good news out there. You just need to dig deeper for it. For those who may have put your...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2009/02/dig_deeper_theres_good_news_ou.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/q2339yJqbw8/world_war_ii_veteran_gets_his.htmlRick FitzgeraldThu, 19 Feb 2009 21:10:19 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/rickfitzgerald//2822.2236784 ]]>Dudley Scott, a man who for years has been making sure veterans have the proper ceremonial touch at their funerals through his participation in the honor guard unit of the local Marine Corps League, will be at the center of...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2009/02/world_war_ii_veteran_gets_his.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/nZBQNLp0DfI/as_it_turns_out_lots_of_folks.htmlRick FitzgeraldMon, 16 Feb 2009 13:23:26 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/rickfitzgerald//2822.2225633 ]]> I always appreciate getting comments about my column. It's encouraging to know someone is reading these weekly essays. But I must tell you that I'm getting lots more than the usual feedback on last Friday's column about the Hamburg...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2009/02/as_it_turns_out_lots_of_folks.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/kD6luZn1cGY/let_that_eagle_soar_right_here.html490095053374252Rick FitzgeraldThu, 12 Feb 2009 21:06:15 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/rickfitzgerald//2822.2199720 ]]>Courtesy, Yvonne HospodorA bald eagle in the backyard of Ken and Yvonne Hospodor of Hamburg Township. the photo was taken Feb. 6. A week or so ago, as I was heading home after work, I spotted a bird soaring in...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2009/02/let_that_eagle_soar_right_here.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/x9VBDCN0IAo/celebrating_winters_offerings.html7425275616322847Rick FitzgeraldThu, 05 Feb 2009 21:04:44 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/rickfitzgerald//2822.2162438 ]]>Call me crazy, but I cheered earlier this week when I heard that groundhogs Woody and Phil predicted we would have six more weeks of winter. I wanted to do one of those run-and-slide-on-your-knees moves like Bruce Springsteen did during...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2009/02/celebrating_winters_offerings.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/GwDssI8PJwI/understanding_atmophere_wins_v.html55124315321315320Rick FitzgeraldThu, 29 Jan 2009 21:04:52 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/rickfitzgerald//2822.2115060 ]]>Rick Fitzgerald | The Livingston Community NewsPatricia and Jeff Vega, owners of Vega Transportation. Almost half of the employees at Vega Transportation are single moms. That means there are times when owner Jeff Vega has to be a little more...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2009/01/understanding_atmophere_wins_v.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/TssrJvhXfd4/brighton_needs_to_clarify_city.html310858Rick FitzgeraldThu, 22 Jan 2009 21:08:56 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/rickfitzgerald//2822.2087919 ]]>Brighton resident Pat Cole is one of those people who seems to take pleasure in catching her local governmental officials making mistakes. She's pointed out improper display of flags at city hall and was so annoyed by the city's newly...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2009/01/brighton_needs_to_clarify_city.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/rzgBnI9_Vu8/honoring_livingtons_top_citize.html304260304480304560304478304262Rick FitzgeraldThu, 15 Jan 2009 21:05:25 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/rickfitzgerald//2822.2047509 ]]>The past 12 months have not been kind to many residents of Livingston County. The number of county residents who are just getting by is on the rise, regardless of how you measure it. Thankfully, there also are those who...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2009/01/honoring_livingtons_top_citize.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/SqtB0d5HYHw/resolve_to_reach_out_to_others.html299511Rick FitzgeraldThu, 08 Jan 2009 21:04:11 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/rickfitzgerald//2822.2012139 ]]>As we bring the first full week of the new year to a close, it's probably not too late to make a resolution or two. You know, resolutions are the thing to do at the start of a new year....http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2009/01/resolve_to_reach_out_to_others.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/TEFpwbCCkzQ/lets_start_the_new_year_with_p.html289344425562982Rick FitzgeraldThu, 01 Jan 2009 21:08:53 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/rickfitzgerald//2822.1947767 ]]>It's the start of a new year .... although one that remains filled with lots of uncertainty. Lots of us are glad to see 2008 put to rest. It's been a rough one. But 2009 holds the promise of both...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2009/01/lets_start_the_new_year_with_p.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/FtDnPOZmfc0/lets_be_careful_out_there_driv.html289328220066Rick FitzgeraldThu, 25 Dec 2008 21:09:29 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/rickfitzgerald//2822.1947743 ]]>There's nothing like a good snowstorm to bring out the best - and the worst - in Michigan motorists. If you were among those who did not have the option of staying nestled snug in your bed last Friday when...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2008/12/lets_be_careful_out_there_driv.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/mkUP4UzJcVA/giving_can_take_so_many_differ.html902667487259263Rick FitzgeraldThu, 18 Dec 2008 21:08:06 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/rickfitzgerald//2822.1926120 ]]>If ever you were inclined to make a year-end donation to the Livingston County United Way, Monday, Dec. 22, is the day to do it. Any donations made to the United Way that day will be double-matched by two anonymous...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2008/12/giving_can_take_so_many_differ.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/nC01q5RqCUY/students_find_the_homes_of_the.html44794279494279496Rick FitzgeraldThu, 11 Dec 2008 21:02:12 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/rickfitzgerald//2822.1891796 ]]>Courtesy, Ray NobleBrighton High School students Anastasiya Desyatova and Christopher Jones, won a "Lost Coins" contest at the school sponsored by custodian Ray Noble, right. Ray Noble has been collecting coins for 45 years. He got started with an 1897...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2008/12/students_find_the_homes_of_the.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/0KhsrAtvyW4/add_patti_or_beth_to_your_chri.html274373Rick FitzgeraldThu, 04 Dec 2008 22:32:36 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/rickfitzgerald//2822.1859120 ]]>Who's on your Christmas shopping list? The kids? Mom and dad? Brothers and sisters? The neighbor who plows everyone's sidewalks? Your mail carrier? Most of us have at least a handful of people on our lists. And I'm willing to...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2008/12/add_patti_or_beth_to_your_chri.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/uJo-mxsvY6Q/its_time_to_send_in_your_nomin.html75216126916Rick FitzgeraldThu, 27 Nov 2008 23:14:14 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/rickfitzgerald//2822.1823477 ]]>For the last two years, we've had the privilege of recognizing a caring and generous resident of Livingston County as our 2008 Livingston Citizen of the Year. Now it's time for you - our readers - to nominate those individuals...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2008/11/its_time_to_send_in_your_nomin.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rickfitzgerald/~3/n39Ck62QE3I/share_holiday_feast_with_your.html565635524747209Rick FitzgeraldThu, 20 Nov 2008 21:03:18 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/rickfitzgerald//2822.1796802 ]]>Thanksgiving weekend has always been family time at our house, even when it's not at our house. That's probably the case for many of you. What better reason do you need to get the extended family together than a holiday...http://blog.mlive.com/rickfitzgerald/2008/11/share_holiday_feast_with_your.htmlnonadult