GA_111419

14 | November 14, 2019 | The glencoe anchor sound off
glencoeanchordaily.com
City Girl Confessions
Grateful for wind, cold and air
Kelly Anderson
Contributing Columnist
I
can’t stop chuckling.
It’s November but
I’m still marveling at
the visual of my daughter,
clad in a red tomato
costume, running up and
down snow-covered driveways
to trick-or-treat, as
more snowflakes swirled
through the air. It was
delightful, it was maddening,
and it was so whimsical
that one couldn’t help
but laugh.
But let’s face it: the
cold weather arrived fast.
Much faster than anticipated.
I would be lying if
I said that I didn’t walk
outside of my home each
morning, steeling myself
for the icy chill that hits
my skin and freezes my
face. This kind of weather
is not exactly welcomed
with open arms ... more
like gritted teeth.
“I love the Midwest
but I can’t stand the cold
weather.” I hear this
statement so often that I
should make it my iPhone
ringtone. The thing is,
over the past few years,
I’ve made a conscious
effort to shift my outlook
on cold weather. What
I’ve discovered is that
this tiny shift had an
incredible ripple effect
when it came to winter
optimism.
I began by welcoming
the serene visual of
snow, whether that be a
soft snowfall or a blanket
of white covering every
lawn on the street. I saw
this clean, blank canvas
among nature and one
word came to mind:
peaceful. I studied the
romantic way the snow
clung to tree branches or
the cheerful way it was
piled into a snowman
by children. I made a
point to slow down and
watch the snow- even if
just for a minute or two.
The effect was akin to
meditation: slow down,
calm down. Once again,
peaceful.
Additionally, when the
temps dip low, I focus
on the community element.
Gathering around
a crackling fireplace or
baking a lasagna to enjoy
with neighbors allows for
warmth to exist within
our homes. For my family,
cold weather is a nice
excuse to make a huge
bowl of popcorn (side
of M&Ms) and put on a
movie. Sometimes we
skip the movie and listen
to music while playing
spirited games of UNO.
I learned some valuable
lessons about preparing
my wardrobe for the cold.
Instead of throwing on a
bulky sweater, I dress in
several layers of thinner
clothing to keep warm. I
don’t resist a hat, scar, or
pair of mittens; I embrace
function over fashion
A scenic winter view captured on Halloween in Glencoe by The Anchor’s Contributing
Columnist Kelly Anderson. photo submitted
because function is usually
warmer. I heartily
endorse blanket snuggles
on the couch, as well.
Lastly, I have a mantra
that I whisper to myself: I
am in awe of nature every
single day. This is one of
the Midwest’s greatest
gifts: four full yet individual
seasons. Our trees are
laid bare, only for Spring
to sprout green and gold.
Summer allows gardens
and flowers to flourish
until Fall colors our
world like an artist with a
palette. Winter wipes the
slate clean. Think about
it- how lucky are we to
witness these evolutions
daily?
I’ll confess, I didn’t arrive
at this cold weather
clarity overnight. But
when I walk outside and
into the chill, I take a
slow, deep breath and
express gratitude for
what I see and feel. It’s
peaceful.
Kelly Q. Anderson is a writer,
photographer and former
Chicagoan. She pens blogs
and books from her home in
Glencoe, which she shares
with her husband, son and
daughter.
NFYN
From Page 8
to the Glenview Municipal
Code, which the Village
Board approved at their
most recent meeting.
Trustees John Hinkmap
and Chuck Gitles voted
against the ordinance, on
which trustees will take
a final vote on Thursday,
Nov. 21.
Reporting by Chris Pullam,
Freelance Reporter. Full
story at GlenviewLantern-
Daily.com.
THE NORTHBROOK TOWER
Application for recreational
marijuana dispensary
heading to vote
An application for
Northbrook’s first recreational
marijuana dispensary
is moving forward.
The Northbrook Plan
Commission instructed
village staff to prepare a
resolution recommending
approval of an application
filed by Greenhouse Group
LLC as the potential lessee
of the property located at
755 Skokie Blvd. during
its Tuesday, Nov. 5 regular
meeting.
Commissioners conducted
their second public
hearing on the application
during the meeting. The
commission held its first
review of the proposal
during its Tuesday, Oct.
15 meeting, where almost
two dozen members of the
public spoke during the
public-comment portion.
Commissioners considered
all elements of the
application Oct. 15 except
a text amendment to allow
adult-use cannabis dispensaries
as special-permit
uses in Northbrook. At that
time, Village trustees had
not yet determined their
opinions on the matter.
Members of the commission
predominantly
agreed that the applicant’s
requested relief was appropriate
at that meeting.
The Village Board of
Trustees then unanimously
voted Oct. 22 to allow special-use
permits to be issued
for recreational marijuana
dispensaries in the
C-2, C-3, C-4 and C-5 districts,
but not in downtown
Northbrook. With the Village
Board’s approval, the
Plan Commission was then
able to consider all parts of
Greenhouse Group’s application.
The current proposal
calls for a renovation of
the existing 9,938-squarefoot
building at 755 Skokie
Blvd., which used to house
the Rehabilitation Institute
of Chicago and has long
been vacant. According
to the board packet, the
applicant is proposing to
completely renovate the
inside of the structure to
create two distinct zones
within the building: a publicly
accessible zone for
retail area and communal
activity space; and a private,
restricted area for
back-of-house business.
Approximately 15-25
full-time employees will
staff the potential dispensary,
according to the applicant.
Reporting by Martin Carlino,
Contributing Editor. Full
story at NorthbrookTower-
Daily.com.