Impossible to get a working RV refrigerator? — Happiness is! My new Norcold DE-0061 refrigerator kicked on! After my previous one, same model, died after less than 8 years, I found a replacement (Norcold Guy) and had it installed (General RV, Huntley) in early August. Life in my Sprinter van (my only home) returned to normal, just in…

How your community deals with homelessness will determine the answer. — Dubuque, IA, the “Masterpiece on the Mississippi,” stands ready to become the “Malfunction on the Mississippi.” This tenacious city, teeming with religious tradition, appears to be ready to follow the faulty path of urban mega-cities and southern states when it comes to homelessness — ban it, make them uncomfortable, move ’em on, issue citations, arrest them, and do whatever it takes to rid the streets of visible homelessness.

Homelessness Ranks #1 for Many Well-intentioned school personnel and community volunteers have gone out of their way to ease back-to-school time, especially for kids struggling with big challenges — poverty and homelessness. Covid requires extensive measures to reach and teach kids outside the mainstream. More federal resources than ever have poured into connecting disconnected students…

A Plea: Restore Robin Hood — On this Sunday, a traditional day of worship for many Christians, my mind drifts back to teachings in my Catholic upbringing. One that jumps way out at me is the definition of “mortal sin,” the most egregious act of wrongdoing. Remember these three ingredients? You know it’s wrong It’s seriously…

Non-Rich Folks and Pets Hitting the Streets — Memo to idiot: “hope you have a great day” fails as the ending of your 7/14/22 missive that forces tenants in your apartment complex to get rid of their pets by 8/15/22, observing that “We understand that pets can be like family…” Yes. In addition to rent-raising assault that continues…

18 Years Later, I’m Not Done Yet! — In a heartbeat: 17 years down and another ahead. HEAR US Inc., my unconventional one-woman national nonprofit, turns 18 on July 1. Little would I have guessed that I’d still be at giving voice and visibility to families and youth experiencing homelessness after all this time. Truth Be Told When I started this…