O'Neill goes to Washington

Here's the world's fanciest Starbucks in Alexandria, VA.
So the O'Neill family feels real lucky to have the chance to go to DC and witness a little history. I thought I would blog for Vanguard while I was away and share with you our trip.

Our first stop when we arrived Sunday afternoon was Alexandria, VA. We walked around a little bit--it's so much warmer than at home in Chicago.

We ate at Bilbo Baggins restaurant, a fine establishment with super friendly wait staff. The town was dead because I think everyone was on the National Mall rocking out to Springsteen, U2,Sheryl Crowe, etc. While we were eating, we watched McNabb's defeat against the Arizona. No defense for the Eagles so it wasn't really his fault but my heart aches for him nonetheless. The jukebox was playing Clapton's "Crossroads" while we were eating at Bilbo Baggins and I thought of Bobbi Felfle and our Field Hollerers.
Look, there's a Superdawg at the Midway Airport! Most of the people on the plane traveled in packs of besters. I thought for sure there would be more families but it was mainly small groups of women wearing matching Obama yellow sweatshirts on the plane.

I'm good with DC so far. Environmentally friendly buses that run on Natural Gas. I have heard their metro trains are the cleanest in all the land. I will let you know tomorrow.

I am more than shocked and thoroughly entertained by all the Obama consumerism. I have already seen five people with fancy studded Obama winter caps. Two women on the plane had costume jewelry diamond studded bracelets that spelled OBAMA. I will try to get some pix of the Obama fashions tomorrow.

Random Fact:
Did you know that Arlington Heights was named after Arlington National Cemetary? It's true. They originally called it Dunton, then Arlington and changed the name to Arlington Heights because the name Arlington was already taken.

I am impressed that Obama declared today a National Day of Service. Be proud you do service everyday, not just one day a year. Hope you're reflecting a little bit on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and enjoying the time off.

If you have any questions, I promise I will investigate. please post.

Rod R. Blagojevich Arrested

Rod R. Blagojevich is the 40th governor of Illinois. He was elected in 2002 and was re-elected in 2006. On December 9, 2008 he was arrested for attempting to sell President-elect Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat among other accusations.

This scandal has affected teachers and students at Vanguard School in many ways. Bobbie Felfe, school librarian, said, “When so many questions of character exist, you can't govern effectively, so anybody who’s a person of high character would step away from the job. You get stupid when you get greedy.”

Robert Struggles, a senior, said, “When people in power are corrupt, not only do we feel the effects of their individual acts, but they ruin something much more important. They destroy the fabric of society as they sew distrust into the lives of their people.”

Some of the students and teachers are upset with the fact that the man who is supposed to be helping our schools is stealing from them. Tedd Markos, a teacher, said, “Rod Blagojevich took money from Illinois education funds. He said that he planned to add more slot machines in Illinois casinos to compensate for the education fund that he took from. He’s a crook.”

To add on Liz Ojeda, a senior, said, “I can’t imagine why people would vote for a man that is clearly corrupt. He is a great example of someone who let’s power get to his head. It disgusts me that he has been stealing from our kid’s education funds. I hope they lock him up for a long time.”

Chicago is known for its corrupt politicians. Ardis Anzalone, Vanguard secretary, said it perfectly, “It’s a shame that Illinois can’t get out of the shadow of these corrupt politicians (like Rod’s the 1st?!) project to the rest of the country. Who can we trust at the state level? "

Story by Jaclyn Cimarusti
photo courtesy of photobucket