The moon is high, the air is cold, and the snow conditions on Mount Goodenow are perfect. With nothing but the moon to light your way down the slope, you won't want to miss this special opportunity to tube after hours. Only two times each winter does this event take place. So gather the kids, the neighbors, and the neighbor's kids from 6 to 10 tonight and dress in your warmest winter threads and head out to Goodenow Grove. Giant truck tire inner tubes will be available for rent or you can bring your own sleds. A warm fire will await you as you take a break to regenerate in the nature center, which offers a concession room. This program is weather dependent, and will be canceled if snow conditions are not favorable. For more information, call (815) 727-8700.

* Seniors, a yellow dot could save your life. Starting at 10 a.m. Jan 29, director Barry Bonazzi from the Will County Sheriff's Office

will be at Village Woods, 2681 S. Route 394 in Crete. He'll speak about free resources specifically for seniors. With a Yellow Dot on seniors' windshields, emergency service personnel are alerted to important information about the seniors in the car's glove compartment. Another topic will be File of Life, where rescue workers responding to an emergency in a senior's home will look for the File of Life card on their refrigerator. The File of Life information will help guide treatment, doctor and family member notification. This greatly helps rescue personnel provide the best care. Another topic of interest is free 911 only phones. For information, call (708) 672-6111.

* My friend Bill Brei and his son Billy are raising money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. Money raised by this organization goes toward cancer research for children. They are looking for sponsors and will show their solidarity with cancer patients by having their heads shaved on Feb. 28. Visit www.stbaldricks.org and show support by donating generously. After reaching the Web site, click to donate, type in "Brei" and follow the directions on the screens.

* I wish I had applied for some scholarships when I was in college. If you know a nursing student who lives in School Districts 227, 206, and 201-U, he or she can apply for one from the Park Forest Nurses Club. Scholarships up to $2,000 will be awarded to winners on the basis of grade point average, citizenship qualities and goal achievement. Applications are available at Rich East, Rich South, Rich Central, Bloom, Bloom Trail, Crete Monee and Marian Catholic high schools or contact Christine Blue at (708) 748-1118.

* Congratulations goes to "Big Rick" Boettger, of South Chicago Heights, on winning the Crete American Legion's chili cook-off. His spicy winning entry was enjoyed by judges Tony Recupito, Crete township trustee; Conrad Keibles, Steger village administrator; chili aficionado Kim Christensen and myself. It didn't give me heartburn and I look forward to judging his chili at the Steger Kiwanis chili cook-off this year.

The opinions are solely those of the writer. Barb Dorman can be reached at i_hva_dream@yahoo.com.