Author: Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland. His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing. Email Ray Hanania at [email protected]. Follow RayHanania at Twitter

Hurricane aftermath worsened by political selfishness

October 6, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hurricane aftermath worsened by political selfishness The damage caused by a series of Hurricanes from Harvey to Maria to Mediterranean countries, several U.S. States, and two American territories, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Island, is bad enough without some do-nothing political opportunist like Congressman Luis Gutierrez trying to exploit it for his personal political benefit…

Blogger, Commentary, Editors Pick, Government, Opinion, rayhanania

Czech, Slovak & Bohemian culture showcased in Houby Day tradition

October 3, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Czech & Bohemian culture showcased in Houby Day tradition For many years, the Czech community was Chicagoland’s most recognized cultural presence. As Chicagoland’s immigration makeup has expanded, the Czech community identity continues each year with the popular Houby Day Festival and Parade in Chicago’s West suburbs By Ray Hanania Much is made by the mainstream…

Commentary, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festival, Opinion, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Smashburger is the ultimate best tasting burger ever

October 2, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Smashburger is the ultimate best tasting burger ever I grew up on hamburgers and I consider myself a hamburger connoisseur. Until recently, though I enjoyed burgers everywhere. But a few weeks ago, I happened across a place called Smashburgers and I am hooked. They are the best tasting hamburgers in the world By Ray Hanania…

Blogger, Commentary, Entertainment, Features, food, General Topics, Opinion, rayhanania

Mayor Emanuel launches mentoring initiative to help high risk youth

September 30, 2017September 30, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mayor Emanuel launches mentoring initiative to help high risk youth MAYOR EMANUEL ANNOUNCES MENTORING INITIATIVE TO SERVE AN ADDITIONAL 2,000 YOUTH IN HIGHEST RISK COMMUNITIES THIS FALL Latest expansions brings the City more than 90 percent towards its goal of reaching approximately 7,200 youths by 2018 Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced another step toward achieving…

Chicago, Government, News

Switched from Western Digital to Seagate for better storage

September 29, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Switched from Western Digital to Seagate for better storage I was forced by the poor quality of the Western Digital hard drive I purchased to switch to a new system using Seagate Hard Drives and I am glad I did. I had two WD Hard Drives, the MyCloud 8 TB hub and a 4 TB…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, rayhanania, Technology

Leah Remini knocks it out of the park in Kevin Can Wait

September 28, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leah Remini knocks it out of the park in Kevin Can Wait One of my all time favorite comedy series on Television was “King of Queens” starring Kevin James and Leah Remini. I watch the reruns over and over again because the comedy of the two talented actors is phenomenal. When James launched his latest…

Blogger, Commentary, Entertainment, Features, Opinion, rayhanania

Road Trip: Monument Valley offers amazing panoramic views

September 28, 2017February 22, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Road Trip: Monument Valley offers amazing panoramic views On a road trip from Las Vegas to Chicago via Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Wyoming, we saw so many amazing sites. One of the most memorable was a drive through Monument Valley along the border between Utah and Arizona off of US 163. It’s really worth it…

Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, rayhanania, Travel

GM, Chevrolet offer tips for young job hunters

September 28, 2017September 28, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

GM, Chevrolet offer tips for young job hunters Staying On Trax: Job Finding Tips From Chevrolet. Chevrolet’s talent team provides job-finding advice and tips as well as ways to use your vehicle to help while searching for jobs. Whether you’re a recent grad in pursuit of your first job, looking to make the next move in…

Business, Education, Features, General Topics, Suburban Chicagoland

The disgraceful conduct of American athletes

September 27, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

The disgraceful conduct of American athletes I don’t believe athletes who refuse to stand during the National Anthem are refusing on moral grounds. They’re selfish, unpatriotic. #NFLSOB Everyone should stand during the Pledge of Allegiance and for the National Anthem. And if they want to protest, do it someplace else. But most American athletes are…

Blogger, Commentary, Editors Pick, Opinion, rayhanania, Sports

Orland First responders honored by cardiac arrest survivor

September 27, 2017September 27, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland First responders honored by cardiac arrest survivor Five members of the Orland Fire Protection District were recognized Tuesday for their fast action in saving the life of a suburban man who was suffering from cardiac arrest. Michael Owens of Orland Park and his sister Patricia said that they called 9/11 on July 17 when…

Features, Government, News

Construction employment rises in response to labor shortages

September 27, 2017September 27, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Construction employment rises in response to labor shortages CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT INCREASES IN 274 OUT OF 358 METRO AREAS BETWEEN AUGUST 2016 AND 2017 AS FIRMS WORK TO COPE WITH GROWING LABOR SHORTAGES Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. and Lewiston, Idaho-Wash. Have Largest Year-over-Year Gains; Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas and Columbia, S.C. Experience Biggest Annual Declines Construction employment…

General Topics, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Cicero dedicates soccer field in honor of local coach

September 27, 2017September 27, 2017 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Cicero dedicates soccer field in honor of local coach The Town of Cicero was proud to commemorate a Heritage Sign to recognize the contributions of soccer coach Laureano Robles at 19th and Laramie at the Soccer Park. Robles spent more than 25 years training young people in soccer and sports. The dedication was held on…

News, Suburban Chicagoland

Cindy Masover Announces Run for 58th House Seat

September 26, 2017September 26, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cindy Masover Announces Run for 58th House Seat Cindy Masover has announced she will run for State Representative of the 58th District. An attorney, small business owner, and mother of two daughters from Highland Park, Cindy is uniquely positioned to represent the 58th District. “I have decided to run for State Representative to be an…

Government, News, Politics

Muslim, Christian & Jew discuss Jerusalem Nov. 12

September 24, 2017September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Muslim, Christian & Jew discuss Jerusalem Nov. 12 The City of Jerusalem will be the focus of an interfaith discussion hosted on Nov. 12, 2017 by Grace Lutheran Church in LaGrange, Illinois. The event features three speakers, a Jew, a Christian and a Muslim, who will discuss the importance of Jerusalem, which has been under…

News

Lipinski presents check for $123,810 to Cicero Fire Dept

September 22, 2017September 22, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lipinski presents check for $123,810 to Cicero Fire Dept Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) is announcing that the Cicero Fire Department has been awarded $123,810 through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The grant will help purchase 2,600 combination carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. “These simple, relatively inexpensive devices have the potential…

Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Park Commission to salute Veterans

September 22, 2017January 9, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Commission to salute Veterans The Village of Orland Park Veterans Commission has three important dates for the community to remember — October 6, November 5 and November 10. Friday, October 6 is the last day to add a veteran’s name to the village’s memorial in time for this year’s Veterans Day observances. Veterans…

Baby Boomers, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Brannigan reaches out to Arabs and Muslims

September 20, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Brannigan reaches out to Arabs and Muslims Palos Township Trustee Sharon Brannigan offended Arabs and Muslims with broad stroke comments about immigration that pointed a finger at their race and religion. But Brannigan apologized this week, reiterating apologies she issued twice before saying that she is not anti-Arab, anti-Muslim or anti-immigrant. I understand her concerns…

Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County Beverage Tax Repeal Vote set for October 10

September 19, 2017September 19, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Beverage Tax Repeal Vote set for October 10 A meeting of the Cook County Board’s Finance Committee has been called for Tuesday, October 10 at 10:00am to take up the ordinance to repeal the Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax. At the request of Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison, the lead sponsor of the…

Editors Pick, food, Government, News, Politics, Taxes