By Jay Sternickle
Material created for The Mower Garage
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Welcome to the online home of The Mower Garage. We provide professional, quality small engine repair at very economical rates; AND we pick up and deliver your repaired equipment right to your front door or work site.

We repair and service both residential and commercial equipment including: lawnmowers, chainsaws, generators, pressure washers, snowblowers, string trimmers and other gas powered small engines. The man behind the “Garage” door is Phil Sleezer. Phil has been servicing and repairing engines since 1975.

By Jay Sternickle
Material created for Fleet2 Tuckpointing
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Fleet2 Tuckpointing has more than 20 years’ experience installing glass block windows in family homes and businesses. Glass block windows add light, security, and warmth to any home or business. 

Replacing your old windows with glass block windows is cost effective, cuts your heating and cooling bills and helps stop the drafts that often happen around old windows. Using glass blocks as replacement windows will also brighten up any room.

By Jay Sternickle
Material created for Welcome Home Property Inspections
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Welcome Home Property Inspections has been a veteran-owned company since 2002. The company provides certified residential and commercial property inspection services for Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The owner, Ron Krywanio, is a US Army veteran who served during the Viet Nam Era from 1962 to 1968. Ron has more than 25 years' experience in the real estate industry.

By Jay Sternickle
Material created for Sherryann’s Express Your Style
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Hello, my name is Sherryann. I am a fashion and jewelry designer, a bridal consultant and a prom fashion specialist. My company is Sherryann’s Express Your Style – Whatever Your Heart Desires.  I launched my business in 2009 based on faith and the belief that all customers deserve the chance to express their personal style. I was inspired by my mother. She showed me how to sew when I was 10, and taught me how important it was to express myself by being creative.

Reach for the Stars with Help of Astronomy Clubs
By Jay Sternickle
Article originally appeared in Lake Life (Pull-Out Section)
Lakeland Newspapers, Lake County, Illinois

Lake County residents who are interested in astronomy now have two area clubs to help them develop their desire to reach for the stars. The newly formed Waukegan Public Library Astronomy Club and veteran Lake County Astronomical Society both offer the opportunity to turn a simple interest about the night sky into a lifetime love of astronomy.

 “Awe. That's why most people get involved in astronomy,” Explained Bob Bjork, the Waukegan club coordinator.  “It's just as simple as that. Show someone the rings of Saturn through a good telescope and that' the reaction you'll get – awe!”

Workshop Highlights Dangers of Inhalant Abuse
By Jay Sternickle
Article originally appeared in the
Livingston County Law Enforcement Monthly
Livingston County, Illinois

When most parents and teachers think about children abusing drugs, they have images of marijuana or cocaine use in their minds. What many do not realize is that there are other items that can be abused that are just as deadly and addictive—these are inhalants that can be found in any household or school.  Inhalants include glues, adhesives, paint thinner and other common items that can be sniffed or “huffed” to obtain a high.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, one in five American teen-agers used inhalants to get high in 1996, and the problem is getting worse. Michelle Piotrowski, a prevention specialist with the Institute for Human Resources, said that inhalant abuse is a problem that cannot be ignored.  Piotrowski stressed that abusing inhalants just one time can cause brain damage or even death.

IHR is sponsoring a free workshop that will help teach parents and educators about the dangers of inhalant abuse.  The workshop will be held March 9 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at IHR and is limited to 40 participants.

Workers Risk Damage from Repetitive Motion
By Jay Sternickle
Article originally appeared in the Life & Times Magazine
Patriot Newspaper, Hinesville, Georgia

When Debra Naill first experienced pain in her hands, while working as a sewing machine operator, she did not think it was unusual. She thought the pain would go away; like the deep aches you get after a hard workout at the gym.

She was new at her job and thought her hands would get stronger as she learned to sew better; repeating the same motions day after day.

But the pain did not go away; it got worse, and Naill's hands got weaker and weaker. After nine months on the job, she was forced to quit—she no longer had the strength in her hands to grip objects. Naill was the victim of a repetitive stress injury.

Violence Tears Families Apart
By Jay Sternickle
Article originally appeared in the Life & Times Magazine
Patriot Newspaper, Hinesville, Georgia

Family violence is one of today's most critical health issues, and it tears away at the very foundation of a marriage leaving an abused spouse with nowhere to turn. But there is help for victims of domestic violence through programs offered by Army Community Services' Family Advocacy Program and local community programs like Tri-County Protective Services.

The Family Advocacy Program works to prevent spouse abuse in its early stages through education and treatment programs.  Tri-County Protective Services runs a shelter for victims of violence who have no choice but to break away from an abusive spouse.  Through these programs victims and abusers alike can rebuild the foundations of their relationships.

The Importance of Using Visual Communication
in Classroom and Online Environments
By Jay Sternickle
Produced at Western Illinois University
Macomb, Illinois

This research paper examines the need to incorporate more visual information into classroom and online learning environments.  Students today are surrounded by technology that bombards them with visual information. Images flash across their televisions, computers, and smart phones every minute of every day.

Exploring the Concept of Affordances
By Jay Sternickle
Produced at Western Illinois University
Macomb, Illinois

This research paper examines psychologist James J. Gibson’s theory of affordances. This theory explains that humans perceive the world not only in terms of objects and spatial relationships but that humans can also perceive an object’s possibilities for action.