When I was eight years old, I read a book in which it was casually mentioned that the characters were vegetarians, and my life took a turn as it dawned on me that what one calls “food” matters, that dietary choices have impact. I stopped eating meat immediately and I embarked upon what was to become a lifelong passion for plant-based cuisine, and healthful, humane, and sustainable eating. My roots in this community run deep. I grew up in River Forest, went to Oak Park and River Forest High School, and then to Grinnell College, where I majored in English. After graduation, I moved to Oak Park, where I have lived ever since. I went to graduate school at UIC, where I earned a PhD in English and completed my training in secondary education. In June, I retired from Oak Park and River Forest High School, where I had been a member of the English division since 2005. During my time at the high school, I served on the executive committee of the teachers’ union, as well as on various other committees. Over the years, I have been involved in several community efforts. Specifically, I spearheaded a campaign to bring dog parks to the village and, along with Kathy Capone, I successfully lobbied the Village Board to support the housing of stray animals at the Animal Care League. I was also an early owner of Sugar Beet. I am a long-time active member of the Kadampa Buddhist Meditation Center on Harrison Street. Early on in Sugar Beet’s development I had considered running for the Board, but my job at the high school did not leave me with much spare time, and I did not think I could do justice to the role. What I think I bring to the table: an idealist’s vision coupled with a pragmatist’s ability to compromise; a commitment to the well-being of the whole community; a deftness with language. Skills I lack: I can balance a checkbook, but I am not a financial wizard; when I was young, I worked in a few restaurants, and I did work at both a White Hen Pantry and an IGA when I was in high school, but other than that, I don’t have any retail experience. As far as my sense of the opportunities and challenges facing Sugar Beet, I feel that I need to know more about how the store operates, about existing pressures, contingencies, strictures, et cetera, before I can astutely offer an opinion on this subject. I know that there are things I don’t know, and thus I am sure there are things I don’t know I don’t know. I appreciate your consideration of my candidacy, and I look forward to hearing from you if you think I might have something to contribute to the board.