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The Soapbox

View from the ground level:

Village leaders do a better job when they really know their towns, and that’s why we applaud West Dundee trustees for taking their recent board meeting to the streets. Each member toured a neighborhood on foot, greeting residents and checking for potential problems, and they plan a second outing in the fall.

It’s for your safety, too:

This just needs to be said, what with all the construction on our suburban roadways: Workers do not have to be present for a motorist to receive a speeding ticket in a work zone. Next time you’re tailgating a driver paying attention to the speed limit in a construction zone, you might also want to give them a thumbs-up for saving you from a heavy fine.

For the love of Babe:

Have you seen Babe, the 17-year-old, 45-pound pet African spur thigh tortoise? Owned by the Viehweg family in Wildwood, Babe has been missing since July 17 when he escaped his enclosure behind their home on Big Oaks Road. If you have any information about Babe, the family asks that you contact the Lake County Sheriff’s office.

Missing pets:

What is it about a story of a missing pet — even those with a hard shell like Babe — that makes humans all gooey inside? Readership routinely exceeds tales of human suffering. We’re guessing it’s because most people equate a domesticated animal’s vulnerabilities to that of a human infant in the wild.

Speaking of pets:

Maybe a story about homebound seniors and their pets can tug even harder at your heartstrings. The Salvation Army’s Golden Diners program this week delivered pet food to 111 seniors in Kane and McHenry counties. Sometimes, a pet is a senior’s main companion, which is why the Salvation Army stepped forward.

Food for thought:

Let’s hope the food at the new Star Cinema Grill tastes as fun and refreshing as the names on the menu sound at the new movie theater in Arlington Heights. Gone with the Wings, Say Hello to My Little Fries, and the Joy Luck Club Sandwich, to name a few, are attention grabbers for hungry moviegoers. Can’t wait to try The Tony Montana.

Share the love:

One of our own, John McDonough of Elk Grove Village, gets his day with Lord Stanley’s Cup today, and one of his stops will be at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge. What a great gesture by the Blackhawks’ president and CEO to take to the Cup to some children who could use some cheering up.

Flirting with trouble:

Naperville is considering outlawing rolling-cart food vendors downtown on the basis that they may be hurting business at brick-and-mortar, mom-and-pop restaurants. The town should proceed delicately as it confronts two almost-sacred U.S. institutions: competition and the great American hot dog.

Final salutes:

We lost two of the suburbs’ finest this month. Wheeling Officer Shamekia Goodwin-Badger, 33, died last week from a blood clot in her lungs. Charles Barr, 70, a retired FBI agent and longtime Schaumburg officer died July 9 of pneumonia. Both were remembered for the dedication, energy and leadership — a sad but important reminder of all those who serve and protect.

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