The Soapbox
Driven to generosity:
There are still good Samaritans around, as we learned following Heidi Conner's harrowing story after a deer leapt off an overpass and crashed through the front windshield of her minivan. After the West Dundee family learned insurance wouldn't cover a new vehicle, the Bob Rohrman Auto Group donated a Honda Odyssey. That surely deserves a roar.
Be wary at this intersection:
While the massive (and lengthy) lane-widening on Golf Road in Rolling Meadows is welcome, there remains one glitch. Eastbound drivers on Golf turning left onto Wilke have to abruptly stop for others sitting in the lane to turn into Portillo's restaurant. Sound confusing? It is, and possibly dangerous.
Applause, please:
Three days of auditions wrap up today for Suburban Chicago's Got Talent. Among the 90 acts presented, 20 will move on in the summer competition - and we look forward to seeing what they have to offer. We congratulate all participants. The third-annual contest has made one thing very clear: The suburbs are bursting with talent.
A better bike-pedestrian system:
Arlington Heights is working with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to update its bicycle-pedestrian plan. It seems the village already has a good bicycling system with signs outlining the routes. But, according to the agency, "safe crossings (at major roads) for bicyclists and pedestrians are often absent." Come to think of it, that's true.
Speaking of bicycling safety:
Some parents taking their kids on the bike trails in a child seat behind them can be seen without helmets on either the adult or child. What could happen is frightening. All it takes is one slip and a toddler's head hitting the concrete, and lives could change in an instant.
The highs and lows of hockey:
While the mourning continues for many Blackhawks, the faithful got good news when veteran broadcaster Pat Foley had earned a spot in the broadcasting wing of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Lloyd Pettit set the standard here, and Foley has filled those big shoes with his own style. We know our own late Tim Sassone would approve.
Nothing odd here:
Good call by the Naperville City Council not to rescind the odd-even lawn sprinkling law, common in many communities. The thought was more revenue might flow in if residents were allowed to water at will. Leaving the ordinance as is should ensure sufficient water pressure for the public and firefighters.
Good karma, too:
Getting rid of Naperville's odd-even restriction, which allows outdoor water use on dates that match one's house number, would have been the surest way to ask for another summer drought.
Memory lane:
Alumni from Pleviak Elementary School in Lake Villa had a chance to reminisce about the old days this week. Many showed up for tours and hugs from old friends at the 100-year-old school, which is set to close Monday. The good news is the building isn't going anywhere for now - a portion has been leased for kindergarten classes.
Best wishes, Betsy:
For the last 14 years, Betsy Kmiecik has helped see us through good times and bad as the Daily Herald's vice president of human resources. Today, we wish her well in her retirement. Stay well and stay in touch, BK.