Saturday Soapbox
Worth remembering:
Many people played roles in the Watergate affair that led to Richard Nixon's resignation as president 40 years ago today. But without the tenacity and groundbreaking reporting of Wheaton's Bob Woodward and his Washington Post colleague Carl Bernstein, the story might not have surfaced long enough for the rest to play their parts.
Boon for Yorktown
Lombard leaders are rightfully excited about adding a big new national retailer — H&M clothing store — to the lineup at The Shops on Butterfield at Yorktown Center. There are more than 320 H&M stores nationwide, including ones in Aurora, Geneva, Oak Brook and Schaumburg.
Parking break:
It was a long time coming, and the agreement reached between Orchard Evangelical Free Church and Arlington Heights will now allow the church to move forward and establish a traffic routine that will disrupt neighbors the least. Village trustees will keep a watch on how it plays out — and that's good.
Good deeds for kids:
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, Elgin Community College and the Northern Illinois Food Bank will give away backpacks full of school supplies and 3,000 bags of food to families in need as part of the college's fifth Project Backpack. Individuals, businesses, churches and community organizations all contribute to the effort. And what an effort it is.
Light show reprieve:
Vernon Hills's Winter Wonderland holiday light show lives on — at least for this year. Loyola University Chicago owns the Cuneo Mansions & Garden where the 21st annual drive-through light show will be held. It has considered development on a portion of the site, but isn't ready to move ahead. So, start your holiday planning.
Woodfield's tax bill:
Woodfield Mall's most recent property tax bill increased 23 percent. It's not clear if the mall is appealing, but the village of Schaumburg and other local governments certainly must not mind the mall's now $23 million in taxes. And maybe not Schaumburg residents, either.
Can't buy me Love:
So it doesn't look like Kevin Love will be coming to the Bulls. We're not going to lose sleep over it. After all, Javy Baez finally got his call-up with the Cubs. That should keep us happy for a while.
Celebrating District 214
It's been 100 years (and five months) since voters in the Northwest suburbs approved the creation of High School District 214. The district has a great series of events starting in September to celebrate its past, present and future. We encourage everyone to take part.
Turning the page:
It's been fascinating to watch libraries evolve as the Internet has grown. Once predicted to become an anachronism, they've instead found ways to adapt technology to make them more useful and valuable than ever. As Matt Arado reported this week, many are adding yet another contemporary twist — streaming. It's service that's keeping pace.
Best wishes, Debby:
For more than three decades, readers have recognized Deborah Donovan as a mainstay at the Daily Herald, our housing expert for many of those years and a caring local news reporter for many others. We wish her well on her retirement. We're going to miss her.