The Soapbox
Hope lives:
With the Bears' season (and future) spinning out of control, it was great to see Chicago become the center of the baseball universe this week. While the bold signings by the White Sox and the Cubs don't guarantee wild-card berths or a spot in the 2015 World Series, they do guarantee one thing: Hope is on deck.
The brass ring of teaching:
Paul Solarz of Arlington Heights, Jacqueline Lopushonsky of Wheaton and Mike Vondracek of Gurnee are competing against the top elementary and high school educators in the world for the $1 million Global Teacher Prize. They are among the 50 finalists for the award sponsored by the United Arab Emirates-based Varkey GEMS Foundation. Making us proud.
Redhawks romp:
A bunch of excited 9- to 11-year-old boys from the Hoffman Estates area are savoring their football national championship in the Pee Wee division. After a 13-0 season, the Redhawks shut out an Arizona team Friday at the Super Bowl in Orlando. For your determination and teamwork, a big high-five to you, boys!
Grammy nominees:
What is it with Indian Prairie District 204 and the Grammys' Metea Valley and Waubonsie Valley high schools are semifinalists in the Grammy Signature Schools contest. Waubonsie has been a finalist seven times. Neuqua Valley has won the whole enchilada twice plus seven trips to the finals. Impressive.
And more Grammy nominees:
We shouldn't overlook the accomplishments of other high schools. Batavia, Elk Grove. Jacobs in Algonquin and York in Elmhurst are other suburban high schools named as Grammy semifinalists after a thorough review of classes, extracurriculars, participation, support and repertoire of their music programs. Also impressive.
'Private' enterprise?
Mundelein-based Medline Industries Inc. is getting $17.5 million in state incentives over 15 years to create 200 jobs and agree to keep its headquarters and at least 1,600 jobs in Lake County. That's $87,500 per new job, or $5,833 per year per new job. With that kind of money, we hope all commitments will be kept.
Peace in Kane County?
Congratulations to Kane County Board member Mike Kenyon for being elected president of the forest preserve district. He replaces John Hoscheit, who steps aside after 12 years. Kenyon and county board Chairman Chris Lauzen have never been on each other's Christmas card lists, but they shook hands and smiled Tuesday - so that's a good start.
Captain, my captain:
Our recent All-Area Football Team reports profiled honorary captains. The stories on Cary-Grove's Trevor Ruhland and Michael Gomez, Barrington's Scotty Miller, Libertyville's Riley Lee, Geneva's Pace Temple, and St. Francis' Clint Bobowski had a lot in common: leadership, competitive drive and strong support. Thanks for the lesson, young men.
Toward a more free press:
The groups of journalists from Ukraine and China who visited the Daily Herald offices this week represent small steps toward transparency for these and other nations that have been less than open in the past. It's progress their local community and the world at large needs.