Saturday Soapbox: Benet star, pot on Greenlead Ave.
Frank the Failure?
While Wisconsin basketball star Frank Kaminsky earned college player of the year honors, he reminded admirers on his return to his high school alma mater, Benet Academy in Lisle, that success did not come easy. "People who are great are the people who are good at failing," he said. "I'm proud to say that I'm one of the best failures of all time."
Special jersey:
Another cool thing about Kaminsky's return to Lisle: His No. 40, which he wore at St. Joan of Arc, won't be retired. Instead, the number will be reserved for one boy and one girl eighth-grade player each year.
Texting testimonials:
Seems so simple, but what a nice idea by Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin to encourage people to officially pledge not to text while driving. What really drove home the value of the campaign was the testimonials of Sherman employees.
Dumbest thing:
Sherman employee Maria Pinales-Tapia on her near-accident while texting, "I kept thinking, 'This is the dumbest thing to get into an accident for. And to have the police officer come and have to tell him that I was texting, how embarrassing is that?'" Now her phone stays in the back seat with her purse.
Don't text, even more now:
With the weather getting nicer, more kids are outside playing, more bicyclists are out on the roads. You need all your senses to watch out for them and keep them safe, and you. Please don't text and drive.
An appropriate spot:
We couldn't help but notice that the location of one of two medical marijuana growers to be given a license in Cook County will be on Greenleaf Avenue in Elk Grove Village. Must be because there is no High Street in town.
Better safe than sorry:
You can't blame Hawthorn Woods officials for canceling their second annual Bark in the Park event that was scheduled for next weekend. The prospect of putting dozens of dogs together when a highly contagious dog flu is in the news has them rightfully concerned. It was a good call to postpone the event, rather than possibly helping spread the virus
Another Kane sheriff no-show:
Kane County Sheriff Don Kramer again didn't show up for his monthly report to the county board, leaving the board frustrated with him as they try to work on his budget. Two staffers who didn't know what the board wanted to know were there instead. No matter who's right in the budget dispute, this situation can't be good.
That banging sound you hear ...:
If you wrote in the name of Joe Vito for Wheeling village board on April 7 but neglected to fill in the corresponding "arrow" on the ballot, you are one of 33 reasons Vito has been hitting his head on the table since Monday. It'll be interesting to see if Vito - or Mary Papantos, who is up by 25 votes as of Thursday - prevails for the third trustee seat. Stay tuned.
Just around the corner:
It's spring, and the annual explosion of pro sports is upon us. Bulls, Blackhawks, playoffs. Check. Cubs, White Sox under way. Check. Cougars playing, Boomers returning. Check. Wolves in playoffs. Check. Fire, Red Stars, soccer. Check. Sky, Bandits coming. Check. NFL draft, Bears minicamp almost here. Arlington International's 30th season just two weeks away. Whew!