The Soapbox: A fresh start in East Dundee, a holiday tradition saved in Naperville, caregivers throughout the suburbs

New job

Best wishes to Jennifer Johnsen, a victim of the political turmoil that has gripped the fledgling community of Campton Hills, where she served as its first top administrator. Later this month, she'll start as East Dundee's deputy village administrator, where she is expected to have a hand in economic development, collective bargaining and other issues.

Unsung heroes

In our series "Caregivers in Crisis," staff writer Marie Wilson vividly describes the failings of government to help families struggling to care for individuals with developmental disabilities. Something else must not be lost: The devotion of families nurturing loved ones in need. It's an inspiration, and it's saving taxpayers millions. It deserves more support.

Time to act

There may not be any simple solutions to a potentially dangerous situation at a pedestrian crosswalk signal near Mount Prospect's Melas Park. But as the uproar over the signal rages on four months after a cyclist was killed there, what is obvious is the village should act as quickly as reasonably possible to address the problem.

Saving the Parade of Lights

There's already holiday joy in Naperville, where officials worked together to ensure the annual Parade of Lights, sponsored by the nonprofit Little Friends, will step off as planned Nov. 27. It briefly appeared the parade would be canceled because of concerns over street closures and safety, but folks came together to save the holiday tradition. Way to go.

A real homecoming

Since Bartlett High School opened in 1998, the Hawks have played home football games at Streamwood's Millennium Field. But today, through the tireless efforts of the athletic department and booster club, Bartlett will play its homecoming game vs. East Aurora on the Bartlett campus. Kudos to all for a day the faithful can truly call homecoming.

Police pink

Several suburban police departments, including Wauconda and Vernon Hills, are donning special pink badges and T-shirts to raise awareness of breast cancer. Some officers are even packing pink handcuffs in equipment belts. Here's to spreading the power of pink.

Parker powers on

Naperville native Candace Parker has two state basketball titles, two NCAA titles, two Olympic gold medals, and two MVP awards from the WNBA. Now she's in the WNBA Finals seeking to win her first league championship trophy with the Los Angeles Sparks. Here's hoping the four-time Daily Herald All-Area star has more shelf space.

The face of baseball

After managing the Cubs, Rick Renteria is now the manager for the White Sox, which is quite an accomplishment for anyone. He's also the only Latino manager leading a team in Major League Baseball. That's surprising considering that nearly 30 percent of MLB players are Latino.

Itsy-bitsy, she's not

Her name may be Tiny, but the familiar black arachnid climbing the scaffolding of Great America's Eagle roller coaster with her three children is anything but small. She's a symbol of the theme park's Fright Fest promotion, now celebrating its 25th anniversary. More important, she's a seasonal icon of the suburbs. And a welcome one.

Remembering Sharon Gray

Such a tragic story out of Ethiopia where Lindenhurst native Sharon Gray was a victim of protests in the country she was visiting to work on postdoctoral research in plant biology. The sad irony, as her sister said, is that Sharon was a "bright light in a sometimes bleak world."