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The Soapbox: Public art in Elmhurst, patience in Hoffman Estates, helping hands in Elgin and more.

Elmhurst public art?

Elmhurst is considering creating a public arts commission to raise awareness about existing art in the city and eventually work to get more permanent pieces installed throughout town. Whether the city decides to pursue the idea remains to be seen but, at the very least, it's a conversation worth having.

A little Sears Centre understanding

Hoffman Estates officials are recommending a contract extension for the Sears Centre Arena operator, citing the arena's best January so far and its first sold-out Windy City Bulls game. The arena almost didn't survive its first three years, but arena GM Ben Gibbs cut the village and developer some slack, saying a new venture takes time. Wise or polite or both?

Downstate tradition

Maine West High School's girls basketball team brings an old-school flavor to this weekend's Class 4A championships in Normal, joined by teams that have more recently changed the balance of power in our state, defending champion Geneva plus Montini and Edwardsville. It will be fun to see how it all ends up Saturday night.

Walking on water?

Red and green flags at icy winter suburban ponds to indicate the safety of venturing forth are most appreciated. But it is a little odd to see the red flags still flying when the ice has long melted and the pond is, well, just a pond. And, yes, we know it's only a matter of the flags not being removed, but we do pay attention.

Going for the gold

Sunday is Oscar night, and among the nominees are talented filmmakers with ties to the suburbs - including Oak Park documentary filmmaker Steve James and "Dunkirk" director Christopher Nolan, who split his childhood between England and Evanston. We wish them good luck. And, let's face it, we all win in a year of thoughtful, well-made films.

Road warrior

The village of Schaumburg seems to have come to a reasonable accommodation with Mayor Al Larson, who no longer sees well enough to drive to the many functions that consume a village president's time. We're glad. But we did raise our eyebrows at the $693 monthly travel allowance Larson gave up. Even at a generous 50 cents a mile, that's almost 1,400 miles a month.

Helping hands at Judson

A group of 35 Judson University students, employees and alumni are in Belize, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic working on home improvement projects and helping the homeless. Selfless acts of helping their fellow man is part of what the Elgin university is known for.

Celebrating and empowering

That was the headline on a Neighbor story about the upcoming gala for GiGi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers, based in Hoffman Estates Over the years, the Playhouse program has grown nationwide, offering educational opportunities, support and awareness to those with Down syndrome and their families.

Grateful chain gang

The donor who started a chain of six kidney transplants at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago wanted to remain anonymous, but Steven Zachar of Palatine and the five other recipients that donation set up likely have something they'd like to say to the person. And we do, too: Thank you!

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