Saturday Soapbox
Thinking and acting locally:
Harsh experience, from 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina, has made it clear that local response will be absolutely critical in future disasters, whether they arrive in the form of natural disaster, illness epidemic or terrorist attack. One has to like, then, the kind of effort being initiated by about 60 public and private entities -- from fire departments to restaurant and hotel owners -- along the Lake-Cook corridor, from Long Grove east to Lake Michigan. Representatives are beginning to meet and explore how they can best assist one another in the event of a disaster. This appears to be a great idea, well worth others' attention as it develops.
Distinguished service:
State Rep. Carolyn Krause has announced that she will not seek re-election next year, therefore drawing a fine 14-year state legislative career to a close. Krause's announcement means a couple of things. One, that there'll be much jockeying for the chance to succeed her. And two, that Krause, a Republican, should be lauded for a lengthy and distinguished public service record, which included 12 years as Mount Prospect village president before she moved on to Springfield.
Preservation push:
Donors have generously given and given -- $140,000 worth so far -- but the Mount Prospect Historical Society remains $80,000 short of the cash it needs to move, and thereby save, the village's first schoolhouse: the old Central School. The building, which has all sorts of historical significance even beyond being the village's first public school, is now located on a local church property, but the church needs the space Central School now occupies. So, preservationists have only until February to raise the money, or else Central will be razed. For any philanthropists out there with a special appreciation of local history, it's a good cause.
Our warm thanks to BAAC:
The Barrington Area Arts Council contributed greatly to the community over the years, and it was sad to see the organization close its doors last week.
Our warm wishes to Rep. Hyde:
We, along with thousands of others in the suburbs and across the nation, are keeping the legendary former Congressman Henry Hyde in our thoughts. We wish him a speedy recovery from his recent heart bypass surgery.
So long, Eddie's:
Downtown Arlington Heights has been so dramatically transformed in recent years that the opening or closing of one business may not matter much in the scheme of things. Still, downtown won't quite seem like downtown with the closing of Eddie's on Northwest Highway -- a 61-year-old landmark beloved by its regulars and home of one of the better Friday fish fries anywhere around.
'Hey, I'm walkin' here!'
So bellowed Ratso Rizzo, in "Midnight Cowboy" to a cabby who nearly bowled him over. This street hazard isn't exclusive to New York City. Extensive experience and numerous close calls lead us to conclude that suburban motorists fall into either of two categories: One, those who know that pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks and respectfully extend that courtesy. And, two, those who make it their mission to gun through all intersections at high speed and apparently view any resulting pedestrian trauma as mere collateral damage.
Don't look now...
...but the sand is quickly slipping through the hour glass for school kids' summer breaks. Practices will open next week for several Illinois High School Association sports, which means opening-day school bells can't be far behind.