Soapbox: Above and beyond
Sure, this is what they get paid to do, and they presumably knew what they were getting into when they applied for the jobs. Nonetheless, special thanks are in order to all the public works crews, ComEd crews and garbage collection crews, most of whom have done a superb job in getting our communities cleaned up and back in order after the highly destructive storms of two weeks ago.
Sideline safety
Accidents are waiting to happen if high schools don't do a much better job of policing the sidelines at varsity football games. In addition to adults wandering the sidelines in no official capacity, there also are too many children in that dangerous territory where one out-of-bounds play could result in a serious injury. Whatever happened to official passes and making sure the people who are walking the sidelines belong there and aren't just interested in being up close and personal?
Good riddance
As a general Chamber-of-Commerce and quality-of-life rule, a business opening its doors in any local community is good; a business leaving town is bad. The general rule does not apply, though, to the welcome departure of Dancers, an exotic dance club in Ela Township that for decades has been a thorn in the side of officials and residents in nearby communities. An attorney for the club paid $135,000 in accumulated fines, the owner said, "It's over; we're done," and residents can join Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins, who responded to the news by saying "Hip hip hooray!"
Role models behind the wheel
State legislators have done their part this year to enhance the safety of teen drivers by approving several new regulations, among them, a longer mandatory training period for young drivers. But a reader this week sent us a magazine clipping bearing a sound reminder that teens pick up many of their driving habits from observing their parents. Which means, for many adult drivers, devoting a little less attention to cell-phone conversations and a little more attention to the demanding task of driving. After all, your kids are watching and learning.
Farewell, Max
He was not a dog or a cat or some other sort of pet that could fetch, play with a string, cuddle or show affection. And he lived a long and what sure seemed a happy life by the standards of his species. But we can't help it; last week's news that Max, the nearly 22-year-old goldfish won by Steve Bennett at a 1985 elementary school fun fair in Mount Prospect actually made us … sad.
Wrigley Field torture chamber
If the Cubs are going to do another of their September swoons, can they at least get this collapse out the way quickly instead of dragging out the agony for their fans?
Pedal power
In the face of $3-per-gallon gasoline, some intrepid suburban residents are pedaling to work instead of driving. They've got to be intrepid to put up with harassment from some drivers and pedestrians some of them reported. One said he'd had fruit, garbage and beer cans thrown at him. Beyond that, safety can be a serious issue. Bikers reported running into the back of a vehicle when it stopped suddenly and being forced off the road by others. Until bicyclists are made more welcome or routes made more safe, we're guessing the average commuter's gas savings won't be enough to induce him or her to take on the extra risk and effort required.