Soapbox: Get tribute to fallen soldier done

In the course of reporting the effort to get a Warrenville post office renamed for Jeffrey Allen Williams a number of points became apparent. First, Williams died for his country two years ago, while serving as an Army medic in Iraq. That's when the effort to rename the post office began, at the request of Williams' mother, Sandra Smith. Yes, it's tricky to change the name of a federal building. But this is a case when red tape should be quickly clipped by the politicians, who to their credit are trying to get the building renamed the Jeffrey Allen Williams Post Office of Warrenville. It doesn't matter who gets credit for the name change. This is an honor for Williams, and his mother. And it's one that's way overdue.

Young at heart

Organizers called it "a celebration of life and talent over 60." Indeed, to see 83-year-old Marty Costanza twirling his 71-year-old girlfriend on the dance floor of the "Senior Idol" contest at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, was proof. Nice to see, too, that no one felt compelled to copy "American Idol" to the point of having judges delivering snarky Simon Cowellisms to the contestants. Plus, some didn't appear to know him, anyway, Said Joe Schrantz, 78, of Villa Park: "Never heard of 'American Idol.' What channel is it on?"

Consider yourself invited Denny

Wheaton College announced this week that it's going to unveil a new academic center named for alumnus Dennis Hastert. In fact, the J. Dennis Hastert Center for Economics, Government and Public Policy is scheduled to open in December. A nice honor. However, college officials say they aren't sure whether the former House speaker will attend the ribbon-cutting. One would hope that if your alma mater is going to name a building after you, you would at least show up to the ceremony.

Circle talks can live on

Aurora's Study Circles program officially disbanded last week, a decade after it was formed to promote diversity awareness. In the end, leaders said it was too hard to compete for funding. But we hope the group's concept -- people with diverse beliefs coming together to talk about their differences, in hopes of promoting greater understanding of a specific issue -- continues. Such a simple philosophy need not live on through an official group.

Risky police work

If you think suburban police have a safe job, busying themselves with traffic and parking tickets, think again. In the past week, a Naperville cop was thrown to the ground after struggling with a suspect who had been pulled over on a traffic stop, according to police. And police say a Lisle cop, who had also pulled over a motorist during a safety check, was struck in the arm when the motorist drove away at high speed. The car also ran over the police officer's foot. Both officers were treated for injuries. But it could have been worse. There's risk of injury, even death, in every traffic stop, every arrest, in every domestic violence call, whether you are a cop in the suburbs or the city.

Wrigley Field torture chamber

The Cubs should be way ahead in their division. But if they are going to do another September swoon, can they at least get this collapse out the way quickly instead of dragging out the agony for fans? If not, can they at last start earning those big paychecks and begin playing like a team with the ability to break a near 100-year World Series title drought, as promised, and give fans reason to believe -- not just hope but believe -- they will win it all? If they can't figure out how to be champs, maybe the Cubs should gather for a séance and ask members of 1908 World Series-winning squad just what it takes.