Soapbox: Just keep this in mind

We understand why students were offended by author Sherman Alexie's use of a racial slur, sexual innuendo and language that offended disabled students and their teachers during a speech at Naperville North High School. But students should also consider how offensive it is to be the target of a slur, as Alexie, an American Indian, has been. Still, there is a better way for Alexie to get his message across.

Forget beer and brats

For many towns, it's Oktoberfest time. But the city of Aurora is offering a different option: this weekend's Midwest Literary Festival. The regional event, held in downtown Aurora, features more than 90 author appearances, writing panels, movie screenings, children's activities and more. For a complete list of events, visit www.midwestliteraryfestival.com

Brother, can you spare 80 acres?

Anybody know where Indian Prairie Unit District 204 officials can find 80 contiguous undeveloped acres to build a third high school that won't cost them twice as much as the district would have to pay for the Brach-Brodie land, as determined by a jury in the condemnation trial over this land?

Big walk-away fee

Then again, if the district chooses not to buy the Brach-Brodie site, it will have to pay the property owners' legal and expert witness fees from the condemnation trial. That could amount to at least $4 million. This has turned into a taxpayer's nightmare.

Lisle's baseball champs

Congratulations to the Lisle Junior High School baseball team and Coach Jason Wiertel, for finishing third in the state championship tournament. That is an incredible accomplishment at any time, but even more impressive in light of the fact that this is only the second year this team has been together.

Fall's a fine time for baseball

Interesting to note that the Lisle team played its schedule during late summer and early fall. This is a great time to play baseball; better than early spring, when the weather can be dreadfully cold, as any player or baseball parent would tell you. In fact, it just might be a good idea to play high school baseball in the fall -- if there wasn't football competing against baseball for players and fans.

Big steps toward better health

It was gratifying to see so many schoolchildren in Naperville and elsewhere in DuPage County participating in International Walk to School Day on Wednesday. Hopefully it motivates children to walk or otherwise exercise regularly -- with their parents' encouragement -- given the worrisome increase in childhood obesity. Being overweight is not only dangerous to a child's physical health, but can destroy self-concepts with all the constant teasing over being fat.

Good decisions, good marketing

Good to see that the Naperville Park District board is stepping up efforts to market itself better to the community, with the creation of a public relations committee. The board also wants to step up efforts to reach out to the community, meeting with business groups and other local organizations. All this will work well, if the advice is taken to heart and people in the community feel they really have a stake in planning a parks and recreation strategy that is good for all those who live in Naperville. It's great to create committees and outreach programs. But the best way for the district to market itself is to establish a track record of decisions that are lauded by the community and avoiding ones that alienate the community, such as the ill-fated, expensive community center.