Saturday Soapbox: Border wars

First there were the Hatfields and the McCoys. Then, the gamblers and the non-gamblers. Followed by the smokers and the non-smokers. But Cook County's recent sales tax hike in a dismal economy was shocking enough to revive secession discussion among several local communities. That's unlikely. What isn't unlikely, however, is that shoppers will avoid Cook County whenever possible, especially for big-ticket items. Unless, of course, the cost of gas stays high enough to make those out-of-county trips less worthwhile.

Ketchup no vegetable in District 15

The best lesson out of Palatine Township Elementary District 15 these days is coming out of the lunchroom, not the classroom. In recent years, the district has given its school lunches a nutritional makeover, replacing sliced white bread and pizza crusts with whole grain varieties, doing away with ice cream and cookies, etc. But nutritional director Bobbie Desprat isn't through -- she and her staff are still working to reduce sodium, calories and fat. A committee is looking at improving the nutritional content of snacks brought into the schools for birthdays and other events. Now that's pushing the envelop -- or should we say, the whole grain pita?

Too much of a good thing?

Does anyone else ever tire of holiday food by the time the holiday rolls around? It usually makes its appearance on work cafeteria menus, restaurant specials and senior citizen menus well before the holiday itself. By Thanksgiving, we've had several chances to eat turkey, sweet potatoes and cranberry relish; by Christmas, ham had been offered at least one time too many; and now, for St. Patrick's Day, we probably will tire of corned beef and cabbage before the big day arrives. But green beer? Who could ever get tired of that -- but, as always, drink responsibly.

Fiscal responsibility

Kudos to the Des Plaines aldermen who are requesting more information on expenses they approve every month. Not that we think they should micromanage every last dime spent -- let the city manager handle that level of management. But scrutiny should take place because without it, there is too great of a chance for taxpayer money to be abused.

Just wondering

Anyone else wondering when the Democrats are going to realize if they don't resolve this nomination soon, they won't have any advisers or supporters left? Yeah, us too.

Crater of the week

A lot has been written about potholes. Here's some more. On the theory that the worst pothole in the world is the one that just clocked your car, the Soapbox reports it would be wise to beware of Higgins Road in Des Plaines where it passes under the Northwest Tollway. There are bomb craters on both the east-bound and west-bound lanes, so go slow.

Pothole alert

Speaking of potholes, maybe it would be a good idea for traffic reporters to advice motorists of where the worst of these deep ravines in the roads are located, to avoid a broken axle.

Where's the harm?

Maybe, just maybe, the long, hard winter finally is over and we have survived it. So it might be a good time to say, yes, what we just went through flies in the face of global warming and all the warnings it brings. But, really, no matter where you stand on that issue, is it really so bad to hope for a better environment and to do things to help achieve that than to use a frigid, snowy winter as an excuse not to?