Saturday Soapbox

From L.A. to you, Dist. 300

The Community Unit District 300 board voted to hold classes on Veterans Day starting next fall. Officials said students don't understand the meaning of the day, that it is merely a day off school for them. Somehow late-night talk show host Jay Leno got wind of the news from Carpentersville. To paraphrase his monologue: C'mon, you're a school, you were supposed to teach them the meaning. While that might have elicited laughs coast to coast, the school board made an excellent decision. What better way to teach kids the significance of our veterans' contributions than during meaningful in-school activities?

Something positive for a change

Sure was nice to read that director Peter Billingsley (aka Ralphie from "A Christmas Story") had lots of positive comments about working with the Illinois Film Commission while shooting a movie in Buffalo Grove with star Vince Vaughn. With all the negative publicity our state has been getting regarding our former governor, at least something appears to be working right.

Hey Costner, listen up

Everyone knows that minor league baseball teams will try almost anything to get fans to their ballparks. With actor/director Kevin Costner bringing a team to Lake County next summer to forge a local rivalry with the Schaumburg Flyers, what about these non-Bull Durham promotions: Waterworld Day (free tickets to fans who dress up as a Hollywood flop), Tin Cup Day (no double-play grounders allowed in the ninth and batter keeps hitting until he gets a home run), or Untouchables Day (slow-motion baby carriage races down the stadium steps). Gotta believe a smile is breaking across Bill Veeck's face right about now.

Grocers, read the news

No one wants to buy recalled peanut products, but what if the stuff is still for sale at the store? Check out this story of a suburban shopper who returned a bag of possibly-tainted dog food to an Aurora grocery store. Unable to find the price, the clerk had a co-worker go to the shelf to find the item and get a price. Hmm, what's wrong with this picture?

Wise stewardship?

Interesting how, amid all the layoffs in Rolling Meadows government, the manager's secretary's job was restored after a 25 percent pay cut to about $78,000 including benefits. For only $56,000, the jobs of seven crossing guards could have been saved. No doubt, the new manager, on vacation after seven weeks on the job when the position was restored, does need administrative assistance though.

Grow up:

Things are tough all over and some people are just plain mad. OK, OK, we all feel it. But some people think it allows them to take more than their fair share, whether it's blowing off a toll, not waiting their turn at a stop sign or ripping off the company coffee. Come on people. We're all in this together. You poison the atmosphere when you act like a spoiled child getting revenge. The other driver or your fellow employee looking for a tasty cup of coffee isn't the enemy. They're part of the team, so treat them with some respect and follows the rules.