The Soapbox

Celebrate sensibly:

It might be a timeworn bit of advice, but it remains an important one, simply told by the municipal sign outside the Schaumburg police/fire departments this week. “Drinking and driving is a gamble you can’t win.” Strong words, wise words and important words every day but especially this New Year’s Eve.

A slam dunk:

Too bad the beautiful Westin Lombard hotel isn’t making the kind of money projected after its first full year of operation in 2008. But the village board was wise not to cough up more than $900,000 to help the hotel meet a loan payment. Trustee Peter Breen put it well: “The hotel is a great hotel; however, the bond deal is not great.”

The gift of sports, Part I:

Sports fans might like nothing more than a national championship, but our teams have more to give us than trophies and titles. We get more from the Blackhawks than a Stanley Cup moment, more from the Bulls, Cubs, Sox or Bears than spots in the playoffs. Same with the Wolves, Sky, Fire, Cougars, Bandits and Express. Just as it we hope it will be for the Slammers and Fielders.

The gift of sports, Part II:

These teams put us in touch with our emotions. They give us a chance to scream with delight or shout in frustration. They entertain us, and drive us crazy. They provoke tears as well as cheers. They bring us together at work or at home. They help create a bond with a community and within a family that can last a lifetime.

The gift of sports, Part III:

In Jonathan Toews, we see the gift of leadership. In Derrick Rose, it’s the gift of humility. Matt Forte shows what dedication can accomplish. Paul Konerko has the gift of knowing how to be a rock for others. With Starlin Castro, it’s the youthful promise that greatness can unfold right before our eyes when we least expect it. Rings are nice, but they aren’t the only thing worth giving.

Thinking outside the book:

As public entities scramble for funds, we applaud those who show some creativity. Cook Memorial Library in Vernon Hills and Libertyville and some others in the suburbs are offering the public the chance to sponsor book purchases, study rooms and even trees in memory of a loved one.

Recreation revenue:

Another innovation is Bloomingdale Park District’s “Rec Rewards” program, which may help fill classes and bring in more cash while giving residents points toward future registrations. A similar program started last year in Elgin.

Take me back ... to Samoa

Everyone should be entitled once in their life to a time zone change. Just once, we’d like to be in Samoa, the jewel in the South Pacific, and go to bed on Thursday and wake up to Saturday. Come to think of it, this week would’ve fit the bill nicely.

Golf, run, bike, walk for New Year’s?

People in the suburbs are actually out golfing, running, walking and biking in the last days of December. Remember last year when we already had started dealing with several inches of snow? Sorry, snow lovers, the rest of us will happily take this as long for as we can get it.