The Soapbox: Yes, MJ's house would be nice but we couldn't stand the commute
Some big numbers related to sports figures surfaced this week. Michael Jordan wants to sell his Lake Forest mansion for $29 million. Adidas gave Derrick Rose a 14-year endorsement deal worth $250 million according to some reports. The most impressive figure of all, however, didn't come from an athlete.
Even more impressive:
While those numbers are huge, Mick Zawislak's story on the death of Ruth Paul Caudle of Vernon Hills reminded us of her amazing effort to raise more than $20,000 to build a school in Haiti, thanks to help from people in Libertyville Elementary District 70. The school continues on, and that's the kind of long-term deal we all can embrace.
Chilling inspiration:
Props to Glen Ellyn native John Huston for his 475-mile, 55-day trek to the North Pole. And for writing an inspirational book, “Forward: The First American Unsupported Expedition to the North Pole.” We wonder which was the tougher task.
And even more:
Then, too, there's George Naxera of Kildeer. He's about to become part of a small group of people who have reached the highest points in all 50 states, by scaling Mauna Kea in Hawaii. His next goal: climbing the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. He's already done four.
Getting the job done:
Other types of inspiration are around us every day. Like John A. O'Dwyer, who will be laid to rest today. He was a doctor for 43 years in Batavia, having delivered thousands of babies and administering to even more patients. As his son said, “He saw everybody.” And this at a time when some paid with bushels of vegetables or a side of beef.
At first blush ...
It would seem to be a slam-dunk for the Lombard village board to charge patients $100 a ride for each ambulance call after five in a year. But when research found most affected patients were elderly or infirm, village officials decided to work on education to cut the number of multiple calls. Wise choice.
Foggy forecasts:
From the city that brought you all four seasons in one day, we're reminded of this AccuWeather prediction from October. “People in Chicago are going to want to move after this winter.” Technically, the end of winter is less than three weeks away but, after a week that went from 60-plus to sleet, we're not sure what to expect anymore.
You'll never have to leave:
Some Starbucks locations, like the one at the Streets of Woodfield in Schaumburg, will serve beer and wine and more food. Since they already have Wi-Fi, you could stay there morning, noon and night. Will a coffee shop become the new afternoon bar in the suburbs?
Get the Dimucci facts:
Kudos to Lake County officials for holding three open houses on the controversial Dimucci development plan near Hawthorn Woods. The first is today from 9 a.m. to noon at Concorde Banquets in Kildeer. Drop by and get the facts.
Will it ever end?
Word came down Thursday that a new judge will be assigned to the misconduct case of Kane County Coroner Chuck West. No trial is imminent. The charges against West stem from a nearly five-year-old incident. Surely, this could've all be handled more swiftly.