The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.
And the winner ...
The Top 10 acts of Suburban Chicago's Got Talent compete for the last time today, hoping to win the summerlong talent competition. Performances kick off at 3 p.m. at Addison's Little Italy Fest-West. Look for coverage at dailyherald.com and in Sunday's Daily Herald. Congrats to the winner and to all who participated.
Ears as important as eyes
AirPods, the latest thing out there, unfortunately come with the latest distraction. Getting lost in unencumbered music or conversation can be wonderful, but not while walking or riding a bike. We've seen too many (one would be too many) pod-wearing children venture near or even onto a roadway. Enjoy, but let's be careful out there.
What's that, a car?!
We're sure we've mentioned this before, but apparently some people haven't read the memo. Cars and trucks come equipped for headlights and taillights so you can see other vehicles and they you. So use them. If you leave work at dusk, turn your headlights on before you put it in Drive - before someone gets killed.
Walnut Lane in Schaumburg - oof
So when the signs said Walnut Lane between Schaumburg Road and Weathersfield Way would be under construction, they weren't kidding. The road is down to one lane, but it's so narrow and surrounded by such mess that it's not worth traveling on. Do yourself and the work crews a favor and just take Springinsguth Road or Knollwood Road.
As for our own nightmare ...
We're not sure how to advise drivers trying to get through the Algonquin and Arlington Heights roads intersection near I-90. With construction on both roads clogging traffic from all four directions at the site near our offices, we've found just one alternative - turn up the sound system and wait.
Learning to play by the rules
The NCAA put the DePaul men's basketball program on probation and suspended coach Dave Leitao for a recruiting violation committed by a former coach. A basketball staffer lived with a recruit to ensure eligibility was met via coursework completion. That a college student needed supervision to do his homework is appalling. Not monitoring staff members is a close second.
Sense of community
A play at a church. Nothing really special about that on the face of it. But actually, there is. The Rev. Bill Zavaski, who 50 years ago founded the St. James Theatre group in Arlington Heights that recently staged "Shrek the Musical," said it best: "If you really want people to feel a sense of community, give them a project to work on." Thank you, Father Bill.
Making it clear
Another Civil War Days event has been canceled, but there won't be much controversy over this one. One reason? Transparency. Unlike Lake County, where the decision was made unilaterally for reasons that merited debate, Naper Settlement's decision was made jointly by leaders with an understandable explanation: Attendance and revenue have plummeted.
Appreciating Big Boy
The journey of the world's largest steam locomotive, Big Boy No. 4014, through the suburbs Friday and its display this weekend in West Chicago has attracted intense interest, perhaps a reflection of Chicago's continued role as the hub of the nation's rail industry and of nostalgia for a time when steam trains were a dominant form of transportation.
Remembering Larry Wheeler
Larry Wheeler, of Crystal Lake, a veteran director of park districts in both Crystal Lake and Hanover Park, died Monday at 74. Colleagues praised him not just for his leadership but also for his financial acumen and his willingness to roll up his sleeves to do park projects. Our condolences to his family.