The Soapbox: Brief thoughts from Daily Herald editors on suburban topics of interest
This editorial is the consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.
This week's clippable quote
"Without Valentine's Day, February would be … well, January." - Jim Gaffigan
Bye Bye, Best Buy
Another local business bites the dust, this time in Algonquin. Whether you shop at Best Buy or not, it's sad to see an established store close its doors. It joins other big boxes like Bed, Bath and Beyond, along with movie theater chain Regal Cinemas. Not only do consumers face fewer options, these closures hurt our communities.
That ice isn't safe
It's too warm to venture out on a seemingly frozen lake or pond. Ice that's 4 inches thick generally is OK for fishing, but you need at least 6 inches of thickness to safely ride a snowmobile across the ice, experts say. The mild weather we've seen recently makes both of those activities too risky.
Congratulations to the coach
A big high-five to Barrington High School girls basketball coach Babbi Barreiro, who on Tuesday night notched her 500th win. She shared the credit for her achievement, saying, "If you don't have assistant coaches, a family and support system, great friends and great players, you can't get there."
Ready to soar
Stevenson High School senior Natalie Flemenbaum needs a service project to become the school's first female Eagle Scout. She'll be a step closer tomorrow with a concert involving fellow students for residents that she organized for Springs of Vernon Hills Assisted Living. Way to go, Natalie!
Also soaring
Girls gymnasts from Hersey, Vernon Hills, DeKalb, Downers Grove South, Barrington, Carmel, Lake Park and Geneva high schools will be reaching for glory at the state finals next Friday and Saturday at Palatine. It's the culmination of a season of sweat and hard work. Congratulations and good luck to all.
Team players
They say football is the ultimate team sport, and a couple of school districts are taking that to heart when it comes to state legislation that would give the Bears a massive tax break to redevelop Arlington Park. Northwest Suburban High School District 214 and Palatine Township Elementary District 15 are wisely joining forces to make their voices heard in Springfield on the Bears' plans.
Foodie fun
With the Super Bowl on Sunday and Valentine's Day on Tuesday, it's a huge foodie weekend in the suburbs. If you don't have plans yet, check out our list of 90 restaurants serving up Valentine's Day specials and about 38 eateries hosting Super Bowl viewing parties or offering carryout deals for the big game. For details, see dailyherald.com/entertainment/.
Eggs and ham (and more), green
The lessons Seema Keshav learned growing up in the Middle East should sound familiar: Clean your plate and don't waste water. But finding her daughter's Lincolnshire school wastes 100 pounds of food a day, Keshav went further, founding a "Go Green" group to divert the waste and encourage recycling. The planet thanks her - and volunteers from other such groups around the state.
Prayers for Turkey, Syria
Our hearts break at the images of pain and devastation coming out of earthquake-ravaged Turkey and Syria. The sorrow was brought even closer to home at a Mount Prospect vigil Thursday sponsored by the Turkish Society of Chicago. The society and other groups are raising funds to help victims and connect local families to loved ones. Help if you can.