The Soapbox: Brief thoughts from Daily Herald editors on suburban topics of interest
This week's clippable quote
"When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?'" - Sydney J. Harris
The wrong kind of anniversaries
This week we or other media were covering anniversaries of so many mass shootings that we could hardly keep track. The Northern Illinois University shooting, the Henry Pratt Co. shooting, the E2 shooting in Chicago, and the shooting in Parkland, Florida. And then we had the Michigan State shooting this week. The wrong kind of memories.
Not your grandpa's Oldsmobile
The auto show circuit isn't what it used to be. You might have noticed some of the badges missing from the Chicago Auto Show: Audi, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lincoln, Mazda, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz, among others. Of course, the Detroit Auto Show, the gold standard, won't have Jaguar, Mercedes or Audi, either. And, of course, no more Oldsmobiles.
Misguided myth
The myth of Asians as the "model minority" is often decried as an inaccurate and wedge-inducing generalization. A village board candidate in Mundelein - Ramesh C. Sharma, who is of Indian descent - gave it an unfortunate twist this week, proudly declaring in a joint interview that Asians are smarter than others. It's not a particularly appealing campaign theme.
Putting 'big' back into big screen
A former IMAX movie theater in Batavia is getting an impressive upgrade. Emagine Entertainment is installing a 96-foot-wide movie screen as part of its redevelopment of the theater along Randall Road. It will be the largest CinemaScope screen in Illinois. We enjoy streaming at home. But nothing beats watching a film in a theater on a massive screen.
Familiar development theme
Naperville planners took a look last week at an impressive proposal aiming to bring "an inviting family-friendly and vibrant urban-style entertainment and event destination for all walks of life" to the slumping Heritage Square shopping center. Of course, there's a familiar hitch - tax incentives. Stay tuned.
Hope springs eternal
It's been a rough winter for Chicago's pro sports teams. The Bears failed to make the playoffs again. The Blackhawks are tanking to get the top pick in the draft and the Bulls have blown multiple double-digit leads the past few weeks. But with four words, "pitchers and catchers report," Chicago sports fans can start hoping for better results.
Highland Park strong
Highland Park's plan to host a "trauma informed" public gathering on July 4 on the anniversary of the Independence Day parade mass shooting that left seven spectators dead last year is a giant step toward healing and a return to normalcy. It also signals that terrorists can't win nor take away our freedoms.