Saturday Soapbox: West Chicago pride, Volkening Lake and Super Bowl Sunday
West Chicago's pride:
Heartiest congratulations to the city of West Chicago for breaking ground Friday on the final two of 13 houses being built in the Pioneer Prairie subdivision by the DuPage Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. More than 1,000 volunteers are scheduled on the houses, scheduled for completion in June.
Fitness outside the box:
What a refreshing sight to see the outdoor fitness equipment being installed along the walking/running track around Volkening Lake in Schaumburg. The equipment is designed to be out all year, providing a convenient way to get in some cardio work while enjoying a morning walk in the fresh air.
Decluttering:
Got any unused music instruments you don't know what to do with? Magee Middle School music teacher Kyle Baltzer can help. He's forming a jazz band at the Round Lake school and has launched an instrument drive to spark the effort and help needy families. Visit www.rlas-116.org.
Isn't it nice to Believe?
We have to say, one of the feel-goodiest projects we've ever taken on is The Believe Project. What generosity in the suburbs.
Those resolutions ...
Here it is Jan. 31 and those lofty goals didn't last the month. Feb. 1 is a better time to start anyway — all the holiday food and booze is out of the house, longer and brighter days add to your energy and swimsuit season looms.
Hawks fans forever
Nobody does a better job of building its fan base than the Blackhawks. And nobody starts earlier. Evidence of that: Hall of Fame Hawk Denis Savard on Monday held a clinic in Vernon Hills for kids 10 and younger. What do you bet those kids who skated with him and got his autograph will be Hawk fans for life?
Helping those in need:
Kudos to the students Elgin Community College who are launching a food pantry on campus in February to help students in need. Officials say 28 percent of ECC students are economically disadvantaged. The pantry will be operated and stocked by members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Super experience:
Win or lose, three NFL players with suburban ties will have some memories from Super Bowl XLIX. Good luck to Patriots backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo of Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows High, Patriots defensive end/linebacker Rob Ninkovich of Lincoln Way Central, and Seahawks tight end Tony Moeaki of Wheaton Warrenville South.
They're Super too:
Others in the big game with area ties include: Bears equipment manager Tony Medlin; Pats DE Michael Buchana of Homewood-Flossmoor, DE Zach Moore of Simeon; guard Josh Kline, who left Hoffman Estates for Ohio in second grade; and LB Darius Fleming of St. Rita. Seattle DE O'Brien Schofield is from North Chicago.
And be Super safe:
And please enjoy the game safely Sunday. In the last 5 years, 17 people have died in Illinois in car crashes on Super Bowl Sunday and more than half of those involved a drunken driver, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Even if you think you're invincible, the person you may hit — and kill — isn't. (And neither are you.)