Saturday Soapbox: Gail Borden, Antioch Theater and Joe Walsh
Kudos to Gail Borden:
The Gail Borden Library in Elgin always seems to be at the forefront of keeping people coming to the library. The latest move involves adding Roku Digital Media Players that patrons can check out and bring home. The devices come preloaded with movies and 26 channels such as Amazon Prime and VUDU. Business has been booming so far.
A matter of trust:
Republican state Rep. Ron Sandack of Downers Grove has co-sponsored legislation that aims to let local governments post notices of critical activities only on their websites rather than in newspapers as now required by law. Sandack's bill would put governments entirely in charge of notifying you of their activities. Governments. Let that sink in for a moment.
Unfair ... but there's hope?:
No one could argue with Coach Tom Thibodeau's assessment of the knee injury sidelining superstar Derrick Rose, again. "So unfair" indeed. But now officials are saying Rose could be back on the court in time for the playoffs. Bulls fans can hope. Maybe there is justice in the world, after all.
Happy birthday, Rolling Meadows
Rolling Meadows turned 60 on Thursday and to celebrate they held an open house that was emblematic of the city itself - not lavish, but centered on the people who helped form the city and therefore its character. Hardworking, tight-knit, that's the city that exists today. Congratulations on the milestone!
Showtime:
Congratulations to Tim Downey for completing the $750,000 renovation of old Antioch Theatre, a mainstay of downtown Antioch for 90 years. The answer to the future trivia question about Friday's reopening: the first movies were "Kingsman: The Secret Service" and "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water."
Not making the grade:
Last year, numerous students of color at Still Middle School in Aurora had grade-point averages of 1.5 or less. This year, there are no African American and Latina girls on the at-risk list. How did this happen?
The Skin I'm In:
Still Assistant Principal VaLarie Humphrey says one reason is The Skin I'm In, a program aimed at building self-esteem and letting "black and brown girls" realize their skin color shouldn't inhibit their potential for success. A simple, but helpful concept.
Say it ain't so, Joe, Part 1:
Here's all you have to know about the likelihood that former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh of McHenry will really take on Sen. Mark Kirk of Lake Forest next year: If he actually ran, his opponents would have their pick of the outlandish comments he has made on his radio program. Imagine the ads.
Say it ain't so, Joe, Part 2:
If you haven't tuned in, radio has made Walsh even more outspoken (some would say, off the wall) than he was when he was in Congress.
Say it ain't so, Joe, Part 3:
Reality is, whether you find Walsh inspiring or appalling, all he would accomplish by running in a blue state like Illinois is cost Republicans a seat.
Of lions and lambs:
Or perhaps "enough already" says it better. Whatever the phrase, we're sick of the lion heralding the arrival of March. Do we really have to wait a month for the lamb?