The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.
All eyes on Medinah
The suburbs have so many world class attractions, we sometimes need reminders just so we don't take things for granted. We're getting one this weekend as the world's greatest golfers compete in the BMW Championship tournament at Medinah Country Club. What a pleasure for golf fans - and a source of pride for all of us.
And it's not just the golf
The Western Golf Association has provided more than 11,000 caddie scholarships since 1930. Officials announced this week the WGA will have more than 1,000 scholars attending colleges this year. The group gets its scholarship money from more than 32,000 donors nationwide and the proceeds from its tournaments, the BMW being the largest.
Courtesy, please
As students are returning to school, now is an ideal time to practice courtesy, especially during school drop-off and pickup times. Please do not speed in school zones; please follow Illinois law requiring all vehicles to stop for any school bus receiving or discharging students; and please be patient as guardians and buses alike are learning a new routine. We're all in this together.
Home with a Heart
With the opening of Heart's Place in Arlington Heights soon, people with disabilities will have 18 more opportunities for a place of their own to call home. That's great news, but officials note it's just a small step toward meeting the need for supportive housing in the suburbs.
'Hometown feel'
Palatine village board members overwhelmingly decided this week not to let the advent of video gambling challenge the community's "hometown feel." The board showed a welcome resolve amid pressures from more and more neighbors accepting the so-called "crack cocaine of gambling."
Not such a good bet?
We're not so naive as to ignore a potential ulterior motive behind a marketing consultant's finding this week that Illinois' gaming regulations would make it impossible for a Chicago casino to turn a profit, but wouldn't it be ironic if the years of politicking to get gambling in the city ultimately were stymied by the mere fact that it's just not a good idea?
Ending on a sour note
The Freedom & Dignity Music Festival took an undignified, though all too American, turn this week. The festival's promoters filed a breach-of-contract suit against the charity the festival, planned for Schaumburg, was intended to support. Then they upped the ante with a defamation suit for remarks charity officials made when the festival fell apart over a financial dispute.
Remembering Dick Kerner
A memorial visitation is scheduled for Aug. 31 for Dick Kerner, the original athletic director at Waubonsie Valley High School. Colleagues recalled Kerner, who died July 23 at the age of 83, as "the original Warrior" who established the school's tradition of athletic excellence. Kerner, of West Chicago, retired in 1995 after 20 years with WVHS. Our condolences to his family.
Remembering Bill Wakefield
The outpouring of sympathy and memories following the death of Bill Wakefield, a co-owner of the Little Popcorn Store in downtown Wheaton, reflects not only the unique nature of the shop, but also the basic kindness of the man who served as its face. The iconic store will continue to operate as it heads toward its 100th anniversary in 2021, but Wakefield will be missed.