The Soapbox: A gem of a museum in Naperville, politics in Lake County, a public servant remembered in Wheeling.

Museum a suburban gem

The DuPage Children's Museum long has been a great place for kids, but its recent emphasis on academic research into the effects of play and the wider realm of early childhood education has taken the Naperville institution to a new level. The museum is a suburban gem that these days shines even brighter.

Golden opportunity

Good luck to the former suburbanites nominated for Sunday's Golden Globes: "Incredibles 2" producer John Walker of Elgin, "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" star Melissa McCarthy of Plainfield, "If Beale Street Could Talk" producer Dede Gardner of Winnetka and former North Shore residents Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein, both for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel."

Embrace the winter

Still looking for a simple resolution for 2019? We're inspired by Fox Valley columnist Dave Heun's move from being a "non-winter" walker to an all-year walker. Simple advice from his wife: Just bundle up! Moreover, strolling through nature may offer non-winter walkers a new look at a peaceful world.

Keep your eyes open

If you haven't seen the Sandra Bullock Netflix movie "Bird Box," then you're apparently among a small group. If you have seen it, for Pete's sake, don't emulate the characters and run around with a blindfold on. There are no monsters forcing you to do so. Who needs a trip to the emergency room anyway?

Do the lights have to come down?

Soon this month, suburban governments will be removing their holiday lights and decorations, such as the fantastic displays in central Elk Grove Village, Rosemont, Schaumburg and elsewhere. What if at least the white lights stay up a bit longer, while they still look pretty and it still gets dark quickly outside?

Is this how it's going to be?

Leader Mark Shaw may have a point about people being "hypersensitive about everything" today and some reactions to a meme on the Lake County Republican Party central committee's Facebook Page mocking Democratic presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren's heritage claims. Still, let's hope campaigns take a higher tone.

And, they're off...

The 116th Congress was sworn in this week and features a host of new faces from the suburbs. Congratulations again to them all. It's an exciting time, but the real work lies ahead. We're counting on them to represent us - all of us - thoughtfully and well.

In Springfield, too

The same goes for our new crop of state senators and representatives who will get to work next week in Springfield. Remember the power and value of cooperation and collaboration.

Candidates, help us help you

We've said it before; we'll be saying it often in the coming weeks. If you're running for local office and have competition, please go to www.dailyherald.com/candidateinfo/ to fill out a brief form so we can send you a questionnaire. The information we publish in print and online will be a great help to voters who want to get to know you.

Remembering Judy Abruscato

In Wheeling this week, community leaders, friends and family turned out to honor former Village President Judy Abruscato and her 30 years of public service. Abruscato died Dec. 28 at 84 after a long battle with cancer. She is remembered as a hard-working leader who served with compassion and a sense of humor. She will be missed.