Potholes make us appreciate repaving

Pothole-less dream:

Cries of outrage filled the suburbs this week over potholes big enough to swallow your car, but driving on the previously shredded Busse Road between Algonquin and Oakton is a dream. The repaving seemed to take forever this summer, but the efforts were well worth it. It's as smooth as silk.

Welcome cheer:

No one enjoys being in the hospital over the holidays, and stays would be even more dismal without the pet therapy volunteers dropping by with four-legged friends to brighten patients' days. A special thank you to Zoey, the spaniel, and her owner Elizabeth, who brightened spirits at Edward Hospital in Naperville.

It all adds up:

We applaud the Wheeling village board's effort to give residents a registry to check out contractors before hiring them for home improvements. And we understand the need for a fee to help pay for the registration program. However, while $25 sounds like a small amount, it would add up quickly if every town had the same good idea. Let's make sure we're not putting unnecessary fees on local businesses at a time when every penny counts.

Shining example:

Congrats to Kristine Boteva, an 18-year-old from Hoffman Estates, whose hand-painted ornament decorated the White House Christmas tree - one of 300 artists from around the country chosen for the honor. Kristine painted Lincoln's face and famous quotes on her ornament with acrylic paints.

More good news:

And also congrats to Nancy Swider-Peltz Jr., 21, of Wheaton, who won the all-around title at the U.S. Long Track Speedskating National Championships in Wisconsin. Swider-Peltz said mental toughness carried her through Sunday's events. "This is why I go through those hard times to have this feeling of success," she said. "It was a year that I was finally confident in doing all four races." We bet her legs are pretty tough, too.

It's time for Hoffman's Hassell Road:

Let's hope Hoffman Estates has plans to resurface Hassell Road in the center of the village soon. Potholes haven't hit it yet, but it's cracking up all over and getting bumpy. It's time.

Be careful out there:

Space heaters can help take off the chill in a drafty room. But please be careful when using any kind of alternative heating device. They are suspected of causing fires this week in Lombard and Wheaton, leaving one man dead. Follow the instructions. Keep it out of reach of children. Don't leave it unattended. And turn it off when you go to sleep.

Frozen fundraiser:

We're not really sure why anyone would want to jump into Lake Michigan when it's 20-something degrees outside. But we applaud the effort to use the events to raise money for charity. Doing something crazy just to do it is one thing. Doing it to put a little extra money toward a good cause gives it meaning.

Happy New Year:

Based on reader comments, letters to the editor, Facebook status updates and chats at the deli counter, there was one common theme this New Year's. Everyone seemed anxious to say goodbye to 2008. Borrowing a saying from one commenter, let's hope life will be fine in 2009.