Soapbox: All parents paying attention?

What's a fair and just sentence for a couple convicted of allowing underage drinking in their home -- drinking that preceded a car crash killing two minors who attended the party? Lake County Associate Judge Christopher Stride agonized over that question, and with good reason. Jeffrey and Sara Hutsell, after all, had never been in legal trouble before and had a sterling resume of service in their Deerfield community. But to sit by and let nearly 30 teens drink in their home? Stride correctly called that "horrifyingly bad judgment." And for that, 14 days in jail for Jeffrey Hutsell -- along with fines and community service -- hardly seems excessive.

Just how cool is it …

…that Buffalo Grove High School students saluted senior Elliott Cellini and his tremendous courage in battling to recover from devastating traffic-crash injuries by voting him the school's homecoming king?

It's in the game (and in the library)

Some folks will whine, we're sure, that public libraries stray from their mission when they make video games available for patrons (read: kids). We beg to differ. Sure, video games represent a break from traditional library offerings, but times change, and if video games draw teens to the library -- where they may, in time, be attracted to books and other materials -- then that sounds like a mission fulfilled. Ela Area Public Library is the latest to offer video games, with its offerings available starting Monday.

Sounds of silence

It's been a long time coming, but it now appears that in two weeks, train horns will fall silent on the Canadian National line in Buffalo Grove, Round Lake Beach, Mundelein, Wheeling, Antioch, Grayslake, Vernon Hills, Lake Villa, Libertyville and unincorporated Lake County. Under a painstakingly negotiated agreement between local and state officials, federal safety authorities and the railways, train horns no longer will be sounded in this corridor unless there is "imminent danger" at a crossing. Congratulations to all who worked so long and hard at this and made the crossing safety improvements necessary to make the silent corridor possible.

What a rec

Congratulations to Grayslake on the grand opening of its first recreation center, converted nicely and affordably from the former Sport Gym and After School Club. Residents undoubtedly will make great use of the center's gymnasium, dance studio, meeting and multipurpose areas.

Independent voices crucial

Gov. Rod Blagojevich has replaced the lone tollway board member critical of the agency's long list of politically connected firms and other practices. The governor did not offer to reappoint Ronald Materick of Oak Brook, whose 4-year term expired in May. Materick never shied from raising tough questions. And, when Blagojevich put his name on signs on top of every I-PASS express lane in the 274-mile system, Materick said of the signs: "I think they are a blatant violation of the Illinois ethics laws." That sort of blunt candor will be missed; other board members will need to provide that brand of independent thinking.

North Side juggernaut

So, isn't it great to see the Cubs rolling in the general direction of post-season play with a full head of steam and that invaluable big 'mo?

As for the South Side

What's that old, familiar refrain that Sox fans will have to borrow from their North-Side counterparts? Oh, yeah, "Wait 'til next year."