The Saturday Soapbox: Good police work in Elgin goes viral, parents and the District 23 teachers strike, harmonic public relations in Mundelein and more.

Parents getting involved:

In 1998, when a strike loomed in Prospect Heights Elementary District 23, parents mobilized and literally pressured both sides into a settlement. A week and a half into the current strike, it looks like it will take that kind of determination again. The teachers and board aren't getting it done. Can the increasingly frustrated parents?

Best foot forward:

The Elgin community must be beaming with pride at the video seen last week by more than 14 million people (and counting) of Sgt. Ken Ericson politely but firmly telling a group of young people that they can't loiter at a local fast-food joint.

'Cool in Elgin':

A relaxed and casual Ericson is leaning against a car as he explains he doesn't want to write them up or make any arrests, but they can't loiter. "We need to keep it safe in Elgin. Cool in Elgin," he tells them. That's cool. Really cool.

Mutual respect:

Perhaps best of all, Ericson deflected any personal praise. That's how his department operates. "Elgin is unique in that regard. That's how we deal with people - face to face, showing mutual respect."

Hoops happy:

While the WNBA playoffs continue without MVP Elena Delle Donne and the Sky, they do feature some local stars. Indiana has veteran Tamika Catchings vs. New York, which has three ex-Sky players. Minnesota has Devereaux Peters (Fenwick) and former Sky all-star Sylvia Fowles vs. Phoenix and two former Sky players. Good luck to all.

Chicago is on the clock …

With the Seahawks favored to rout the Bears on Sunday without quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, the fall yardwork could get ahead of schedule this season as the couch potatoes find something better to do. It does make you wonder, though, if this is our punishment for stealing the NFL Draft from New York

Showtime:

The village of Mundelein has added something harmonic to its promotional toolbox - a music video featuring Mundelein High's award-winning choir, Mundelein Sound. The cheery video features the choir singing at various locations, including the high school, Diamond Lake Beach and Kracklauer Park. A town's story in song!

Not so green at True:

The lawn care company that takes care of Greg True Field at St. Edward High School in Elgin used weed killer instead of fertilizer, killing all the grass. Repairs are under way, but the school's football team had to find an alternate site for its early home games. Let's hope the field's back in shape by Oct. 2 so the Green Wave can have a true homecoming.

Hart halt:

Barrington residents know the high school is nearly inaccessible by car during some hours because of gridlock on Hart Road. A left turn signal from Hart to Route 14 would help clear the traffic.

Worth a look

Does a community of fewer than 15,000 residents need its own emergency dispatch center at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year? Wauconda's been asking that for months. Kudos to Lake County for helping out, with the launch this week of a task force that will study consolidating 911 centers.

A politician's good name:

Politicians, even local public servants, take a lot of criticism. It's nice when a community recognizes the service of a deserving leader, as Buffalo Grove did in naming its council chambers for former village president and longtime trustee Jeffrey Braiman.