The Soapbox: A festival in Long Grove, Wal-mart fight in East Dundee, young celebrity in Arlington Heights and more.
Talented 20:
Judges revealed the Top 20 this week for Suburban Chicago's Got Talent, and the acts will perform live Sunday in the hopes of moving on in this summer competition. Now in its fifth year, the contest reaffirms the wealth of talent in the suburbs. Congrats to all - and good luck going forward.
A fest by any other name:
Yes, Long Grove is now calling this weekend's annual event Summer Fest, with all sorts of new activities to enjoy. That's because "we didn't want this fest to be known exclusively for strawberries," said Ryan Messner, president of Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association. But, oh, those chocolate-covered strawberries ...
Soccer madness!
Who says soccer is not a major sport in the U.S.? Copa America finishes its tournament this weekend with the U.S. men's team playing today for third place; the Chicago Fire will play in the U.S. Lamar Hunt Open Cup Tuesday; and two-time FIFA player of the year Ronaldinho recently visited young soccer players at Judson College in Elgin. Goooooaaaaallll!
West Chicago's reading program ...
West Chicago Elementary District 33 and West Chicago Public Library have teamed to create Fathers Reading Every Day, which enrolls preschool students and their dads in a four-week program tp develop language and reading skills. Participating dads read to their child at least 15 minutes a day for the first two weeks, then at least 30 minutes a day.
... brings dads, kids closer together:
Eleven families recently completed the West Chicago program and organizers pledge to keep it going during the 2016-17 school year. It's a great way to build bonds between dads and their kids and to foster the kind of connections between home and school that can help with student success.
Fair or not, what's done is done:
East Dundee lost its Wal-Mart to Carpentersville. But, hey, it won an appellate court decision that prohibits tax increment financing to entice a business to relocate within 10 miles, so it's going back to court to keep the retailer from getting $4.3 million in TIF money from Carpentersville. Is vindictiveness a wise use of time and taxpayers' money?
See him at dailyherald.com/more:
Arlington Heights eighth-grader Jack Aiello's viral video spoofing the mannerisms of the various presidential candidates has provided needed levity to balance somber news. A pity that his appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" got bumped in his home market by more bad news, this time about the weather.
Good-news groceries:
Buffalo Grove is getting a vote of confidence with a commitment from Woodman's Food Markets for a 242,000-square-foot store on long-vacant property at Milwaukee Avenue and Deerfield Parkway. The village approved incentives last week for the project and a retail development across the street.
Still serving in retirement:
Orlando, the rescued donkey who celebrated his 50th birthday last week at the Field of Dreams operation in Maple Park is a model for old-timers everywhere. The good-natured old fellow is the perfect trainer for the agency's new volunteers, proving to be more in reirement than just a sweet attraction. Happy birthday, Orlando!