Electric monitoring in Kane County, a new approach in Long Grove, a good game in Elmhurst and more.

Not the news we want

It was not lost on us that on our front pages some days we could have had as many as three articles concerning fatal shootings. The shooting of a Chicago police commander, the shooting in a Florida school, and memorials about the shooting 10 years ago at Northern Illinois University. Change P1: Enact sensible gun control.

Little Hats, Big Hearts

Speaking of hats, isn't it great to see that more than 7,500 babies who will be born in our area this month will all get red hats as part of the American Heart Association's Little Hats, Big Hearts campaign? Thanks to all those who knitted the caps (21,000 were donated this year) to raise awareness of the importance of heart health.

Snow way to drive

After recently making it through nine straight days of snow, it might be a good time for an observation concerning traffic. Why is that with snow on the roads, it seems that roughly 25 percent of drivers go too fast and another 25 percent go too slow? Maybe if we could all go with the flow, things would go better.

A move in the right direction

Some members of the Kane County Board would like to get the electronic monitoring program operational again. With some "found" money surfacing last week, it's a possibility to keep an eye on some potentially dangerous people while saving the costs of incarceration. Bravo to Phil Lewis, Monica Silva and Theresa Barreiro for stepping up.

Welcome home

"Phantom of the Opera" sequel "Love Never Dies" is making its Chicago debut now at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. The tour may be national, but the cast bursts with suburban talent. Congrats and welcome home to Arlington Heights native Karen Mason, La Grange's Meghan Picerno, Michael Gillis of Barrington and Cary native Casey Lyons.

Elmhurst-Opoly a winner

A tip of the Mr. Monopoly top hat to the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry for creating its own commemorative game called Elmhurst-Opoly. The game celebrates the chamber's 100th anniversary, and the business community quickly got on board, gobbled up "properties," along with sponsorships of tokens and cards.

Special thanks

This week's Neighbor section featured various groups thanking community volunteers: The Centennial Commission in Mount Prospect, the Palatine Park District, Arlington Heights' Hearts of Gold, among others. This brings to mind how precious are those who are able to give the gifts of time and talents to make our lives better.

Welcoming a new approach

We wouldn't want to see village boards meeting regularly in taverns, but the Long Grove village board meeting with 30 people, most of them presidents of homeowners associations, at a new brewery offered an informal way of getting resident input. Village politics can be vitriolic; this was a reminder that village officials also are our neighbors.

Making us proud

The National School Superintendents

Association has made official what many educators around the suburbs have long known. Northwest Suburban High School District 214's David Schuler is one of the best. Schuler, whose "Redefining Ready" initiative is one of his many innovations, was named national Superintendent of the Year. Congratulations.