Thumbs up: To the DeKalb/Sycamore Goodfellows, which continued the organization’s decadesold tradition of delivering Christmas gifts to children on Christmas Eve. This year, the Goodfellows raised $30,000, enough money to buy clothing for 915 children from 362 local families. The organization focuses all of its effort on Christmas and does a great job spreading cheer among the people they help and the volunteers themselves.

Thumbs down: To confusing airline fares. These days, it’s hard to know what an airline flight is going to cost, even after you’ve paid for the ticket. Most airlines now charge you for checked luggage on domestic flights, but some have begun charging for carry-on baggage as well. In some cases, the cost is more than to check a bag. The U.S. Transportation Department is considering requiring airlines to disclose all of their fees so consumers can make accurate price comparisons when shopping, but some airlines are fighting it. A decision is expected in May, and we hope the government will do what’s right and protect the traveling public from being misled when booking air travel.

Thumbs up: To all the fans of the Northern Illinois University football team making the trek to Miami for the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day. Although those of us staying behind are a little jealous that you’ll be enjoying the warm weather and a big-time football game, NIU needs all the support it can get while making its debut in a BCS bowl game.