{"Body Text Edit"/}o ... To the National Soccer Hall of Fame for its Hall of Fame weekend efforts.

With the biggest induction in its history led by Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy, the Hall made sure the thousands who attended got their money’s worth. The inductees not only showed up but also played, in a game that honored other American pioneers in women’s soccer.

It was a well-done presentation that showed, if just for a weekend, what the best of American soccer looks like. And Oneonta was the center of that display.

The weekend offered something for many groups. For those who grew up idolizing Hamm, Foudy and the U.S. women’s national team, it was obvious why they attended. For those who are soccer fans in general, the game brought some action to the more-staid induction.

And the event was a chance for local people to check out a Hall and museum that they may have passed by many times without a second thought.

While not every year will bring the star power of a Hamm or Foudy, we hope we can look forward to similar events _ throughout the year _ that promote the sport, the Hall and the region.

o ... To the city of Oneonta for making many forms available online.

The city recently contracted with a firm to provide such services as document management, permit and license applications, citizen requests, public e-mail lists and a page for frequently asked questions.

The benefits include the obvious _ citizens will be able to conduct some business from home and at their leisure. The city also shows its understanding of the importance of technology, and its website becomes more interactive.

It will also aid the efforts of city departments to produce information quickly, as the system has been described as useable without high-level information-technology skills.

Best of all may be the low cost. The city is to be commended for contracting important and wide-ranging services without costs outweighing the benefits.

To take a look at the website, visit www.oneonta.ny.us.

o ... To the Catskill Mountain Community Music & Arts Network Youth Group, which recently had its opening event.

The group is sponsored by Stamford Central School and funded by a grant from the O’Conner Foundation. Its goal, according to organizer Pamela West-Finkle, includes getting children ages 10 to 18 who play in bands to network, as well as attracting those interested in working in journalism, film, television and artistic support.

The group has many goals and planned activities, including concerts, workshops, clinics, music projects and fundraisers, and clearly is thinking big.

We think the group can fill a need in the area and bring together teens who are separated by distance and lack of other connections.

If successful, its effects could be seen well into the future.