Saturday, April 24, 2010

Alvin And The Chipmunks--Celebrating 80 Years Of Memorable Films On Sunday

Keeping film alive at Raue Center! Join others in the community on Sunday for a monthly movie as a celebration of 80 years of memorable films.

This month's film is Alvin and the Chipmunks—a struggling songwriter named Dave Seville finds success when he comes across a trio of singing chipmunks: mischievous leader Alvin, brainy Simon, and chubby, impressionable Theodore.

Join others in the theatre community for Sunday's Friends of the Raue Classic Film. It takes place at the Raue Center for the Arts in downtown Crystal Lake. A donation of $10 is appreciated.

"Young Freud In Gaza" Portrays Palastinian Mental Health Situation

Since the 2006 election of Hamas and the blockade of Gaza’s border by Israel, the Palestinians have suffered an unemployment rate nearing 60 percent, and a shortage of food, water and medicine, according to a description from Icarus Films. Professional psychologists are also in short supply.

“Young Freud in Gaza” is the film presentation of McHenry County College's International Studies Department on Tuesday, April 27 at 2 and 6 pm. It profiles Ayed, a young psychotherapist for the Palestinian Authority’s Clinic for Mental Health. Filmed during 2006-2008, against a backdrop of intense violence, the documentary follows Ayed as he makes house calls, and provides therapy and medication for a range of mental health issues, including depression, stress, anxiety attacks, and suicidal tendencies.

The film, one of several presented by McHenry County College's International Studies Department is free and open to the public. Audience members are invited to join the small group discussion after each film. Film festival sponsors are Medela, Northwest Herald and Sage Products, Inc.

For more information, contact Lindsay Carson, lead instructor for International Studies, at (815) 479-7723 or visit
www.mchenry.edu/internationalstudies.

Liberating Women From Abusive Behavior and Language

A one-time-only encore performance of “The Vagina Monologues” will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday, April 30 by College of Lake County students and staff at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake. This is a collaborative effort by both colleges.

“‘The Vagina Monologues’ is about liberating women from abusive language and behavior, and from the silence in naming their own bodies,” said Teresa Aguinaldo, English instructor and director of College of Lake County's Women’s Center. “Through their brave performances in this college production, students are activists in a too-long campaign to end violence against women.”

The award-winning play is based on playwright Eve Ensler’s interviews with more than 200 women. The performance will be held in the MCC Conference Center and will last 90 minutes. The performance will be followed by a 30-minute panel discussion with the actors and one of the directors.

Admission is free, but there is a $5 suggested donation to benefit Turning Point, a domestic violence agency that confronts violence against women and children in McHenry County.

For more information, call Stephanie Santos Gray in the CLC Social Sciences division at (847) 543-2810 or Talia Koronkiewicz, MCC coordinator of Student Life and Campus Activities at (815) 455-8772.

The performance is being sponsored by CLC’s Women’s Center, Pride Alliance and Gender and Sexuality Studies Department and MCC’s Equality Club, Student Life, Multicultural Programs and the Diversity Committee.

To learn more about V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls, visit

Friday, April 23, 2010

First Bat of 2010 Found In Spring Grove

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) confirms its first rabid bat of the year, found on April 15th in a yard in Spring Grove. No exposure was reported.

When a bat is found in a home, it is strongly recommended that it not be released but contained in a room, under a bucket or blanket (using gloves as a barrier). In order to test bats for rabies, it is important they be in good condition – either alive or recently deceased. Specimens in good condition and test negative for rabies eliminates the need for rabies treatment following human exposure. McHenry County Animal Control should be contacted immediately at 815-459-6222.

McHenry County led the State in 2009 with rabid bats (17); bats reported statewide totaled 83. In 2008, Illinois recorded its 2nd highest number of rabid bats (103), with McHenry County reporting 23. This year, the Counties of Will, Kane and Jackson have already reported rabid bats. In wild animals, rabies is more common in bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes, but the disease also has been found in deer and in large rodents, such as woodchucks. Cats, dogs and livestock can also get rabies if they are not vaccinated. A rabies fact sheet is available at the Illinois Dept of Public Health www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbrabies.htm.

The best way to avoid rabies is to avoid exposure. Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system and can only be confirmed in a laboratory. Residents are encouraged to take a “hands off” approach to wild animals to reduce their risk of exposure. Parents also need to educate their children of the dangers. A bat that is active by day, found in a place where bats are not usually seen (such as in your home, in a swimming pool or on the lawn) or is unable to fly, is more likely than others to be rabid.

Questions about exposure should be directed to MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program at 815-334-4500.

National "Kick Butts Day" Celebrated By High School Students

In collaboration with the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) and Reality Illinois Teens Against Tobacco, students from six area high schools – Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake South, Johnsburg, Marian Central, Woodstock and Woodstock North – celebrated National Kick Butts Day on March 24. This year, each high school chose a different theme to represent the damaging effects of smoking such as:

Students, faculty and staff were encouraged to turn in their cigarettes and sign smoking pledges as a first step toward healthy living. Each year, teachers, youth leaders, and advocates participate in "Kick Butts Day" activities as a national day of activism to empower youth to stand out, speak up and take action against Big Tobacco at more than 2,000 events from coast to coast.

1200 red cups for the tobacco-related deaths that occur each day; Breathing through a straw to simulate shortness of breath many smokers experience; A display of household poisons that are found in cigarettes (arsenic, ammonia, formaldehyde); A model of a healthy lung versus a smoker’s lung after 20 years of smoking

Worldwide, tobacco use kills one person every 6.4 seconds. MCDH and the American Lung Association urge you to join the 45.7 million Americans who have quit (1-866-QUIT-YES). Reality Illinois is a project funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Visit
www.mcdh.info for information on smoking cessation classes or call 815-334-4510.

Just For Kids and Kids At Heart

Sometimes it's tough being a kid. But life is a lot easier --and a lot more fun--when you've got an extremely large, slobbery, canine buddy to share your adventures and troubles.

Henry and Mudge is the perfect show for children ages 3 and up--and families alike. Based on the best selling book stories by Cynthia Rylant, it is a children's show about the wonders and trials of owning your first pet.

Henry and Mudge is at the Raue Center for the Arts at 3:00pm tomorrow. For Tickets

McHenry County College Board Officers Remain

McHenry County College Board of Trustees conducted four separate meetings Thursday evening resulting in the election of the same officers for the Board, George Lowe, Chair, Mary Miller, Vice Chair, and Donna Kurtz, Secretary. Also returned by the students, was Cody Sheriff, as Student Trustee.

The Board also heard a report on the Promise program inaugurated by the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation. Trustee Parrish, liaison to the Promise Program, reported some good and some bad news regarding the program participants.

He noted that some of the good stories coming from that program are that it is not a charity, but a program that students return to the community volunteer time for receipt of tuition help. His report also included the fact that about one-half of those applying, approximately 250, do not fulfill the requirements of doing community service work.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Senior Living Facility On Congress Parkway

A multi-story senior independent living development is in the early planning stages for location on approximately five acres at 201-209 Congress Parkway adjacent to the proposed Camelot School. Thomas Crystal Lake, LLC, Northbrook, petitioner for the proposed project, was before the Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday.

According to information provided the Commission, the project would provide one to three bedroom affordable housing units. The company has similar housing projects in other suburban locations.

The four-story building would include parking on the first floor with three floors of living quarters above. Each unit would contain a furnace for heat. The petitioners expressed the idea that the location was ideal for senior living because of the location being near medical facilities, downtown Crystal Lake and availability of other businesses along Route 14.

Some of the concerns from the Commission included: there may not be enough parking; the 20 units per acre is too dense; concern about restricting residency to a certain age.

A public hearing on the project was set for the May 5 Commission meeting.

Ashton Pointe
This project was before the Commission again with fewer residents in the audience than the previous appearance. Some changes have been made in the modifications the builder is planning but there are still concerns that including 14 ranch type homes in the development with the two story homes that are already there will reduce the value of those homes. One of the commissioners noted that the development he resides in has ranch homes next to two story homes and it has not seemed to reduce the value of those homes.

The developer is looking for ways to make some variations in the development in hopes of enticing more buyers. A meeting was held with the residents and some were present at the meeting with remarks indicating they were not happy with the outcome. Others of the subdivision expressed a willingness to work with the developer. And some of the Planning Commission members indicated a dislike for smaller home mixed with larger ones.

The developer is to try to work further with the residents in an attempt to be able to make some minor changes in hopes of attracting home buyers.

Wholesaler Seeking Larger Facility
An empty building at 176 W. Terra Cotta Avenue zoned for manufacturing may find a new use. The petitioner, Alternative Garden Supply, Inc., currently located in Cary, was seeking comments from the Planning Commission before purchasing the building for on Terra Cotta Avenue for a warehousing distribution facility that supplies merchandise to a chain of retail stores, 'Brew and Grow'. A second user at the location is proposed to be National Garden Wholesale which is a distribution warehouse.

Also desired to be located for Brew and Grow is a showroom that retails beer and wine-making supplies and gardening equipment. There would be no sale of alcoholic beverages at this location; however, they would like to demonstrate the brewing process, typically on a Saturday. A use variation would be required since retail sales are not permitted in the Manufacturing District.

Other concerns to be looked at are parking, and outdoor storage. The applicant will have to prove a practical difficulty or hardship caused by the Zoning Ordinance requirements at the public hearing. A number of other factors will also have to be considered when the petitioner goes before the City Council May 4.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

A New Plan For McHenry County's Expected Growth

It took a long time, but McHenry County now has a new to guide development. The 2030 plan was adopted Tuesday night in a 19-3 vote with two members absent. This plan began after the 2020 plan failed to garner sufficient support of the County Board in 2006. The McHenry County Regional Planning Commission began over and worked on a new plan and has been in the process since that time.

During this process, a citizens group Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water (ALAW) lobbied for a number of changes in the proposed plan with County Board member Ersel Schuster-D-6, offering proposed changes to the presented document. Most of these proposals were adopted, some with minor changes to those presented.

Other citizens' requests were also heard, such as those from Bull Valley and Barrington Hills areas who were asking for larger estate sizes to accommodate raising horses.

The Planning Commission has been working diligently on the details of the plan for the past two years under the guidance of a new head of the Planning and Development Department who was hired following a forced resignation of the previous department head.

The adopted plan is considered as a guide. Various ordinances will need to be revised to reflect what the plan proposes. It is hoped it will be a guide for "good" development such as placing most of the growth near the municipalities where sewer and water are more readily available and allowing farmland and other open space to remain open as a basis for the "framework" for water to supply the population that is arriving and is expected to arrive in McHenry County in the future.

Four MCC Board of Trustees Meetings

Four Consecutive Meetings of the McHenry County College Board of Trustees is slated Thursday evening. It's time for the annual changes and beginning a new Board of Trustees year.

The first is a Committee of the Whole meeting at 6:00 pm. The agenda calls for acceptance of minutes of two prior Committee of the Whole meetings, one in open session and one in closed session both held March 29, 2010.

The Board will then review the packet for the regular meeting of the board scheduled for 7:00 pm. on the same evening.

There is also a provision for a closed session before summary comments by Board members and adjournment.

Following this Committee of the Whole meeting, a Final Meeting of the Retiring Board is scheduled. The board will accept minutes of an open session and closed session meetings of April 1 and handle other matters needing the board's attention in order to keep the college running.

Following the final board meeting, an organizational meeting of the board is scheduled. This includes installation of the student trustee, election of a chair, vice-chair, and secretary of the board; continue the board rules, regulations and policies; appointment of treasurer, board attorney, committee structure, appointment of committee liaison and alternate, appointment of ICCTA liaison and alternate, schedule of regular meetings, plus adjournment.

Following adjournment of the organizational meeting, the first meeting of the new board will take place with little other than opening, hearing remarks by the board members, and adjournment.

The First Tree Planting--With 89 More Planned By Crystal Lake Park District

In celebration of its upcoming 90th birthday in 2011, the Crystal Lake Park District will begin a year-long tree planting program called “90 Trees for 90 Years.” The planting program will officially begin on Arbor Day, April 30 with a tree planting at Woodscreek Park at 11:00 AM. A Sienna Glen Maple tree, donated by McKay Nursery, will be planted by the Park Department staff. Woodscreek Park is located at 850 Willow Tree, Crystal Lake.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the 90th birthday of our agency,” said Ann Viger, Park Planner. “Our mission is to protect and maintain parks and natural areas for our residents. Trees provide shade, clean the air, stabilize the soil and add to the beauty of our parks.”

The trees will be planted by park district staff throughout the park district. The locations will be determined by need and the tree type will be determined by soil and other environmental conditions.

It All Began In 1921
The Crystal Lake Park District was formed by voter approval in 1921, out of community concern that public access to the lake and beach would be lost to private ownership. The newly formed park district obtained ownership to the land that is now Main Beach shortly afterward and constructed the Main Beach Recreation Building in 1926. Today, the park district owns and maintains 40 parks consisting of 1,400 acres of land.

McHenry County Conservation District Budget Hearing and Regular Meeting Thursday

The McHenry County Conservation District Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting and a Public Budget Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2010/2011 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance at 7:00 pm Thursday April 22 at the Brookdale Administrative Offices, 18410 US Highway 14, Woodstock

The Public Hearing portion of the meeting will begin after the meeting is called to order at the same location. Following comments on the budget, the regular meeting of the Trustees will be held.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Wednesday's Meetings

The usual meeting the McHenry County Transportation Committee held on the first and third Wednesday mornings is cancelled for this Wednesday.
************
Matters Considered By Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission
The Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission is meeting Wednesday evening beginning at 7:30 pm in the Crystal Lake Municipal Complex, Woodstock and Walkup Avenues.

Continued
TOPPS, a project proposed for five-acres near McHenry County College is continued for a public hearing to the May 5 meeting of the Commission
************
Four Story Senior Housing Facility
Consideration is being requested for a proposed four story senior housing facility on an approximate five-acre parcel adjacent to the proposed Camelot School and south and west of Health Bridge. Parking is proposed for the first floor with two and three room apartments designed for independent living located on the remaining three floors. Also included are a dinning and activating rooms.

The lot is a part of a larger lot originally planned for office facilities. However, more interest has developed for five-acre parcels than for a larger complex. A variation is being requested to allow the residential community within the B-2 PUD zoning district.
************
Aston Pointe, North of Railroad Tracks and West of Pingree Road
This matter is continued from the April 7 meeting regarding a final PUD amendment to allow design criteria rather than approved model plans. Residents expressed concern because the developer desired to include smaller size home in the development.
************
Retail Sales Proposed for Terra Cotta Avenue
Alternative Garden Supply is requesting to allow retail sales in an M Manufacturing District along with the special use permit to allow delivery vehicles to be parked in the parking lot.

The property is located at 176 W. Terra Cotta Avenue and is the former Corporate Express Building. Two users proposed for the building are warehouse distribution uses. Also proposed is a "Brew and Grow" retail show room in connection with one of the user's business. Brew and Grow is the largest manufacturer of beer and wine-making supplies in Illinois and Wisconsin. No alcoholic beverages are proposed for sale at this location. However, they do hold beer making demonstrations on Saturdays.
************
Review Of Comprehensive Plan-First 3 Sections
A public meeting and general discussion on the plan is proposed.

Crystal Lake City Council Will Consider Reduced Budget

The highlight of tonight's Crystal Lake City Council meeting is the annual budget hearing. The total proposed budget is listed at $78.91 million including the library compared to the prior fiscal year budget of $103.28 million. The meeting begns at 7:30 pm in the Municiple Complex, 100 Woodstock Street.

This decrease is attributed to refinancing of 1998 general obligation bonds ($4.7 million); funds budgeted previously provided for the development of the Three Oaks Recreation area ($16.0 million); Budgeting for the Railroad Relocation Project $8.0 million); budgeted funds for a one-time contribution towards a senior center ($3.0 million); and funds budgeted for the Virginia Street corridor project ($5.5 million).

Funds have been budgeted again for the Virginia Street corridor project ($6.0 million) and include various infrastructure improvements in the water and sewer capital fund.

Other adjustments made to balance the budget include eight vacant positions that are not anticipated to be filled, no increases for a risk management program and wellness techniques, there are no increases budgeted in the liability and health insurance.

Some projects have been deferred until the economy sufficiently recovers. These include the Main Street Railroad relocation project; implementation of a comprehensive G.I.S. and document management system, and contributions toward a senior center are also delayed.

The annual City Calendar, which was mailed each year to City Residents, has been eliminated in order to reduce the printing and postage costs.

The majority of line items in the proposed budget have seen across the board reductions as compared to the previous budget.

Company Fails To Forward Child Support Money -- Faces Stiff Penalty

McHenry County State’s Attorney, Louis A. Bianchi reports that his office has made the collection of $5,000 in a settlement with a local business, on behalf of a child and her custodial parent, for not providing timely child support payments.

The Illinois Legislature and the Illinois Supreme Court have clearly determined that the law in Illinois is that employers who have been properly served with an Income Withholding Court Order and still fail to pay over income to the State Disbursement Unit (SDU) in a timely manner - can be penalized. Illinois law requires employers to promptly process an order or notice to withhold income and a penalty of $100.00 per day may be collected against employers for noncompliance.

Monday, Louis A. Bianchi presented a local mother with the check for $5,000 from the employer (of the non-custodial parent) as its penalty for not having made timely payments to the SDU. The State's Attorneys office strives to enforce timely child support payments and recognizes that custodial parents and their children rely on swift enforcement and that financial hardship may result from delays in the collection of such payments. In this case, there were instances when the employer waited 30 to 45 days to forward the child support monies to the SDU. This matter was pursued by Assistant State’s Attorney Amy Bates.

Note: At this time, child support in McHenry County is enforced by the State’s Attorney’s Office and by the Attorney General’s Office in Rockford (for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Service – IDHFS). If you are experiencing challenges in the collection of child support, please contact either office to determine which office should assist you – or stop by the State’s Attorney’s Office for a brochure explaining same.

Not All McHenry County Board Members Agree On The Proposed 2030 Plan

The McHenry County Board Planning and Development Committee Recommended 2030 Plan is on the way to adoption by the County Board. The Board meets at 7:00 this evening to vote on this long-awaited plan.

All 149 pages are
now available for download –and the 2030 Plan Adoption Resolution is also available for download.

However, based on comments heard regarding the plan, it may not be a unanimous approval.

The plan has been under preparation for nearly two years, following the failure of the Board to adopt a 2020 Plan in 2006. There are those who like the 2030 plan and those who dislike it. The majority of the commission working on putting the plan together is involved in real estate in some way. That has been a source of some discontent by some members of the public.

The public was asked to provide comments on the plan and many did; many at the public presentations and viewing the plan held in various parts of the county. But not all the comments were considered to be included. However there are plans to send the provider of each comment a letter of appreciation from the County. This was discussed recently at Planning and Development Committee meeting, at which a comment was made by a committee member to effect that the best response would be to take the comments made more seriously.

District 6 Board members recently provided a letter to County Board Chairman Ken Koehler with a minority report and stated that they desire to support the plan but as presented, certain changes should be made.

The members include Dan Ryan, Randy Donely, Mary MCCann and Ersel Schuster.

They provided backup for the five resolutions they propose. These relate to consistency of philosophies between the various sections of the Plan; ensure that groundwater recharge is a top priority; protect McHenry County's high quality farmland; recognize and respects property rights; clarify, on all County Maps, the zoning difference between parcels/subdivisions approved prior to 2979 and those rezoned after that date.

Show At Raue Center Just For Young Children

“Henry and Mudge” is the perfect show for children under 3 and families alike. Based on the best-selling book series by Cynthia Rylant, it is a children’s show about the wonders and trials of owning your first pet, and will be performed Saturday, April 24 at 3:00 p.m. at Raue Center For The Arts, Crystal Lake.

Henry discovers having a pet is a big responsibility. They need to be fed, they need to be taken out for walks and of course they need lots of love and playtime! And when the dog is as big as Mudge is (a 182-lb Mastiff), they also need good training. Henry teaches his new friend to sit, heel and shake his hand, but rolling over is one trick Henry just can’t teach Mudge, no matter how hard he tries.

When Henry’s cousin Annie comes for a visit, Mudge is so charmed by her that he finally rolls over at her command! Henry thinks that this means Mudge loves Annie more than him. Very upset, Henry runs away into the cold dark woods. But Mudge, who loves Henry very much and doesn’t want to be without him, follows the boy’s scent into the forest.

Follow these two on an adventure of a lifetime as they find out what the phrase “man’s best friend” really means.

Following the show, you’ll have the opportunity to learn all about what it takes to own and train a Mastiff. Great Lakes Mastiff Rescue, Inc. (GLMR) will have a few Mastiffs in Raue Center’s gallery for kids to pet, ask questions about, and see just how big they are! GLMR is a non-profit organization that re-homes English Mastiffs and educates the public on the responsibilities of being a pet owner. For more information about GLMR, please contact Eileen Boyle, President, at (206) 202-3543 or visit
www.glmr.org.

This show is sponsored by Trader Joe’s and Crystal Lake Bank and Trust. Tickets are $25, $22 and $19. They can be purchased at rauecenter.org or by calling the box office at 815.356.9212. Raue Center is located at 26 N. Williams Street, in historic, downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois.

Spring Yard Cleanup Time

With the warmer spring weather, cleaning up the yard is on everyone’s mind. McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) reminds residents to review the Open Burning restrictions on its webpage (www.mcdh.info, Environmental Health, quick link “Open Burning) for the removal of landscape waste. Landscape waste consists of grass or shrubbery cuttings, leaves and tree limbs. Residents may burn landscape waste on weekend days (Saturday, Sunday) if the burn area meets the setback requirements of at least 100 feet from a school, business, church or house and 50 feet from a barn, shed or detached garage. In areas where there is not a ban or more restrictive ordinance, the County ordinance – which is in effect year round – must be followed.

MCDH encourages a more earth-friendly approach:

Reduce/Reuse – Use a mulching mower for grass and leaves or a chipper for branches. Consider native landscaping that will reduce the need for yard waste.

Recycle – Composting landscape waste can reduce material volume by 70 - 80% and acts as a soil conditioner to improve plant growth.

Licensed municipal waste haulers in McHenry County are required to provide residential pick up of landscape waste although an additional fee may be charged. Some waste haulers contract with municipalities, neighbors and homeowner associations to pick up bagged or loose leaves from curbsides or dumpsters. Residents are encouraged to work collectively with neighbors and associations to arrange the most economical solution for their neighborhood. Homeowners may also drop off landscape waste at a local facility that composts these materials into organic compounds for reuse. A listing of these services is available on the Open Burning link (“other alternatives”).

Enforcement of open burning issues should be directed to your local police, fire department or MCDH non-emergency phone numbers. If you are reporting an emergency complaint that is life threatening or is a fire safety issue, CALL 911. Residents may also call MCDH’s after-hours phone number 815-344-7421 for assistance.

Complete details about the ordinance and suggested alternatives are available online at www.mcdh.info or by calling 815-334-4585.

Celebrate Earth Week

NIKE Reuse-A-Shoe Collection Program
McHenry County is participating in the NIKE Reuse-A-Shoe Collection Program during the Earth Week event being held April 19-23. Bring in your old worn out athletic shoes to the County Administration Building (667 Ware Road, Woodstock, IL). There will be a collection box for shoes. Keep old shoes out of the landfills!

“Going Green” Informational Fair

McHenry County is hosting a “Going Green” Informational Fair on Friday, April 23rd from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the McHenry County Administration Building Conference Rooms, 667 Ware Road in Woodstock. Informational booths will include green strategies for home and the office to reduce energy consumption, water use, waste, and your carbon footprint. Protect the environment and water resources!

For more information, please contact Adam Lehmann at (815)334-0309
or aflehmann@co.mchenry.il.us.

McHenry County Board Seeks Applicants For Newly Formed Nursing Home Board

The McHenry County Board is accepting applications from individuals interested in appointment to the newly created VALLEY HI NURSING HOME OPERATING BOARD. Seven two year positions are available. Expertise in the healthcare field is desired but is not an exclusive criterion for membership on this Board.

Application forms are available at the County Board office, Room 209, McHenry County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock, IL 60098 (815) 334-4221 or at the County’s website listed under County Board appointments. Completed applications should be returned to the County Board office no later than 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 29, 2010. If mailing your application, certified or registered mail is recommended. Mailed applications should be sent to the following address: McHenry County Board, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock IL 60098.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Recycle Old Refrigerators and Air Conditioners--Free Pickup

When high-energy partners get together, something good is bound to happen. This month, the Woodstock High School Student Council will team up with ComEd and JACO Environmental, to offer free pickup and recycling of old, energy-inefficient refrigerators and freezers. The program is funded by a ComEd grant and promoted in conjunction with the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County.

If you have an older, working fridge or freezer keeping your soft drinks or ice cream cold, it’s probably costing you more money than you think. On Wednesday, April 21st and again on April 27th, ComEd will pick up that energy-eater for no charge, then recycle it in an environmentally responsible way through JACO Environmental, Inc., a nationally based recycler of home refrigeration equipment.

If you have an older window air conditioner, they'll recycle that as well. AND, as if that’s not enough, it gets better: ComEd will also pay you $25 for turning in that old appliance!

Qualifying appliances must be in working order. Participating homeowners may schedule their free pickup by calling (888) 806-2273 prior to the pickup date. The innovative program is funded by a ComEd grant, with Woodstock High School students helping to promote it and raise public awareness.

For their efforts, the school will receive a $500 check from ComEd to use towards environmental causes, said student council member Paul Dolmand, who wrote the Energy Star grant application with the guidance of his science teacher, Bill Donato. “This is one of those unlikely things that people don’t always think about,” Dolmand said. “These appliances are running all the time, costing them money and wasting energy.”

“A lot of our waste does come from appliances. People just throw them away, and don’t dispose of them efficiently. So a lot of gases (like freon) and toxins just build up in the environment. We want to stop that, and make people aware.”For more information, e-mail Bill Donato or Paul Dolmand at wdonato@d200.mchenry.k12.il.us.

# # #

McHenry County Board of Health Seeking Board Members

The McHenry County Board is accepting applications from PHYSICIANS and INDIVIDUALS interested in appointment to the McHenry County Board of Health. One vacant position is available for an unexpired term ending June 30, 2011 that must be filled by a physician. Two other appointments (3 year terms) will be expiring on June 30, 2010.

One can can be filled by an interested citizen and the other by a physician. Application forms are available at the County Board office, Room 209, McHenry County Government Center, 667 Ware Road Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098 (815) 334-4221 or at the County’s
wedbsite. Completed applications should be returned to the County Board office no later than 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2010. If mailing your application, certified or registered mail is recommended. Mailed applications should be sent to the following address: McHenry County Board, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock IL 60098.

Crystal Lake School District 47 Board of Education Meeting This Evening

Crystal Lake School District 47 Board of Education is meeting this evening in South Elementary School, 601 Golf Road, beginning at 7:00 pm.

The agenda indicates a number of items to be approved as consent items such as minutes of previous meetings, approval of bills, contracts, payroll and employee leaves, resignations and retirements as well as superintendent contract; approval of completed life safety projects; approval of a number of policy sections.

Also a number of items for approval such as bids for door and window replacements, bids for fascia, soffits and gutter, and partition panels.

The board is also expected to conduct an executive session for purposes of personnel review, land acquisition and negotiations. Also, according to the agenda, there is to be a couple items requiring discussion and or board approval including adoption of resolution to incur debt for facility improvement projects and a zoning matter. These are listed on the agenda prior to returning to open session and adjournment. However, this could be a misprint of the agenda.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

More Hydrant Flushing In Crystal Lake

The fourth section of Crystal Lake is scheduled for hydrant flushing beginning Monday. This area includes the area south of Route 14; east of McHenry Avenue to Route 31. The area involved may be observed by going to the 2010 Hydrant Flushing Map. This week's area is the tan colored area.

The city explains that this process cleans out the City’s water distribution system and allows for inspection of hydrants. During flushing, water may become temporarily discolored due to material being removed from water mains.

The water is safe to drink, but may stain clothes washed during hydrant flushing. Residents should try to limit water usage during this time, but if this is not possible, the City offers Rover, a chemical that can be used as a cleanser in laundry to remove iron stains, free of charge, should problems occur.

Questions? -- contact the Water Division at (815) 356-3614.