Saturday, May 1, 2010

Reminder For Wonder Lake and Pistakee Highlands Residents

McHenry County Department of Health reminds customers of Groot Industries in unincorporated Wonder Lake and Pistakee Highlands areas that loose leaf pick up will take place the week of May 3rd through May 7th.

Loose leaves need to be raked to the curbside for regular scheduled pick up and should not be raked into the road or roadside ditches. The loose leaf collection is in addition to the unlimited containerized landscape waste pick-up available to customers from April through the 2nd week of December.

For more information, contact Groot Industries at 1-877-404-7668 or
www.groot.com or Kristy Hecke, McHenry County Solid Waste Manager at 815-334- 4585 or KLHecke@co.mchenry.il.us.

Time For Brush Cleanup and Pickup

Crystal Lake City will conduct its annual pickup service beginning Monday, May 3 through Friday, May 28.

Residents are reminded to have all brush set out on the parkway before 7:00 am on Monday, May 3. All brush must be less than 6 inches in diameter and no more than 6 feet in length. City crews will make one pass down each City street to collect the brush.

In addition, on the first and third Saturday of every month, April through November, residents may drop off brush at Wastewater Treatment Plant #2, located at Coventry Lane and Dartmoor Drive, between the hours of 8:00 am and 1:00 pm. Proof of residency is required.

All brush will be ground into wood chips and made available to Crystal Lake residents free of charge for landscaping.

Questions can be answered by calling the Public Works Department at 815-356-3614
.

Friday, April 30, 2010

The Bob Blazier Run For The Arts is Sunday

Although online registration is closed, that task may be handled on site Sunday morning beginning at 6:30 am before the race begins. The race begins in front of the Raue Center For the Arts, North Williams Street, in downtown Crystal Lake.

Of course, the idea is to have fun in the various races that are planned and the pledge money is to help the Raue Center.

All the details may be found
at or Contact Laurie Bivona at 815.356.9010 × 17 or mailto: lbivona@rauecenter.org.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Change In Hours For Crystal Lake Library May 7 and May 9

Crystal Lake Public Library will be closed from 9:00 am until noon, Friday, May 7 for staff training. It will open to the public at 12:00 noon until 9:00 pm.

On Sunday, May 9, the Library will be closed all day in recognition of Mother's Day. It will be open the usual hours Monday, May 10—9:00 am to 9:00 pm
.

Command Spanish for Office Personnel At MCC

McHenry County College Shah Center is offering Command Spanish for Office Personnel from 8-11 a.m. Thursdays, May 20 through June 17.

Command Spanish is a comprehensive program that provides immediate access to functional language skills for non-Spanish-speaking medical, school, and office secretaries and receptionists. The language component utilizes phonetic encoding to present the most important Spanish commands, questions, and phrases pertinent to secretarial and receptionist work. No prior knowledge of Spanish necessary.

Some of the benefits of the Command Spanish program can include promoting better communication between Spanish-speakers and non-Spanish-speakers and enhancing employees' job performance.

The series fee is $279, which includes materials. Use course ID: NTG S64 001 when registering. For more information or to register, contact: the Shah Center at (815) 455-8593 or email to
shahcenter@mchenry.edu or visit the website at www.shahcenter.mchenry.edu.

Honoring Spirit of Public Health Award Winners

On Friday the McHenry County Department of Health will recognize this year's winners of the Spirit of Public Health Award for students, volunteers, and professionals of the McHenry County Department of Health. This year's theme is "A Healthier America-One Community at a Time."

These volunteers and professionals are being honored at a reception being held 8:30 to 11:00 am in the McHenry County Government Center, Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock

Health Department officials explain that for More than a decade, communities around the country have celebrated National Public Health Week (April 5-11) to help protect and improve our nation's health.

Despite the dramatic progress and a century of public health advancements, our nation's health falls short of its potential. By committing ourselves to support our nation's public health system, we can build on the successes of the past and establish the solid foundation needed in the future for a healthy nation.

Crystal Lake Park District Celebrates 90th Birthday With Tree Plantings

In celebration of its upcoming 90th birthday in 2011, the Crystal Lake Park 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.

The tree is being planted near the picnic shelter in Woodscreek Park, 851 Willow Tree Drive, Crystal Lake (southwest corner of Ackman and Golf Course Roads.)

Award-Winning Showcase By MCC Forensics Team

McHenry County College Forensics Team will present a showcase from 7-8:30 p.m. May 4 in the Black Box Theatre in Room D167 at the college, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake.

The showcase will feature the team’s award-winning performances from the 76th Phi Rho Pi National Forensics Tournament in New Orleans where the MCC team ranked fifth in Individual Event Sweepstakes and sixth in Overall Team Sweepstakes, winning Bronze for both categories.

Phi Rho Pi is a national honor association for community college forensics programs.

The 10 members who competed at nationals brought home 12 awards: five Gold, two Silver and five Bronze Awards, including a Bronze Award in two sweepstakes categories.

Team captain Lauryn Lugo, of Lake in the Hills, led the award winners by capturing two Gold Awards in Dramatic Interpretation and Prose Interpretation. Three additional Gold Awards were won by Joe Cusumano, of Lake in the Hills, for Informative Speaking, Jake Pritts, of Johnsburg, for Prose Interpretation and Steve Guardi, of Johnsburg, for Dramatic Interpretation. Two Silver Awards were won by Alicia Artner, of Johnsburg, for Dramatic Interpretation and Cusumano and John Cox, of Woodstock, for Duo Interpretation.

The five Bronze Awards were won by Artner, for Prose Interpretation, Pritts, for Prose Interpretation, Cox, for Poetry Interpretation; Lugo and Artner, for Duo Interpretation, and Kat Stemple, of Marengo, won a bronze for Program Oral Interpretation. Also competing were Antonio Clinton, of Woodstock, Brian Walsh, of Cary; and Becky Weise, of Union.

"We were not only the best school in our region but the schools that placed above us have had long histories of winning at the national level,” said Bonnie Gabel, forensics team coach. “Our program is only seven years old and we stood right next to the schools that are much bigger than us."

Assistant coach, Chris Cox stated, "The California community college system is significantly larger than Illinois and they tend to dominate at the national level. It's just outstanding that our students represented our college and our state with such distinction."

Since the team was in New Orleans on Easter Sunday in advance of the competition, they decided to spend the day in service to the people of New Orleans by volunteering their time serving meals to the homeless at the historic Ozanam Inn. Team captain Lauryn Lugo stated on behalf of the entire team that it was an unforgettable experience and the entire team was deeply moved by the spirit of such a place where people came together to give and receive assistance from each other.

Admission is $5. For more information contact Bonnie Gabel at (815) 455-8684 or email her at
bgabel@mchenry.edu.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Lakewood Village Receives "AAA" Rating From Standard and Poor

News from Tuesday evening's Lakewood Village Board Meeting—The Village has achieved AAA long term rating assigned to the Village's series 2010A taxable GO waterworks and sewerage alternative revenue source bonds (Build America) and series 2010B general obligation alternative revenue source waterworks and sewerage refunding bonds.

According to Standard & Poor, this reflects the Ratings Services' opinion of the village's participation in the deep and diverse Chicago metropolitan economy; very strong reserves with balanced general fund operations, supported by good financial management; very strong income and extremely strong market value per capita levels; and moderate debt burden.

It was noted that this achievement is the result of the conservatism that has been practiced by the Village Board and staff.

Other good news included an announcement that Turnberry Country Club will open very soon under new management of Kemper Sports Management, Northbrook. It will remain a private club, and initially will not be open for dining, but only for golf and swimming.

In other good financial news, the recovery bond money for the proposed Sportsplex is expected to assist in bringing more business to that area. However, that is not expected for months until the construction process is completed.

McHenry County Delinquent Fines and Fees Recovered By State's Attorney

McHenry County is collecting $145,000 owed by delinquent defendants who failed to pay their Court ordered fines and fees.

This was accomplished through the State's Attorney's contract with AllianceOne, a collection agency, retained for this purpose. The County pays no costs for the collections; instead the delinquent defendants pay all collection costs.
State's Attorney Louis A. Bianchi reports that a collaborative effort with McHenry County Circuit Clerk, Kathy Keefe, resulted in the collection of unpaid fines and fees, recovered in less than a year.

This was the results of the State’s Attorney’s initiative to pursue the collection of these outstanding fines and costs to help meet the financial needs of the County.

Jazz Quartet Concert Sunday At MCC

The Sessions Jazz Quartet will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 2 in the MCC Conference Center, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake.

The group will perform several selections including “On Green Dolphin Street” by Ned Washington, “I Ain’t Got Nothin’ but the Blues,” by Mose Alison; “Georgia on My Mind” by Hoagy Carmichael, “But Not for Me” by George Gershwin, with vocalist Haley Canizzo of Crystal Lake; “This Masquerade” by Leon Russell, with vocalist Tony Young of McHenry; and “Beyond the Sea,” by Jack Lawrence, with vocalist Bergan Maursted of Crystal Lake.

Sessions Jazz Quartet consists of Al Skaronea on keyboards, Bill Toalson on trumpet, Mike Panayotovich on bass, Brad Skaronea on drums. Plus, Glenn Lewis of Effingham, will be featured as guest trumpeter throughout the concert and Todd Skaronea will accompany on guitar for “This Masquerade.”

The concert is free and open to the public. A reception follows the concert. For more information, contact Michael Hillstrom at (815) 479-7814.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Mother Nature Wants Us To Chill Out

The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a frost advisory, which is in effect from 1:00 am to 8:00 am Wednesday.

Temperatures are expected to quickly fall to the lower 30s across the area, except in downtown Chicago where temperatures should hold in the lower 40s to upper 30s.

Clear skies and light winds will promote frost formation in rural areas overnight. Temperatures will quickly rebound following sunrise in the morning. Widespread frost may result in damage to sensitive vegetation.

Congressman Manzullo Honored By U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Congressman Don Manzullo, was honored today on Capital Hill by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and presented with the Spirit of Enterprise Award for his pro-business record during the first session of the 111th Congress.

Eligibility for the award is based on how Members of Congress vote on key business issues, which the Chamber outlines in its annual publication How They Voted. These designated "key votes" are recorded floor votes on issues established as priorities on which the Chamber communicates its position prior to the votes.

According to the scorecard, Manzullo maintained a 73% rating with the Chamber this year and collectively holds an 85% ranking during his tenure in Congress.

The Chamber scored Congress on 7 Senate and 15 House votes in 2009, including the economic stimulus package, legislation to promote the U.S. as a travel destination abroad, and both the House and Senate healthcare reform bills.

A view of the complete list of the 2009 Spirit of Enterprise recipients is available
at.

Reduced Fee For Well Water Testing Ends Friday--McHenry County Health Department

Department of Health (MCDH) reminds residents that reduced fee water testing for well water users ends Friday, April 30. Samples can be tested for coliform bacteria and nitrate for $18. Water testing fees after April 30 are $23.

Testing your well regularly is the only way to determine whether well water is safe to drink as many contaminants are colorless and odorless. Water from a public or municipal water system is regularly tested for contaminants regulated by Federal and state standards.

Sampling kits can be picked up at MCDH in Woodstock or at one of eight drop-off centers. Samples can be dropped off for testing on Tuesday mornings between 9:00am and 12:00pm at the following centers –
· Algonquin Townships Office, 3702 Route 14, Crystal Lake, (847) 639-2329
· Dorr Township Office, 140 Newell Street, Woodstock (815) 338-0125
· McHenry Township Office, 3703 Richmond Road, McHenry (815) 385-5605
· Nunda Township Office, 3510 Bay Road, Crystal Lake (815) 459-4011
· City of Marengo, City Hall, 134 E. Prairie Street, Marengo (815) 568-7112
· City of Harvard, Police Department, 201 W Front Street, Harvard (815) 943-4431
· Richmond Township Office, 7812 South Route 31, Richmond (815) 678-0077
· Grafton Township Office, 10109 Vine Street, Huntley (847) 669-3328

For more information about your private well water, contact MCDH’s Environmental Division at 815-334-4585.

Crystal Lake Park District Celebrating 90th Birthday By Planting Trees

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.

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
.

Crystal Lake Inventor Explains Demining Work In Cambodia Wednesday At MCC

Gary Christ, a Crystal Lake inventor, is working to make a better world. In February of 2001, he began volunteering his services by installing septic systems at orphanages in Cambodia. However, in 2004 a landmine was discovered at an orphanage he was asked to excavate. This dramatically changed his focus and he has been building demining prototypes ever since.

Gary was inspired to work on this invention to help the Cambodians to return to farming without the fear of losing loved ones to landmines and tons of unexploded ordinance left over from Southeast Asia's many conflicts, wars and invasions.

This Crystal Lake inventor is the guest of the McHenry County College Student Peace Action Network (SPAN) for the last informational seminar of the semester. "When is a War Really Over?" is the feature of the event scheduled Wednesday, April 28 at 7:00 pm in Room A221 at McHenry County College, The College is located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the MCC Student Activities Office at (815) 455-8772.

H1N1 Vaccine Still Available At McHenry County Health Department

It’s not too late to get the H1N1 vaccine. McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will offer walk-in H1N1 clinics in May at its Woodstock (2200 N. Seminary Avenue) and Crystal Lake (100 N. Virginia Street) offices. No appointment is necessary. The vaccine is free; clinics are open to ALL county residents that are eligible.

· Annex A – Daily, Monday-Friday (8am-4:30pm)
Individuals 9 years of age and older; injection vaccine only

· Annex B – Infants/children must be 6 months of age to 9 years; injection vaccine only

Monday May 3
8:30am-noon

Wednesday May 12
8am-noon & 1pm-4pm

Wednesday May 19
8am-noon & 1pm-4pm

Thursday May 27
1pm-4pm

· Crystal Lake – Daily, Monday-Friday (9am-4:30pm)
Individuals 9 years of age and older; injection vaccine only

Reports indicate the H1N1 virus continues to circulate and has caused serious infection, especially to those with underlying medical conditions. The vaccine not only protects you but it helps protect the people around you. If you get the flu, you can pass it to others including babies, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions who are more likely to suffer serious complications.

Following the 3 C’s will also keep you healthy so remember to cover a cough with tissue or sleeve, clean hands with warm soap and water, and contain the virus by staying home when ill. Get answers to your flu questions at http://www.mcdh.info/ or 815-334-4510.

Crystal Lake Library Board Committee Meeting Wednesday

The Crystal Lake Public Library Board Personnel Committee is meeting Wednesday, April 28 to continue planning for a Staff Recognition Event. The meeting is taking place in the Library Director's Office at the library, 126 Paddock Street.

Lakewood Village Baord Meeting This Evening

A number of routine matters are expected to be handled this evening when the Lakewood Village Board meets this evening in the Red Tail Golf Club at 7:00 pm. In addition to the necessary financial requirements needing the Board's attention, requests for Approval for special use of the Crystal Lake by the Crystal Lake Water Ski Association will be considered. The group is to host a Slalom qualifier Event on Sunday, July 25 from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm.; a Slalom Tournament on Sunday, August 15 from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm.; and Crystal Lake Water Ski Show on Sunday September 5 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, with a rain date of Monday September 6.

A request is also being made to proclaim Lakewood Arbor Day on April 30.

This Mornings County Board Committee Meetings

McHenry County Board Management Services Committee meets this morning beginning at 8:30am in the County Board room. The County's IT Department is scheduled to provide a presentation on an info portal. Other routine matters include authorizing a contract for codification services for the County Clerk's office and a discussion regarding local preference in procurement.

The Finance and Audit Committee of the County Board also meets this morning beginning at 9:30am. A number of resolutions regarding acceptance of grants are to be considered. These include several grants for the Health Department including a $154,730 grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program; a $38,689 grant also from the Department of Public Health to conduct a Mosquito Vector Prevention Program; and a $10,000 grant from the Department of Human Services for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.

On another matter $250,000 is being added to the General Fund Contingency Budget for any unplanned expenditures that may occur in these departments. It was a plan set out at the close of the last fiscal year that department heads were informed that if fiscal year 2009 ended in the black, some supplemental budget request would be readdressed. The Finance and Audit Committee is to adopt the necessary resolution setting this aside.

Monday, April 26, 2010

McHenry County Board of Health Meeting This Evening

McHenry County Board of Health meets this evening beginning at 7:00pm in the Health Department offices at Annex A of the McHenry County Government Center, 2200 N. Seminary Road, Woodstock.

The program highlight for this meeting something called MAPP, Mobilizing for Action Through Planning and Partnerships. There will also be an update on the H1N1 Flu situation.

Fifth Week of Hydrant Flushing In Crystal Lake

If you see water running down a thoroughfare in Crystal Lake, it is not a broken main. The Crystal Lake Water Division is flushing fire hydrants throughout the city.

This is the fifth of a seven-week program to clean out the City's water distribution system and allow for inspection of hydrants.This week –April 26 through April 30- the area west of Route 14 and McHenry Avenue and north of Barlina Road is the selected area.


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.Residents with questions are asked to contact the Water Division at (815) 356-3614

MCC McHenry County Culinary Dinning Series Begins May 8

McHenry County College will kick off its first-ever monthly McHenry County Culinary Celebrity Dining Series with Dying to Dine: Mystery Dinner Theatre at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 8. The location for this unique dinning experience is the Woodstock North High School, 3000 Raffel Road in Woodstock.

Dying to Dine will feature a four-course mystery dining experience hosted by Chef Thomas Kaltenecker, CHE, MCFE, executive chef and instructor of culinary management at MCC and Bonnie Gabel, advisor of the award-winning MCC Forensics Team. The meal will be prepared and served under the direction of Kaltenecker and culinary management program instructors, including Chef Tina Drzal, baking and pastry instructor. The event will be held in conjunction with MCC’s new Hospitality Club.

MCC culinary students will serve the food and forensics team members will perform a murder mystery dinner theatre. Specifically, forensics team performers will be servers who are aspiring actors, and the theatre’s plot will center on a card that contains Martin Scorsese’s personal number that the group of aspiring actors covet and want to possess.

The culinary dining series offers a capstone experience for MCC culinary students who will provide service at these events and local chefs and restaurateurs will have an opportunity to showcase their businesses, techniques and talents to a paying audience.

MCC launched its first culinary management program last August, offering certificate programs in Chef’s Assistant and Baking and Pastry Assistant. Future dining series events will give opportunities for local restaurant chefs, bakers, pastry chefs and future MCC culinary alumni to attend or apply as guest chefs.

“With this event series, culinary students gain real-world experience, as they will make the hors d’ouevres, dinner and dessert, along with set up the dining room and serve the food. Kaltenecker said. The menu includes a trio of passed hors d’oeuvres of fried tiger shrimp wrapped in homemade Cajun pasta, an appetizer of blackened red snapper with golden pepper sauce and bibb salad, carrot and ginger soup, an entrée of parmesan crusted lamb chops with sautéed root vegetables, potato dauphinoise and minted pea sauce, followed by a dessert featuring vanilla bean and white chocolate génoise with pomegranate gelée and blood orange cream. Conscious Cup will pair two coffees and a special tea for this dessert.

The dining series is one of four MCC projects selected at the start of spring semester to receive funding from MCC’s new Innovation Teaching Grant. The dining series received $4,500 toward the start-up cost and purchase of necessary equipment for the event operation.

Admission for the murder mystery theatre event is $45 in advance or $55 at the door. Proceeds from the series will be used for scholarships and/or reinvested into MCC’s Culinary Management program for specific projects, including the series.

Reservations may be made using a credit card by calling the MCC Registration Office at (815) 455-8588 and reference course ID: NCM S01 004. MCC students with a student ID and PIN may register online. To register in person with cash, check or credit card, stop by the MCC Registration Office, Room A258.