Annual Open Water Swim Races Saturday on Crystal Lake

On Saturday, July 12, the Crystal Lake Park District will host the annual Open Water Swim Races.  Races consist of 1-mile and 2-mile open water swim course on Crystal Lake. The course begins at Main Beach and follows an out and back straight line. This is a great event if you are training for a future triathlon. Wetsuits are optional. Swim caps are provided. All pre-registered participants receive a swim race giveaway item.  Crystal Lake Main Beach is located at 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake. 

Programs Fee: $35 Pre-Registration, $45 Race Day Registration

Race Options:

Code # 1081-0, 1-Mile,           7:30 AM Start

Code # 1082-0, 2-Mile,           7:45 AM Start

Register at the Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office, One East Crystal Lake Avenue, or online at http://www.signmeup.com/99554.  Contact Joe Davison at (815) 459-0680, ext. 1228 for more information.  Special thanks to our 2014 event sponsors: Accelerated Rehab, Integrated Pain Management, Chiro One, Dolphin Swim Club, Dunkin Donuts.

Recycle Fluorescent Tubes, Styrofoam, Electronics, Batteries

On Saturday, July 12th, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County (EDMC) will conduct a recycling collection for fluorescent tubes, Styrofoam™, electronics, and batteries from 9 a.m. until noon at the Metra Station parking lot, 4005 Main Street, in McHenry. They continue to collect certain items which are not usually accepted by curbside programs, and which would be harmful to the environment if put in a landfill.

The Defenders’ Recycling Drive accepts household batteries, car batteries, lithium and button batteries, fluorescent tubes, clean Styrofoam™, VHS & Cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, packing peanuts and re-usable, unpopped bubble wrap. A donation is requested for fluorescent bulbs and batteries that are brought in to offset the costs involved in processing these items.

Electronics, such as computers, televisions, phones, printers, clean microwaves, and electronic toys, are accepted. TVs and computer monitors will be accepted for a donation of $10-$35. Become a new member of EDMC at the recycling drive, at the Basic or higher level, and get two coupons to recycle a television or monitor for FREE!

There are also three FREE drop off sites for electronics:  Algonquin Township Road District 3702 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, 847-639-2700 X6, Computer Recycling Center in Crystal Lake, 815-455-6300 (call for information) and Lakewood's electronics drop-off site at 6570 Haligus Road, south of Ballard Rd.

You can donate aluminum cans at both the McHenry and Woodstock drives, but the Defenders will no longer be paying for them. The donation will help fund our educational and advocacy programs.

EDMC has recently added a new aspect to their monthly recycling collection:  USAgain Clothes Collection System (http://www.usagain.com) will be providing a truck at each drive to accept any kind of cloth items—clothing, linens, or just plain rags, clean and preferably put into a bag.  They will also accept shoes, tied together by their laces and placed in the bag. 

Defenders recycling drives are held on the second Saturday of each month, alternating between McHenry in odd-numbered months and Woodstock in even-numbered months.  Area residents may drive up and drop off their recyclables with Defenders’ volunteers, who help to unload and sort the materials.

For more information about the recycling schedule and types of materials accepted at each location, or to access the Green Guide recycling directory which is put out annually by the Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC, visit the Defenders’ website at http://www.mcdef.org/recycling_information.htm or phone Alice at 815-385-8512 or the Defender office at 815-338-0393, or find them on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalDefenders.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment. The group provides the community with educational programs and volunteer action on pollution prevention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource conservation. Donations are encouraged and are tax-deductible as charitable contributions.  For more information, visit www.mcdef.org or call 815-338-0393.

Open Water Swim Race Slated at Crystal Lake This Weekend

On Saturday, July 12, the Crystal Lake Park District will host the annual Open Water Swim Races.  Races consist of 1-mile and 2-mile open water swim course on Crystal Lake. The course begins at Main Beach and follows an out and back straight line. This is a great event if you are training for a future triathlon. Wetsuits are optional. Swim caps are provided. All pre-registered participants receive a swim race giveaway item.  Crystal Lake Main Beach is located at 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake. 

 

Programs Fee: $35 Pre-Registration, $45 Race Day Registration

Race Options:

Code # 1081-0, 1-Mile,           7:30 AM Start

Code # 1082-0, 2-Mile,           7:45 AM Start

 

Register at the Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office, One East Crystal Lake Avenue, or online at http://www.signmeup.com/99554.  Contact Joe Davison at (815) 459-0680, ext. 1228 for more information.  Special thanks to our 2014 event sponsors: Accelerated Rehab, Integrated Pain Management, Chiro One, Dolphin Swim Club, Dunkin Donuts.

Luau For Seniors At Crystal Lake Park District

Aloha, again, for the Annual Crystal Lake Park District Senior Luau at Crystal Lake Main Beach (300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake). 

On Wednesday, July 23 from 6-8:00 pm, Main Beach band shell will be transformed into a Hawaiian island complete with the sights and sounds of the Royal Polynesian Review, dance and songs from Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti and New Zealand, beautiful costumes, and snacks and desserts (while supplies last).

This event is free of charge for seniors thanks to the generosity of the following event co-sponsors: Eastgate Manor, City of Crystal Lake, Heritage Woods, JourneyCare, Autumn Leaves, Nature’s Acupuncture and Dunkin Donuts. 

In the event of inclement weather, the Luau will be held at Park Place, located at 406 W. Woodstock St, Crystal Lake.

For program weather information call (815) 459-PARK (7275).

"Despicable Me 2" Showing Friday At Crystal Lake Main Beach

The Crystal Lake Park District Movies in the Park on Friday, July 18 at Crystal Lake Main Beach (300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake) will feature a showing of “Despicable Me 2”. The movie begins at dark, but there will be plenty of fun before the movie gets started at dark.  Two contests will take place at each of the 3 Movies in the Park scheduled for this summer.

Baskin Robbins will be hosting a FREE Ice Cream Eating Contest for kids (ages 5-13). Register online for the contest at www.star105.com. Limit one entry per summer/per child. Ice Cream Eating Contest begins at 7:30 pm. There are a limited number of entries accepted for each movie date. Entrants will receive confirmation of entry.

Families may also register at www.star105.com for an entry into the Courtesy Buick “Best Seat in the House” contest, featuring prime seating Despicable Me 2.  The winner will receive preferred seating for a family of 4 in the Courtesy Buick GMC HUGE inflatable chair, soda, dessert and Lou Malnati's Pizza delivered to their chair. Winner will be notified at least 3 days prior to the movie date.

Summer 2014 Movies in the Park Schedule

Friday, July 18-Despicable Me, Rated PG

Friday, August 15-The Lego Movie, Rated G

The Crystal Lake Park District is able to offer this program for FREE due to the generosity of our Movies in the Park Partners: Northwest Herald, Baskin Robbins, Chiro One, Star 105.5, Country Inn & Suites, Jersey Mikes, Marvin’s Toy Store, Mayfair Furniture and Carpet, Pump It Up, Play It Again Sports, Home State Bank, Buffalo Wild Wings, Brunswick Zone XL, Courtesy Buick GMC and Lou Malnati's.

For more information contact the Crystal Lake Park District at (815) 459-0680, ext. 1213.

Press Fights For Open Government

INDIANAPOLIS – Thirty-eight journalism and open government groups today called on President Obama to stop practices in federal agencies that prevent important information from getting to the public.

The national organizations sent a letter to Obama today urging changes to policies that constrict information flow to the public, including prohibiting journalists from communicating with staff without going through public information offices, requiring government PIOs to vet interview questions and monitoring interviews between journalists and sources.

“The practices have become more and more pervasive throughout America, preventing information from getting to the public in an accurate and timely matter,” said David Cuillier, president of the Society of Professional Journalists. “The president pledged to be the most transparent in history. He can start by ending these practices now.”

The letter outlines other specific examples of the excessive information control, considered by some as a form of censorship:

• Officials blocking reporters’ requests to talk to specific staff people;
• Excessive delays in answering interview requests that stretch past reporters’ deadlines;
• Officials conveying information “on background,” refusing to give reporters what should be public information unless they agree not to say who is speaking.
• Federal agencies blackballing reporters who write critically of them.

Never before has such a broad-based coalition of journalism and good-governance organizations spoken out on this issue. The growing number of examples of “mediated access” have not just frustrated journalists but have led to specific cases of important information not reaching the public.

“Our members find that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency press staff routinely block them from getting needed information — even in a public health crisis, even when the agency is rolling out new regulations and it's important to localize the story,” said Beth Parke, executive director of the Society of Environmental Journalists. “Anytime officials suppress information or downplay scientific findings, they are interfering with the public’s right to know. When reporters are ignored, and access is denied, news stories suffer and the public is cheated.”

In addition to the letter, the organizations provided the White House with resources on the issue and a list of obstruction examples. They asked the administration to set up an avenue through which such incidents can be reported.

SPJ and SEJ urged journalists to join them in fighting these trends in public and private entities at the national, state and local levels. News outlets can resist these trends by publishing editorials, explaining the tactics in news stories and openly resisting them whenever they occur. They may also submit their own comments to White House web page. Journalists are invited to sign up for further information by emailing kfoxhall@verizon.net. To see the letter that was sent in full to President Obama click here.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information about SPJ, please visit http://www.spj.org/.

The 38 groups who signed the letter are:

American Agricultural Editors’ Association
American Agricultural Editors’ Association Professional Improvement Foundation
American Society of Journalists and Authors
American Society of Business Publication Editors
American Society of News Editors
Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association
Asian American Journalists Association
Associated Collegiate Press
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
Association of Opinion Journalists
Center for Media and Democracy
College Media Association
Colorado Press Women
Defending Dissent Foundation
Journalism Education Association
Investigative Reporters and Editors
iSolon.org
North American Agricultural Journalists
National Federation of Press Women
National Newspaper Association
National Press Foundation
National Press Photographers Association
National Scholastic Press Association
Native American Journalists Association
Online News Association
OpenTheGovernment.org
The Poynter Institute
Project on Government Oversight
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
Public Radio News Directors Incorporated
Radio Television Digital News Association
Regional Reporters Association
Reporters without Boarders
Society of Environmental Journalists
Society of Professional Journalists
Student Press Law Center
Tully Center for Free Speech at Syracuse University
UNITY Journalists for Diversity

Personal Note: The Town Crier (Iris Bryan) has been and still is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists serving as an officer in chapters in Northern Illinois and Pennsylvania (while attending Penn State Graduate School) 

McHenry County College to Offer “One Stroke” Painting Classes

Create beautiful painted pieces using the One Stroke technique with two new classes offered this month by the McHenry County College Continuing Education Department.
The following classes are accepting registration:

Sunflowers In Blue: Using the One Stroke technique, create a beautiful 11 x 14 Sunflower masterpiece. All supplies are included. Bring brushes if you have them. Brushes will also be available for use in class. Instructor is Dawn Castellanos. Class takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17 and 24 in Room D158. Cost is: $45. Use course ID: NFA S24 007 when registering.

Painted Glass Vase: Learn how to take those extra glass pieces you have laying around the house and turn them into something beautiful. Using the One Stroke technique, learn to prepare the glass, painting strokes and finishing the glass. All supplies included. Bring brushes if you have them. Brushes will also be available for use in class. Instructor is Dawn Castellanos. Class takes place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31 in Room D158. Cost is $33. Use course ID: NFA S26 007 when registering.

To register, call the MCC Registration Office at (815) 455-8588.

For more information, call Tracy Berry at (815) 455-8758 or Claudia Terrones at (815) 455-8782.

Recycling Event Coming Saturday

On Saturday, July 12th, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County (EDMC) will conduct a recycling collection for fluorescent tubes, Styrofoam™, electronics, and batteries from 9 a.m. until noon at the Metra Station parking lot, 4005 Main Street, in McHenry. They continue to collect certain items which are not usually accepted by curbside programs, and which would be harmful to the environment if put in a landfill.

The Defenders’ Recycling Drive accepts household batteries, car batteries, lithium and button batteries, fluorescent tubes, clean Styrofoam™, VHS & Cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, packing peanuts and re-usable, unpopped bubble wrap. A donation is requested for fluorescent bulbs and batteries that are brought in to offset the costs involved in processing these items.

Electronics, such as computers, televisions, phones, printers, clean microwaves, and electronic toys, are accepted. TVs and computer monitors will be accepted for a donation of $10-$35. Become a new member of EDMC at the recycling drive, at the Basic or higher level, and get two coupons to recycle a television or monitor for FREE!

There are also three FREE drop off sites for electronics:  Algonquin Township Road District 3702 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, 847-639-2700 X6, Computer Recycling Center in Crystal Lake, 815-455-6300 (call for information) and Lakewood's electronics drop-off site at 6570 Haligus Road, south of Ballard Rd.

You can donate aluminum cans at both the McHenry and Woodstock drives, but the Defenders will no longer be paying for them. The donation will help fund our educational and advocacy programs.

EDMC has recently added a new aspect to their monthly recycling collection:  USAgain Clothes Collection System (http://www.usagain.com) will be providing a truck at each drive to accept any kind of cloth items—clothing, linens, or just plain rags, clean and preferably put into a bag.  They will also accept shoes, tied together by their laces and placed in the bag. 

Defenders recycling drives are held on the second Saturday of each month, alternating between McHenry in odd-numbered months and Woodstock in even-numbered months.  Area residents may drive up and drop off their recyclables with Defenders’ volunteers, who help to unload and sort the materials.

For more information about the recycling schedule and types of materials accepted at each location, or to access the Green Guide recycling directory which is put out annually by the Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC, visit the Defenders’ website at http://www.mcdef.org/recycling_information.htm or phone Alice at 815-385-8512 or the Defender office at 815-338-0393, or find them on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalDefenders.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment. The group provides the community with educational programs and volunteer action on pollution prevention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource conservation. Donations are encouraged and are tax-deductible as charitable contributions.  For more information, visit www.mcdef.org or call 815-338-0393.

On Saturday, July 12th, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County (EDMC) will conduct a recycling collection for fluorescent tubes, Styrofoam™, electronics, and batteries from 9 a.m. until noon at the Metra Station parking lot, 4005 Main Street, in McHenry. They continue to collect certain items which are not usually accepted by curbside programs, and which would be harmful to the environment if put in a landfill.

The Defenders’ Recycling Drive accepts household batteries, car batteries, lithium and button batteries, fluorescent tubes, clean Styrofoam™, VHS & Cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, packing peanuts and re-usable, unpopped bubble wrap. A donation is requested for fluorescent bulbs and batteries that are brought in to offset the costs involved in processing these items.

Electronics, such as computers, televisions, phones, printers, clean microwaves, and electronic toys, are accepted. TVs and computer monitors will be accepted for a donation of $10-$35. Become a new member of EDMC at the recycling drive, at the Basic or higher level, and get two coupons to recycle a television or monitor for FREE!

There are also three FREE drop off sites for electronics:  Algonquin Township Road District 3702 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, 847-639-2700 X6, Computer Recycling Center in Crystal Lake, 815-455-6300 (call for information) and Lakewood's electronics drop-off site at 6570 Haligus Road, south of Ballard Rd.

You can donate aluminum cans at both the McHenry and Woodstock drives, but the Defenders will no longer be paying for them. The donation will help fund our educational and advocacy programs.

EDMC has recently added a new aspect to their monthly recycling collection:  USAgain Clothes Collection System (http://www.usagain.com) will be providing a truck at each drive to accept any kind of cloth items—clothing, linens, or just plain rags, clean and preferably put into a bag.  They will also accept shoes, tied together by their laces and placed in the bag. 

Defenders recycling drives are held on the second Saturday of each month, alternating between McHenry in odd-numbered months and Woodstock in even-numbered months.  Area residents may drive up and drop off their recyclables with Defenders’ volunteers, who help to unload and sort the materials.

For more information about the recycling schedule and types of materials accepted at each location, or to access the Green Guide recycling directory which is put out annually by the Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC, visit the Defenders’ website at http://www.mcdef.org/recycling_information.htm or phone Alice at 815-385-8512 or the Defender office at 815-338-0393, or find them on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalDefenders.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment. The group provides the community with educational programs and volunteer action on pollution prevention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource conservation. Donations are encouraged and are tax-deductible as charitable contributions.  For more information, visit www.mcdef.org or call 815-338-0393.