American Tour of "I Am The Machine Gunner" Stops At Raue Center

Raue Center For The Arts continues to honor its mission of enriching the lives of all through the arts by bringing “I Am The Machine Gunner” to McHenry County on October 9 at 8:00 pm and October 10 at 3:00 pm.

Raue Center has been working with their new in-house production company, Williams Street Repertory (WS Rep), University of Maryland, the Generous Company and the Center for International Theater Development for the past 18 months to develop the legit theatre piece.  “We heard the community’s outcry for more thought-provoking, emotional programming,” says executive director, Richard Kuranda.  “What better to meet that demand than to bring Equity Theater to McHenry County.   The cast features the talent of James Knight matched with the poetic, vulgar translation by John Freedman, the chief critic for the Moscow Times.”

Running October 9-10, “I Am The Machine Gunner” will make its second stop on its American Tour at Raue Center in Crystal Lake, IL.  The violent, aggressive yet poetic translation of Yury Klavdiev’s work transcends time, place and person to capture the struggle of a young Russian gang member trying to find the same honor in his own battles that his grandfather found fighting Germany in WWII.

James Knight performs the one-man play and his performance is almost too real for comfort in what NPR calls “a no holds bar portrayal of the plays’ 2 unnamed characters.”  Obsessed with memories of his grandfather’s stories about fighting the Nazis, he repeatedly finds himself conjuring up the horrors of that brutal combat.  All the while, he’s trapped in his own contemporary war with battles over turf and what passes for honor.  In a brisk, arresting 50 minutes, a lot of emotions and issues are triggered amid the raw street language and chilling battle descriptions.  “I Am The Machine Gunner” is intended for mature audiences only.

Tickets are general admission and $35 each.  The audience will sit on stage for the one-man performance, so seating is limited to only 120 people per performance.  Being up close and personal for the show will certainly add to the intensity of the performance, especially during a startling scene when hundreds of bullets rain down on to the stage.  Tickets are available online at rauecenter.org or at the box office, located at 26 N. Williams Street in Crystal Lake.  They are open Monday and Wednesday-Saturday from 12 pm – 4pm (closed Tuesday and Sunday).  In addition, they are open one hour prior each performance, but don’t wait until then to purchase your tickets – they are going fast.

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts.  They are proud to provide quality programming to and strive to make it pertinent, available and affordable to all.  Raue Center is delighted to welcome you back this year and looks forward to the next years and continuing to “Rock the Raue.”

GE Aviation Has Expansion Plans For Loves Park Plant

GE Aviation at Loves Park, IL is planning to expand with the assistance of local area vendors and development groups, including one from McHenry County.

Congressman Don Manzullo, R-16th, advised that a plan is being unveiled Monday afternoon at the Loves Park plant. Those included in the group announcement is Pam Cumpata, President of the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation. She is joining Congressman Manzullo, GE Aviation General Manager Mike Chanatry, and Janyce Fadden, President of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council. This is expected to grow jobs and expand use of local vendors.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.

Flu Clinics Offered For State-funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program

McHenry County Department of Health has received a limited supply of injectable flu vaccine for children 3 years – 18 years of age through the state-funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. Medicaid is accepted; for non-Medicaid children that meet VFC criteria, the cost is $15.

FluMist, an intranasal form of the vaccine, is available for children over the age of 2. Appointments are required at 815-334-4500 for the following clinics –
2200 N Seminary Avenue, Woodstock 
October 14 
8:30 am - 11:30 am         
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
October 20
 3:30pm-8:30 pm

100 N Virginia Street, Crystal Lake
October 12
8:30am-11:30am
1:00 pm-3:30pm
October 19
8:30 am - 11:30 am
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Doses Needed                             
Children over 9 years of age should receive one flu shot.
Children 6 months – 8 years who: received 1 dose H1N1 & 2 doses seasonal vaccine in 2009 – 1 dose needed this year
Children who did not receive any H1N1 vaccine in 2009 – 2 doses needed this year
Children who have never received flu vaccine (H1N1 or seasonal) – 2 doses needed this year
2009 was first year to receive seasonal vaccine but had only 1 dose – 2 doses needed

Vaccination is the first and most important step in protecting your family. Flu vaccine is updated every year using the highest standards of safety. Children younger than 5 are at highest risk of serious flu complications including hospitalizations and death as compared to older children.

The VFC Program is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) largest public-private partnership, ensuring that all eligible children receive the benefits of newly recommended vaccines, thereby strengthening immunity levels in their communities. Eligible children include those from 6 months of age to 18 years (accompanied by parent or guardian), all Kids/Public Aid recipients, families without insurance and families whose insurance doesn’t cover vaccinations. Parents must bring current vaccination records as well as any documentation of H1N1 vaccine received in 2009.

For more information about the flu, call 815-334-4510 or  visit.

Vaccination Protects Moms To Be

Women have always known the importance of taking steps to stay healthy during their pregnancy. McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) reminds residents that during the flu season, it is equally important for pregnant women to protect themselves and their unborn babies from getting the flu. Health care workers play a major role in educating expectant moms on the risk of flu and the protection that vaccination will provide. MCDH makes it easy to get a flu shot with its online appointment system or by calling 815-334-4510. Flu clinics are available during October in Crystal Lake, McHenry and Woodstock.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2009, pregnant women accounted for 5% of H1N1 flu-related deaths and 7% of flu-related hospitalizations, despite representing only 1% of the U.S. population. While flu can make anyone sick (including healthy people), pregnant women are at greater risk for serious complications from the flu, as are young children, older people and individuals with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and COPD. The flu vaccine can be given at any time during pregnancy. The vaccine is also safe for women who plan to breastfeed and who are currently breastfeeding.

The McHenry County Health Department suggests don’t wait to get a flu shot. Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. For more information on how to protect yourself and your family from the flu,  visit or call 815-334-4510.

Three Oaks Recreation Area Open For A While

The Three Oaks Recreation Area officially opened Friday, October 1 and will close for the season the end of October.

Two entrances to the facility are available. One is on South Main Street and another is located on Route 14.

The new facility will provide visitors with a unique recreational experience. The Three Oaks Recreation Area is a reclaimed quarry that has pristine waters and excellent fishing. Patrons will be able to rent rowboats, canoes, kayaks, sailboats, and paddleboats from a rental marina. (Outside boats will not be allowed in order to prevent unintended visitors such as zebra mussels and other similar pests.

Picnics and Breathtaking Views

A grass picnic area and various overlooks will provide patrons with breathtaking views of the water and lake islands. In addition, the facility will offer hiking trails, a playground/spray park, and a concessions area and patio. The playground will feature swings and a play center. In addition, in 2011, patrons will enjoy a spray park.

The 4,400 square foot lake house will include shower/locker rooms, a concessions area and a patio. Staff offices will also be located in this building.

Two marinas will provide 28 rowboats with trolling motors for rental. In addition, canoes, kayaks, sailboats and paddle boats will be available for rental. (Outside boats will not be allowed in order to prevent unwanted visitors such as zebra mussels.)

Picnic Grove

The Picnic Grove will have a 2,000 sq. ft. pavilion with an outdoor fireplace. This shelter is located in the middle of grass picnic grounds.

Trails and Overlooks

Patrons will enjoy walking through over twenty-eight acres of restored native prairie flowers.

Some General Rules

There are some general rules regarding visiting the Three Oaks Recreation Center.

All children under the age of 11 shall be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult of at least 16 years of age in order to be admitted to the Three Oaks Recreation Area. 
When in the facility, all persons under 10 years of age must be accompanied at all times by an adult on the premises of the Three Oaks Recreation Area. 

Hours of Operation and Season

Beach (Opening in 2011): The beach operation will be conducted from approximately Memorial Day through Labor Day each year.  This schedule is contingent upon proper staffing levels.  Hours of operation shall be from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 
Marina and Trails: The marina will be open from the second weekend in April through the end of October each year, weather permitting.  Hours of operation will be from 6:30 a.m. - Sunset.  All trails are closed from sunset to 6:30 a.m.

Facility hours of operation will be from 6:30 a.m. - Sunset except for special events by special permit approved by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Crystal Lake. 

Entrance Fees

When the beach area opens for the 2011 season.

Residents will receive free parking and free access to the beach area.

Non-residents will pay $5.00 per vehicle to park and non-resident beach admission fees will be as follows: Adults (16 and older) $10.00

Seniors (62 and older) -- $6.00

Children (4-15 years) -- $6.00

Children 3 and under-- free.

Reservations for main picnic pavilion

Information on the reservation of the main pavilion will be available on the City’s website in October.

Employment Opportunities

Hiring is almost complete for the 2010 season. For consideration for the 2011 season, please see our website for more information.

Fishing On The LakeThe fishing is anticipated to be excellent. A recent Illinois Department of Natural Resources fish study found populations of the following fish species in the Three Oaks Recreation Area lakes:
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Bass, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish
Northern Pike, Walleye, and Pan Fish, including Bluegill and Yellow Perch 

During the 2010 and 2011 seasons, fishing will be catch and release

What are the marina rental fees?

Minimum 1-Hour Rental	1-Hour Fee	1-Hour Fee	Each Additional 1/2 Hour	Each Additional 1/2 Hour
	Resident	Non-Resident	Resident	Non-Resident
Canoe	$6.00	$10.00	$3.00	$5.00
Kayak (Single or Tandem)	$6.00	$10.00	$3.00	$5.00
Paddleboat	$6.00	$10.00	$3.00	$5.00
Sailboat	$8.00	$12.00	$4.00	$6.00

Minimum 2-Hour Rental	2-Hour Fee	2-Hour Fee	Each Additional Hour	Each Additional Hour
	Resident	Non-Resident	Resident	Non-Resident
12' Row Boat*	$12.00	$15.00	$6.00	$7.00
14' Row Boat*	$14.00	$18.00	$7.00	$9.00
Trolling Motor	$10.00	$10.00	$5.00	$5.00
Secondary Battery	$10.00	$10.00	$5.00	$5.00
Fish Locator	$5.00	$5.00	$2.00	$2.00

Due to demand, patrons will be allowed to rent watercraft for a maximum of four hours per day.

Environmental Defenders Offering Books of Savings

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County are now selling the hugely popular 2011 Entertainment® Book, filled with hundreds of coupons worth thousands of dollars in savings on restaurants, shopping, attractions, travel and more.

 For $25, you’ll get a huge assortment of discounts and buy-one-get-one offers, including restaurants, sports, travel and more.  The 2011 Entertainment® Book can save customers hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars over the next 15 months. The coupon books are good through December, 2011, and include discounts at many popular, local-area businesses.

A portion of each purchase goes to support the environmental programs and services of the Environmental Defenders. The books are offered for sale during regular business hours, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Defenders’ office, 124 Cass Street, Ste. 3 in downtown Woodstock.  Interested persons are invited to stop by the office to have a look and pick one up!

 If you want to purchase your Entertainment® Book online, you can also help the Defenders by ordering at.  Shipping costs will be an additional $4.99.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a citizen-based, 501c3 not-for-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation and improvement of our natural environment.   For more information, visit www.mcdef.or, phone (815) 338-0393, or .email to

Three Oaks Recreation Area Opens Friday Morning

Friday is the long-awaited opening of the Three Oaks Recreation Area, formerly known as the "gravel pit", or Vulcan Lakes. The City is opening the recreational facility at 6:30 a.m. Friday. Both entrances to the facility will be open. One is located on South Main Street and the other on Route 14—the same entrance where the trucks used to enter and exit.

This year, the facility will be open until the end of October, weather permitting. The swimming beach will not be open during this season but will open in 2011.

October 2010 Hours of Operation (Marina, Trails & Facility)
6:30 a.m. - Sunset, 7 days-a-week (weather permitting)

During the 2010 season, residents will receive free parking and free access to the recreation area. Non-residents will pay $5.00 per vehicle to park

Reminder From McHenry County Department of Health

Restrictions for open burning and alternatives

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) reminds residents that burning restrictions are in effect during the months of April, May, October and November to properly dispose of landscape waste on your property. Landscape waste consists of grass or shrubbery cuttings, leaves and tree limbs.  The “McHenry County Public Health Ordinance: Open Burning of Landscape Waste” permits residents to burn landscape waste on weekend days (Saturdays and Sundays) if the burn area meets the setback requirements of at least 100 feet from a school, business, church or house; 50 feet from a barn, shed or detached garage. Most municipalities have ordinances which restrict or prohibit the burning of yard waste. 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 environmentally sound 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 act as a soil conditioner to improve plant growth.

Licensed municipal waste haulers in McHenry County are required to provide pick up of landscape waste from residential customers although an additional fee may be charged. Some waste haulers contract with municipalities, neighbors and homeowner associations to provide collection services of landscape waste. Residents are encouraged to work collectively with neighbors and associations to arrange the most economical solution for their neighborhood. Residents 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 at www.mcdh.info, link to Environmental Health, Open Burning, “other alternatives”. The use of alternatives to open burning will improve the air quality for residents of McHenry County.

Communities with ordinances that meet or exceed County standards, as well as those with total bans on burning are also listed. 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 the health department’s after-hours phone number 815-344-7421 for assistance.

Complete details about the Ordinance and suggested alternatives are available online the Department’s webpage at www.mcdh.info or by calling 815-334-4585.

Manzullo Fights to Level The Global Playing Field For U.S. Manufacturers

On a mission to level the global playing field for U.S. manufacturers, Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today voted to give the federal government a new tool to penalize China and other foreign countries that illegally undervalue their currencies to make their companies more competitive at a cost to U.S. manufacturers and agricultural producers.

The Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act (H.R. 2378), which the House passed 348-79 this afternoon, would define foreign currency undervaluation as an illegal export subsidy actionable under U.S. trade law. It would allow the U.S. to slap countervailing duties on any country deliberately undervaluing its currency for a trade advantage. Click here to view Manzullo’s floor speech today on the issue.

“For years, China and other countries have undervalued their currencies to give their companies a competitive advantage over U.S. manufacturers, encouraging offshoring of U.S. jobs and putting Americans out of work,” said Manzullo, co-founder of the House Manufacturing Caucus and an original cosponsor of the bill. “This legislation would give Americans a tool to strike back against these unfair trade practices, level the playing field for our industry, and put Americans back to work. I have no doubt that American manufacturers and farmers can compete with anyone in the world, but the competition must be fair.”

Most countries in the world allow their currencies to “float” so they are valued by market conditions. China and a few other Asian countries take actions to weaken the value of their currencies. A lower currency makes it less expensive for a foreign company to import its goods into the United States. A lower currency also makes U.S. exports more expensive in that country. In the United States, this has contributed to the influx of Asian imports and offshoring of U.S. jobs. Economists estimate China’s currency undervaluation alone gives Chinese products a 15-40 percent competitive advantage over products made in the United States. The Peterson Institute for International Economics estimates that correction of all Asian currency undervaluations would cut our trade deficit by about $100 billion and generate approximately 700,000 U.S. jobs.

Manzullo has been extremely active in cracking down on Asian currency undervaluation practices, going back to 2003. Manzullo previously authored a House Resolution to urge the Executive Branch to use all available means to force various Asian nations to stop manipulating their currencies to the detriment of U.S. manufacturers and agricultural producers.

Manzullo and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), former chairs of the House and Senate Small Business Committees, also instructed the General Accounting Office to conduct an investigation to quantify the damage currency manipulation causes to U.S. industry. Manzullo has held several committee hearings on the issue of currency manipulation and has testified on numerous occasions for the need to halt foreign currency undervaluation to level the playing field for U.S. manufacturers and farmers.

Help In Restructuring Mortgages To Affordable Rates

As part of the National Save the Dream Campaign, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock (UUCW) will host representatives from the National Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide help to parishioners, neighbors and communities in restructuring their mortgages to affordable rates. The HomeSave program will be held at the Church, 221 Dean Street on Saturday, October 9 at 2 p.m.

The vast majority of homeowners who go through the NACA program get their mortgages reduced below 5%. For thousands of at-risk homeowners, NACA has permanently reduced their payments to achieve affordable mortgage payments based on their current budget without additional closing costs, fees, or adding time onto the length of their existing mortgage.

NACA is a national non-profit HUD-certified counseling organization providing the most effective solution for at-risk homeowners. NACA has negotiated mortgage restructure with lenders and debt servicers around the country to reduce the interest rate and/or mortgage balance to achieve an affordable payment.

For the first five months of 2010, there were close to 300 families in Woodstock facing imminent foreclosure and Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills are in worse shape. Being unable to make your monthly mortgage payment is not something folks talk about; there’s so much shame and fear involved that it’s difficult to share. Mortgage modification through the bank involves large up-fronts costs and often future “adjustable” rates; refinancing in upside-down situations is virtually impossible for most and includes more closing costs, fees, and commissions put on top of an already untenable mortgage. Short sales end up taking care of real estate agents and lawyers, but the real winner is the IRS a few years down the road.

The HomeSave workshop program is free and open to the public, but space is limited and pre-registration is required. Home owners-occupants with no other properties who are dealing with illness and increased medical costs, going through a divorce, or loss of additional income are eligible

To register for the Woodstock Workshop, call: 1-888-302-NACA or visit

Interesting Science Presentation On Damselflies Thursday At MCC

What is a damselfly? It is a dainty appearing insect with a long needle-like body and delicate appearing wings.

To really learn about these amazing creatures of nature, McHenry County College biology instructor Marla Garrison will present a talk on the work she has completed during the past five years—studying and cataloging the Damselfly population of northeastern Illinois. The title of Marla's presentation will be "Damselflies of Chicagoland."

This event is taking place Thursday, September 30 at 5:00 p.m. in Room A119 of the McHenry County College. The
Future Engineers and Scientists Society (FESS) at MCC is sponsoring the event.

Garrison, in collaboration with the Field museum of Chicago, has recently published her local area field guide which had detailed accounts of 39 species found in our region along with nine other potential species. This is the firs tin a series of natural history guides that Garrison indents to write on regional fauna.

An Important Day Is Fast Approaching--Be Sure Of Proper Voter Registration

Election time is fast approaching--the time when all citizens may exercise the right that comes with citizenship in the United States. However, there is something the individual must do in order to exercise that right to cast a ballot in the upcoming November 2, 2010 General Election—they must be properly registered electors

Registered voters who have moved from one precinct to another within the County since they last registered, or from one address to another within the precinct of their residence, MUST NOTIFY the County Clerk in writing by signing an application for change of residence or by returning their present voter's card to the County Clerk's Office specifying the new address, on or before Tuesday, October 5, 2010.

A person residing in his election district thirty (30) days on or before the date of the election, or any person who shall be eighteen years of age on or before the date of the election shall be permitted to register, if otherwise qualified.
VOTERS who are REGISTERED IN ANOTHER COUNTY and are new residents of McHenry County MUST APPEAR before the County Clerk or a Deputy Registrar and register in McHenry County. Two ID's are required, and one must bear current name and address. Please contact the County Clerk's Office for information if you wish to register with a local deputy registrar or you may access our web site at and click on voting registration.

NOTE: Anyone registering to vote by mail must provide sufficient proof of identity, if requesting an Absentee Ballot be mailed.

To constitute residence under this Act a permanent abode and dwelling place within the county is necessary.
REGISTERED VOTERS who do not have a voter's registration card, or who have a question regarding their registration, should contact the County Clerk's Office immediately at 815-334-4242.

REGISTERED VOTERS who have CHANGED THEIR NAME must RE-REGISTER.
PROPERLY REGISTERED VOTERS DO NOT HAVE TO RE-REGISTER.

The county Clerk's Office at Woodstock is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. The County Clerk's Office is located at the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock, IL. Mailing address is 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098. Anyone with questions regarding their Voter Registration status must contact the Clerk's Office.

Illinois Election Law requires you to keep your address current. You CANNOT VOTE for Local Candidates if you are not properly registered. You CANNOT VOTE on any local propositions if you are not properly registered. Please contact the County Clerk's office at 815-334-4242, IMMEDIATELY if you have changed your address and have not yet notified the County Clerk's office.

IT IS YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE; PLEASE DO NOT FORFEIT THAT RIGHT.

Government Observation Of The Future Is In The Present

Transparency in government has become a buzz word. The public wants more transparency and many governing bodies are trying to come up with ways to accomplish this.

For a number of years, Crystal Lake City Council has aired meetings on the public access television channel. This way the public can sit at home and watch the council meetings. If for some reason a resident misses the viewing, they can seek a DVD copy from the City Hall for $1.

Now McHenry County Board is looking at ways to provide audio streaming of the county board meetings. A presentation to the Management Services Committee on Tuesday provide a great deal of information from a company, IQM2, on something they call Intelligent Meeting Management.

This system can integrate all the aspects for a County Board meeting. Once the process is understood, the company's program provides the opportunity to provide the pubic with all the public information included in a packet for a meeting so it can be accessed on the computer screen along with the audio portion of the meeting also available on the computer screen.

In a presentation to the Management Services Committee on Tuesday the presentation explained the aspects of the system including Webcasting, Record Keeping, Document Integration, Minutes Transcribing, Reporting Tools, Scalability, all for an annual subscription price of $4,500 for the audio only with an added $5,000 one time implementation fee.

As an example we found the site for Northbrook, IL and their September 28 Council meeting was on their site for viewing this .morning This was complete with the associated documents for the various matters considered. With the click of the mouse, they could also be viewed.

For citizens interested in watching their government representatives, this could be an easier way than traveling to the meeting and trying to hear what they are saying. Usually the meetings are streamed live over the internet and the citizenry can watch from the comfort of their easy chairs.

McHenry County is expected to be discussing these possibilities further.

Just For Children

A flu clinic for children over the age of 2 is offered by the McHenry County Department of Health.

The Department will offer FluMist, an intranasal form of the flue vaccine.
The date: Tuesday October 5
Time-- 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: 100 N. Virginia Street
Crystal Lake
Cost: Medicaid or $15
Current immunization records as well as any documentation of H1N1 vaccine received in 2009.
Appointments are required at 815-334-4500
For more information, call 815-334-4510 or visit www.mcdh.info.

Lots And Lots Of Books At Low, Low Prices

The countdown is on, and so are the discounts at the mega-book sale hosted by the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County.  The Defenders’ Annual  Used Book Clearance Sale runs today through Saturday, Oct. 2 at the Algonquin Township Garage, 3702 US Route 14 between Crystal Lake and Cary.  

During this last week of the sale, prices have been cut to $1 for all hardcovers and 50 cents for paperbacks, today through Friday, Oct. 1.  Remaining books will be sold in a $5-Per-Bag Sale from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, the final day of the sale. 

This year, the Defenders received over 20,000 donated books for their annual sale, said outreach director Diane Ayers.  Thousands of books have already been sold, but there are many more bargains still available.   

“This is a once-a-year chance for parents, teachers, or anyone who just loves books to get some really wonderful bargains,” she said.  “And it all goes to a good cause - to help us preserve and protect the environment.” 

The sale is open this week from noon - 7 p.m. on Tuesday - Friday, Sept. 27-Oct. 1, and from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2.  The Algonquin Township Garage is located at 3702 U.S. Route 14, east of Crystal Lake.  Enter the parking lot and drive straight back to the large, beige metal building.  A tax-deductible receipt will be provided upon request.  

After this week’s sale closes, the remaining books will be packed and sent to the “Green Spot,” the Environmental Defenders’ used book resale shop, which is set to open Oct. 11 in a new location at 110 S. Johnson Street in downtown Woodstock.  The group will continue to accept donations of good used books, videos, CDs, and collectibles at their new location.   

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a citizen-based, 501c3 not-for-profit organization;  all money raised from its resale activities helps to support local environmental programs, recycling services and educational projects.  For information, visit www.mcdef.org or phone (815) 338-0393 during normal business hours.

Governments At Work

Tuesday, September 28
8:30 a.m. –Management Services Committee of McHenry County Board
County Board Room, Administration Building
County Board Meetings On Air--A representative of IQM2 Company is expected to present information regarding audio streaming of county board meetings. This would be through webcasting over the World Wide Web as well as archiving the recording for on demand listening. The company, IQM2 also provides record keeping of the information packets for the board meetings so they can be searched also with the audio recording of the meetings.

The cost according to information provided by the company indicates a one-time implementation fee of $5,000 with an annual subscription fee of $4,500.

New Courtroom
Preparation is under way for a new judge with the consideration by County Board Management and Services Committee, with concurrence of the Finance and Audit Committee, to retain the services of CBJ Architects, PC of Algonquin for the bid of $32,760 for the architectural and design of a new courtroom, judges chambers and holding cell. It is anticipated that $679,897 will be the cost for the courtroom complex.

9:30 a.m.—Finance and Audit Committee of McHenry County Board
Conference Rooms, County Administration Building
A public hearing is scheduled on the Wonder Lake MPOA Recovery Zone Bond for the proposed issuance of Special Service Area Revenue Bonds in the amount not to exceed $6 million for the Wonder Lake Dredging Project.
Proceeds of the bonds will be loaned to the Master Property Owners Association of Wonder Lake t finance the construction of a sediment dewatering and processing site for dried soils and hydraulic dredging removal of approximately 1 million cubic yards of lake bottom material of the Wonder Lake.
Repayment of the bonds will come from SSA taxes collected by a trustee for the bonds according to an ordinance adopted by the Village of Wonder Lake. A Special Service Area No. One was established and an ordinance adopted by Wonder Lake pledging to the Trustee the taxes levied by Wonder Lake on all taxable property within the SSA and a portion pledged to the payment of the bonds.
McHenry County will not be responsible for the bond payments

A request is being made to purchase a new camera security system at Valley Hi Nursing Home. The current system has become obsolete.

The County Fiscal Year 2010-11 Budget will also be reviewed.

Lakewood Village Board
7:00 p.m.
Red Tail Golf Club, 7900 RedTail Drive, Lakewood
The Board will consider the recommended Halloween Trick or Treat Hours for October 31 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A Proposal and Contract Agreement for Elevated Tank inspection Services will be considered for approval. Dixon Engineering provided a proposal and contract agreement for an amount not to exceed $18,594.

A Work Order for a Structural investigation of a Concrete Spillway at Turnberry Lake No. 2 is being presented for approval. The cost is $3,000.

Listening Sessions with Legislators
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Senator Pam Althoff and State Representative Michael Tryon are holding listening sessions Tuesday evening in the Crystal Lake City Hall, 100 Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake.
They are interested in hearing views on issues impacting the residents of their areas

Another session is being held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Huntley Town Hall, 10987 Main Street, Huntley.

Easy Way To Stay Healthy

Flu vaccine your best shot to stay healthy

Health Dept offers easy online appointments

Now’s the best time to get your flu shot, and this season, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 – you only need ONE shot, there are TWO ways to make an appointment (online or by phone) and just THREE simple steps can keep you healthy (cover your cough, wash your hands, stay home when you’re sick).  McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) has scheduled clinics in September and October for adults and children aged 9 and over.  Go online at http://www.mcdh.info/ to pick a convenient date and time or call 815-334-4510 between 8am-4:30pm.  The cost is $30.  Medicaid and Medicare Part B accepted. 

WHEN AND WHERE
DATE	TIME	LOCATION
Wednesday September 29	2pm-6pm	McHenry Co Dept of Health, Crystal Lake
Monday October 4	2pm-6pm	McHenry Township Office, Johnsburg
Wednesday Oct. 6	2pm-6pm	McHenry Co Dept of Health, Crystal Lake
Wednesday Oct. 13	2pm-5pm	McHenry Co Dept of Health, Woodstock

Influenza is already circulating in Illinois.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine.  Fran Stanwood, MCDH’s Director of Nursing states, “Flu is a serious and contagious illness – even healthy people can get it.  When you get a flu shot, you not only provide protection for yourself but for those around you like young children and grandparents who are at greater risk for serious flu complications (including hospitalization and death).”  For busy families, getting sick from the flu can also result in missed school, work and extra-curricular activities. 

For more information, visit http://www.mcdh.info/ or call 815-334-4510.

Use of Internet In Election Campaigns

This interesting information from the east coast--Pennsylvania State University-- where a study was done on the use of social media in elections.

"With midterm elections drawing closer every day, candidates who best harness the Internet might have an advantage, according to researchers in Penn State's College of Communications who have confirmed and quantified the impact  of the social media during the 2008 election cycle.

"The research team confirmed popular press reports that President Barack Obama used the Internet better than John McCain in 2008. They analyzed 278 user-generated Facebook groups that illustrated the success of the Obama campaign in eliciting positive online support from social network users.

"Results of the research by graduate students Julia Woolley and Anthony Limperos, along with Distinguished Professor Mary Beth Oliver, will be published in the November issue of Mass Communication and Society.

"According to the research, groups that focused on Barack Obama were more actively used, had higher group membership and were more positive than groups featuring John McCain. The average Obama group had more than 10,000 members, while the average McCain group had less than 1,400. Overall, across all groups, Obama was portrayed more positively than McCain.

"In addition, the use of race-related, age-related and profane language differed between candidates, but the general prevalence of these types of variables were low across groups. Race-related language was more prevalent in groups focused on Obama, whereas both negative age-related language and profanity were more prevalent in groups featuring McCain. For example, while only 40 of the 278 groups contained any kind of racial reference, nearly 85 percent were in reference to Obama.

“'Overall, these findings might not be surprising -- given that Facebook is pretty much dominated by young people, and younger people tended to support Obama,” Woolley said. “However, it does kind of give you pause, in considering the implications for the potential role social media might have in encouraging debate and dialogue between people with different political allegiances.'

“'The take-home message really suggests the importance of social media in mobilizing political support,” Limperos said. “Although we can’t really be sure whether it had that effect, given that we were looking only at the content, the data do seem to suggest their importance, particularly as Facebook membership continues to grow.'

"Woolley and Limperos regularly conduct research in the Media Effects Laboratory, housed in the College of Communications. Oliver serves as co-director of the lab."