Keeping McHenry County College Facilities In Good Condition

McHenry County College Board is considering renovations and expansion possibilities for at least one building, known as Building "B". This two level building was constructed in 1991 and is a link between Building "A" to the west and Building "C" to the east.

This building contains classrooms, a kitchen, a large dining hall and two smaller dining rooms, the 350 seat conference center, the student book store, a classroom and administrative and support space. The second floor provides for musical practice rooms for group and individual usage and offices and administrative support space.

Consideration is being given to renovation of a portion of the building to provide for expanding the culinary arts program. The plan is to be able to expand the cafeteria area in order to accommodate a restaurant for culinary students to service. According to information provided at a recent meeting of the Facilities Planning Committee of the MCC Board, the plans include being able to accommodate conferences in the area. This is considered an ideal situation for giving the culinary students experience.

The plans for the future of the program include possibilities for future expansion so that the program could accommodate about 300 culinary students.

It is expected that a number of grants could be considered for such things as light replacements, thermal efficiency, and other upgrades for the building. More budget planning will be needed along with a time-line for developing a master plan for the campus.

Along the same lines of expansion for the college, the board is also looking at the needs of the present buildings.  A firm has been on campus taking inventory of the buildings and contents along with the dates they were built and the condition of the facilities as well as the condition of the contents such as carpeting, floor tiles, ceilings, boilers, cooling equipment, electrical and plumbing equipment.

The company retained to conduct the survey, ISES Corporation of Georgia, is providing recommendations for the Board of Trustees to consider.

At the most recent meeting of the Board of Trustees, Thursday, it was decided to seek bids for an architectural firm, not to design a new building, but instead to handle the needs of the upgrades of equipment and interiors in the buildings as they become necessary

Expensive Necktie

When is a necktie worth $10,200? When it is worn by Penn State Coach Joe Paterno and it is auctioned off for the benefit of Penn State's Public Radio Station. A DuBois, Pa couple offered the winning bid at a recent Annual Connoisseur's Dinner. Paterno wore the tie during the Nittany Lions' historic 35-21 comeback win over Northwestern on November 6.

McHenry County Board Meets Friday Morning

­Friday, February 25

8:30 a.m.—McHenry County Board Committee of The Whole

The only item on the agenda for this meeting is a presentation and discussion on the Strategic Plan.

The meeting is taking place in the County Board Room located in the Administration Building of the McHenry County Government Center, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Free Computer Classes Offered at McHenry County College

Do the words “My computer scares me” frequently pass over your lips?

Do you wish you had an email address?

Do you feel left in the dark about social networking websites?

Do you struggle with your smart phone?

Phi Theta Kappa honor society of McHenry County College is hosting a series of free information technology workshops from 9-11 a.m. on Saturdays .Workshops began February 29

Following are workshops for March.

Workshops will cover basic computer applications, social networking websites, and cell phone basics.

The following are accepting registration for March: :

March 5, 9-11 a.m. Mac (Apple) Basics: Attendees can expect a general introduction to a Mac (Apple) computer. Learn about the differences between PC’s and Mac computers, system preferences, viruses and protection, as well as mouse and keyboard use. This workshop will provide any information needed to get started on a Mac computer. Register using course ID: NPL S87.

March 12, 9-11 a.m. Microsoft Word: Learn the basics of Microsoft Word including how to create a letter as well as other documents. We will be using version 2007. Register using course ID: NPL S88 003.

March 19, 9-11 a.m. Microsoft Excel and Power Point: Excel can be used to keep track of finances, keep a mailing list, or inventory your movie collection. Power Point is an application use to create presentations. This class will demonstrate how to create a presentation that you can later use to create a photo slide show. We will be using version 2007. Register using course ID: NPL S89 003.

More classes will be held in April.

Workshops are free and open to the public. Sign up in person at the MCC Registration office, Room A258 or by calling (815) 455-8588. The college is located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake. To expedite you registration for the classes, please bring a driver’s license or state ID card.

Grafton Township Office Collects Pop Tabs To Aid Ill Children

The Lutheran Women's Mission League of Trinity Lutheran Church, 11008 Church Street, Huntley ,is to be congratulated for collecting 5,863 pop tabs for the Grafton Township Supervisor's Ronald McDonald Pop Tab Drop-off program.

This is an ongoing township program which helps children who are ill. Residents are asked to save pop can tabs and drop them off at the township offices at 10109 Vine Street Huntley. Township Supervisor, Linda Moore, will make sure they are sent to the Ronald McDonald House.

 Questions about this program can be answered by contacting the Grafton Township Supervisor's Office at 1-847-669-3328 or email at lindamooregt@hotmail.com.

Meeting Agenda For Thursday

8:30 a.m.—Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

A couple presentations to the committee are indicative of the times. One is regarding Workforce Investment Act Cuts and the other is proposed Nursing Home Cuts by the State. 

Other matters for the committee are state and federal legislative updates.

10:30 a.m. — Liquor and License Commission

Meeting in the County Conference Room of the Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

One new liquor license is to be considered for Cary Country Club, Inc. along with seven raffle permit and special liquor license requests.

7:00 p.m. - McHenry County College Board of Trustees

Meeting in the Board Room of the College, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake.

A couple presentations are to be provided the Trustees. One is on the Student Nursing Organization Volunteer Trip by Angela Sass, Instructor of Nursing.

Another report is the response by MCC to the Blizzard of 2011.

Although not on the agenda, it is expected that a report will be provided on the meeting of the Facilities Planning Committee held Tuesday evening. Trustees of this committee, Carol Larson, Dennis Adams and George Lowe heard a report on the Facility Condition Analysis as well as a report on the cafeteria and culinary arts renovation.

Join The Discussion On "The Drive For Green"

The second in a series of discussions and debates on a hot topic of the day –"The Drive For Green"—is taking place Tuesday, March 1 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the McHenry County College Conference Center, 8900 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake.  

The keynote speaker on the topic is Chris Steiner, Forbes writer and author of “$20 per Gallon.”

This is an opportunity to engage in discussion and debate on the topic, "Is The Drive For Green Destroying the American Dream?" These public events will explore the definition of green, as well as address multiple perspectives on how to “green” homes and businesses.

For information on the Speaker Series, visit www.mchenry.edu/green or contact Christina Haggerty at (815) 455-8727 or email her at chaggerty@mchenry.edu.

McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney Receives State Award

McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney Sarah B. Jansen received the annual Litigation Award by the Illinois Institute for Local Government Law for her work on the case of Koehler v. Illinois Liquor Control Commission. This case was recently argued before the Second District Appellate Court of Illinois.

Ms. Jansen successfully argued that the McHenry County Local Liquor Control Commission appropriately revoked the liquor license of a Mobil Speed Mart for selling alcohol to a minor, in violation of local and state laws.

The Illinois State Liquor Commission had reduced the revocation, to a temporary suspension. That decision was affirmed by a McHenry County Judge and Ms. Jansen persuaded the Appellate Court to reverse – and reinstate the revocation.

Receipt of the award was recently announced by McHenry County State's Attorney Louis A. Bianchi.

Hints On Saving Income Tax Dollars Presented Today At Grafton Township

Grafton Township Senior Bingo is hosting speakers this morning with a presentation on "Hints for Saving Your Income Tax Dollars and How to Make Filing Your Tax Return Easier."

James Zoellick of AARP and Dick Bartley from H & R Block will be making the presentation at 11:00 a.m. in the Huntley American Legion, 11712 Coral Street on the Huntley Square near the Huntley Post Office.

No reservations are needed and a free lunch and door prizes are sponsored by Converge Home Health, followed by bingo until 2:30 p.m.

The next bingo event by the group will be March 15 and is sponsored by Northwest Home Health and Rehab.

The even is coordinated by the Grafton Township Supervisor, Linda Moore. Any questions regarding the event or any Grafton Township events; call the office at 847-669-3328 or e-mail Ms. Moore at lindamooregt@hotmail.com.

You can also visit the Grafton Township website at

Congressman Manzullo Votes To Cut Spending Bill

 Congressman Don Manzullo, R-IL, recently voted for a 2011 federal spending bill that cuts $100 billion to grow the economy and help employers put Americans back to work.

Manzullo explains, "The cuts we approved today are very deep and very difficult to many in our society, but they are necessary to reduce our debt, grow our economy, and give our employers the confidence they need to put Americans back to work.

"The fact is we're broke and we can't afford to continue down our current path where the federal government is borrowing 40 cents on every dollar it spends. The alternative to cutting spending is increasing taxes, and that would devastate family budgets and put more Americans on the unemployment lines. American families and business owners are tightening their belts to deal with these difficult economic times, and I don't think it's too much to ask government to do the same."

Tuesday Meetings

8:20 a.m.—Crystal Lake Park District Recreation Committee

The committee is meeting in the Park District offices, One East Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake. The only item on the agenda is the proposed 2011-2012 Fee Schedule.

8:30 a.m.--Finance and Audit Committee of the McHenry County Board

Is meeting in the County Board Conference Room of the Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

One large item on the agenda is the reimbursement process regarding FEMA funding for the recent blizzard cleanup of snow and all that went with it. Some 57 different groups are seeking reimbursements totaling $1,649,064.02 for the cleanup work. This amount comes from various agencies in the county including townships, villages, cities, fire departments, McHenry County Department of Transportation, County Government, hospitals, police and sheriffs departments, schools, community college, emergency dispatch, conservation district. The largest expenditure was $154,119.27 from Woodstock City with the lowest amount requested of $1,152 from Wonder Lake Fire Department.

Other matters to be considered, in addition to a number of financial transfer matters, are consideration of a resolution commending the proposal of Mercy Health System Hospital, Crystal Lake. The recommendation of the committee is expected to be considered by the full County Board at its next meeting, March 1.

2:00 p.m.- MCC Facilities Planning Committee

Will meet in the Board room to consider a facility condition analysis report; a report on the cafeteria and culinary arts renovation; a timeline for developing the facilities master plan, and a timeline for request for proposal for architectural services.

7:00 p.m.—School District 47 Board

Meeting moved from the usual Monday meeting date due to the holiday.

The Board will meet in the North Elementary School, 500 Woodstock Street. A couple recognitions are included on the agenda—student recognition and staff recognition.

Also it is time to approve the 2011 summer projects; as ell as the 2011-2012 School calendar, and approval of a land contract for land acquisition.

7:00 p.m.—Lakewood Village Board

Meeting in Turnberry Country Club, 9600 Turnberry Trail, Lakewood,

A presentation is slated by Rhonda Anderson from Faith in Action of McHenry County regarding "Preserving the Independence of McHenry County Seniors."

Preparing for 2011 Road Improvements, the Board is expected to approve maintenance engineering to be performed by consulting engineering firm Baxter and Woodman for the 2011 Road Improvement Program.

Also to be approved is E-Pay Agreement with State of Illinois Internet E-Pay System for the Village Utility Billing and vehicle Stickers

Presidents' Day -Holiday For Some But Not All

It began in 1880 when an Act of Congress was implemented in the District of Columbia and later expanded in 1885 to include all federal offices. This first federal holiday was to honor an American citizen, and the holiday was celebrated on Washington's actual birthday, February 22.

It is interesting to note that George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, according to the Gregorian or "New Style" calendar that is in use today. However, according to the "old Style" or Julian calendar, in effect in England and the colonies until 1752, George Washington was born February 11. The explanation is that the new calendar added eleven days to the old date to bring the calendar year into step with the astronomical year.

While Washington was still alive some Americans are reported to have celebrated his birthday on February 11 and some on February 22.

The along came Abraham Lincoln, who was also deserving of a special day of recognition. He was born on February 12 and the people of this new country found two Presidential birth dates to celebrate in the same month—February. In the past a federal public holiday was observed for George Washington birthday and February 12 was observed as a public holiday in most states to honor Abraham Lincoln.

Then in 1968, the 90th Congress decided to create a uniform system of federal Monday holidays. As a result three existing holidays, including Washington's' Birthday, was shifted to Mondays. That took effect in 1971 and resulted in Washington's Birthday being changed from its fixed February 22 date to the third Monday in February. The third Monday would never fall on February 22nd.

Considerable controversy arose with concern expressed that Washington's identity would be lost. The attempt to rename the public holiday "Presidents' Day" stalled in committee with the argument that not all Presidents are held in the same high esteem as the Father of the Country. Additionally, like many other proposals, members of one party do not relish honoring a President from the other political party, regardless of his accomplishments.

Congress did create a uniform federal holiday law, but a uniform holiday title was still unsettled. Some states chose not to retain the federal holiday title and chose to name their state holiday "President's Day." That term became a marketing phenomenon and provided an opportunity for a three-day or weeklong sales period.

In 1999 bills were introduced in the U.S. House and Senate to specify that the legal public holiday once referred to as Washington's Birthday be "officially" called by that name once again. Both bills died in committees.

There are some communities preferring to continue to observe the original holidays by staging pageants and reenactments of important milestones in the lives of Washington and Lincoln.

For the McHenry County area, some offices are closed and some are not. Some schools are in session and some are not.

Closed—

McHenry County Government Center

Crystal Lake City Hall

Algonquin Township Offices

SCHOOLS--

Prairie Grove District 46-

Friday, February 18 – half day student attendance

                                    half day teacher institute

Monday, February 21- No school- President's Day

Crystal Lake District 47

Thursday, February 17-No school, Martin Luther King Day

Monday, February 21 – School Improvement Day-Half Day student attendance

High School District 155

Monday, February 21 – Presidents Day – No School

McHenry County College-

Monday, February 21-Presidents Day -Classes in session