MCC Shah Center Offers Computer Training Plus A Lot More

The McHenry County College Shah Center offers instructor led, hands-on computer training with access to the most up-to-date techniques and standards in business and industry. These programs are located at the Shah Center, 4100 W. Shamrock Lane in McHenry.

Classes are offered in such as Word 2007, Excel 2010, Outlook 2007 and many more computer programs as well as other business related courses.

For a look at what the Shah Center has to offer visit

Do We Reside In The Wrong State?

"State government tax collections decreased $14.3 billion to $704.6 billion in fiscal year 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau reports. There was a $65.8 billion decrease in 2009.

These new data come from the 2010 Annual Survey of State Government Tax Collections, which contains annual statistics on the fiscal year tax collections of all 50 state governments, including receipts from licenses and compulsory fees. Tax revenues also include related penalty and interest receipts of the governments. According to the survey, corporate net income tax revenue was $38.2 billion, down 6.6 percent, while tax revenue on individual income was $236.4 billion, down 4.4 percent. General sales tax revenue was $224.5 billion, down 1.8 percent. These taxes comprised 70.8 percent of all state government tax collections nationally.

This survey provides an annual summary of taxes collected by state for up to 25 tax categories. For more information about this survey, visit.

It is also interesting to note that seven states do not collect individual income taxes.

'Nothin' Up My Sleeve' Presented This Saturday

Nothin’ Up My Sleeve is an annual magic show that brings together some of the Midwest’s finest magicians and entertainers.  They will dazzle you on Raue Center For The Arts’ stage this Saturday, April 16 at 6:00 pm in the 9th annual fundraiser benefiting Raue Center!

Come see magicians combine tricks, sleight of hand, amazing illusions and juggling to the delight of children and adults of all ages!  “Every year we’re challenged to thrill our fans with bigger attractions by finding the finest entertainers in America,” says the “Harry Houdini of Lake Geneva, WI,” (as dubbed by Lake Geneva Regional News) mentalist and magician Nino Cruz, “and for the 9th year in a row, this annual magic show fundraiser promises to be thrilling!”

Behind the scenes in making this show a success are Nino Cruz and Glenn Chelius, magic producers of Nothin’ Up My Sleeve, and T. Paul Lowry, producing director of Raue Center For The Arts.

Sponsored by Georgio’s Chicago Pizzeria and Pub and Holiday Inn, tickets are $23, $20 and $17 and can be purchased online at RAUECENTER.ORG or via the Box Office at 815.356.9212 or 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake.  But hurry before these tickets disappear!

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts.  Celebrating their 10th anniversary season, they are proud to provide quality programming 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.”

Free Jazz Concert At MCC

McHenry County College will host a Jazz Concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 20 that will feature performances by the MCC Jazz Combo, directed by Thomas Takayama and the MCC Jazz Ensemble, directed by Michael Bazan.

Both events will take place in MCC’s Conference Center, and both are free and open to the public. The college is located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake. For more information, contact Michael Hillstrom at (815) 479-7814.

A Difficult Task-Redistricting The County Board

What appears to be a difficult task is facing the McHenry County Board. It is necessary to redistrict the County Board. Currently there are six districts, each represented by four elected County Board members.

The population has changed since the last redistricting and some of the areas have lost population. Much of this is due to maturing families.

The total population of the county is 308,000 which will have to be divided into as nearly equal population for each district when it is decided how many districts to use. The County now has computer software which will greatly assist in the task. However, the hard part is deciding just how many disdtricts there should be and how many board members foreach district.

Considerable discussion took place at a Thursday morning meeting of the Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. Tom Carroll of the State's Attorney's Office explained that State Law requires the discussion to first relate to the number of members there will be on the County Board before the size of the board can change. The will also determine how many voters will comprise a county board district. The law requires the board to consist of not less than five but not more than 29 members.

Some of the committee desired to see single member districts while others want to see a certain number of constituents represented by a certain number of Board members. According to information from County Clerk Kathy Schultz, her office will have to send notification to voters regarding what the final decision is and advising each voter of the District they are included.

Following a great deal of discussion nothing was decided other than they will be meeting again. Ms. Schultz also notes that if no decision is made by the County Board by July 1, the decision will have to be made for them, according to State law.

Manzullo Votes To Cut Spending $315 Billion Over Ten Years

WASHINGTON – Congressman Don Manzullo today voted for legislation that cuts spending by $38.5 billion through this September and $315 billion over 10 years, ensures our military forces are paid, and averts a government shutdown by funding the federal government for the rest of the year.

Manzullo has this to say, "It has been an extremely difficult process trying to convince the President and Senate Democrats that our government is being swallowed up by debt and our nation is on the brink of economic disaster if we don’t start cutting spending significantly. Today’s legislation is a start on that path, but deeper cuts need to occur if we are going to improve our economy and allow our employers to put Americans back to work.

“The federal government will spend $1.6 trillion more this year than it collects in revenue. We borrow 40 cents on each dollar we spend. And the President’s ‘hold-the-line’ budget will increase our national debt from $14 trillion to $24 trillion the next 10 years. This has to stop in a big way. Today’s vote was about cutting billions of dollars, but the coming debate over the next budget will call for trillions of dollars of cuts. We have to get serious about cutting spending so we can improve our economy and help employers create jobs.” 

McHenry County Committees Meeting Friday

8:15 a.m. Public Health and Human Services Committee

When the Public Health and Human Services Committee of the McHenry County Board meets at 8:15 a.m. Friday, they are to be provided with a couple presentations. One is from Animal Control and the other is National Public Health Rankings.

The business portion of the meeting includes consideration of three resolutions for Economic Opportunity Grants for the McHenry County Workforce Network. One grant in the amount of $7,978 is to provide assurances for the operation of programs under the Trade Adjustment Act.

A second grant for $4,000 provides for the operation of programs under the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act.

A third grant for $42,223 is to fund a Work Experience Opportunity Program and is to be used for a work experience program for the youth of McHenry County. The Workforce Network plans to serve 10 youth for an average of 30 hours per week for 12 weeks at an hourly wage of $10. This is for new youth not currently on the youth program.

10:00 a.m. – Senior Service Grant Commission

The committee is to hear a presentation by the Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging and the Human Services Advocates of McHenry County.

Following these presentations, the committee is slated to discuss updating Senior Service Grant Commission Strategic Plan for 2011 as well as consider a 2012 Application and Review process.

An update of 2010 Projects and Accomplishments are also to be considered.

The Good and The Not So Good of McHenry County

McHenry County assets, according to focus groups representing target populations in the county, include a small-town atmosphere, low crime and public safety, good schools, availability of services for persons in need, Metra rail service, local hospital, park districts and Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association and the McHenry County Community College. These are the views of focus groups representing target populations of the County.

These groups also identified problems in McHenry County such as rapid growth and development, inadequate public transportation, lack of decent paying jobs coupled with increasing job losses, the need for additional youth activities/programs, not enough affordable housing, health care access for Public Aid recipients and uninsured, affordable dental care, increased gang activity, home foreclosures, dropping home values, higher taxes, lack of coordination among food banks, growing number of immigrants not integrated into the health and human service system, and lack of affordable child care.

Gaps in health care and human service system included a need for bilingual agency staff and services for mentally ill individuals along with a more effective information and referral system, and the need for accessible and affordable medical, dental, vision and prescription services.

This is information gathered in studies conducted in 2006 and 2010 by 11 focus groups representing target populations. The reported findings of the extensive study were presented Wednesday morning at McHenry County Healthy Community Study presentation by the McHenry County Health Department. The plethora of data as presented has many uses over and above for health purposes.

Thursday Opportunities

THURSDAY, APRIL 14

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

Meets in the conference room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

State and federal legislative updates are included on the agenda.

A presentation of current districts with populations is included on the agenda along with a discussion of re-districting questions for the Committee of the Whole.

Watching Government on Thursday

THURSDAY, APRIL 14

8:30 a.m. – Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee (McHenry County Board)

Meets in the conference room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

State and federal legislative updates are included on the agenda.

A presentation of current districts with populations is included on the agenda along with a discussion of re-districting questions for the Committee of the Whole.

Road Use Imposes Costs On Others

"About 25 percent of the nation's highways, which carry about 85 percent of all road traffic, are paid for in part by the federal government. Federal spending on highways comes primarily from taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel, but those and other taxes paid by highway users do not yield enough revenue to support current or proposed federal spending on highways.

Although raising fuel taxes would increase revenue, those taxes alone cannot provide a strong incentive for highway users to consider all of the costs their road use imposes on others. This Congressional Budget Office –CBO- study, prepared at the request of the Senate Budget Committee, examines broad alternatives for federal funding of highways, focusing on fuel taxes and on other taxes that could be assessed on the basis of the number of miles that vehicles travel."

For added information regarding this report go to http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=12101

Cardiovascular Screening Offered Saturday

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is offering a cardiovascular screening on Saturday, April 16, from 7:30am-11:30am, at its Crystal Lake office, 100 N. Virginia Street (intersection of Route 14 and Woodstock Street). 

The screening requires a 12-hour fast and includes total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure, cardiovascular education and heart age assessment.  Appointments are necessary at 815-334-4536.  The cost is $35.00.   

You can do a lot to influence your risk of heart disease and it's never too late to start promoting a healthy heart. Learning the risk factors of heart disease is the first step towards lowering your chances of having a heart attack, stroke or similar health condition. Age, gender and family history are risk factors beyond our control but there are many dietary and lifestyle changes that you can implement to not only reduce the risk but actually reverse the damage of heart disease. Risk factors you can change are high cholesterol, smoking (including second-hand smoke), diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol use and poor nutrition.  The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chances of developing cardiovascular disease.

For more information on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/

Looking For Answers About Green Technology?

McHenry County College Speaker Series has the answer.

Regional experts in green technology will provide answers and ideas at a speaker series this evening – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. -- at McHenry County College Conference Center, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake.  

This third installment in the series "Is the Drive for Green Destroying the American Dream?" will include an expert panel:

Mike Jackson, Illinois State Preservation architect

Mark Kaindl, Aztech Locknut Company of Aurora

Jack Pizzo, President and senior ecologist, Pizzo Ecological Restoration, Leland.

Interesting Fact In Today's World

Hand a two-year-old child a shoe and he will probably end up throwing it. Hand him an iPad, however, and he'll navigate through it to find his favorite app in no time.

According to a new survey from security software maker AVG, kids can grasp new tech skills long before they even learn how to do normal kid things, such as swimming or tying their shoelaces. AVG surveyed 2,200 parents with children between the ages of two and five in the US, Canada, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Nineteen percent said their kids know how to access a smartphone application (and it's not just the older kids either—17 percent of 2- to 3-year-olds did as well). Another 58 percent can play a computer game, and a quarter of kids can open and operate a Web browser. By comparison, only nine percent of kids between 2 and 5 can tie their shoelaces, 20 percent can swim without help, and 43 percent can ride a bike."

From beSpacific - Accurate, focused law and technology news

http://www.bespacific.com

Wednesday Meetings

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13

8:30 a.m. – Natural and Environmental Resources Committee, McHenry County Board

Meets in the conference room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The committee is to hear a presentation on the Nippersink Creek from a representative of University of Illinois.

Other matters on the agenda include consideration of portions of the Water Resources Action Plan as well as considering the McHenry County Conservation District Interview Process.

10:30 a.m.—Sheriff's Department Merit Commission

Meets in the conference room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The Agenda includes payment of bills, patrol deputy exam, CALEA update.

5:00 p.m. – District 155 Buildings & Grounds Committee

The Committee is meeting in the Board Room, One Virginia Road, Crystal Lake to consider FGM/CS2 air conditioning feasibility study proposal. Other matters for consideration include capital improvements for 2011 summer work as well as matters board members may propose.

6:00 p.m. – District 155 Finance Committee

Also meeting in the Board Room, One Virginia Road, Crystal Lake, to consider capital improvements for 2011 summer work as well as any other matters the committee presents.

Modern Day Slavery Film Showing Thursday

On Thursday, at 6:30 p.m., a modern day slavery film will be presented at McHenry County College Conference Center along with a speaker presentation.

The film "Call and Response", will be shown followed by speaker Lisa Fedina, Rescue and Restore project coordinator with the Illinois Department of Human Services.

An estimated 27 million people are held in slavery today and 50% of the victims are children.  It is happening in the United States and almost every area of the world.  We cannot ignore that 27 million voices are silenced and have no freedom to speak up for themselves.  Come and learn about the issue and how YOU can use YOUR voice and your influence to make a change.

Directly following the film and the speaker will be a "Response Fair" – an opportunity to explore the numerous practical ways that anyone can respond to the issue of modern day slavery.  It can even be as simple as knowing what products to purchase and which to refrain from purchasing; demand slave-free items  sponsor a child in poverty with compassion; prevent him or her from being trafficked; purchase handmade jewelry from 'I am an Abolitionist' to support the work of International Justice Mission.  Get some delicious Fair Trade chocolate!  And so much more.

 

Reverend Dan Larsen

Rev. Larsen came to the pulpit of what was then known as the Congregational Unitarian Church in Woodstock. That was in 1991 and he was to be a part time minister. The congregation had fallen on hard times after the contentious departure of the husband and wife ministerial team who had preceded him.  Membership had dropped by half and moral was low. But Larsen threw himself into his work and soon conducted a major capital campaign that re-modeled the crumbling sanctuary of the 1905 building. Over the years his stewardship of the congregation led to steady growth.

Originally ordained a Presbyterian, he returned to school and was fellowshipped at a Unitarian Universalist minister and ordained by the Congregation. He was able to become a full time minister and oversaw many changes, including a vote to end a dual affiliation with the United Church of Christ, a centennial celebration for the church building, and the decision to change the name to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock.

But Larsen is best known around the country for his courageous advocacy of those forgotten or outcast by society and his tireless work for social justice.

Almost immediately upon assuming the Woodstock pulpit he reached out to the Latino community creating the first county wide Hispanic Concerns Task Force and battling housing discrimination and other hurdles faced by that community. As numbers of Latinos in the county swelled, so did an ugly racist backlash and in recent years a virulent anti-immigrant sentiment fueled by groups like the Illinois Minutemen. Rev. Larsen helped organize and lead the county’s first big immigration reform march and organized protests to Minutemen meetings.  At church, he developed special outreach and service programs for the community, including a weekly group for Latino women that combined help with learning English with support in finding employment and, when necessary, assistance.

When a faction of the Ku Klux Klan targeted McHenry County in 1997 with a rally at the County Courthouse, Dan Larsen helped organize an interfaith alternative event on historic Woodstock Square.  That event became the Diversity Day Festival which ran annually through 2010, intentionally bringing together people of different racial, ethnic, religious, language, physical and mental challenges, gender, and sexual orientation.  The Festival, held in late September or early October, helped local Muslims introduce themselves as a human community in the dark days after the 9/11 attacks.  It was also the first public forum in which Gays and Lesbians felt comfortable in participating.

Starting with work educating the public about the truth about the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the early 1990’s, Larsen has been an advocate for Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, and Transgender community.  He offered the church building as the only safe haven in McHenry County for Gay and Gay ally groups to meet.  A support group became McHenry County Pride, the first openly gay organization in the county, which continues to meet at the church.  The church also housed a pioneering counseling program for Gay teens who were often the objects of bullying and violence in their high schools, and is the home for the county chapter of PFLAG.  Larsen helped the Congregation become certified as a Welcoming Congregation and becoming a comfortable home for Gays and Lesbians.  He pioneered in performing religious union ceremonies in the county and in forthrightly advocating marriage equality. 

Larsen was also a leader of the peace movement in McHenry County and helped organize and mobilize demonstrations, marches, and public forums.

On the level of practical community service, Larsen helped found the Woodstock Community Ministry, a consortium of local congregations which now is responsible for the PADS emergency homeless shelter housed at the church on Wednesday nights October through April and the Direct Assistance Program which provides small emergency grants to those in dire need.  As minister he also helped countless individuals with his Minister’s Discretionary Fund.

Electronic Waste Collected In Grafton Township--48,278 Pounds

“I have saved this truckload of electronics in my basement for 25 years.  Thank you for giving me this opportunity to dispose of it for free and without putting it in our landfills.”  This was the comment from one of the first participants who dropped off their waste. 

About 30 Com 2 employees and volunteers worked steadily from 10 am to 2 pm to unload cars and trucks.  None of the participants waited in line.  As an added bonus, everyone received the Grafton Township Supervisor’s newsletter detailing township services and township calendar of events. 

The total weight of the donated items was 48,278 lb. There were 63 pallets filled with electronic waste.  Concerns about privacy protection were quickly allayed when residents were shown what a shredded hard drive looked like after Com 2 used their special machine to destroy them.  To view pictures of this event visit the township website at www.graftontownshipsupervisor.us.

Volunteers from the Huntley Lions Club, Sun City Computer Club, Huntley Trinity Lutheran Church, Huntley Historical Society, Huntley High School Honor Society and the Grafton Township Board all worked together on a beautiful Saturday to serve the local community.  Tovar Snow Plowing donated safety vests for the volunteers. 

Another recycling event will be scheduled this fall.  Thanks to everyone who donated or volunteered!!!  If you have any questions please call 847-669-3328.

Invitation To Equal Pay Day 'Un-Happy Hour'

Huntley Area Branch AAUW invites the public to attend an Equal Pay Day "Un-Happy Hour" Mixer from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. this afternoon-evening.

The location is Niko's Grill & Pub Restaurant, 11900 Route 47, Huntley. This is located near the Prime Outlets Mall on Freeman Road, north of the Interstate 90/Jane Addams Tollway intersection.

An interesting fact—today, in the 21^st century--- women still have to work more than three months longer to match men's earnings in a given year. This is from a Bureau of Labor Statistics which stated that, on average, women earn less than 80% of men's earnings, compared to 73% two decades ago. Reaching equality is progressing at, what might be termed, a snail's pace.

This is an opportunity to meet new people, learn more about the pay equity issue, the Wal-Mart gender-bias class action lawsuit, and AAUW activities in the local area.

Equal Pay Day is set each April on the date when, it is estimated, working women reach pay equity with men.

Bring your co-workers, friends, spouses, everyone you know . . . drop by for little while and have a great time! There will be information to hand out on pay equity issues, and maybe a special guest, too.  No RSVP required, and you need not be an AAUW member to attend.  All interested persons and media representatives are welcome. 

Each person may order her/his own drinks and food from the pub menu.

A requested door donation of $1 for men or 80¢ for women will support programs of the local AAUW Huntley Area Branch.

Sale and Purchase of Two Lots Before Grafton Township Voters Tonight

Grafton Township voters are being requested to attend a Special Town Meeting at 6:00 this evening. The location is the Huntley High School, 13719 Harmony Road, Huntley.

The purpose of the meeting is for the discussion, voting and adoption of two motions regarding the sale and purchase of two lots located at 10109 Vine Street Huntley.

Currently the lots are owned by the Road District and the voters are being asked for approval to sell the lots to the Township. The price for the lots is $700,000 in one lump sum.

Principled Minds Seek Japanese Relief

Principled Minds is a Woodstock-based 501c3 non-profit committed to justice and equality for all persons is seeking donations for Japanese disaster relief.

“In light of the unprecedented disasters experienced by the people of Northeastern Japan, we have decided to join the relief effort for that area,” said Dan Larsen, President of Principled Minds.  “We believe that we have identified a very good option for giving through the Lions Clubs International Foundation."

 “This is person-to person, private relief through the 107,000 members of local Japanese Lion's Clubs who are in a position to offer help on a neighbor-to neighbor basis, whereas many persons are leery of giving through government sources or large non-profits with high overhead. Here because the work is done directly though local Lions in Japan, we believe the effectiveness is much greater.” Larsen says.

Checks can be written to Lions Clubs International Foundation and mailed to Principled Minds, P.O. Box 585, Woodstock, Illinois 60098.   Check will be forwarded to the Foundation. For more information you can go Online to donations@lionsclubs.org

Contributions are tax-deductible.

MCC Students Sponsor Speaker Tomorrow On Ethically Important Issues

The McHenry County College group, Students Supporting the Right to Life, is sponsoring speaker Bill Beckman tomorrow from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. in the McHenry County College Conference Center, 8900 US Highway 14, Crystal Lake.

The student group works to save lives threatened by induced abortion, euthanasia, and the destruction of human embryos for research. They are sponsoring the speaker to better educate members of the community on the ethically important issues including euthanasia, organ donation, assisted suicide, brain death and the vegetative state.

County Officials Keeping Close Watch On Budget

In the present state of the economy, it is  natural to have worries regarding money obtained and used for government purposes. That worry evolves around whether or not the tax dollars are being used efficiently. Following is an explanation from McHenry County officials regarding the County's financial picture.

"Recently, a recap was presented to the McHenry County Board regarding the County's Fiscal Year 2011 financial strength through the first quarter. The highlights as presented to the County Board are as follows:

"One of the most important is the budget and its variables. The County is keeping a close watch on the budget and is ready to respond accordingly to the outside budget variables.

"The County began the current fiscal year process, FY11, with a projected deficit. Concerns arose related to cuts from the state, and what cost cutting measures to consider. The County was able to reduce personnel costs, contractual costs, and adjust revenue forecasts, resulting in a balanced budget.

"The 2011 Budget included no raises, but it also included no layoffs and no reduction in services to the constituency.

"Further, the County has worked within its means to tighten its belt to address its projected deficit by addressing overtime, freezing open positions, reducing contractual costs, and adjusting revenue forecasts.

"The County's reliance on funding from the Federal and State Governments were addressed. It was determined that only 9.41% of the projected revenues are from the Federal Government and 6.37% come from the State.

"The County does rely on State and Federal funding for various programs such as salary reimbursements, grant programs, the jail rental program, and care of the elderly, but the likelihood of all funding being eliminated at once is unlikely. The County's budget can be used as a tool to address the programs that may be affected by scaling back funding.

"The County's General Fund has historically finished in a financial strong position because of the ongoing financial management process the County Board has developed."

Tuesday Opportunities To Watch Government In Action

TUESDAY, APRIL 12

The following McHenry County Board Committees are meeting Tuesday morning :

8:30 a.m. – Human Resources Committee

Meets in the conference room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The committee will consider a resolution to reclassify a Full Time Certified Nursing Assistant position into two Part-time Certified Nursing Assistant positions as well as two Certified Nursing Assistant Registry Positions for Valley Hi Department.

9:00 a.m. – Joint Meeting of Finance and Audit and Human Resources Committees

Meets in the conference room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The only topic on the agenda for this joint meeting is a presentation of Group Health Insurance.

9:30 a.m. - McHenry County Board Finance and Audit Committe

This committee is to be presented with information from the McHenry County Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

Following that the committee will consider a resolution authorizing acceptance of a $35,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health; authorizing two Workers' Compensation Claim Settlements; accept $13,197 in additional funding from an HIV Prevention Grant from the Illinois Public Health Association; authorize acceptance of $203,926 grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health for Public Health Emergency Response Program; and authorize necessary funding for the New Courtroom, holding cell and Judge's chamber.

11:00 a.m. - Liquor and License Committee

Meets in the conference room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The Committee is to consider four new Liquor License, Manager and/or Amusement License requests for the following: Pistakee Country Club, Copacabana Salon DeFiestas, Full Moon Saloon, and Liquor Hole with a new owner.

The committee also will be holding interviews with Ed's Wonder Inn, 2022 Food Mart (Shell), Rez's Food Shop, Alden Grocery, Lakeside Liquor, and Town Liquors.

It's All About Kids, Inc, is seeking a raffle permit

The committee also considers incident reports and an update on sting operations.                                                

7:00 p.m. – Village of Lakewood Public Hearing, Red Tail Golf Club, 7900 Red Tail Drive, Lakewood

The proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 for the Village is to be presented for public comments as well as comments from the Village Board Members. No action is to be taken at this meeting.

Immediately Following Public Hearing

The Village Board will meet. In addition to approving prior Village Board minutes, payment of bills, the Ordinance approving the budget for the coming fiscal year is to be approved.

Also to be considered is a motion to approve WebQA Services Agreement for GovQA Services through April 29, 2014. A motion is also being presented to reject bids in response to the Village's Request for Proposal for Telecommunications Equipment for the Lakewood Fire Department.

Listen To Resident Philosopher Gini

McHenry County College Shah Center will host Al Gini as facilitator of the April breakfast event “Ten Critical Jobs of Leadership” from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Friday, April 15 at the Shah Center, located at 4100 W. Shamrock Lane in McHenry.

Gini, WBEZ’s resident philosopher, is a professor of business ethics and Chair of the Department of Management in the school of Business Administration at Loyola University.

He is cofounder and long-time associate editor of Business Ethics Quarterly, the journal of the Society for Business Ethics. For over 23 years he has been the resident philosopher on National Public Radio’s Chicago affiliate, WBEZ-FM, and he regularly lectures to community and professional organizations on issues of business and ethics.

His books include: “My Job My Self: Work and the Creation of the Modern Individual” (Routledge, 2000); “The Importance of Being Lazy: In Praise of Play, Leisure and Vacations” (Routledge, 2003); “Why It’s Hard to Be Good” (Routledge, 2006); and “Seeking the Truth of Things.” (ACTA, 2010).

Join Al Gini and the Shah Center for an exploration of the responsibilities and opportunities of leadership. Gini has condensed his study of game-changing leaders across history into concepts applicable for today’s current and future leaders.

Start@Shah breakfast series events take place at the Shah Center, 4100 W. Shamrock Lane in McHenry on the third Friday of each month. Cost is $35. Use course ID: NTL S90 004 when registering.

For more information or to register, contact the Shah Center, at (815) 455-8593, email: shahcenter@mchenry.edu or visit the website at: http://www.shahcentermchenry.edu/.

National Take-Back Initiative--Saturday, April 30

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) encourages residents to take advantage of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) program “National Take-Back Initiative” on Saturday, April 30.  The one-day event is from 10am-2pm, at participating law enforcement sites. A joint collaborative of public health and law enforcement departments, this initiative will provide a safe way for the public to dispose of their expired, unused and unwanted medication at no cost. 

Residents can bring prescription and over-the-counter, solid dose (tablets, capsules) medications in clear, sealed plastic bags for disposal.  Items not accepted include liquids, intravenous (IV) bags/solutions, injectables, needles, lancets and sharps.  Prescription labels should be removed (or personal information blocked out with a permanent marker) from plastic bottles before tossing into weekly curbside recycling containers.  Participating drop-off sites include –

• Algonquin Police Department, 2200 Harnish Drive—Algonquin
• Crystal Lake Police Department, 100 W Woodstock Street—Crystal Lake
• Harvard Police Department, 201 W. Front St.—Harvard
• Huntley Police Department, 10911 Main Street—Huntley
• Johnsburg Police Department, 3611 N. Chapel Hill Road—Johnsburg
• Lakewood Police Department, Village Hall, 2500 Lake Avenue—Lakewood
• Spring Grove Police Department, 7401 Meyer Road—Spring Grove
• Woodstock Police Department, 656 Lake Ave—Woodstock

According to the DEA, rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at an alarming rate, as are accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Many Americans toss their unused medicines into the toilet or throw them in the trash – both potential safety and health hazards.  U.S. Geological Survey studies have found traces of prescription drugs in water samples from 30 states which have been linked to ecological harm to fish and freshwater supplies.  

To find collection sites near you, visit the DEA’s webpage http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.  Check often as new sites will be added daily.

Additional information is available from your participating local law enforcement agency, on the MCDH webpage www.mcdh.info (Environmental Health) or by calling Kristy Hecke, MCDH’s Solid Waste Manager at 815-334-4585.

Monday Government Meetings

MONDAY, APRIL 11,

8:30 a.m.-McHenry County Board Management Services Committee--

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

Interviews of two people for appointment to the County Ethics Commission are the first matters on the agenda. These are Robert M. Martens, and Deborah K. Nier

Two Resolutions authorizing Workers' Compensation Claim Settlements are to be considered.

Another matter requiring authorization is a resolution amending a prior resolution authorizing a budget line item to transfer funds for the build-out of a new courtroom, holding cell and Judge's Chamber.

The committee is to consider the next step on Web Streaming and Agenda Management for the County Board.

Also, discussion is slated to take place regarding County Board Rules regarding Zoning Petition.

12:00 noon – McHenry County Mental Health Board

Mental Health Board building, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake

Two matters of business are included on the agenda. Under Old Business, the retreat FY 12-13 Strategic Planning Refining Strategic Goals. This item is for action of the Board.

Under Other Business, the April 13 Healthy Community Study Results being held at the McHenry County College Conference Center.

6:30 p.m. – High School District 155 Board

7:30 p.m. – High School District 155 Board

Both meetings are being held in the Center for Education, One South Virginia Road, Crystal Lake and are expected to be conducted in executive session for student discipline matters.