MCC Graduates 679 Students On Saturday

Description:   Nearly 700 students will be graduating from McHenry County College this spring, with 366 who have applied for degrees and 313 who have applied for certificates.

This year’s graduation includes 11 Silver Cord Award recipients, an award that recognizes students who performed 100 hours of community service/volunteer work while attending MCC (not including MCC Promise scholarship requirements or other scholarship requirements).

Of the 120 Associate in Applied Science degree recipients, 23 are receiving their Associate in Applied Science in Registered Nursing (ADN) degree. This is the second graduating class from MCC’s current registered nursing program. Several of the graduates donated money and received haircuts for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation for kids with cancer this spring. In January, the MCC Student Nurse Organization and two faculty traveled to New Orleans on a mission trip to rehab a house for a Hurricane Katrina victim.

Miguel Aaron Solis of Harvard has been selected as the student speaker for the commencement ceremony. He will graduate May 14 with an Associate in Science degree in chemistry.

Solis, who is the first person in his family to graduate from college, plans to transfer to Western Illinois University in Macomb in the fall. He plans to major in forensic chemistry and minor in theatre. His career goal is to work with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a chemist, specializing in toxicology.

While at MCC, he has been involved with Student Senate and serves as representative of the Future Engineers and Scientists Society (FESS). He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and he helped run various student events such as Spring Spirit Week, hosted by Student Senate this semester. He also played on the MCC Men’s Soccer team for two seasons and served as a Student Orientation leader last summer.

He currently works as a student receptionist in the MCC Advising & Transfer Center, where he helps students sign in to see advisors and counselors and answers questions about classes.  He plans to continue working at the Advising Center during the summer.

Solis is also active in community service and has volunteered at various community and college events during the past two years, including the annual shoe ball sponsored by the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation, Kroozer's Cars for Kids, and at after-school sites around McHenry County. He was also involved with AmeriCorps.

Also speaking will be Dr. Vicky Smith, MCC president. Giving the “faculty charge” speech will be Katherine Midday, English instructor. She is MCC’s nominee for the Illinois Community College Trustee Association (ICCTA) 2011 Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year.

Free Women's Health Classes In Woodstock

It’s not too late to register for “Life Smart for Women” classes offered by McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) on Thursdays beginning May 12 (ending June 30) from 7pm-8:30pm at the Woodstock Recreation Center (Multi-purpose Room A),

820 Lake Avenue

.  Child care is available for $1/child.  This FREE 8-week interactive educational program is designed for women 18 and older and focuses on empowering women to make their health a top priority by making healthier choices.  Lead by MCDH’s Lila Keller, BSN, RN, pre-registration is required at 815-338-4363.

The “Life Smart for Women” program will provide participants with skill building tools, goal setting and self-help tips to improve their health.  Discussion topics will include nutrition, coping with stress, dealing with tobacco, alcohol, drugs and violence, and how to stay healthy through all ages of our life.  They will also have the opportunity to evaluate their own personal risk factors for developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Free cardiovascular screenings will be provided. 

National Women's Health Week (May 8-14) is a week-long health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women’s Health http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/.  It brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women's health. It encourages women to take steps to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases.  For more information, call Lila Keller at 815-334-4510 or visit www.mcdh.info

MCC Scholarships Available

The McHenry County College Staff Council, Local 1642 is offering a $500 scholarship for current students who will enroll in at least six credit hours in the Fall 2011 semester.

To be eligible for this scholarship, a student must be enrolled at MCC with at least a 2.5 GPA and who will enroll in at least six credit hours in the Fall 2011 Semester. They also must show financial need and participation in school activities, community involvement, or volunteer service. Priority will be given to students not receiving any other kind of financial aid. The scholarship funds may be used for tuition, fees, books, or academic supplies at MCC for spring semester.

Students may apply for the scholarship through the MCC Financial Aid Office, Room A256, located at

8900 U.S. Hwy.

14, Crystal Lake by filling out an application and returning it no later than May 13. Recipient will be notified by May 20. For more information, call Caroline Sobolak, at (815) 479-7538.

Wednesday Meeting

8:30 a.m.--Natural and Environmental Resources Committee

Meets in the Conference Room of the McHenry County Administration Building,

667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

A review of a subsection of the Stormwater Management Ordinance is to be reviewed.

The committee is also to consider remarks provided by McHenry County Conservation District regarding the County Unified Development Ordinance Open Space.

The Army Corps of Engineers is providing $50,000 in planning and assistance for the restoration of the Kishwaukee River Riparian Marsh. The project is being completed in partnership with McHenry County Conservation District. The grant requires a 50% match ($25,000) of which 25% must be cash and 25% may be work in kind services.

The riparian mash restoration will take place along the main stem of the Kishwaukee River at the McHenry County Conservation District's Pleasant Valley Conservation Area. Eventually the project will reconnect 1.5 miles of the Kishwaukee River to the surrounding flood plain marsh areas which was drained in the 1920's. It will also result in the creation of a hydrologic model for the stream and proposed marsh restoration.

The committee is also to consider the installation of a rain garden and xeriscaping educational project utilizing a $1,800 grant from the McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation District and $6,000 grant from the American Water Association.

The garden is to be located near the front entrance doors to the County Administration Building. This garden will channel a portion of stormwater runoff from the front of the building into a small depression area that will be planted with native vegetation. The garden will allow the precipitation to be stored and slowly infiltrate into the soil, where it will nourish the rain garden vegetation. This also helps to replenish ground water aquifers.

It will also serve as an example to property owners regarding alternative methods of stormwater management, as well as alternative landscaping techniques that can reduce water consumption.

A discussion is slated regarding the legal regulation of coal tar sealant use, which has been found to be detrimental to human heath and toxic to aquatic life.

Since the County has adopted a Hazard Mitigation plan, it now qualifies for federal and state grant programs. This could assist a number of property owners whose property is located in the floodplain along the Nippersink Creek near Route 12 outside of Spring Grove. If funds are provided, they may used to assist property owners to floodproof residential structures. Also the funds may be used to purchase and demolish flood prone structures and properties and convert them to open space.

The idea of rainwater harvesting for non-potable uses is also to be discussed.

A Special Time of The year

It's the time of the year that many are happy to see. It's graduation time. For McHenry County College students that day is Saturday, May 14. Nearly 700 students will be graduating from MCC this spring with 366 who have applied for degrees and 313 who have applied for certificates.

Graduation ceremnies are held inthe MCC Gym/Multipurpose Room in building A beginning at 10:00 AM.

This year’s graduation includes 11 Silver Cord Award recipients, an award that recognizes students who performed 100 hours of community service/volunteer work while attending MCC (not including MCC Promise scholarship requirements or other scholarship requirements).

Of the 120 Associate in Applied Science degree recipients, 23 are receiving their Associate in Applied Science in Registered Nursing (ADN) degree. This is the second graduating class from MCC’s current registered nursing program. Several of the graduates donated money and received haircuts for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation for kids with cancer this spring. In January, the MCC Student Nurse Organization and two faculty members traveled to New Orleans on a mission trip to rehab a house for a Hurricane Katrina victim.

Miguel Aaron Solis of Harvard has been selected as the student speaker for the commencement ceremony. He will graduate May 14 with an Associate in Science degree in chemistry.

Solis, who is the first person in his family to graduate from college, plans to transfer to Western Illinois University in Macomb in the fall. He plans to major in forensic chemistry and minor in theatre. His career goal is to work with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a chemist, specializing in toxicology.

While at MCC, he has been involved with Student Senate and serves as representative of the Future Engineers and Scientists Society (FESS). He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and he helped run various student events such as Spring Spirit Week, hosted by Student Senate this semester. He also played on the MCC Men’s Soccer team for two seasons and served as a Student Orientation leader last summer.

He currently works as a student receptionist in the MCC Advising & Transfer Center, where he helps students sign in to see advisors and counselors and answers questions about classes.  He plans to continue working at the Advising Center during the summer.

Solis is also active in community service and has volunteered at various community and college events during the past two years, including the annual shoe ball sponsored by the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation, Kroozer's Cars for Kids, and at after-school sites around McHenry County. He was also involved with AmeriCorps.

Also speaking will be Dr. Vicky Smith, MCC president. Giving the “faculty charge” speech will be Katherine Midday, English instructor. She is MCC’s nominee for the Illinois Community College Trustee Association (ICCTA) 2011 Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year.

Defenders Recycling Saturday In Woodstock

 This coming Saturday, May 14, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County will conduct their monthly recycling collection for fluorescent tubes, Styrofoam™, electronics, and batteries from 9 a.m. until noon at the Metra Station parking lot,

4005 Main Street

, in McHenry.

They continue to collect certain items which would be harmful to the environment if put in a landfill, and which are not taken by curbside programs. The Defenders’

Recycling Drive

accepts rechargeable batteries, car batteries, lithium and button batteries. No alkaline batteries can be accepted at this time.

The Defenders also collect fluorescent tubes, clean white Styrofoam™, packing peanuts and re-usable, unpopped bubble wrap. A donation is requested for fluorescent bulbs and batteries that are brought in to offset the costs involved in processing these items.

Electronics such as computers, phones, printers, and electronic toys, are accepted. TVs and computer monitors will be accepted for a donation. At the McHenry collection, the Defenders also accept and pay for aluminum cans.

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

For more information about the recycling schedule and the types of materials accepted at each location, visit the Defenders’ website phone 815-338-0393.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a 41-year-old citizen-based, 501c3 not-for-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment. The group provides community residents with educational programs and volunteer action on pollution prevention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource conservation.

MCC Scholarship Offered By Staff Council

The McHenry County College Staff Council, Local 1642 is offering a $500 scholarship for current MCC students who will enroll in at least six credit hours in the Fall 2011 semester.

To be eligible for this scholarship, a student must be enrolled at MCC with at least a 2.5 GPA and who will enroll in at least six credit hours in the Fall 2011 Semester. They also must show financial need and participation in school activities, community involvement, or volunteer service. Priority will be given to students not receiving any other kind of financial aid. The scholarship funds may be used for tuition, fees, books, or academic supplies at MCC for spring semester.

Students may apply for the scholarship through the MCC Financial Aid Office, Room A256, located at

8900 U.S. Hwy.

14, Crystal Lake by filling out an application and returning it no later than May 13. Recipient will be notified by May 20. For more information, call Caroline Sobolak, at (815) 479-7538.

Tuesday Governing Meeings

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

8:30 a.m.--Human Resources Committee of McHenry County Board--

Will meet in the Conference Room of McHenry County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

A number of matters are before the committee for consideration including authorizing reclassification of the Director of the Workforce Investment Board position from part-time to full time.

A contract with Corporate Benefit Consultants, Inc is being presented for authorization. This is the Broker of Record providing services for the self-funded health insurance program for the county.

The committee is also to consider authorizing Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois as the Provider of Administrative Services including Stop Loss Coverage and Employee Medical Dental and Optical Insurance for the period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

Also to be considered is a non-union wage increase for fiscal year 2011.

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

Also meeting in the Conference Room of McHenry County administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock. 

The committee is to consider authorizing acceptance of an IDOT Memorial Day Mini grant and authorize an emergency appropriation to the sheriff's Fiscal Year 2011 budget. This $4,453.68 grant is for alcohol and safety seat enforcement.

Other resolutions to be considered for acceptance include:

A State of Illinois Emergency Management Assistance Public Assistance Grant Agreement for FY 2011. This is for snow removal during a period January 31 to February 3.

Resolution Authorizing Reclassification of the Director of the Workforce Investment Board Position from part-time to full-time. This position is a requirement for the County's participation in the Workforce investment Act One Stop System, youth activities, and employment and training activities under Title 1 of the Workforce Investment Act.

Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a $100,000 Grant from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and to make an Emergency Appropriation to the Dental Care Clinic’s FY2011 Budget.

Resolution authorizing Blue Cross & blue Shield of Illinois as the Provider of Administrative Services Including Stop Loss Coverage and Employee Medical, Dental and Optical Insurance for the Period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

Resolution authorizing entering into a contract with Corporate Benefit Consultants, Inc. (CBC) to be Broker of Record and to provide services

11:00 a.m.--Liquor and License Committee of McHenry County Board--

The Committee will consider a request for a new license for St. Joseph Parish. Also to be considered are requests by Northern Illinois Fire Museum and Hooved Animal Humane Society for Raffle Permit and Special Liquor License requests.

7:00 p.m.--Lakewood Village Board Meeting--

RedTail Golf Club, 7900 Red Tail Drive, Lakewood

In addition to the Village Board approving minutes of previous meetings and bill lists, they will consider a request from Kurt and Annette Johnson for an extension of a variance for the construction of an inground swimming pool at 7101 Marsh Drive.

A resolution is to be considered requesting the designation of Ballard Road from Illinois Route 47 to Briarwood Road as a Federal Aid Urban Route.

Oaths of Office will be administered to the newly elected trustees J. Carl Davis, Jeffrey Iden, Kenneth Santowski and Gary Sexson II. Davis and Santowski are returning trustees, while Iden and Sexson are new to the board.

The Board is to consider a motion approving a low bid from Geske & Sons, Inc. for the 2011 Road Program in an amount of $332,866.36.

Consideration for board approval is a three-year contract with Eder, Casella & Co. to perform the Village of Lakewood Audit and prepare the Annual Financial Report for the State of Illinois.

The Board is also to conduct discussion regarding proposed covenants for RedTail Golf Course.

Rockford Airport Considered For Aeronautical Campus

Congressman Don Manzullo, (R-16), will welcome U.S. House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica (R-FL) to Rockford this morning. Congressman Mica is touring the Rockford International Airport and will speak to a group of regional transportation officials.

Congressman Mica will join Congressman Manzullo and other officials in a tour of the Rockford airport. The facility is in the running to become the third residential campus for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, joining campuses in Daytona Beach and Prescott Arizona.

Congressman Mica represents the home of Embry-Riddle and it is expected he will have great things to say about Rockford the next time he visits with Embry-Riddle's President Dr. John Johnson.

Crystal Lake Rain Garden Planting Event--Monday Afternoon At Grant Street Municipal Parking Lot

A Community Rain Garden is under development at the Crystal Lake Grant Street Municipal Parking Lot, Downtown Crystal Lake. It is nearing completion and will be capped of with a planting event on Monday, May 9, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Crystal Lake Municipal Complex, 100 W. Woodstock Street.

Volunteers will be assisting City Staff in planting wildflowers for this demonstration project to promote sustainable infrastructure, which follows the first municipal bioswale installed at the Grant Street Parking lot last year.

The rain garden is comprised of a shallow depression, filled with native wildflowers, designed to allow water from the rooftop of the City's Municipal Complex to soak into the ground, as opposed to flowing directly into the storm sewer system and out into Crystal Creek.

The deep root systems of native wildflowers help promote the infiltration of rain into the ground, which benefits our local aquifers that supply the drinking water for most of the County.

It is the City's hope that this rain garden will help demonstrate another environmentally friendly way for homeowners and developers to help preserve natural resources like groundwater. This is also an example of the Best Management Practices being promoted by the City to help protect the Crystal Lake Watershed and the quality of water reaching the lake.

The garden is the result of extensive coordination from volunteers including:

• The Wildflower Preservation and Propagation Committee
• Hey and Associates
• Hughes &U Son Signs
• The Clean Air Counts Committee
• Girl Scout Troop #1054
• Crystal Lake Engineering & Building Department
• Crystal Lake Public Works Department

Monday Government Agenda

MONDAY, MAY 9

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

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

The agenda calls for consideration of a Resolution authorizing adoption of amendments to the McHenry County Board Rules. These amendments are mostly updating items such as the Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised (latest issue) as the governing document.

Other revisions relate to verbiage, for instance regarding Zoning Petitions rather than Zoning Board of Appeals Petitions and other similar references to the ZBA

Some additions are being made, for example, how a petitioner may request continuation of a petition. Also all motion regarding zoning petitions are to be made in the affirmative, with a yes vote for approval, regardless of the Zoning Board of Appeals or Hearing Officer recommendation. If the petition receives the required number of affirmative "yes" votes (depending upon the type of petition) the zoning petition is approved. If it fails to receive the required number of affirmative votes it is denied.

The County Board is admonished that comments given regarding a zoning petition may be considered, but the County Board should base its decision on the evidence presented during the public hearing.

7:00 p.m.—Governance Committee of Crystal Lake Public Library Board of Trustees

Meeting in the Library Director's Office at the Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 Paddock Street, Crystal Lake.

Problem With Location of A Well Discussed Birth

In the wake of the much-discussed release of President Obama's long-form birth certificate, Libertarian Party Chair Mark Hinkle had this to say:

"Instead of wasting so much ink on this birther story, the press should be giving a lot more attention to the many real disasters of the Obama administration. The Libertarian Party recently released a list of '20 Obama problems, 20 Libertarian solutions.'

"Of course, President Obama and the Democrats in Congress are only part of the problem equation. The Republicans deserve an equal share of the blame, for their unwillingness to cut military spending or entitlements, their addiction to government programs like farm subsidies, and their big-spending compromise bills of December 2010 and April 2011.

"I wonder if Obama and the Republicans might just be conspiring to keep this birther stuff alive, to distract everyone from all the real problems they're causing. The president might have been worried that the birther talk was about to die down.

"When you consider that we're involved in three foreign wars, our entitlement state is crumbling, we have record-level spending and deficits, unemployment is high, and inflation is growing, the president's birth certificate seems less significant somehow.

"We need to be more focused on the fact that massive debt is driving our government toward bankruptcy -- something Republican birther Donald Trump would know a lot about.

"Nearly two years ago, one of our junior staffers mocked this very issue:

Socialized healthcare is on the horizon. The DHS, NSA, TSA police state is expanding, the Drug War is still being pursued by an arrogant, ignorant government and Obama is expanding the war in Afghanistan! Frankly we have got bigger problems to pursue than blogging endlessly about where the President was born.

"Hopefully Americans will worry less about long-form birth certificates, and more about thousand-page spending bills."

Coming In June-AARP Driver Safety Program For Seniors

McHenry County College will offer the state-approved AARP Driver Safety Program from 1-5 p.m. on Friday, June 3 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 4 in Room A113 at the college, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake. Successful completion of the two-day class can help lower auto insurance costs for participants.

The AARP class is designed to help older drivers adjust to the physical changes that occur as people get older. The State of Illinois has approved the AARP Driver Safety Program as an official course.

A trained AARP volunteer will teach the course at MCC. Participants are asked to bring a check for $12, payable to AARP, to cover the supplies and materials.  You must have your AARP card with you for the $12 rate.  If you do not have an AARP card, the fee is $14.  When registering use course ID: NSP S02 006.

To register, call the MCC Registration Office at (815) 455-8588.  For more information, call Tracy Berry at (815) 455-8758 or Dori Smith at (815) 455-8559.

Final Week of Hydrant Flushing In Crystal Lake

Fire hydrant flushing is ongoing in Crystal Lake and is expected to continue through May 13.

The section being flushed this week – May 9 through May 13, — is South of Alexandra Blvd. to Miller Road West of Randall Road.

The process is necessary to clean the City's water distribution system and to allow the Water Division to perform an inspection of City hydrants. During this flushing, water may become temporarily discolored due to material being removed from water mains.

It is safe to drink, but it may stain clothes that are washed during the flushing in the area. Residents are advised to try to limit water usage during this time, but if this is not possible, the City offers Rover, a chemical that can be used as a cleanser in laundry to remove iron stains, free of charge, should problems occur.

Questions may be directed to the Water Division at (815) 356-3614