Words of Wisdom

"Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

 --George Washington, The Rules of Civility, 1748

Electronic Waste Collection and Shredding Today-Grafton Township

Today --  from 9 am to noon, you can bring electronic waste and documents for shredding to Grafton Township, 10109 Vine Street, Huntley Illinois. No early or late drop offs, please.  An on-site document shredding truck will be available at no cost to participants.  Please bring your paper in a paper bag.  All electronic items that do not have a compressor will be accepted

“It’s insane to think about the amount of waste that’s being generated,” said Mel Nickerson, an attorney at the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Chicago and co-author of Illinois’ e-waste law.  Beginning next year, the Illinois law bans e-waste from landfills. Effective January 2012, per Public Act 095-0959, a local garbage company will start leaving electronics at the curbside rather than collecting them to put in the landfills.

E-waste is the fastest-growing segment of the nation’s garbage, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. An Illinois law that took effect last year requires electronics manufacturers to achieve recycling goals, but they’re falling short of benchmarks that were already lower than those in other states.  Trying to meet the law’s benchmarks, manufacturers contract with recyclers and report the weight of collected items to the Illinois EPA.

Residency is not required to take advantage of this bi-annual event.  Questions about acceptable items for recycling by visiting www.graftontownship.

 Donations of non-perishable food items for the Food Pantry at Grafton Township would be greatly appreciated at the time items are dropped off at Grafton Township, 10109 Vine Street, Huntley.

Rakow Road Upgrade No Small Task

How big a job is the Rakow Road upgrade project?

A lot of evidence can be seen when traveling along the road—various kinds of piles. However, there are other aspects not as obvious. For one a great deal of effort is involved in replacing, relocating or otherwise improving the underground utilities such as storm sewers, water mains, traffic signal cables, electrical, natural gas, telephone, cable television and fiber optic lines.

As an example, since the Rakow Road project began, the underground contractor has installed 16,660 feet (more than 3 miles) of storm sewer pipe. Imagine this stretched across more than 46 football fields.

The underground work is just a small part of the project. The paving contractors hauled in and placed 33,344 tons of stone for the base of Rakow Road’s new eastbound lanes. That is over 1,660 full truckloads of stone from the local quarries, using local workers to transport, place and compact it.

All this is an inconvenience. However, perhaps we should look toward the end result of driving on a better and less congested road. Additionally, the project also includes the construction of a pedestrian/bicycle bridge over Rakow Road for the McHenry County Conservation District Bike Trail just east of Pyott Road.  

Benefit For The Four-footed Crowd

Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction

Saturday, September 24

4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Cost: $8 adults   $5 kids 12 and under 

McHenry Moose Lodge 

3535 N. Richmond Road- On Route 31 just south of Johnsburg Road

Craft Items

Bake Sale

50/50 Raffles

Need more information-

Call 815-385-0939

First Human Case West Nile Virus This Year For McHenry County

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) has confirmed its first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) this year in a 35 year old man from Woodstock who was hospitalized but has since been released.  Human WNV cases were previously reported in McHenry County in 2010 (1), 2007 (5), 2006 (6) and 2005 (3) during the months of August, September and October.  The State Health Department has recorded 10 human cases in 2011, including one recent death, as compared to 61 human cases and 4 deaths in 2010.  Six (6) mosquito batches have tested positive for WNV in McHenry County this year.

Illness from West Nile virus is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches but serious illnesses, such as encephalitis, meningitis and death, are possible.  Illness can occur 3-15 days after an infected mosquito bite.  The disease can affect all ages, but persons 50 and older have the highest risk of severe disease. 

Mosquitoes transmit the virus to humans after feeding on a bird infected with WNV.  Public health officials continue to urge residents to take precautions as the risk of mosquito-borne WNV lasts until the first hard frost.  The most effective way to prevent against becoming infected with WNV is to follow some basic steps:

Limit your time outdoors during peak mosquito biting hours which are from dusk to dawn

When outside (evening and early morning), use repellent and protective clothing such as long-sleeves, long pants and socks.

Spray clothes with repellent containing DEET for extra protection.  Always follow label directions.

Get rid of standing water around your home where mosquitoes will breed (bird baths, old tires, garbage cans, flower pot trays, wheelbarrows).

Have tight-fitting screens on both windows and doors; replace screens with tears.

For more information on WNV, visit www.mcdh.info (Environmental Health) or call 815-334-4585

Words of Wisdom

"The value of liberty was thus enhanced in our estimation by the difficulty of its attainment, and the worth of characters appreciated by the trial of adversity."

--George Washington, letter to the people of South Carolina, 1790

McHenry County Government At Work

Friday, September 23 –

1:00 p.m. – Transportation Committee of McHenry County Board –

Meeting the McHenry County Division of Transportation, Main Conference Room, 1611 Nelson Road, Woodstock.

A couple presentations are scheduled including topics of County Bridge Update and 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan Update.

The committee has a number of resolutions to consider including three in connection with a Walkup Road project which covers an area between Illinois Route 176 and Bull Valley Road. One resolution concerns an early startup Engineering Services agreement between McHenry County and Baxter and Woodman, Inc. for consulting work regarding utility relocations and initial survey work prior to construction work on Walkup Road between The cost is not to exceed $50,000.

Another engineering services agreement amendment for Walkup Road is for additional design analysis and coordination for the project for an added $127,772 bringing the contract with Teng and Associates to $2,594,461.37.

Added land surveying services have been found to be needed for the Walkup Road project with the need for a professional land surveying firm. Additional land surveying is to be handled by Jorgensen and Associates for a not to exceed sum of $25,831.25, increasing that contract to a total of $94,518.51.

Traffic Signal coordination and timing is being authorized for traffic signal systems on Algonquin Road, Randall Road, Rakow Road and Virginia road/Pyott Road. The cost is anticipated not to exceed $9,978.85.

Park and Ride Lot at  Virginia Road and Illinois 31 Intersection – It has been determined that a park and ride lot would be located at this intersection as included in the FY 2011 to 2015 Highway Improvement Program.

In September 2009 the County Board approved an agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. for $67,400 to perform Phase II engineering. It has not been determined there is a need for additional design analysis. A $20,400 Engineering Services Agreement Amendment is being presented for approval.

In connection with the same project, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) along with McHenry County have determined the need to construct a park and ride lot at this intersection. An intergovernmental agreement between the State of Illinois and McHenry County is being presented for approval.

Stargazers Ball Tomorrow At The Raue Center For The Arts

 
Hundreds of the region’s art supporters will gather for a high-energy evening of music, dancing, cocktails, delectable tasting stations, and a silent and live auction at Raue Center’s annual Stargazers Ball on Friday, September 23, 2011 at 7 pm.  The signature event will be held, for the very first time, in-house at Raue Center For The Arts, 26 N. Williams Street.  Proceeds from Stargazers Ball benefit Raue Center’s arts education and community outreach programs as well as future artistic and programming initiatives, including Williams Street Repertory (WS Rep). 

WS Rep is an in-house production company kicking off its inaugural season in residence at Raue Center For The Arts. It will produce theatrical work that deals with contemporary issues that that push the envelope … works that are wickedly awesome and entertain you at the same time!  It’s built around imagination, creativity, curiosity, artistic quality and having fun at the same time.  This year’s line-up includes productions of The Rocky Horror Show, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and more!

Guests of Stargazers Ball will enjoy an array of scrumptious food provided by local restaurants and vendors, multiple open bars (including a signature martini bar), and an exciting atmosphere of music and dancing, provided by Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers.  Lavay Smith is internationally recognized as The Queen Of Classic Jazz & Blues in the authentic style of the 1940's and 1950's. Lavay's last album received a prestigious 4 & 1/2 Star review in Downbeat magazine.

“Lavay and her little big band are the perfect choice for Stargazers.  They have that ability to get the whole room hopping.  They just played the Governors Ball at the Academy Awards and the have recommendations from Presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush,“ said Richard Kuranda, Executive Director. For more information, visit lavaysmith.com. 

In addition, there will be an extensive silent auction including an array of packages, as well as a live auction.  Two of the items are shown above. Attire is black tie optional.  Individual tickets are $100, or 10 for $1,000, and are available online at rauecenter.org/stargazers or by calling 815-356-9212.

Last year’s Stargazers Ball attracted more than 200 guests and raised more than $40,000 for Raue Center’s arts education and community outreach programs as well as future artistic and programming initiatives.

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. For 10 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic, downtown Crystal Lake, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination. For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter and twitter.com/RaueCenter.

Today's World Of Learning Important Lessons

In an effort to implement meaningful sentencing alternatives for alcohol related offenses and low degree criminal offenders, the Twenty Second Judicial Circuit of McHenry County, in conjunction with the McHenry County Department of Probation and Court Services, has implemented the use of the 3^rd Millennium Online Classrooms.

During the last decade, courts have been diverting underage drinking, petty theft, marijuana possession, and other misdemeanor cases to diversion programs, thus allowing the court to deal with more serious offenses. For many first offenders, this is a “teachable moment.” The Twenty Second Judicial Circuits wants streamlined, effective intervention solutions for low risk criminal offenders. Evidenced based research shows that the briefest interventions sometimes produce the greatest effect in reducing future criminal actions. For example, in one study to reduce alcohol consumption among college students who are heavy drinkers, researchers found that a single hour of advice was about as effective as a 6-week class and discussion group.

All 3rd Millennium online course offerings are interactive, self-motivating, and provide personalized feedback. Each course includes multiple lessons, surveys, self-assessment, professional narration, and final exam. The student navigates through this course one lesson page at a time. The student listens and/or reads a knowledge page and completes an interaction before advancing to the next page. The student must successfully complete a quiz at the end of each lesson to advance to the next lesson. The student cannot simply click through the lesson pages. Each interaction must be answered correctly. If the student fails the quiz, he or she must complete the entire lesson again before retaking the quiz. The student is warned that there are hidden validation procedures built into the course. Failure to correctly respond to validation questions can result in loss of grades and nullification of course completion, which will be communicated to the appropriate Court Services personnel.

In today’s multi-media culture it is important to reach teens and young adults with programs which are fast-paced, culturally relevant, effective, engaging, convenient and positively  impact behavior.

Books, Books and More At Defenders' Annual Fall Book Sale

You’ll find great deals on high-quality used books, videos and more at the Defenders’ annual Big Fall Book Sale, set for September 23^rd through October 1^st at the Algonquin Township Garage, 3702 US Route 14 between Crystal Lake and Cary. Drive straight back to last garage on the right.

The sale is open from 10 am- 6 pm daily (closed Sunday). Books will be priced as marked inside the cover the first Friday and Saturday. Prices will drop to $2 for hardcovers and $1 for paperbacks starting Monday, September 26^th. The last day of the sale, Saturday, October 1^st will be ½ price day - $1 for hardcovers and 50¢ for paperbacks!

For over 40 years, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County has been a leader in encouraging re-use and recycling practices throughout McHenry County. Each September, the Woodstock-based nonprofit holds its Big Fall Book Sale of good-quality used books, tapes, videos, and software that have been donated by area libraries and private citizens. All items are sold at extremely low prices to keep them in use and out of landfills. All proceeds go to support the environmental programs and services offered by the Defenders.

This year’s book sale offers flea-market prices on thousands of top authors and best-selling novels, biographies, sports, travel and adventure books, self-help titles, cookbooks and crafts, philosophy and religion, business guides, computer manuals, and much more. There is also a huge selection of good-quality children’s books for all ages and reading levels.

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

Flu Shots Offered Next Thursday At Huntley Library

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) encourages an annual flu shot for everyone 6 months and older as the best protection against influenza.  A flu walk-in flu clinic has been scheduled for mercury-free shots for adults and children 9 years and older on Thursday, September 29 from 4pm-7pm at the Huntley Area Library, 11000 Ruth Road in Huntley.  Cash or checks only ($30); Medicaid and Medicare Part B are accepted. 

Flu is a serious and contagious illness – even healthy people can get it.  As the flu season is long and unpredictable, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting a flu shot as soon as vaccine becomes available as it takes 2 weeks for antibodies to develop to provide protection. A flu shot protects not only you but those around you like pregnant women, young children and the elderly who are especially at risk for complications from the flu.  Simple ways to protect yourself also include covering your cough, washing your hands and staying home when sick.  For more flu information, call 815-334-4510 or visit www.mcdh.info.

Latino Author Presenting Workshop On Assisting At-Risk Youth

McHenry County College will host Latino author Robert Renteria Jr., who will present a community workshop about assisting at-risk underrepresented youth, from 10:20 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 23 in Room A115 at the college, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

The workshop is held in conjunction with the Latino student Empowerment Conference and will focus on how organizations can support and partner with each other to help youth reach and overcome obstacles to reach their goals.

Renteria, businessman turned author, will share personal stories from his memoir, “From

the Barrio to the Board Room,”  including how he grew up in an impoverished East Los Angeles barrio and abandoned by his drug and alcohol-addicted father. As a teenager, he dropped out of high school and went from one dead-end job to another until he had a life-changing realization and resolved to start making better life choices. After honorably serving seven years in the U.S. Army, he moved to Chicago and eventually landed a position as vice president of a company. He currently makes a living speaking to organizations throughout the country.

The lecture/workshop is open to the public and free of charge. For more information, contact Sonia Reising, coordinator of multicultural programs at (815) 479-7749 or email her at sreising@mchenry.edu.

Workshop On Assisting At-Risk Youth

McHenry County College will host Latino author Robert Renteria Jr., who will present a community workshop about assisting at-risk underrepresented youth, from 10:20 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 23 in Room A115 at the college, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

The workshop is held in conjunction with the Latino student Empowerment Conference and will focus on how organizations can support and partner with each other to help youth reach and overcome obstacles to reach their goals.

Renteria, businessman turned author, will share personal stories from his memoir, “From

the Barrio to the Board Room,”  including how he grew up in an impoverished East Los Angeles barrio and abandoned by his drug and alcohol-addicted father. As a teenager, he dropped out of high school and went from one dead-end job to another until he had a life-changing realization and resolved to start making better life choices. After honorably serving seven years in the U.S. Army, he moved to Chicago and eventually landed a position as vice president of a company. He currently makes a living speaking to organizations throughout the country.

The lecture/workshop is open to the public and free of charge. For more information, contact Sonia Reising, coordinator of multicultural programs at (815) 479-7749 or email her at sreising@mchenry.edu.

Special Grafton Township Meeting on Sale of Property

SPECIAL MEETING

GRAFTON TOWNSHIP BOARD

7:00 P.M. THIS EVENING

GRAFTON TOWNSHIP OFFICE

10109 VINE STREET

HUNTLEY

 

A closed session is scheduled regarding the setting of a price for a piece of township owned property at 9260 Haligus Road, Lake in the Hills.

Also scheduled at this meeting is a discussion and action to give consent and advice to Supervisor’s appointment of a Special Counsel for sale of Haligus Road Property.

Words of Wisdom

"I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution ... taking from the federal government their power of borrowing."

--Thomas Jefferson (Letter of November 26th, 1798)

Route 31 Improvement

The first public meeting for the Illinois Route 31 Phase I Study was held on Thursday, June 9th, 2011 from 4 pm to 7 pm at the City of Crystal Lake City Hall at 100 W. Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. The study limits extend from Illinois Route 176 in the city of Crystal Lake to Illinois Route 120 in the City of

The second Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) Meeting is taking place today from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in McHenry County College Shah Center, 4100 W. Shamrock Lane, McHenry.

More information regarding this road improvements can be found here

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

6:30 P.M.—McHenry County College Board of Trustees—

Meeting in the Board Room of the College at 8900 US Highway 14, Crystal Lake.

This meeting is a budget hearing for the coming year.

Immediately following the budget hearing, the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled. Matters to be considered in this session include Student Senate inductions are among those matters along with NISOD awards being presented.

A presentation is also scheduled regarding the Higher Learning Commission Quality Check-Up Visit

.

7:30 P.M. – Crystal Lake Park District Board Special Meeting

The Board is to consider approval for the feasibility study as presented by AECOM at the previous meeting.

An executive session is also scheduled regarding Land acquisition/lease.

McHenry County Emergency Management Coordinating Council Initiated

In the aftermath of the wind storm on Monday, July 11, a large portion of McHenry County citizens experienced extended power outages,  Many local governments worked to provide citizens with essential services to get them through extended periods of power loss. 

McHenry County officially kicked-off its Emergency Management Coordinating Council on Thursday, September 16th.  The Council will serve in a coordinating role for State, township, municipal, and County functions to pool their collective knowledge to support preparation and mitigation efforts.  This coordination will lead to more efficient and cooperative resource management during emergencies and disasters throughout the County. 

State Senator Pamela Althoff was the keynote speaker at the first Coordinating Council meeting and expressed the importance the Council will play with sharing best management practice and the importance of cooperative disaster management.

McHenry County Director of Emergency Management David Christensen agreed with Senator Althoff’s comments on the value of a coordinated effort. “In McHenry County, the Emergency Management Coordinating Council will be the engine to effectively pool our resources to all local entities and efficiently mitigate disasters should the need arise.”

The Council will implement these efforts through the enhancement and development of emergency operations plans for all jurisdictions, review and implementation of best practices, fostering networking across disciplines, exploring grant opportunities, regional mutual aid, preliminary damage assessment, and standardized practices.

For more information on the McHenry County Emergency Management Coordinating Council, please contact David Christensen at 815-338-6400.

Presentation On Bed Bugs

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) invites nurses, hotel staff, social service workers, theater and resale shop staff, home health services and municipal inspectors to a presentation on identifying, preventing and eradicating bed bugs.  Dr. Curt Colwell, Public Health Entomologist from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division, will discuss where bugs are found, what health risks they pose, signs and symptoms of a bed bug infestation and how to prevent them.

The presentation is scheduled for Thursday, September 29 from 9:30am-12pm at the McHenry County Government Center, Administration Building, Conference Rooms B & C, located at 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.  Seating is limited; pre-register at 815-334-4500 by Friday, September 23.

Words of Wisdom

"Is it not the glory of the people of America, that whilst they have paid a decent regard to the opinions of former times and other nations, they have not suffered a blind veneration for antiquity, for custom, or for names, to overrule the suggestions of their own good sense, the knowledge of their own situation, and the lessons of their own experience? To this manly spirit, posterity will be indebted for the possession, and the world for the example of the numerous innovations displayed on the American theatre, in favor of private rights and public happiness."

--James Madison, Federalist No. 14, 1787

National Day Of Peace

Each year, events take place all around the world for the International Day of Peace scheduled this year for September 21as declared by UN Secretary General Ban KI-moon.

 When it was established in 1981, it was to be celebrated on the third Tuesday of September. The United Nations (UN) declared September 21 as the permanent date for the observance of Peace Day which it said “shall hereafter be watched as the day of worldwide non-violence and ceasefire, a summons to all states and people to respect a termination of resentment.”

We are advised to ”Be seen. Be visible. Let the world know you care about peace.” There are varying events taking place around the world with the one focal point being the moment of silence at 12 noon today.