Reminder -- Historic Interpretation to Benefit Crystal Lake Library

A reminder this evening the Crystal Lake Public Library  welcomes back Clay Jenkinson in celebration of Public Library's 100th anniversary.

Jenkinson, nationally known historical interpreter and scholar, will perform for the Tenth Annual Great American Series to benefit the Crystal Lake Library Foundation and Raue Center For The Arts.

Jenkinson will introduce a new show “Rushmore Speaks” in observance of the special event. He will be in costume and character as both Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt with “thoughts on the other guys” - George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Tickets $45, $55.
 
Then, on March 9 Nothin' Up My Sleeve returns at 7:00 pm! Now in it's 11th year, Nothin’ Up My Sleeve is an annual fundraiser magic show that brings together some of the Midwest’s finest magicians and entertainers and celebrates the arts in our community. Performers include Bob Rumba, Bob Higa, Jania Taylor, Benjamin Barnes and Shayna Reed. Collectively, these magicians have performed across the nation in prestigious venues like Magic Castle, headlined cruise ships, appeared on television and even opened for Hollywood elite like Tony Bennett! These will magicians dazzle, bamboozle and mystify the whole family.

Rumba, a Midwest-based professional ventriloquist, comic and Hollywood-look-alike, lived in Crystal Lake for 30 years. He's appeared on TV shows like America's Funniest People, Oprah, and Human Factor (BBC), as well as numerous TV commercials for companies like McDonalds, Sunkist and United Airlines.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.

Walkup Avenue Construction Suspended For Winter

Construction activities have been suspended for the winter and will resume once weather conditions permit.  We estimate that start-up will be approximately mid-April. 

When construction resumes the following construction activities will occur:

• Between Crystal Ridge Drive and Talismon Drive - existing pavement will be removed, curb and gutter will be installed, and asphalt base will be placed.
• The Northwest corner of IL Route 176 and Walkup Road - final grading for the multi-use path and for the sidewalk will begin.
• North and South Sections - the final asphalt placement will take place followed by permanent pavement markings.
• IL Route 176 and Walkup Road – traffic signal installation and activation.

We estimate that the project will be completed by the end of June, 2013.

Country Cabaret Back In Crystal Lake Tonight

Raue Center’s Nashville Backstage Series: A Country Cabaret comes back to Crystal Lake on Friday, March 1 at 8:00pm. The series features outstanding singer-songwriters straight out of Nashville like Sherrié Austin, Tony Haselden and Will Rambeaux. Get up close and personal with artists who have penned hits for music legends like Blake Shelton, Faith Hill and George Strait. It’s a unique chance to hear some of your favorite songs the way they were meant to be heard.

This series originally started in partnership with Blue Bird Cafe under the guidance of Michael Bush, and modeled after the Grand Ole Opry, features some of the hottest acts to come out of Tennessee today.

American Idol and The Voice’s inclusion of Keith Urban and Blake Shelton on their respective judging panels, as well as television shows like Nashville, have contributed to the country music’s surge in popularity. Raue Center strives to make this genre accessible and enjoyable for the community with a cozy environment and low price point.

Nashville Backstage recently welcomed Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr who, along with Kenny Loggins, make up the band Blue Sky Riders. The trio is currently receiving high praise for their recent studio album entitled “Finally Home”.

Nashville Backstage has 1 additional date at the end of the season: June 28, 2013. Single tickets start at $24 or a series pass is available. Visit rauecenter.org or contact the Box Office at 26 N. Williams Street or by calling 815.356.9212. This show is sponsored by McHenry County Living Magazine.

About Sherrié Austin

Australian singer/songwriter Sherrié Austin spent most of her life in show business, from her earliest days as an opening act for the legendary Johnny Cash, to her time as an actor and pop music artist in Los Angeles, to her recent appearance on Broadway in the musical “Ring of Fire”.

About Tony Haselden

Tony Haselden, an exceptional guitarist and vocalist, relocated to Nashville, Tennessee several years ago and is one of the top songwriters/producers in Country music. Tony wrote the #1 Country hits "That's My Story" by Colin Ray, "It Ain't Nothin" by Keith Whitley, and "You Know Me Better Than That" by George Strait and produced the Country artists Michelle Wright, The Kinleys and The Wilkinsons. Tony also founded the group Louisiana's LeRoux, a cult favorite along the bayou and nationwide, who blend a matchless gumbo of sounds, including blues, R&B, funk, jazz, rock, and Cajun to make a sizzling sound.

About Will Rambeaux

Will Rambeaux is a singer/songwriter/producer from Lafayette, LA in the heart of Cajun country. With the help and encouragement of Roy Orbison, Will moved to Nashville in the 1980's and has since had three #1 hits, including Faith Hills record-breaking first single "Wild One", as well as dozens of songs recorded by such artists as Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton, John Michael Montgomery and Patty Loveless. He has also produced many album projects including four CDs by Australian artist Sherrie' Austin.

Reminder

Crystal Lake Library is closed this morning for staff training.

The Library will reopen at 12 noon.

Forty-Five Year Sentence For Murder

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that Tim Smith, 28, formerly of Woodstock, was found guilty, after a five hour jury deliberation, of the offense of first degree murder.

This case was investigated by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department. The victim, Kurt Milliman, had responded to a Craig’s List advertisement which offered the services of a prostitute in exchange for money.

When Milliman arrived at the defendant’s home on 4320 Doty Road, Woodstock, he met Kimberly Smith, the defendant’s wife. The two started to have sexual relations, but Kimberly Smith abruptly stopped and an argument ensued. The defendant then came out of a room where he had been hiding and shot Kurt Milliman in the back. The defendant then damaged his home, smashed a window and called the police claiming someone had broken into the home and attacked his wife.

A subsequent investigation by the Sheriff’s Department revealed that the defendant had placed the ad on Craig’s List and was “pimping” his wife for profit. The defendant was interviewed by detectives and admitted to fabricating the story of the break-in and that he had been selling his wife for sex on the internet.

Smith will be sentenced on April 25, at 1:30 pm and faces a minimum sentence of 45 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The case was prosecuted by Michael Combs, Chief of the Criminal Division of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office, Patrick Kenneally and Andrew Mueller.

Great American Series Benefits Crystal Lake Library

Clay Jenkinson, nationally known historical interpreter and scholar, will perform for the Tenth Annual Great American Series to benefit the Crystal Lake Library Foundation and the Raue Center For The Arts.  The performance will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2013.

Jenkinson will introduce a new show “Rushmore Speaks” in observance of the Crystal Lake Public Library’s 100th anniversary.  He will be in costume and character as both Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt with “thoughts on the other guys” - George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.  

Jenkinson, a Rhodes and Danforth scholar, is cofounder of the modern Chautauqua movement and has dedicated the better part of his life to researching the historical characters that he portrays, and to bringing back and defining the “living theater” of Chautauqua. The recipient of one of the first National Endowment for the Humanities Awards for Excellence, his performances are always humorous, educational, thought provoking and enlightening, while maintaining a steady focus on ideas. In addition to Jefferson and Roosevelt, Jenkinson has portrayed J. Robert Oppenheimer, John Wesley Powell, Meriwether Lewis and John Steinbeck.

Jenkinson is a writer, documentary film producer, and host of the weekly NPR radio program “The Thomas Jefferson Hour.” He is also director of the Dakota Institute in his home state of North Dakota, and the founder and chief consultant of the Theodore Roosevelt Center at Dickinson State University.

Tickets for this special anniversary performance are $45 and $55.  The shows begin at 7:30 pm.  The program is sponsored by Sage Products Inc., Merrill Lynch, Exemplar Financial Network, and Countryside Flower Shop, Nursery & Garden Center.

To purchase tickets, please call 815.356.9212 or visit www.rauecenter.org.

OSHA General Industry Course At MCC

The Shah Center of McHenry County College is accepting registrations for OSHA 10-Hour in General Industry course scheduled for 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday, March 11 and 13 at the Shah Center, 4100 W. Shamrock Lane in McHenry.

The course is facilitated by OSHA certified Accident Prevention Corporation and is ideal for personnel with safety and health responsibilities, and for implementing employee safety and health awareness programs. Students will be introduced to OSHA policies, procedures and standards as well as general industry safety and health principles covered in OSHA Act Part 1910.  Upon successful course completion of this courses, participants will receive a certificate of attendance and an OSHA 10-hour card. 

The course fee is $195, which includes materials. Participants can register using course ID: NTE S65 003. To register, call the MCC Registration Office at (815) 455-8588.  For more information, contact the Shah Center at (815) 455-8593 or shahcenter@mchenry.edu.

Crystal Lake Library Building Committee Meeting Change

The meeting of the Building Committee of the Crystal Lake Public Library Board of Trustees that was scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, 2013 has been rescheduled for Monday, March 18, 2013 at 7:00pm in the Ames Room at the Crystal Lake Public Library.

Crystal Lake Public Library Friday Hours

The Crystal Lake Public Library will be closed from 9:00 am until noon, Friday, March 1, 2013 for Staff Training.  The Library will open to the public at 12:00 noon..

Government At Work

 THURSDAY FEBRUARY 28 –

9:00 a.m. -- McHenry County Technical Advisory Committee--

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

A presentation on NIPC Model Ordinance and the derivation of release rates is scheduled to be presented to the Committee, followed by a Discussion of detention and Public Road Developments.

10:00 a.m. – McHenry County Board Coordinating Council –

Meeting in Meeting Room C, McHenry County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Twenty-one different organizations involved in providing mutual aid are to be involved in the meeting.

A presentation is scheduled regarding Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Team – Resource Management Tools

The next meeting is planned for March 20 with the presented scheduled to be Laris Turkic/EMA Planner/ EOP and Adam Lehmann/Assistant to County Administrator, and County PIO Networking.

6:30 p.m. – McHenry County College Board of Trustees –

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

Following various Committee reports to the Board of Trustees, a presentation is scheduled regarding Volunteer Income Tax Assistance y Dr. Ann Esarco, Instructor of Accounting and Ms. Mary Takayama, V.I.T.A. Site Manager.

The Board is to handle communications as presented before considering a Consent Agenda, which includes various reports to the Board such as financial statements, requests to Lease/Purchase/Renew; a number of personnel matters.

Also to be considered is a request for approval of a memorandum of agreement to complete the salary ranges in the staff council collective bargaining agreement.

Crystal Lake Public Library Friday Morning Closing

The Crystal Lake Public Library will be closed from 9:00 am until noon, Friday, March 1, 2013 for Staff Training.  The Library will open to the public at 12:00 noon.

Tuesday Is An Election Day

Well sort of –

In McHenry County it is for Republicans only, and is taking place in only four of the 17 Townships – Grafton, Dorr, Nunda and Algonquin.

A similar election is taking place in Lake County for registered voters in the City of North Chicago, the City of Waukegan and Waukegan Township for a Democratic primary only. No contested Republican candidates nor any nonpartisan public questions were certified.

Kane County has many elections taking place for both parties.

It is still a privilege we citizens are provided ----the opportunity to elect our representatives in the various governing bodies. There are many who say, it is useless to vote as those elected do as they please. Perhaps that is because the voters have not taken the time to tell the elected what it is they do or do not want.

Government in this country is actually by the people. If those elected are not responding to the electors’ wishes, then tell them.

Following are the candidates being considered in tomorrow’s election

ALL ARE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

ALGONQUIN TOWNSHIP

TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR

(To serve a four-year term)

(Vote for ONE)

Dianne L. Klemm –(I)

Marc J. Munaretto

TOWNSHIP CLERK

(To serve a 4-year term)

(Vote for ONE)

Charles A. Lutzow, Jr.

Linda A. Lance

TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES

(To serve a four-year term)

(Vote for not more than four)

Dan Shea – (I)

Lowell A. Cutsforth (I)

Russell Cardelli

Neils Kruse

Larry Emery

Melissa Sanchez

William J. “Bill” Bligh

DORR TOWNSHP

TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES

(To serve a four year term)

(Vote for not more than four)

Jon Sheahan

Mark Andersen –I

Christian Cantwell

Joseph Evanoff – I

John Fuller

GRAFTON TOWNSHIP

TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR

(To Serve a 4-Year Term)

(Vote for ONE)

Pamela “Pam” Fender

Linda Moore – I

Martin J. Waitzman

TOWNSHIP CLERK

(To serve a four-year term)

(Vote for one)

_________________________

TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR

(To serve a 4-year term)

(Vote for ONE)

William T. Ottley, Jr. – I

Alan Zielinski

TOWNSHIP HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER

(To Serve a 4-Year Term)

(Vote for ONE)

Tom Poznanski

Richard Dvorak

TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES

(To Serve a 4-Year Term)

(Vote for not more than FOUR)

Carol J. Williams

Robert J. Wagner

Betty Zirk – I

NUNDA TOWNSHIP

TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR

(To serve a 4-Year term

(Vote for ONE)

Bridgett Provenzano

Kerry Leigh

Kelvin “Lee” Jennings

TOWNSHIP CLERK

(To Serve a 4-Year term)

(Vote for ONE)

Susan Jennings

Angela P. Koscavage

TOWNSHIP HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER

(To Serve a 4-Year Term)

(Vote for ONE)

Mike “Iron Mike” Lesperance

Robert W. “Rob” Parrish

Donald C. Kopsell - I

Walkup Road Construction Update

Construction activities have been suspended for the winter and will resume once weather conditions permit.  We estimate that start-up will be approximately mid-April. 

When construction resumes the following construction activities will occur: Between Crystal Ridge Drive and Talismon Drive - existing pavement will be removed, curb and gutter will be installed, and asphalt base will be placed.

The Northwest corner of IL Route 176 and Walkup Road - final grading for the multi-use path and for the sidewalk will begin.

North and South Sections - the final asphalt placement will take place followed by permanent pavement markings.

IL Route 176 and Walkup Road – traffic signal installation and activation.

Mason Hill Road and Crystal Lake Road – traffic signal installation and activation.

We estimate that the project will be completed by the end of June, 2013.

Just In Time For Election

Potentially heavy snow & strong winds forecast to affect. the following

Winnebago-Boone-Counties

Ogle-Lee DeKalb, LaSalle, Kendall, Grundy, Will Counties

Including the cities of. Rockford. Belvidere. Woodstock. Waukegan

Dixon-DeKalb, Aurora, Wheaton, Chicago, Ottawa, Oswego, Joliet

A winter storm watch remains in effect from Tuesday morning through the evening.

Wet snow, possibly mixed with sleet initially will begin Tuesday morning and continue through Tuesday afternoon.

Snow may be heavy at times before tapering to lighter snow Tuesday evening.

Snow accumulation. -- limited threat for localized amounts of 6 inches

Main impact—heavy snow and strong east northeast winds gusting to 40 mph especially near the Lake Michigan shore, will reduce visibility and make travel hazardous

Secondary impact – the wet and heavy nature of the snow can result in difficulty shoveling. 

Walkup Road Construction Update

Construction activities have been suspended for the winter and will resume once weather conditions permit.  We estimate that start-up will be approximately mid-April. 

When construction resumes the following construction activities will occur:

Between Crystal Ridge Drive and Talismon Drive - existing pavement will be removed, curb and gutter will be installed, and asphalt base will be placed.

The Northwest corner of IL Route 176 and Walkup Road - final grading for the multi-use path and for the sidewalk will begin.

North and South Sections - the final asphalt placement will take place followed by permanent pavement markings.

IL Route 176 and Walkup Road – traffic signal installation and activation.

Mason Hill Road and Crystal Lake Road – traffic signal installation and activation.

We estimate that the project will be completed by the end of June, 2013.

WEATHER PICTURE AS OF 10:16 AM CST TODAY

WINNEBAGO-BOONE-MCHENRY-LAKE IL-OGLE-LEE-DE KALB-KANE-DUPAGE-COOK-LA SALLE-KENDALL-GRUNDY-WILL-

INCLUDING THE CITIES OF.ROCKFORD.BELVIDERE.WOODSTOCK.
WAUKEGAN.OR.DIXON.DEKALB.AURORA.WHEATON.CHICAGO.
OTTAWA.OSWEGO.MORRIS.JOLIET

.WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUES MORNING
THROUGH TUES EVENING.

TIMING.--WET SNOW.POSSIBLY MIXED WITH SLEET INITIALLY.WILL
BEGIN TUES MORNING & CONTINUE THROUGH TUES AFTERNOON.
SNOW MAY BE HEAVY AT TIMES BEFORE TAPERING TO LIGHTER SNOW
TUES EVENING.

SNOW ACCUMULATION.LIMITED THREAT FOR LOCALIZED AMOUNTS OF 6
INCHES

That Internet Thing

The lull in postings to the Town Crier is due to the Ethernet—actually to what others do on the Ethernet, resulting in many, many virus programs. So the computer went to the computer hospital for rejuvenation. It is back and so far running okay. We wonder if those who do these tricks – and this computer has all kinds of anti-virus programs – could not put those capabilities to a better use and actually earn money.

Words Of Wisdom

Law and liberty cannot rationally become the objects of our love, unless they first become the objects of our knowledge."

--James Wilson, Of the Study of the Law in the United States, 1790

Government At Work

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25 –

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

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

In addition to considering relative reports, the Committee is scheduled to continue a review of County Board rules.