Book Sale Preview This Evening

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County are holding their annual Big Fall Book Sale at the Algonquin Township Road District garage, 3702 U.S. Route 14, between Crystal Lake and Cary (drive straight back to the last garage on the right).

There is an amazing variety of books and music – everything from kids’ books to popular fiction, science to biography, CDs to vinyl record albums, and everything in between!

Friday, Sept 20: 5pm-8pm $10 admission fee

Saturday, Sept 21: 8am-4pm

Monday-Saturday, Sept 23 through Oct 5: 10 am– 4 pm (closed Sundays)

There will be a Preview Sale on the evening of Friday, September 20th from 5pm-8pm. There is a $10 entry fee, allowing participants first choice of the books.

Saturday, October 5th will be a Bag Sale - $5 per bag.

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.

Terra Cotta Avenue Detour

There is a water main break on Terra Cotta Avenue (IL Route 176) just east of Main Street.  While repairs are being made, a detour will be established on Terra Cotta Avenue for westbound traffic approaching the work zone.  Eastbound traffic will not be interrupted.  The detour will direct traffic north on Illinois Street, west on McCullom Street, and south on Main Street where normal travel may resume on Terra Cotta Avenue. 

The lane closure will begin at approximately 8:30 a.m.  Normal traffic is expected to resume by 5:30 p.m. 

Child Passenger Safety Week

In recognition of Child Passenger Safety Week (September 15-21), a car seat safety check will be conducted on Saturday, September 21 in the parking lot in front of the Secretary of State’s Office, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), 428 S Eastwood Drive, Woodstock.  Certified child passenger safety technicians will be on hand from 9am-noon to check car seats for proper installation and advise parents, grandparents, and caregivers how to choose the right car seats and install them properly in their vehicles.  It is FREE to the public and is a joint collaboration by representatives from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Safe Kids of McHenry County and McHenry County Department of Health. 

This year’s theme is “Get a Head Start with the Right Car Seat”.  This event is one of 88 Illinois events sponsored by AAA, Secretary of State and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).  IDOT recommends all children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat. A proper car seat should be selected based on a child’s age and size; choose a seat that fits in your vehicle and use it every time.   

Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for children. Approximately two children per day under the age of 13 were killed in 2011 and 338 were injured every day while riding in cars, SUVs, pickups and vans. To help eliminate these deaths, and as part of Child Passenger Safety Week, the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is highlighting the important safety benefits associated with the proper use of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts.

For more information on Child Passenger Safety, visit www.nhtsa.gov or www.buckleupillinois.org.  

MCC Community Forum

McHenry County College is committed to serving its mission: Our Focus is Learning. Student Success is Our Goal. To help the College reach its goals and deliver student success for all, it is important to engage the community.

MCC welcomes the community to attend its community forums and hear what the College is doing to move higher education forward and contribute to a vital community.

Each forum will include a panel discussion on new MCC initiatives, as well as an opportunity for participants to ask questions.

 

Next Forum

Wednesday, September 25 -- 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. 

Marengo Community High School Auditorium

 110 Franks Road,

Marengo, IL

Words Of Wisdom

"Let us recollect that peace or war will not always be left to our option; that however moderate or unambitious we may be, we cannot count upon the moderation, or hope to extinguish the ambition of others."

--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 34, 1788

MCC Literary Magazine Wins International Award Again

McHenry County College’s Literary Magazine Receives International Gold Medalist Critique for Second Consecutive Year

The MCC literary arts magazine, Voices 2013, was recognized with a Gold Medalist Critique rating from Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). The award winning magazine scored 901 out of a possible 1,000 points to receive this high honor.

Voices features short fiction, poetry, visual art, video and music submitted by MCC students. Next year’s publication, Voices 2014, is expected to be completed in spring.

“We are all very proud of the 2013 edition of Voices,” stated Matt Irie, MCC art instructor and Voices faculty advisor. “It’s an honor to see our students’ fantastic work get the recognition they deserve.”

The Voices staff consists of instructors Matt Irie, Amy Ortiz, Laura Power, Paige Lush, and Andrew Doak.

CSPA, an international student press association, affiliated with the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University in the City of New York, was established in 1925 to help improve student publications.

Government At Work

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
1:30 p.m. – McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals—
Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Krafcisin - Seneca Twp - Reclassification from the A-1 Agriculture District to the A-2 Agriculture District with a Variation to allow a road frontage of 160 feet instead of the required 250 feet. 
7:30 p.m. Crystal Lake Park District Board of Commissioners— 

Meeting in the Administrative Office, One East Crystal Lake Avenue. 

A presentation to the Board is slated by the McCarter family.

Unfinished business includes:

• The Wirkus Family property for due diligence update.
• Requests for use of Park District property are being presented for Board approval and include:
• St. Paul’s United Church of Christ to post signs on park district property advertising their October 19 Annual Craft Fair. The locations of signs include Park Place, Woodscreek Park and Main Beach. The signs are to be in place beginning October 6 and will be removed on Sunday October 20.
• Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center, Northwest Trail Run Request to host the run at Veteran Acres Park and Sterne’s Woods on Sunday November 10.
• Knights of Columbus Fr. McCormick Council 3880 and Elizabeth Ann Seton Council 1067 Intellectual Disabilities Drive Fund/Tootsie Roll Drive Request for the weekend of September 20-21 at Lippold Park.
• McHenry County Ultrarunning Dudes & Dudettes (MUDD) Race Request:  The MUDD Runners are requesting to hold the Frozen Gnome 50K/10K event at Veteran Acres Park and Sterne’s Woods on Saturday January 11, 2014. 

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

7:30 p.m. – Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Board—

Meeting in the Crystal Lake Council Chambers, City Hall, West Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake. The following mattes are slated for hearing:

SIGNATURE AUTO – 970 Pyott Road

This petition was referred back from the City Council and was continued from the September 4, 2013 PZC meeting. A request is being made for a Special Use Permit and Use Variation Amendment for an Automobile Dealer and Other Motor Vehicles Dealer in the M- Manufacturing District.

 PORZEZINSKI – 186 Regal Dr.

This petition was continued from the September 4, 2013 PZC meeting.

Variation to allow a deck and gazebo to encroach 10 feet into the required 20-foot rear yard setback

OLSON – 1335 Knollwood Circle

A variation to allow a 6-foot tall fence in a yard abutting a street (10 feet from the property line along Amberwood Dr.) instead of the maximum permitted height of 3 feet.

CL PARK DISTRICT – VETERAM ACRES – 431 N. Walkup

A Variation to allow a climbing structure to exceed the 15-foot requirement to allow up to 43 feet.

CRYSTAL COURT – S. Rt. 14; E. Main St.

Final PUD Amendment to allow changes to the free-standing sign.

TEXAS ROAD HOUSE – 835 COG Circle

Final PUD Amendment to allow changes to the exterior elevations and additional wall signage

UDO Amendments

A  Public Hearing petition which was tabled at the August 7 planning meeting.

Text Amendments to various provisions of the Unified Development Ordinance are to be considered.

Car seat safety check – Saturday, September 21

“Child Passenger Safety Week” 

In recognition of Child Passenger Safety Week (September 15-21), a car seat safety check will be conducted on Saturday, September 21 in the parking lot in front of the Secretary of State’s Office, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), 428 S Eastwood Drive, Woodstock. 

Certified child passenger safety technicians will be on hand from 9am-noon to check car seats for proper installation and advise parents, grandparents, and caregivers how to choose the right car seats and install them properly in their vehicles.  It is FREE to the public and is a joint collaboration by representatives from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Safe Kids of McHenry County and McHenry County Department of Health. 

This year’s theme is “Get a Head Start with the Right Car Seat”.  This event is one of 88 Illinois events sponsored by AAA, Secretary of State and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).  IDOT recommends all children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat. A proper car seat should be selected based on a child’s age and size; choose a seat that fits in your vehicle and use it every time.

Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for children. Approximately two children per day under the age of 13 were killed in 2011 and 338 were injured every day while riding in cars, SUVs, pickups and vans. To help eliminate these deaths, and as part of Child Passenger Safety Week, the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is highlighting the important safety benefits associated with the proper use of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts.

For more information on Child Passenger Safety, visit www.nhtsa.gov or www.buckleupillinois.org.  

Health Department Flu Shot Clinics

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in encouraging an annual flu shot for everyone 6 months and older as the best protection against influenza.  Appointments for mercury-free shots for adults and children 9 years and older can be made beginning September 20 at 815-334-4510 (for all clinics) or online at www.mcdh.info.  The cost is $30; Medicaid and Medicare Part B accepted.

MCDH flu clinics have been scheduled in September/early October on the following dates/locations:

Johnsburg: McHenry Township Office (3703 N Richmond Rd) – 9/25/13, 2:30pm-5:30pm

Crystal Lake MCDH (100 N Virginia Street) – 9/28/13, 9am-11am

Woodstock: MCDH (2200 N Seminary Ave, Building A) – 9/30/13, 2pm-4pm

Crystal Lake: Algonquin Township Office (3702 US Hwy 14) – 10/2/13, 12pm-3pm

Flu is a serious and contagious illness – even healthy people can get it.  As the flu season is long and unpredictable, the CDC recommends getting a flu shot before flu season begins 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, people with chronic health conditions (like asthma, diabetes, heart disease) and people 65 and older 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, visit www.mcdh.info.

Words Of Wisdom

"[T]he government must be a weak one indeed, if it should forget that the good of the whole can only be promoted by advancing the good of each of the parts or members which compose the whole."
–John Jay, Federalist No. 64, 1788

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

8:15 a.m. –McHenry County Board Transportation Committee—

Meeting in the Division of Transportation Main Conference Room, 16111 Nelson Road, Woodstock.

Two Presentations are slated-- one regarding the Marengo Interchange (IL 23 with the Jane Addams Tollway); and the Bridge Program status update.

Several resolutions are being presented for approval including:

• Authorizing the purchase of two portable changeable message boards for the McHenry County Division of Transportation.
• Accepting culvert materials and appropriation funds
• Approving Right0of-way land acquisition management services amendment and appropriating funds for the Johnsburg Road project.

1:00 p.m.—McHenry Board Planning and Development Committee meeting with McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals.

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

The two committees will review a draft of the Unified Development Ordinance, discussing signs, Home Occupations and other matters as necessary.

7:00 p.m. – McHenry County Agricultural and Conservation Easement Committee—

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

The Committee will consider:

• A joint meeting request by Boone County
• The County website
• 2014 Project Planning and Calendar

Good News

Results from the extensive retesting of MCC's water supply have come in. All water samples came back clear. Students and employees have been notified. The process is underway to turn on all water fountains/stations. Thank you.

Government At Work

6:00 p.m. – School District 155 Curriculum, Staff Development, Technology, & Student Services committee meeting—

Meeting at Prairie Ridge High School, 6000 Dvorak Drive, Crystal Lake.

The committee is to consider Student achievement and AYP update and tour the STRIVE classrooms.

6:00 p.m. – McHenry County College Board of Trustees-

Meeting in MCC Board Room, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake.

A discussion is slated regarding a Feasibility Study for Health and Sciences Education Buildng1

6:00- p.m. – McHenry County Board Committee of Whole—

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

The Committee is to consider the FY2014 Budget development and Supplemental Requests.

6:00 p.m. – McHenry County College Board of Trustees—

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

• The  Board is to discuss the feasibility study for Health and Sciences Education Building.
• A presentation is slated regarding 2012-2013 Academic Year Room Usage Statistics.
• A discussion of ACCT presentation by Dr. Tony Miksa is slated.
• Discussion of website document security.

7:00 p.m. – McHenry County Board

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

• The Board is to consider a Proclamation Designating September 17 through 23 as Constitution Week, marking the 226^th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional convention.
• A presentation is slated regarding the Phase II Engineering for Randall Road Improvements.
• A resolution is also being presented for consideration authorizing the relocation of the Veterans Assistance Commission Office, the Regional Superintendent of Schools Office and Planning & Development Staff with a Construction Contract with Carmichael Construction for the necessary work.
• The Board is to review an Ordinance Designating the Old Harmony School as a Local Historic Landmark .
• The Board is requested to take action regarding an Ordinance Extending a Temporary Moratorium for Electronic Off-Premise Commercial Advertising Signs.

7:30 p.m.—Crystal Lake City Council –

Meeting in the Council Chambers, Crystal Lake City Administration Building, 100 West Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake.

The Council is to consider Resolution regarding a grant funding request from the Crystal Lake Civic Center Authority, as owners of the Raue Center For The Arts, for an approximate amount of $179,539.58 for building maintenance repairs to the Raue Center for the Arts facility.

Also other routine matters for approvl.

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

Meeting at Prairie Ridge High School, 6000 Dvorak Drive, Crystal Lake.

In addition to the usual matters handled by the Board, a hearing prior to the adoption of a budget for 2013-2014 School Year is being presented for adoption.

Also, the Fiscal Year 2013 Audit is being presented to the Board

Meeting Cancelled

The McHenry County Tuberculosis Care & Treatment Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 17 at 9am has been cancelled.

Government At Work

 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16—

8:30 a.m.—McHenry County Board Natural and Environmental Resources Committee— 
Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667Ware Road, Woodstock.

A resolution is to be considered for adoption regarding the McHenry County Local Food Assessment, which has been under development for nearly two years. The Committee has developed a final draft with recommendation to support and encourage the growth and promotion of local food in McHenry County.

Another topic of old business, nuisance Ordinance, is also up for discussion.

6:00 p.m. – Crystal Lake School District 47 Board— 
Meeting in Hannah Beardsley School, 515 East Crystal Lake Avenue. The Board is meeting at this time in executive session.

7:00 p.m. Crystal Lake School District 47 Board— 
The Board is meeting in open session at this time to conduct the business of the Board.

The official public hearing of the District 47 Budget for 2013-2014 Is scheduled before adoption of the budget is handled.

Also a resolution to authorize Operating & Maintenance Fund Expenditures is being presented along with a resolution to allocate General State Aid.

A request is also being made for the approval of the 2013-2014 Transportation Joint Authority Budget.

6:30 p.m. – McHenry County College Board Evaluation and Policies Committee— 
Meeting in the Board of Trustees Meeting Room of the College at 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake. The Committee is to:

• Continue the review of the Board Policy Manual;
• Discuss the Freedom of Information Act Statute relative to Applicable Fees related to FOIA Requests and Identification of Documents Immediately Available under FOIA
• Discuss Semi-Annual Review of Printed Closed Session Minutes
• Discuss Destruction of Closed Session Recordings
• Discuss Illinois Policy Institute Transparency Audit