Crystal Lake Historic Preservation Commission Rescheduled Meeting

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Crystal Lake Historic Preservation Commission for Thursday, January 8, 2015 was cancelled due to weather and is rescheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. in the Crystal Lake City Hall City Council Conference Room located at 100 W. Woodstock Street.

Anonymous Donor Helps Less Fortunate In Grafton Township

The Grafton Food Pantry is excited to announce a wonderful opportunity for donors to leverage their gifts in several ways this holiday season.

Four Ways to Help and Have Your Donations Matched
An anonymous donor is helping the less fortunate through the Grafton Food Pantry.

The donor’s only guidance was “My goal is to take a few first steps and hopefully have others join together in a united effort to really help the less fortunate of Grafton Township have a memorable 2014 holiday season.”

At Least Four Ways to Help
Four gift categories and their matching limits were created by the donor.
  1. Dog food: $1,000.
  2. Lake in the Hills “Bark Park” memberships: $500.
  3. Winter coats: $1,500.
  4. Non-food personal items (toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper, etc.): $1,000.

“It’s my hope these are only starting points, not maximums.” said the donor.

Winners of the Bark Park memberships to be awarded based on the best (as determined by the Grafton Food Pantry’s Board) “My dog should win a Bark Park membership because…” letters written by contestants.

Bark Park membership and participation requirements can be found at:
www.lith.org/parksrec/page/how-become-bark-park-member

As shown here, the Grafton Food Pantry isn’t only for humans!

Please visit the Grafton Food Pantry’s web site at www.graftonfoodpantry.org or stop in their facility at 11481 Allison Court, Huntley, IL 60142.

Crystal Lake Main Beach And Park Renovation Grant

On January 3, 2015 the Crystal Lake Park District was awarded a $400,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grants Program. This is a matching fund grant for the renovation of the Crystal Lake Park District’s Main Beach and Park. Governor Quinn made this announcement at a press conference at the Cheney Mansion in Oak Park which was attended by Crystal Lake Park District Commissioner, Larry Wheeler and Executive Director, Jason Herbster.

Governor Pat Quinn announced $26 million in funding to help communities across the state renovate existing parks and purchase land for new parks.  “The Crystal Lake Park District is honored to receive this matching funding from the IDNR, said Executive Director, Jason Herbster. “Receiving this grant is a positive way to start out 2015 and the funds will help keep the project moving towards completion.”  Details on the project can be found on the Crystal Lake Park District website at www.crystallakeparks.org/Parks-Facilities/project-updates

Mind Reading and Magic Tricks

Park Place, a Crystal Lake Park District banquet and meeting facility is pleased to present an evening of music and mystery. Be mystified by Joe Diamond-a magician and mind reader. Joe Diamond has an amazing ability to read your mind and perform incredible magic tricks that will keep you guessing. The Rick Embach Duo features Jim Seidel performing jazz and jazz fusion on vibraphone and acoustic bass.

Date: Saturday, January 24

Time: 7-10 pm

Location: Park Place, 406 W. Woodstock St, Crystal Lake

Tickets: $20 (includes one beverage), available in advance at the Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office, One East Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake or at the door.

Recycling Collection For Fluorescent Tubes, Styrofoam, Electronics, Batteries -- Saturday

On Saturday, January 10th, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County (EDMC) will conduct a 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 are not usually accepted by curbside programs, and which would be harmful to the environment if put in a landfill. It costs them to recycle these unusual items and therefore donations of any size would be appreciated from all who bring materials to the drive. 

The Defenders’ will take household batteries, car batteries, fluorescent tubes, clean Styrofoam™, VHS & Cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, packing peanuts and re-usable, unpopped bubble wrap. Electronics, such as computers, televisions, phones, printers, clean microwaves, and electronic toys, are accepted. TVs and computer monitors will be accepted for a donation of $10-$35. (Become a new member of EDMC at the recycling drive, at the Basic or higher level, and get two coupons to recycle a television or monitor for FREE!)

There are alternate drop off sites for electronics:  Algonquin Township Road District in Crystal Lake, 847-639-2700 X6, Computer Recycling Center in Crystal Lake (computers only), 815-455-6300 (call for information) and Lakewood's electronics drop-off site at 6570 Haligus Road, south of Ballard Rd. Styrofoam can be dropped off any time at the Lakewood Village Hall or the Lakewood Public Works building on Haligus Road.

USAgain Clothes Collection System (http://www.usagain.com) will be providing a truck at each EDMC drive to accept any kind of cloth items—clothing, linens, or just plain rags, clean and bagged.  They will also accept shoes, tied together by their laces and placed in the bag. 

You can donate aluminum cans at all recycling drives to help fund their educational and advocacy programs.

Defenders recycling drives are held monthly on the second Saturday, 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 types of materials accepted, or to access the Green Guide recycling directory which is put out annually by the Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC, visit the Defenders’ website at http://www.mcdef.org/recycling_information.htm, or find them on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalDefenders.

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 the community 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.

Open Gym For Tots - Crystal Lake Park District

The Crystal Lake Park District is pleased to offer Drop-In Tot Open Gym for mom, dads, grandparents, nannies, caregivers and children ages 1-3 years. The schedules of little ones can change from day to day, and you might not want the commitment of a registered program. Our drop-in open gym gives your child a chance to play, climb and meet new friends.  This program is open to both Crystal Lake Park District residents and non-residents. For more information contact Joe Davison at (815) 459-0680, ext. 1228, jdavison@crystallakeparks.org

Drop-In Tot Open Gym

Dates: Thursday, January 8-March 5

Time: 9-11 am

Location: Grand Oaks Recreation Gym, 1401 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake

Program Fee: $5 per child/per visit (maximum $10)

Openings For January Quit Smoking Class

Registration is still open for the January quit smoking class offered by the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) and Centegra Health System.  The seven-week class will be held from 9am-10:30am beginning Tuesday, January 13, at Huntley Health Bridge Fitness Center, located at 10450 Algonquin Road, Huntley.  A $25 course fee is refundable if all sessions are attended. Class members will also receive a free 3-day pass to Centegra’s Health Bridge Fitness Center. To register, call MCDH at 815-334-4510 or 1-877-CENTEGRA. Classes will teach practical ways to end nicotine addiction through group support and behavior modification.  It will also review nicotine replacement products that are currently on the market. Instruction is provided by MCDH staff which is trained in the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking® program. This program is considered the “gold standard” and has helped tens of thousands of smokers quit over the last 30 years.  Evaluation studies have shown that individuals who participate in Freedom From Smoking®:

• Experience immediate health benefits;
• Learn to address the physical, mental, and social aspects of their addiction
• Are six times more likely to be smoke free one year later than those who quit on their own.
• Call today to reserve your seat.  To speak with a counselor immediately, call the Illinois Tobacco Quit Line at 1-866-QUIT-YES.

Healthcare Provider CPR Classes At MCC

1.     McHenry County College will offer a Healthcare Provider CPR class each month starting in January. The next opportunities will be on a week night, and each individual class will be held from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at MCC. The college is located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

2.     For those entering or currently working in all healthcare settings, this course meets the requirements for recognition as a Basic Life Support (BLS) Rescuer for healthcare providers by the American Heart Association (AHA).  Upon successful completion of this course, you’ll receive contact hours and a certification in BLS CPR. 

                Thursday, January 15                      ID: UHL U02 007

                Tuesday, February 17                     ID: UHL U02 010

                Monday, March 16                          ID: UHL U02 011

                Tuesday, April 21                            ID: UHL U02 012

                Monday, May 18                             ID: UHL U02 013

                Tuesday, June 23                            ID: UHL U02 014

The cost for this program is $70 including all materials.

For more information contact Ruth Kormanak at (815) 479-7879 or rkormanak@mchenry.edu. To register please call (815) 455-8588 and refer to course ID  UHL U02 and the section/month you're interested in as listed above.

Group Fitness Classes Begin Monday

The Crystal Lake Park District is now enrolling for the winter and spring sessions of Group Fitness Classes. Classes begin January 5 and run through May.  A variety off session lengths are available during the program season. In addition to registration for individual classes, participants may also take advantage of a 10 Punch Fitness Pass or the special Winter/Spring Fitness Class Promotion.

A 10 Punch Fitness Pass allows you to choose your own fitness plan according to your schedule. The pass can be used at any of the following fitness classes: Zumba, Zumba gold, Body Toning, Cardio Core & More, Kettlebell Cardio, Body Power, Pilate, Turbo Kick, RIP and Booty Barre. The 10 Punch Fitness Pass may be purchased for $83 for non-residents and $75 for Crystal Lake Park District residents. Punch Passes must be purchased in person at the Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office, One East Crystal Lake Avenue.

The Winter/Spring Fitness Promotion encourages participants to purchase one fitness class and get $25 off each additional fitness class. Additional fitness classes must be in same session (i.e. winter, spring). To take advantage of promotion, participants must register in person at the Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office

Crystal Lake Park District Group Fitness Classes scheduled for the winter and spring sessions include: Turbo Kick, Cardio Core and More, Body Power, Booty Barre, Bodytoning, RIP Barbell, Dance Fitness Jam, Women’s Healthy Lifestyle Group, Yoga, Pilates, Kundalini Yoga, Meditation, Zumba Kids, Zumba, Zumba Gold, Chair Yoga, Active Adult Dance Fitness, Senior in Motion and Active Adult Early Bird Workout. For a complete schedule of program time, date, location and class descriptions, visit us online at www.crystallakeparks.org or view the Health and Fitness section of the Crystal Lake Park District Winter/Spring brochure.

For more information about Crystal Lake Park District Yoga and Fitness classes contact Jennifer Peterson at (815) 459-0680, ext. 1219.

Let It Snow - Indoor Golf Training For Students Available

The Junior Indoor Studio Golf Training program is geared toward students ages 9-17 years. It is unique due its’ small group learning environment (Student to Instructor 3:1). The syllabus will focus on golf fundamentals, warm-up/stretching exercises, putting, chipping, pitching, takeaway & hinge movements, weight transfer and the downswing-all while keeping it a fun atmosphere to learn and improve. Classes are taught by Curt Peterson, PGA Instructor. This is a perfect way for Junior Golfers to prepare for the 2015 season. Call Crystal Lake Park District Golf Pro, Curt Peterson at (224) 612-1701 or email Curt at curtgolfpro@yahoo.com  for more information.

Register online at www.crystallakeparks.org for program code listed below.

Non-Resident Program Fee: $184, Resident Discount Program Fee: $169

Program Location:

Lippold Park Family Golf Center, 1251 W. Route 176, one mile west of Route 14 in Crystal Lake

Class Options:

Wed, Jan 21 & 28, Feb 18 & 25, Mar 4, 11 & 18, 4:30-6 pm (code #1296-1)

Wed, Jan 21 & 28, Feb 18 & 25, Mar 4, 11 & 18, 6:15-7:45 pm (code #1296-2)

Th, Jan 22 & 29, Feb 19 & 26, Mar 5, 12 & 19, 4:30-6 pm (code #1296-3)

Th, Jan 22 & 29, Feb 19 & 26, Mar 5, 12 & 19, 6:15-7:45 pm (code #1296-4)

Sat, Jan 17, 24 & 31, Feb 21 & 28, Mar 7 & 14, 1-2:30 pm (code #1296-5)

Sat, Jan 17, 24 & 31, Feb 21 & 28, Mar 7 & 14, 3-4:30 pm (code #1296-6)

Sun, Jan 18 & 25, Feb 1 & 22, Mar 1, 8 & 15, 11 am-12:30 pm (code #1296-7)

Sun, Jan 18 & 25, Feb 1 & 22, Mar 1, 8 & 15, 1-2:30 pm (code #1296-8)