Spreading Peace Through Music

Solo piano recording artist, Louis Landon has dedicated his life to music. There's no doubt about it, his passion is for peace. His career has taken him around the world playing a variety of styles with some of the most recognized names in the entertainment industry.  

He's been on stage before hundreds of thousands of people alongside James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, Bruce Springsteen and many others using music as the vehicle to protest nuclear energy in the No Nukes Concerts of 1979.

He's the soloist at Lucy's Cafe' Friday, March 11 for an evening concert at the Raue Center for the Arts, Crystal Lake. The music begins at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 on the night of the performance. Raue Center For the Arts, 26 N. Williams  Street, Crystal Lake.  

Election Day-April 5-A Little Less Than A Month Away

However, there are a number of dates which  may interest voters.

"Grace Period" Voter Registration

The official deadline to register to vote is today, Tuesday, March 8.

However, there is a "Grace Period" for voter registration. Katherine C. Schultz, McHenry County Clerk says a state law allows a "Grace Period" for people to register to vote between March 9 and March 29 for the April 5 Consolidated Election.

Individuals may register in person during normal office hours at the clerk's office, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Room 107, Woodstock.

However,. people who register to vote during this three-week period must vote in the County Clerk's Office at the time they register. People who register during this "grace period" are not eligible to vote at their precinct polling place on April 5.

To be eligible to vote, a person must be a US citizen, 18 years old by Election Day, and a resident of the precinct for at least 30 days prior to Election Day.

Two (2) forms of Identification are necessary both with the voter's name and one (1) with their current address.

Need more information? Have questions?

Contact the County Clerk's office at 815-334-4242.

Help For Lost Pets

If a dog owner has a lost pet, there are things that can be done to find the lost friend.

Lost Dogs Illinois is a free lost pet posting service and resource center dedicated to helping reunite pets and owners.

A free presentation on "Missing Animal Response" and "How to Generate Sightings" is being provided by Lost Dogs Illinois on Saturday, March 12, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. The location is Gander Mountain, 3068 McFarland Rd., Rockford, IL

The mission of Lost Dogs Illinois is to make sure dogs do not end up at Animal Control facilities – the outcome is not always good when that happens. Besides fewer dogs – and cats – that end up at Animal Control, the better it is for county finances.

Lost Dogs Illinois hopes to bring a similar seminar to McHenry County if there enough interest expressed.

Government At Work On Tuesday

8:30 a.m.—Human Resource Committee of the McHenry County Board.

Meets in the Conference Room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Seven Resolutions are being presented to the Committee for consideration. One is authorizing the acceptance of an added $12,000 in Grant Funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services to increase the hours of two staff positions in the Health Department's Fiscal Year 20111 budget. This is to increase the hours of Breastfeeding Peer Counselors in the WIC Latino population.

Others are reclassifying positions in Valley Hi to make better use of the abilities of staff personnel on hand.

The same resolution presented to the Law and Justice Committee on Monday, is to be considered by the H R Committee regarding the reclassification of Assistant to the Court Administrator to Deputy Court Administrator in the Court Administration Departmental Roster.

A procurement Officer-Building Inspector position is being created for the Community Development Division. This also carries the freezing of an Associate Building Inspector position within the Planning and Development Department.

A reclassification of a Sergeant to Lieutenant in the Sheriff's Department is presented for the Committee's consideration. A number of senior command Officers are retiring after many years of serving the public. The Sheriff is seeking to promote individuals into vacated positions and not add stress to the budget.

The reclassification of a position from Sergeant to Lieutenant is $11,192 and is to be funded from the Sheriff's 2011 personnel budget.

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

Meeting in the Conference Room of the County Government Center, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Seven resolutions are being presented to the Committee for consideration. All have been vetted by other committees and include:

Accepting $12,000 grant funding to increase two staff positions in the Health Department budget

Reclassify two dietary positions at Valley Hi;

Reclassify a position in the Court Administration Department

Create a Procurement Officer-Building Inspector position in the Community Development Division of the Planning and Development Department

Reclassify a sergeant to Lieutenant in the Sheriff's Department

Authorize a Worker's Compensation Claim settlement.

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

Meeting in the Conference Room of the County Government Center, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

 A resolution accepting an added $12,000 in Grant Funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services will allow the increase in hours of two staff positions in the Health Department.

The $163,531 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance of SCAAP award will be considered by the Finance and Audit Committee. This is the reimbursement for housing criminal aliens in the McHenry County correctional facility and restricted to Correctional facility expenses, as determined by the Law and Justice Committee on Monday.

Other resolutions being to be considered include those also considered by other committees including reclassification of Valley Hi dietary positions, Court Administrator position, creation of a procurement Officer, Building Inspector in the Planning and Development Department and reclassifying a Sheriff's Department from Sergeant to Lieutenant.

There is also to be an update on the County Revolving Loan Fund

11:00 am — Liquor and License Commission of McHenry County Board

Meeting in the Conference Room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, the Commission will consider five raffle permit and special liquor license Requests for future dates, as well as any reports regarding pending liquor license, incident reports and updates on Sting Operations.

5:00 p.m.—Lakewood Village Board

Will conduct a workshop meeting at Redtail Golf Club to review the proposed FY 2011-2012 Budgets and Anticipated Revenues for the various funds involved with the Village.

Immediately following the meeting, the regular Village Board meeting will be held. The Board is to approve the Transportation Control Measure Committal Agreement for the Lakewood Road Bicycle Trail. Other matters are the necessary approval of bills. Approval of the Crystal Lake Boating and Safety Regulations 2011 Edition is to be considered by the Board.

Also, the Crystal Lake Rowing Club is seeking a Lake Use Permit for their May 7 Rowing Event (Greater Chicago Juniors Rowing Club Championship Regatta.  They are also asking for the waiver of fees for visiting towing clubs.

5:00 p.m.—High School District 155 Building and Grounds Committee

Meets in the District offices, One South Virginia Road, Crystal Lake.

The agenda includes the feasibility of air conditioning for Cary-Grove and Crystal Lake Central High Schools. Both Crystal Lake South and Prairie Ridge Schools were built with air conditioning.

6:00 p.m. – High School District 155 Finance Committee

Meeting in the District offices, the committee will consider a budget update as well as other matters to be brought up by the Board.

7:00 p.m. – Planning and Public Relations Committees of the Crystal Lake Public Library Board of Trustees is meeting in the Library Directors Office of the Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 Paddock Street, Crystal Lake.

Second Saturday Coming--Opportunity To Deposit Recycables

The second Saturday of the month is approaching and that's another opportunity to deposit recycables. On Saturday, March 12, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County will conduct their monthly recycling collection for fluorescent tubes, Styrofoam™, and batteries from 9 a.m. until noon at the Metra Station parking lot, 4005 Main Street, McHenry. They continue to collect certain items which would be harmful to the environment if put in a landfill. These items are not taken  by curbside pickup 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 at www.mcdef.org or phone 815-338-0393.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a 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. For more information, visit http://www.mcdef.org  or call 815-338-0393.

Autographed Baseball Signed by Ozzie Guillen, Chicago White Sox Manager

This signed baseball is just one of the celebrity items featured in a blind auction during the second annual "Take a Walk in Her Shoes Ball" at 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 11. The Crystal Lake Holiday Inn is the location for the annual fundraiser for McHenry County College. A portion of the proceeds will benefit "Women In Transition" scholarship for a woman 24 years or older to attend MCC.

This is the second year for this event and will feature a returning highlight "Strut Your stuff" contest in which registered contestants show off their shoes on stage for prizes from five different categories: "Sinful Stiletto", "Bombshell Bootie," Scintillating Sandal,' and "Funky Footwear."  Judging is handled by local judges.

The MCC Art Department will be showcased by art students creating coasters, which will be given as a gift to all event attendees. Other students are participating in their own contest called "Nice Shoes 2," where students will decorate and redesign shoes that were donated. The shoes created by students will be used as centerpieces at the event.

This event is held in conjuction with Women's History Month. Both men and women are invited.

Other items offered for auction include a signed Ron Santo Chicago Cubs Jersey; autographed shoes signed by Jennifer Hudson/ 

Monday Opportunities To Watch Your Government

8:15 a.m.—McHenry County Board Law and Justice Committee

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

The agenda calls for a proclamation recognizing Patricia Floeter for 19 years as Chairperson of the McHenry County Local Emergency Planning Committee. She resigned from the position January 3 of this year.

A resolution authorizing the acceptance of a $163,531 award as reimbursement for housing criminal aliens in the McHenry County correctional facility. The expenditure of this money is restricted to Correctional facility expenses. Therefore, $100,000 is to spend by the Sheriff's Department for Security Equipment and $63,531 is to be spent by the Sheriff's Department for Equipment Parts.

The reclassification of an Assistant to the Court Administrator is being upgraded to Deputy Court Administrator with a salary adjustment of $1,473 covered by the Court Administration's current budgeted funds. This position oversees the day to day operation of  Court Administration and is responsible for direct supervision of the jury commission, law library, pro se self help center, court interpreters, mental health curt and judicial support staff. This position also coordinates the court schedules, and participates in long term planning, data collection, employee discipline and hiring.

In the Sheriff's Department, authorization is requested for the reclassification of a position from sergeant to lieutenant. The total cost of this reclassification is a cost of $8,580 in Salary and $2,612 in benefits and is funded from the Sheriff's Fiscal year 2011 personnel budget.

An intergovernmental agreement between McHenry County Sheriff's Office, Lake in the Hills and McHenry County is being presented for Committee consideration. This is to authorize entering into an intergovernmental agreement for purposes of providing mutual and join law enforcement procedures and assistance.

An appointment to the Fox Waterway Agency is also listed on the agenda, although no details are given. An update is scheduled by the Court Administration on Mathers Clinic.

7:00 p.m.—McHenry County Board of Health

Meets in the Crystal Lake facility located at 100 N. Virginia Street and is the location of the Animal Control facility.

Centegra Hospital is to make a presentation regarding their proposed Huntley facility. The hearing before the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board for the Huntley proposal was held in February. The hearing for the proposed Mercy facility is scheduled for March 18 in Crystal Lake City Council Chambers. The Board of health agenda does not indicate that Mercy Hospital will be making a presentation regarding the proposed Crystal Lake facility.

The program highlight for the evening is listed as the Animal Control