29th Annual America's Cardboard Cup Regatta Coming Saturday

A big day is anticipated at Crystal Lake Park District Main Beach on Saturday. It’s time for the 29^th annual America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta at the Crystal Lake Main Beach. The annual event is open to individual/family boats as well as commercial/company entries. All proceeds from the Regatta are distributed to local charities through the America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta Foundation, a 501(c) (3) organization. All contributions are tax deductible as allowed by Federal law.

 Boat building has been underway since the first week in June. Park District gates will open Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and the races commence at noon. 

Wakup Road Update

The new traffic signal at Walkup Road and Mason Hill Road was recently activated.  Message boards are in place to give motorists advanced warning of the new signal. Be alert when passing through. SEE PHOTOS HERE of the new signal and completed north section.

Final landscaping along IL 176 and Walkup Road at the south section will begin in the next few days. “Punch-list” item work and clean-up will follow at both the south and north sections over the next few weeks. SEE PHOTOS HERE of striping at the south section.

July 31 Deadline To Register For GED Test For This Year

Anyone who plans to take a GED test in McHenry County this year must register and pay for the GED test in person by July 31 or will need to wait until a new test comes out in January 2014.

Test takers must register and pay $50 in person at the Regional Office of Education in Woodstock, located in the McHenry County Government Center, 2200 North Seminary Avenue (Route 47) in Woodstock. After registering, test takers must also sign up for a testing date in person at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake. The last testing date for new testers at McHenry County College is Oct. 5 and for re-testers, the deadline is mid-December.

“Another option for students who do not take the current paper and pencil test by Oct. 5 is to take the test on computer until mid-December at Elgin Community College (ECC),” said Sherry May, coordinator of Adult Education instruction at MCC.

 The current test is being replaced with a computer-based test on Jan. 2, 2014, which will have a longer writing time (from 45 minutes to 90 minutes) and will cost $120, instead of the current $50.

As an incentive to get more test takers to take a computer-based GED test, the GED Testing Service is offering students an opportunity to begin their GED test on computer with one free retake if they fail their first test. The offer is part of the Second Shot program, which has been extended through August 31 at selected sites throughout the state. The closest site for McHenry County area GED test takers is Elgin Community College. Computer-based testing fees are $24 per test with payment by credit or debit only. Beginning in 2014, tests will be $30 each. Currently, the computer-based test is not available at McHenry County College.

According to the GED Testing Service, the pass rate for adults who take the GED test on computer was 88 percent compared with 71 percent for those who tested on paper. In addition, the average completion time for computer-based test takers is 5.5 hours compared to 7.5 hours for testing on paper, according to the testing service.

Test takers who are taking the computer-based test can register for up to two tests at a time. Test takers will be given an ID number that they need to save. Most people receive their test results before they leave the ECC testing Center, May said.

ECC is a pilot site for the computer-based GED testing this year and is available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays through the summer. Beginning in the fall, computer-based testing at ECC will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays.

Registration for computer-based testing is done only online at www.GEDtestingservice.com. For more information, contact the Regional Office of Education at (815) 334-4475 or Sherry May at MCC, at (815) 479-7568.

Helpful Classes At Crystal Lake Park District

To 25 Unique Organizing Ideas

Tuesday, June 18, 7-8 pm

Park Place, 406 W. Woodstock St, Crystal Lake

Program Fee: $9 per person

This class will cover 25 most unique organizing techniques that you might not have thought about or heard of. Concepts will cover organizing solutions for keeping technical gadgets organized, to basic budget tricks for planning for the unexpected expenses, to  how planning and organizing can reduce your grocery bill.

If You Don’t Have a Will, You’re Not Alone

Choice of:

Wednesday, June 19, 7-8:30 pm, Tuesday, July 16, 10-11:30 am or Thursday, August 8, 7-8:30 pm

Park Place, 406 W. Woodstock St, Crystal Lake

Program Fee: $9 per person

This class will cover the basics of preparing your will and simple steps to start the process.

Do It Yourself Landscape Design

Choice of:

Saturday, June 22 & 29, 9:30-11:30 am or Thursday, July 11 & 18, 7-9 pm

Location will vary. Participants will be notified upon registration

Program Fee: $32 per person

Learn the basic principles of landscape design and apply them to our own home/office or other property. By the end of the course, you will have your own plan that is ready to install. Bring a plat of survey, home photos, pencils and ruler.

Clean the Clutter from Your Car

Choice of:

Saturday, June 22, 10-11 am or Sunday, July 21, 3-4 pm 

Park Place, 406 W. Woodstock St, Crystal Lake

Program Fee: $8 per person

In this hands-on workshop we will assist you in cleaning out your car and sharing tips and strategies to help it stay clutter free. All supplies will be provided.

Organizing Keepsakes & Photos

Thursday, June 27, 10-11 am

Park Place, 406 W. Woodstock St, Crystal Lake

Program Fee: $9 per person

Learn how to store and care for your keepsakes including your children’s photos and artwork. 

Register at the Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office, One East Crystal Lake Avenue, or online at www.crystallakeparks.org.  Contact Jenni Silka at (815) 459-0680, ext. 219 for more information.

Reminder -- Deadline Approaching For Storm Damage Financial Help

The last day for McHenry County residents to register for Individual Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is  Tuesday, July 9th.  County residents affected by the severe storms, straight line winds, or flooding during the period of April 16th  to May 5th, 2013 are strongly urged to call or go online to register for disaster assistance from FEMA.

“Registering is an important way to help get affected individuals on the path to recovery. All those who have been affected by the severe weather need to register for disaster assistance with FEMA. If you do not register by the deadline (Tuesday, July 9th), Federal assistance programs WILL NOT be available to you.  Even if you have insurance or you think you do not need assistance at this time, this registration is important. There are programs available to fill the gap between now and the time you and your insurance company reach a settlement. If insurance denies or only partially covers your claim and you end up having to rely on just Federal assistance, you still must be registered with FEMA prior to July 9th to be eligible,” stated County Board Chairwoman Tina R. Hill.

Affected residents and business owners have several ways to apply.

Individuals can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- and hearing- impaired. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

Another option is to register online at:  www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. CST, seven days a 

week.

McHenry County was one of 25 Illinois counties to receive a federal disaster declaration that offers Individual assistance to affected County residents.

If you have questions about FEMA assistance, call 1-800-320-FEMA (3362). You can also visit www.disasterassistance.gov or www.fema.gov.

For further flood recovery information, please visit the  McHenry County Flood Recovery Center.

Words Of Wisdom

"The opinion has been very general, that, in order to obtain the blessings of a good government, a sacrifice must be made of a part of our natural liberty. I am much inclined to believe, that, upon examination, this opinion will prove to be fallacious."

--James Wilson, Lectures on Law, 1790

Government At Work

 MONDAY, JUNE 17

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Natural and Environmental Commission

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

The Committee is to discuss the draft 2013 Strategic plan, a noise ordinance and stormwater management ordinance revisions.

Reports from the various related groups will also be considered. These include:

• McHenry County Conservation District
• Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Agricultural Conservation Easement Farmland Protection Commission
• Northwest Water Planning Alliance
• Watershed Updates
• Stormwater Updates
• Solid Waste
• Environmental Health Advisory Committee

3:00 p.m. – McHenry County Mental Health Board Finance Committee

Meeting in the Mental Health Board Main Conference Room, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake.

The Committee is to discuss the updated County Fiscal Budget Draft, along with Fee For Service Utilization Report.

3:00 p. – McHenry County Mental Health Board-

Meeting in the Mental Health Board Main Conference Room, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake.

The Board is to discuss or comment on the Finance Committee agenda items of the meeting held at the same time.

6:30 pm. –McHenry County College Evaluation and Policies Committee—

Meeting in the College Board Room of the College, 8900 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake.

The Committee is to review a section of the Board Policy Manual as well as consider a presentation of Ideas for discussion related to Policy Number 1.9 Freedom of Information and Related Procedures as requested by Trustee Chris Jenner.

7:00 pm.- Crystal Lake School District 47 Board—

Meeting in C.O.R.E. Center, 300 Commerce Drive, Crystal Lake.

In addition to considering employment and resignation matters, payment of bills, approval of resolution regarding compliance with the prevailing wage requirements, along with discussion on naming the Operations Center, the Board will also consider approval of a revised Board Meeting Schedule.