Legislative Diabetes Caucus Formed

State Representative Mike Tryon explains, "I, along with House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) and State Representative Jim Durkin (R-LaGrange) announced the formation of a bipartisan legislative Diabetes Caucus,"

The reason is diabetes is a disease that affects a growing number of Illinois families each year. Today almost 10% of Illinoisans suffer from either Type I or Type II diabetes, and this new caucus will bring a bipartisan approach to diabetes prevention, awareness and treatment.

The steering committee for the caucus includes eight members, and for most the issue of diabetes is a very personal one. Tryon says, "I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 2006 and living with diabetes has been life-changing. Through my own research I have found that many Illinois families struggle to find sufficient information and resources that can help them manage symptoms and maintain a maximum quality of life. "

For Leader Cross and Representative Jim Durkin (R-LaGrange), diabetes affects family members. Both have children with Type I diabetes. Representative Cynthia Soto (D-Chicago) is also on the steering committee. She represents District 4 which includes Humboldt Park. According to Soto, Humboldt Park has been identified as the community with the highest percentage of people living with diabetes in the state.

Tryon explains that the group has been meeting regularly since January and they have been approached by many corporate and non-profit agencies that are willing to help with outreach efforts.

The steering committee’s goals include:

Seek needed legislation and evaluate filed legislation that affects people with diabetes

Promote prevention education, available treatments and public programs that assist people with diabetes

Reach out to agencies that assist people with diabetes

Engage in outreach efforts between the caucus, its supporting agencies and people who suffer from diabetes

I also want to take this opportunity to provide an update on important financial legislation that is moving through the House of Representatives.

Environmental Scholarship Available

 Each year, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County awards a scholarship to a high school senior interested in pursuing a career in environmental work. The $500 scholarship will be given to a graduating senior who has demonstrated a commitment to his/her schoolwork, the community, and the environment.

The applicant must be a resident of McHenry County, and the following must be included with the application:

•  Documentation of volunteer work for an environmental organizatio
• Two letters of recommendation, with one being from a high school teacher 
•  Grade point average from high school transcript
•  An essay on student’s goals and aspirations in regard to the environment

An application can be picked up at the Defenders’ office,

110 S Johnson St, Suite 106, Woodstock, IL

, or downloaded from the Defenders’ website http://www.mcdef.org/Community_Scholarship_Application.pdf.

Completed applications must be received in the office of the Defenders by May 9, 2011. If you have any questions regarding the scholarship, please call the office at 815-338-0393.

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.

Rock Classics Come To Crystal Lake Saturday

Wearing tight white pants and some ancient Adidas sneakers, Gary Mullen brings legendary Queen front man Freddie Mercury back to life in a two-hour energy-filled concert at 7:30pm on Saturday at Raue Center For The Arts in downtown Crystal Lake. 

Fans know Queen classics such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” and “Another One Bites the Dust” so well that these tunes are almost rock clichés.  But since few were able to see Mercury in person before he died, the chance to watch someone as talented as Mullen brings him back to life is a genuine treat.

This is no cheesy Vegas stage show.  Mullen, backed by a four-piece band, uses sophisticated lighting and an uncanny ability to connect with an audience to almost fool folks into thinking he’s the real deal.  You will be dancing in the aisles, rocking in the balcony and will have an all-around great time.  For one night only, Queen and Freddie Mercury come back to life.

Tickets are $65, $62 and $59 and can be purchased online at RAUECENTER.ORG or via the Box Office at 815.356.9212 or 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake.

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts.  Celebrating their 10th anniversary season, they are proud to provide quality programming and strive to make it pertinent, available and affordable to all.

Springtime In McHenry County

It's Spring! That means time to clean up leaves, shrubbery cuttings, and tree limbs that have collected over the winter. The first thought is to gather it together and burn it.

But in McHenry County there is a Public Health Ordinance: Open Burning of Landscape Waste. It permits residents to burn landscape waste on Saturdays and Sundays during April, May, October and November. Additionally, the burn area must meet setback requirements of at least 100 feet from a school, business, church or house; 50 feet from a barn, shed or detached garage.

Also most municipalities have ordinances which restrict or prohibit the burning of yard waste. In areas where there is not a ban, or more restrictive ordinance, the County ordinance, which is in effect year-round, must be followed.

Environmentally Sound Practices

The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) encourages a more environmentally sound approach:

• Reduce/Reuse - Use a mulching mower for grass and leaves or a chipper for branches. Native landscaping will also reduce the need for yard waste. 
• Recycle - Composting landscape waste can reduce material volume by 70 - 80% and act as a soil conditioner to improve plant growth. 
• Disposal - Licensed municipal waste haulers in McHenry County are required to provide pick up of landscape waste from residential customers; an additional fee may apply.  Some waste haulers contract with municipalities, neighbors and homeowner associations to provide collection of landscape waste. Residents are encouraged to work collectively with neighbors and associations for the most economical solution for their neighborhood. Residents may also drop off landscape waste at a local facility that composts these materials into organic compounds for reuse. A listing of these services is available at www.mcdh.info, under Environmental Health, quick link – Open Burning, “other alternatives”.

Communities with ordinances that meet or exceed County standards, as well as those with total bans on burning are also listed. Call local police, fire or MCDH non-emergency number for enforcement of open burning issues. If reporting an emergency complaint that is life threatening or is a fire safety issue, call 911. Residents may also call the health department’s after-hours phone number 815-344-7421 for assistance.

Complete details about the Ordinance and suggested alternatives are available online the Department’s webpage at www.mcdh.info or by calling 815-334-4585.

Have A Jolly April Fool's Day

The history of April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day is uncertain, but the current thinking is that it began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (New Year's week) to January. Communication traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change several years later. Still others, who were more rebellious refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1.

These people were labeled "fools" by the general populace, were subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties and had other practical jokes played upon them. The butts of these pranks became known as a "poisson d'avril" or "April fish" because a young naive fish is easily caught. In addition, one common practice was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone as a joke.

This harassment evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continues on the first day of April. This tradition eventually spread elsewhere like to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French. Because of this spread to other countries, April Fool's Day has taken on an international flavor with each country celebrating the holiday in its own way.

In Scotland, for instance, April Fool's Day is devoted to spoofs involving the buttocks and as such is called Taily Day. The butts of these jokes are known as April 'Gowk', another name for cuckoo bird. The origins of the "Kick Me" sign can be traced back to the Scottish observance.

In England, jokes are played only in the morning. Fools are called 'gobs' or 'gobby' and the victim of a joke is called a 'noodle.' It was considered bad luck to play a practical joke on someone after noon.

In Rome, the holiday is known as Festival of Hilaria, celebrating the resurrection of the god Attis. This is on March 25 and is also referred to as "Roman Laughing Day."

In Portugal, April Fool's Day falls on the Sunday and Monday before lent. In this celebration, many people throw flour at their friends.

The Huli Festival is celebrated on March 31 in India. People play jokes on one another and smear colors on one another celebrating the arrival of Spring.

So, no matter where you happen to be in the world on April 1, don't be surprised if April fools fall playfully upon you.

Valley Hi and County Archive Building On Friday Morning Agendas

A number of matters will be handled by the McHenry County Board Public Health and Human Services Committee when it meets Friday at 8:15 a.m in the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Valley Hi Emergency Access Road

An emergency Access Road at Valley Hi Nursing Home needs to be paved and the Public Health and Human Services Committee has been requested to approve the necessary funding for the work.

According to information provided to the committee by Nursing Home Administrator, Thomas Annarella, a gravel road connects to the parking lot of the facility. The road was designed for emergency access only and is not intended for a thoroughfare. Valley Hi and Facilities Management maintained the gravel road through the year including ensuring plowing of the road in winter.

During the annual architectural/life safety code survey conducted by the State Department of Public Health last May, Valley Hi was cited for a deficiency since the road was not paved. Although an informal dispute Resolution regarding this citation was filed, it was denied. A Plan of Correction was required which was approved by the State and a request to allow the work to be done in 2011 was approved. Valley Hi is required to have the road paved by June 15, 2011.

Tobacco Free Communities Grant

The McHenry County Board of Health has been offered a $13,000 grant in added funding for the Illinois Tobacco Free Communities Grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health. The Public Health and Human Services Committee is expected to approve the acceptance of the grant.

Redistribution of Unused Grant Funding

Another grant is expected to be accepted by the committee. It includes $203,926 grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health was to cover the costs for the planning and dispensing of H1N1 Flu vaccine to residents in 2009-2010.

In 2009-2010 funds were distributed through grants to local Health Departments to carry out activities necessary to assure the public access of vaccine as provided to each county. Unused funding was returned by the local health department to the State Health Department. That agency has authority to redistribute the money based on new grant offering to address issues identified in the 2009-2010 H1N1 Pandemic Flu response.

Grant Funding For Needed Equipment and Supplies

The $203,926 grant is expected to be used to assure 24/7 vaccine temperature control at Crystal Lake and Annex B buildings, improve self scheduling soft ware, install electronic message sign at Crystal Lake building, outfit the trailer for command/vaccination capacities, purchase trailer for delivery/storage of supplies, also purchase supplies and promotional material, forms and other necessary support items. There is no county match required for the grant.

Second Committee Meeting For The Day

The Building Projects Committee of the McHenry County Board is involved in building an archive facility at what is known as the record storage facility, on property owned by the County at 15615 Nelson Road.

The committee is expected to review the project and tour the archive building when it meets Friday at 9:00 a.m. at the facility.

Opportunities To Vote Prior To Election Day

Election Day is just five days away. In case anyone wants to get their civic duty out of the way before that date, there is still time to do that. "In person" absentee voting will be conducted beginning Friday and through Monday in five locations including the offices of McHenry County Administration Building, Algonquin Township, Grafton Township, McHenry Township, and Nunda Township. Following are the schedules for voting:

McHenry County Administration Building

667 Ware Road. Conference Room A

Woodstock

Friday, April 1- from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Saturday, April 2 – from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Monday April 4 – from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

For all qualified voters of McHenry County

Algonquin Township

Algonquin Township Office

3702 Northwest Highway, Clerk's Office,

Crystal Lake

Friday, April 1 – from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Monday, April 4 - from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

For all qualified voters in Algonquin Township

Grafton Township

Huntley Park District Office

12015 Mill Street'

Huntley

Friday, April 1- from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, April 2 - from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Monday, April 4 - from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

For all qualified voters in Grafton Township

McHenry Township

McHenry Township Office

3703 N. Richmond Road

McHenry

Friday, April 1 - from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, April 2 - from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon

Monday, April 4 - from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

For all qualified voters in McHenry Township

Nunda Township

Nunda Township Supervisor's Office (Annex)

3510 Bay Road

Crystal Lake

Friday, April 1 - from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Saturday, April 2 - from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Monday April 4 - from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

For all qualified voters in Nunda Township