Ongoing Phenomenon

Today --Dec. 21, marks one of the four major way stations on the Earth's annual journey around the sun.

Because of the tilt in the Earth's axis of rotation, the sun appears to rise and fall in our sky over the course of a year. It's not the sun itself moving, but the Earth moving relative to the sun.

The Earth's axis currently points in a northerly direction close to the second-magnitude star Polaris, also known as the Pole Star. Everything in the sky, including the sun, appears to revolve around this almost fixed point in the sky. From [Season to Season: Earth's Equinoxes & Solstices (Infographic)

McHenry County Department Of Health Seeks Public's Assistance

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) would like the public’s assistance in shaping future education and prevention efforts about West Nile virus (WNV) and tick-borne illnesses, like Lyme disease, in McHenry County.

Funded by a grant from the State Health Department, MCDH has extended the deadline for the online survey to January 6, 2014. The survey is anonymous and confidential and can be found at www.mcdh.info.   

Available in both English and Spanish, the survey is looking to measure what residents know about the two illnesses, where they may have heard or read about West Nile or ticks – such as media, school, workplace, the Internet – and whether residents know how to protect themselves.  Standard demographic information will also be gathered. 

MCDH first reported cases of West Vile virus in 2001 and it continues to monitor activity of bird, mosquito and human cases through its surveillance system. Two human cases of WNV were reported this year, while 2012 had five human cases. Tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever have become more prevalent in recent years with 36 cases reported in 2013, 39 cases in 2012 and 20 cases in 2011.

Survey results will assist MCDH staff in the design of program materials and outreach campaigns. For more information about West Nile virus and tick-borne illness, visit www.mcdh.info or call 815-334

Weather Causes Suspension of Garbage Removal In Crystal Lake

Recyclable garbage removal services for Friday have been suspended in Crystal Lake as of noon because of the weather.

The city’s refuse contractor, MDC Environmental Services, has ceased operations for today, Dec. 20, due to the icy conditions, according to a news release sent by the city of Crystal Lake.

MDC completed all refuse collection for Friday routes, and will complete recycling collection for Friday routes first thing in the morning on Saturday, Dec. 21.

Crystal Lake Library Holiday Hours

The Crystal Lake Public Library will be closed on Tuesday, December 31 through Wednesday, January 1, 2014 for the New Year holiday.  The Library will re-open to the public at 9:00 am Thursday, January 2, 2014.

Green Spot Used Bookstore Extended Bag Sale

Due to the snowy weather last Saturday, The Green Spot Used Bookstore is extending its bag sale until Saturday, December 21.

Fill a plastic bag with hardcover and paperback books and CDs for $3 or a paper bag for $5.  Special pricing applies only to the sale items located in the lobby. 

Hours are Tuesday - Friday 11:00am until 4:00pm and Saturday 11:00am - 3:00pm. 

The Green Spot is located in the Woodstock Square Mall building, 110 S. Johnson Street Suite 104, Woodstock, and is a fundraising project of the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County.

Information: 815-338-0393 or www.mcdef.org

Words Of Wisdom

The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale."
--Thomas Jefferson,letter to John Taylor, 1816

Government At Work

MONDAY DECEMBER 16

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

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

The Committee will interview Robert LaPorta for an appointment to the Agricultural Conservation Easement and farmland Protection Commission. A recommendation will be made for the County Board to consider. The term is to expire January 1, 2017.

Old business matters include:

• Discussion regarding draft ordinance regulating discharge of firearms
• Discussion regarding a draft noise pollution ordinance
• Discussion regarding a draft nuisance ordinance.
• Coal Tar is also to be considered by the Committee

6:00 p.m. – Crystal Lake Ad Hoc Clean Air Counts Advisory Committee—

Meeting in the City Council Chambers Conference Room, City Hall, 100 W. Woodstock Street.

The agenda includes a Bicycle Master Plan along with a 2014 City of Crystal Lake Bike Map; consideration of Bicycle Friendly Community

Other matters include as follows:

• Safe Routes To School Committee – CAC Representative Nomination
• 2014 Goals
• Sustainability Committee
• Budget
• Bike with Your Neighbor Event with a Scavenger Hunt for Sunday, June 22, 2014
• Three Oaks Recreation Area Volunteer Projects

6:00 p.m. McHenry County Mental Health Board—

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

The Board began with an executive session to consider personnel matters, followed, by a motion to authorize execution of a six-month interim executive Director Employment agreement for an amount not to exceed $42,500.

6:00 p.m. – District 47 Board—

Meeting in Bernotas School, 170 N. Oak Street, Crystal Lake.

A brief executive session of the Board is scheduled regarding negotiations, followed by an open session at 7:00 p.m. in the same location.

The Board is expected to consider adoption of Township tax levy and a Road District Tax Levy.

7:30 p.m. – Grafton Township Board—

Meeting in the Grafton Township Offices, 10109 Vine Street, Huntley.

The Board is expected to audit and pay necessary bills, review Road and Bridge Warrant check details and adopt a Township tax levy and a Road District tax levy.