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What’s Next For Lake Forest’s Deerpath Golf?

October 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

By A. J. Goldsmith

Lake Forest golfers are looking forward to the City Council’s Dec. 5 meeting when a one-year management contract for Deerpath Golf Course will be considered.

Since June, the city has been searching for a consultant/manager to address the finances and operations of its the golf course.

The city sent questionnaires to some 300 companies with experience managing municipal golf courses in the Midwest. Seven responded and the city selected four for interviews that were held in July. Two submitted proposals for 2012 operations.

The city’s efforts are being led by Robert Kiely Jr., city manager; Jeffrey Wait, superintendent of special facilities and Mary Van Arsdale, director of parks and recreation.

According to Van Arsdale, the two proposals were evaluated and a recommendation of the selected golf vendor will be presented to the Park Board at its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 8. This meeting will begin at City Hall at 6:30 p.m.

Kiely and Van Arsdale will then work on negotiating a contract with the selected company so that it can be presented to the Park Board at a special meeting in late November and to the City Council for ratification on Dec. 6.

Public sentiment expressed at two standing-room-only community meetings were that Deerpath Golf Club should not be privatized nor, at this time, should the city commit to any long-term management contracts.

Thus, the city has been seeking a management company with a goal of increasing Deerpath GC number of rounds and subsequently enhancing its financial position. The City of Lake Forest does not commit tax revenues to Deerpath Golf Club.

The number of rounds at Deerpath has continued to decline: 2009 -35,000, 2010- 32,000, 2011-31,000 EST.

In contact with other municipal courses, Van Arsdale notes that they are also “struggling.”

“Deerpath Golf Club has been around for 83 years. We have a good product that we are proud of. We need better marketing and we need to enhance our knowledge about opportunities to increase revenue,” says Van Arsdale.

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Reader Forum: Occupy Fort Sheridan

October 31, 2011 By 5 Comments

Editor’s note: This Reader Forum article was written and submitted by Sonny Cohen of Highland Park. It represents the writer’s opinions and not necessarily those of GazeboNews. We encourage you to respond to this, but please include your full name.

By Sonny Cohen

Here is a brief update to the Fort Sheridan golf course saga. The matter is very much alive. The golf course threatens.

On Nov. 1, 2011, Lake County Forest Preserve will issue a request for proposal to solicit bids from golf course operators to design, build and operate a 9-hole golf course at Fort Sheridan. For those of us who do not want this golf course and its negative financial impact on neighboring courses, this action sounds dire. And it may be. Or it may be the beginning of the end for this ill-conceived initiative which threatens our public access and open space. If you are interested in the outcome, you should pay attention.

I encourage you to join me on Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve. At that time, Lake County Forest Preserve will hold an on-site proposer meeting and site tour for those considering responding to the request for a bid proposal. We’ll meet in the parking lot.

Now here’s more detail:
The Forest Board has signaled it does not want this golf course.

Majority of Forest Board Opposed:
Of the 23 Board members, 10 voted to not go forward with this proposal request. 3 Board members voted to go forward, but actually oppose the golf course. With one board member absent, that left only 9 Board members actually voting for the golf course. The reasons are complicated but the math is not. The Forest Board does not want this golf course.

Golf Request is a Bad Business Opportunity
While the Forest Board has proceeded to draft the golf course bid request, it is contains requirements that diminish the business proposition. It would be surprising to find a businessperson who would be interested in this business deal in this political environment. There are other golf development opportunities with far less risk.

County Forest Board Gets Final Say
Even if golf developers respond to this bid request, the matter must return to the Forest Board for its approval. As noted, the votes to support a golf course do not presently exist.

Neighboring Communities Bleeding Golf Red Ink
Lake Forest, which is on record indicating the Fort Sheridan Golf Course would “kill its golf program,” has very publicly chosen to subsidize its golf course in the short term and faces an anticipated $100,000 shortfall.

Highland Park City and the Park District, each operators of money losing golf operations, remain in denial of their public golf course subsidy while quietly shoveling hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars into golf operations. $346,300 is proposed by its 2012 budget to be transferred from the General Fund to the Highland Park Country Club Fund.

What’s Next
Proposals for golf course development are due Jan. 6, 2012. The matter could go before the Forest Board in February. We turn the page to a new calendar year as we follow this issue. Your vigilance is appreciated. Occupy Fort Sheridan.

Sonny Cohen lives in Highland Park and is a member of the Lake Cook Audubon. You can contact him via the comments below, or directly at Sonny1@gmail.com. Here are so me other ways to read Sonny’s commentary on the Fort:

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If Disaster Strikes … Are You Prepared?

October 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Lake County Cares and the Red Cross are partnering to provide a free workshop this Thursday, November 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest. The focus is emergency preparedness education–encouraging Lake County residents to create individual and family emergency plans, build emergency preparedness kits and get trained with an emergency response organization.

After participants make their own emergency plans , LaToya Sewell-Hall, Manager of Volunteer Resources will explain the 16 week volunteer training that is required to become a Red Cross first responder. This could be a valuable volunteer activity for the long winter ahead. Proper training enables individuals to better assist their community in post-disaster recovery. Remember: you can’t just show up at the Red Cross to volunteer after a natural disaster … invest in the training now so you can be ready to volunteer when the time comes!

To register email info@lakecountycares.org

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The Merry Side Of Halloween

October 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Tish Keating Skaronea is known around town as the “Halloween Lady”–and for good reason. She thinks about Halloween much like children think about Christmas year-round. She makes plaster Pumpkins, fabric ghosts and dozens of other decorations for her Knolllwood home, which is aptly named “Haunted Knoll.” People come to see the spread from miles around.

Tish is a teacher at The Church of the Holy Spirit’s preschool in Lake Forest. Her friend and fellow teacher Carley Sullivan said: “She is a wonderful teacher and she loves children, but all of her work when not in school or raising her two kids is spent thinking and plotting out Halloween!”

Tish said she’s been setting up the “Haunted Knoll” since her family moved into the house five years ago. She’ll keep the decorations up for a few more days before packing up the ghouls and bringing out the turkeys.

Here are a few photos that Carley sent to GazeboNews:

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Halloween Safety Tips From The Sheriff

October 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Submitted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Waukegan-Sheriff Mark Curran offers the following Halloween safety tips:

· Costumes should be short enough to prevent tripping. Masks should not be too restrictive with adequate holes for proper respiration and peripheral vision. Consider using cosmetics to create fun or scary faces instead of masks.
· Watch costumed children around pets. The pet may not recognize the child and become frightened, especially if the child is using a prop such as a sword or a dagger as part of their costume.
· Avoid hard plastic or wooden props, opting instead for items made of foam rubber which is soft and flexible.
· To help make the child more visible after dark, trick-or-treaters should carry a brightly colored bag and a flashlight or glow stick. Add reflective tape to the sides, front and back of the child’s costume.
· At all times, watch for traffic and avoid walking in the street whenever possible.
· An adult should always accompany young children. A parent should stay within close range of young children at all times and children should never be allowed to go down a street alone. Walk with your children to each house and wait near the porch or front entrance to the home until they return.
· Older children should travel in pairs or in groups at all times while trick-or-treating and never venture down a dark, empty street.
· Parents should know the route their children are following. Children should always walk together to the front door of each house and only cross the street at the crosswalks.
· Dark, unlit homes should be avoided.
· Children should save their candy until they get home so you can inspect it. Discard any unwrapped or suspicious looking goodies. If your child does get sick, call your family doctor or the hospital emergency room immediately and save all paper wrappers. It is also helpful to determine what he or she ate and which house it came from.
· Keep flammable items, such as your jack-o-lantern, away from small children, pets and flammable materials such as draperies, furniture, and paper decorations. Never leave a candle burning unattended.

“Halloween is an exciting and fun holiday for children of all ages,” said Sheriff Mark Curran. “Let’s make this Lake County Halloween a safe one.”

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League Addresses Federal Mandates On Local Schools

October 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Submitted by the League of Women Voters of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff

Do You Want Washington’s Finger in Your Local Schools?

The state of our school systems in this country is always making headlines. We constantly hear from the media about school scandals where teachers are giving the students the answers to the tests, only teaching to the test, or not teaching at all. We also hear how our school systems are failing our children.

The federal government already is involved in our local school systems. But what exactly is its involvement? If the federal government decides to come up with a common set of core standards, what would they be? How will they be funded? How will mandates affect our local schools?

The Leagues of Women Voters of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area, Deerfield, and Highland Park/Highwood will present a forum to discuss the federal government’s role in public education. The panel discussion will address the above questions and others that the audience has.

The panelists will include:

· Ralph Martire — Executive Director of the bipartisan Center for Tax and Budget Accountability

· Dr. Sue Hebson — Assistant Superintendent of Schools for High School District 113

· Kathy Ryg — President, Voices for Illinois Children

Come get your questions answered by this esteemed panel on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at the Highland Park Country Club, 1201 Park Ave. West, Highland Park, 7:00 — 9:00 pm.

The Leagues are presenting this forum as part of a national study of the role of the federal government in public education by the League of Women Voters (LWV) of the United States. The LWV is a non-partisan organization. The LWV will not take a position on any issue until it is studied by its members and a consensus is taken. Only at that time will the LWV lobby our politicians.

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Trick-Or-Treat Hours In LF, LB, KW

October 31, 2011 By 2 Comments

Monday is Halloween–have you stocked up on the candy yet? I always wait till the last minute when the pickings are slim and I’m forced to get stuff I don’t like (and won’t munch on). Here are the Trick-or-Treat hours for our communities:

Lake Bluff
Trick-or-Treating: 4 to 7 p.m.
Hotdog roast: The Lake Bluff Police Department hosts a hotdog roast at the Public Safety Building (45 E. Center Avenue) during trick-or-treat hours (4 to 7 p.m.). The Police Department personnel, with help from families, will cook hot dogs and serve potato chips and refreshments. Hot dogs are limited, so come early!

Lake Forest
4 to 8 p.m.

Knollwood
There are no official hours, but people typically follow the Lake Bluff hours–4 to 7 p.m. There’s a hot dog roast at West School from 5 to 7 p.m.

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Chiefs Owner Opening HOGS In Lake Bluff

October 30, 2011 By 2 Comments

Chuck Knesley liked his Harley so much, he gave his new restaurant the same name. Photo by A.J. Goldsmith

HOGS Sports Bar & Restaurant Coming to Lake Bluff

By A. J. Goldsmith

Chuck Knesley, long-time Knollwood resident, motorcycling enthusiast and retired, third-generation firefighter, expects to open HOGS’ sports bar and restaurant in mid-November. HOGS is located just south of State Route 176 (Rockland Road) on Skokie Boulevard adjacent to Dan Horvat’s Garden Center. Local residents will remember McCormick’s Restaurant and Lounge that stood on the site for 55 years.

Four years ago, Knesley opened Chief’s Pub on Western Avenue in Lake Forest. The spot has become a favorite of Lake Forest residents.

“I always wanted to be in the restaurant business and four years ago I got my chance and opened Chief’s. Neighborhood bars have always done well along 176; we will create a family friendly atmosphere that will make HOGS a destination for local residents and their visitors,” said Knesley.

HOGS’ food, taste and ambience will be nothing like Chief’s Pub, as it will have new chefs and even different vendors than Chief’s Pub, Knesley said.

The restaurant fare will feature char-broiled burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, Bar-B-Q ribs and chicken while the bar will offer some 35 choices of beer. It will also feature five large TV screens, two pool tables and a Harley Davidson (HOG) on display in the dining room that now has new chairs and tables. Knesley plans to level the two greenhouses that are just north of the large outdoor patio and replace them with sand volleyball courts next spring. The deck just outside of the bar will contain a spit for roasting. Weekends will feature live music and dancing on the patio once the weather warms. Knesley plans to host special events in a tent erected on the patio.

HOGS hours will be: Sunday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with breakfast offered; Monday thru Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. After the football season, HOGS will be closed on Mondays.

Knesley attended Knollwood Middle School and was graduated from Lake Forest High School. He coached volleyball at LFHS for nine years. He has traveled throughout the United States on his Harley Davidson, which is aptly named “Hog.”

HOGS is the latest restaurant to take over the space once occupied for decades by McCormick's. Photo by A.J. Goldsmith

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Save the Date: Cranksgiving Is Coming!

October 30, 2011 By 1 Comment

What do you get when you cross bicycling with a charity food drive? Cranksgiving!

On Nov. 19 from 9 to 10:30 a.m., cyclists will gather at Activator Cycles (36 E Center Ave, Lake Bluff) with their bags and bike locks. Activator Cycles will supply them with a shopping list of specific items needed by the Shields Township Food Pantry, plus a map of stores along a specific route from which to buy these items.

Off they go, on a fun, relaxed ride, to purchase the items and bring them back. Riders purchase the items themselves, which is where the charity part comes in, and they have to be prepared to carry them back to Activator Cycles. A typical shopping list will have a dozen or so items, and maybe set back the riders $10-$20. It’s a terrific way to kick off the holiday season and be out on your bike, doing something good with the community alongside your fellow cyclists. Plus, it’s an early start on burning off all the calories you’ll be inhaling during November and December. Call Nick Christofalos at Activator Cycles (847-863-7366) for more information.

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It’s Time To Purge Expired Meds

October 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Submitted by LEAD

The Drug Enforcement Administration declared Saturday, Oct. 29, National Take Back Day. Nearly one in five of LF-LB youth in grades 8-12 reported using over-the-counter and/or prescription drugs for non-medical purposes during the previous year according to the 2010 Illinois Youth Survey.

“Abuse of these drugs is a serious issue nationally and locally”, said Betty Frank-Bailey, Executive Director of the Speak Up! Prevention Coalition. “We are encouraging all residents to properly dispose of their excess or expired medication because family medicine cabinets are the number one source for teens abusing drugs such as pain killers, depressants (sleeping pills or anti-anxiety drugs), and stimulants. Teens also are abusing over-the-counter drugs, such as cough and cold remedies. In addition, many teens report mixing prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and alcohol.”

Local residents should secure the medication they use regularly and dispose of all unwanted medication. Prescription drugs can be safely disposed of in the lobbies of the Lake Bluff and Lake Forest Police stations in secure drop boxes. We are fortunate in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff to have these boxes available year round, 24/7. Disposing of unwanted medication at our local police stations will not only keep these drugs out of the hands of our youth but also will keep our environment clean. So next time you are cleaning out your closets, remember to clean out your unwanted medications as well.

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