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News and stuff about Lake Forest and Lake Bluff

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Gangsters Taking Over Lake Bluff

October 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

These gangsters raided Lake Bluff's Village Hall at a recent Board of Trustees meeting

By Pam Russell of the Lake Bluff History Museum

A few of “da gangsters” who visited Lake Bluff in the 1920s dropped in on a recent Lake Bluff Village Board Meeting to enlist the Board’s support and announce the Lake Bluff History Museum’s upcoming fundraiser, the Cottontail Club Speakeasy and Casino. The event starts at 7:30 pm on Saturday October 29th, and runs . . . until the cops close it down!

Guys and dolls are invited to enjoy an evening of casino games, drinks, light eats, music, opportunities to score some swell loot, and a visit from Al Capone and his cohorts who, according to local lore, used Lake Bluff beach as an entry point for shipments of booze transported on Lake Michigan!

Tickets for the Cottontail Club Speakeasy & Casino are $35.00 per person, if purchased in advance. The price is $50.00 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at the Lake Bluff History Museum at 127 Scranton Avenue, Lake Bluff (open Tues/Thurs 1-4 pm and Saturday 10 am- 1 pm) and online at pinkrabbitball.com. Funds raised from the evening’s event support the Lake Bluff History Museum.

The Lake Bluff History Museum, formerly the Vliet Museum of Lake Bluff History, keeps Lake Bluff history alive through research, preservation of historical information and artifacts, sharing knowledge of local history and inspiring broad participation in events which embody the spirit and pride characteristic of Lake Bluff. The public is invited to visit the museum to view its collection of photographs, documents and memorabilia relating to Lake Bluff. Museum hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 1-4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or by appointment.

Filed Under: Archives, News Tagged With: ,

Kids Connect With Historical Society’s LEGO Event

October 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society had a great turnout for its LEGO Skyscraper Design Challenge, with 100 youngsters attending. Lake Forest resident and Historical Society Local Legend Adrian Smith made a guest appearance (as shown in one of the photos above), and even signed the LEGO kits of his building, the Burj Khalifa, for several of the attendees. LEGO Artist Adam Reed Tucker judged in the event’s LEGO Skyscraper Design Challenge, which featured more than 30 entries! Ten awards were given out, including two Best In Show awards (one for ages 10 and up, one for 9 and under).

One of the parents summed up the event perfectly: “For many kids it is a moment of a lifetime to get a famous athlete to sign a baseball or football, but to (our son) this was that day of all days to have Adam sign his first place building and also Adrian sign his Burj Khalifa!”

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Big Grant For College Of Lake County

October 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Submitted by the CLC board

GRAYSLAKE — The College of Lake County Board of Trustees has formally accepted a $19.37 million U.S. Department of Labor grant and approved beginning the hiring process for 13 new positions that will be funded by the grant. The actions were taken at the trustees’ regularly scheduled monthly meeting, which was held at the Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan.

The grant, known within CLC as “Career Pathways,” was awarded on Sept. 26 by the U.S. Department of Labor under the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program.

The TAA grant program is aimed at providing training and services to displaced workers impacted by foreign trade. CLC applied for the grant on behalf of itself and 16 other partner colleges that are all members of the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN), a consortium of community colleges working to promote sustainability practices and provide job training for the green economy.

CLC and its 16 IGEN partner colleges will use the grant funding to serve as training and assistance hubs, providing comprehensive services and training programs for displaced workers. CLC will serve as the fiscal agent for the grant, which will be awarded over three years.

CLC will receive about $6 million to administer and evaluate the grant, build a state-wide online training platform and carry out curriculum development for academic programs in green technologies, said CLC President Dr. Jerry Weber.

Statewide, he said, the IGEN colleges will work with corporate partners to develop 33 certificates and degrees in career clusters like architecture and construction science; advanced manufacturing; agriculture, food and natural resources; information technology; and transportation, distribution and logistics.

An important curriculum component to be pioneered by CLC, Weber said, will be the embedding of general education requirements in career courses, enabling students to complete programs faster.

Another major outcome, he said, will be the creation of Adult Transition Service Centers that will connect displaced workers with training and placement services.

“This is a significant grant, one of only 32 awarded nationwide,” said CLC Board Chairman Dr. William M. Griffin after the meeting. “It fits very nicely with CLC’s role in workforce development in Lake County.”

Funding for Capital Projects

The trustees approved beginning the process to issue up to $19 million in bonds that will make the college eligible to receive an additional $52 million in state funds for two projects — an expansion of the Lakeshore Campus and construction of a new science building on the Grayslake campus.

The bonds will be paid off in installments over no more than 20 years. They will fund the college’s required one-quarter share in the cost of the buildings and also provide about $2 million for projects such as deferred maintenance on existing buildings.
“CLC competes with other colleges for construction funds, so whatever we do not bring to Lake County goes somewhere else,” CLC President Dr. Jerry Weber said.

In a separate action, the trustees also approved increasing the budget for an already approved capital renewal project to provide cooling enhancements and better fire protection for the computer server room on the Grayslake campus. The project, which is state funded, was originally approved at $340,000, but the college has received additional state funding allowing an upgrade of the project to a total cost of $590,000.

Other Financial Matters

Covering the financial highlights of the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2012, David Agazzi reported that the college has received the July and August monthly payments for the state credit hour grant but has not received the September and October payments.
Also under financial matters, the board approved a resolution estimating the 2011 tax levy and authorizing a public hearing on the levy to be held as part of the board meeting on Nov. 15 on the Grayslake campus.

The tax rate for all funds is estimated to be 24.3 cents per $100 in equalized assessed valuation, according to David Agazzi.
In a related action, the board directed the college to begin preparation of the Fiscal Year 2013 budget for the year covering July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013.

Meeting Dates Set

The trustees also set their schedule of meetings for 2012. All meetings will be held on the fourth Tuesday of the month, starting at 6 p.m., except for the April, November and December meetings, which will be held on the third Tuesday–April 17, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18. Meetings will be held on the Grayslake campus except for the March 27 meeting, which will be held at the Southlake Campus in Vernon Hills, and the Oct. 23 meeting, which will be held the Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan.

Purchasing Approvals

The board’s purchasing approvals included accepting a bid for $27,680 from Mignone Communications of Huntington, Ind., to print and distribute class schedules for non-credit programs; awarding a contract for the purchase of two engine lathes from Alenco Tool Supply Co., of Chicago, at a cost of $39,200 for the Machine Tool Trades program; and the purchase of an electrical switchgear for the B Wing on the Grayslake campus from Steiner Electric, of Gurnee, at a cost of $90,129.
Other purchasing approvals included a contract for $104,112 with ZogoTech, of Dallas, Texas, for two software packages for the college’s data warehouse, an analytical tool for tracking data college wide. Additionally, the trustees approved a contract for $96,015.84 for the purchase of classroom furniture from Krueger International, of Chicago; a contract for $94,876 with CDW-G of Vernon Hills for computer networking equipment; and a contract for $40,000 with Laerdal Medical Corp., of Wappingers Falls, N.Y., for a computer-operated mannequin used in the nursing program.

Contracts and Grants

To complete property acquisitions for expansion of the Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan, the board approved the purchase of property at 34. N. Sheridan Rd. at a total cost not to exceed $203,000. The trustees also approved a contract with Northern Illinois University to provide a Doctor of Education program to eligible college employees. NIU will deliver 23 courses over a four-year period, at a cost of $17,000 each. The cost of the program will be covered under CLC’s employee tuition reimbursement benefit.

Filed Under: Archives, News Tagged With:

Sip Wine, Support Lake Forest Symphony Guild

October 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Submitted by the Lake Forest Symphony Guild

Dont’ miss this opportunity to taste some wonderful wines, enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres, have a great party, and support the Lake Forest Symphony Guild … all at the same time.

Join us for our Wine Tasting at the Grille on Laurel
181 E. Laurel Avenue, Lake Forest 60045
October 30th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Wine will be available to purchase by the bottle or case. Twenty percent of sales will be donated back to the Symphony Guild.

The cost is $55/person and includes the wine and all these delectable morsels!

l. Wilson Daniels Chardonnay
Chopped greens, mandarin oranges, halved grapes, strawberries, toasted walnuts and goat cheese tossed in a honey Dijon vinaigrette and served in a martini glass

2. Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc
Caprese Chicken with Pesto – Grilled breast of chicken with basil pesto skewered with cherry tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil and balsamic vinaigrette

3. Wilson Daniels Pinot Noir
Blackened shrimp with a lemon wine sauce

4. Wilson Daniels Cabernet Sauvignon
Cheese selection with crackers

5. Bread Pudding Station
Caramel Pecan Sauce, whipped cream and Vanilla Ice Cream

RSVP
Mary Anne Fowler
(847) 295-2707
or email her at maryannefowler@earthlink.net

Filed Under: Archives, News

HPC Votes To Keep ‘Old Main’ In Historic District

October 27, 2011 By 9 Comments

Old Main in September 2011. Photo by Adrienne Fawcett

By Adrienne Fawcett

The Lake Forest Historic Preservation Commission late Wednesday night voted unanimously to deny a petition by Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart for an amendment to remove Old Main at Barat Campus from the Local Lake Forest Historic District.

This does not mean that Old Main is out of the woods for demolition or that Woodlands is out of the running for accepting a donation of the 23-acre Barat Campus. The donors–perhaps they should be referred to as potential donors–have stipulated that their acquisition of the Barat property is contingent on getting the City of Lake Forest to approve the demolition of Old Main. Their option to purchase the property extends until about mid-December. The decision will likely rest with City Council in the near future.

It was a long night for the HPC board–and for the dozens of people who filled the chambers at City Hall or watched the meeting live on TV at home. It began around 6:45 p.m., but the commissioners didn’t get to the Barat discussion until 10 p.m. They voted just before the meeting ended at 11:30 p.m.

After hearing from the anonymous purchaser’s attorney, representatives of the Woodlands Board, the president of the Lake Forest Historic Preservation Foundation and many residents of Lake Forest, HPC Chairman Kurt Pairitz summed up his opinion, which was echoed by board members: “I am not in favor of this petition. They are asking us to take something out of our District that we are charged to protect.“

GazeboNews will continue this story on Thursday …

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Ghosts Haunting Lake Forest’s Market Square

October 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

By Joana Rolek, executive director of the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce

Halloween fun will be in the air when Lake Forest’s Market Square is transformed into a “Haunted Square” with family activities, food and fun from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, October 29th and again on Monday the 31st when the stores host trick-or-treating.

In a repeat of the popular event in the Square last year, Saturday afternoon’s fun will include the sights, sounds and tastes of Halloween from 1-4 pm. Visitors can stop by the “haunted pumpkin patch” in the center of the Square where All Things Party will have festive seasonal displays, caricature artists, music and variety performers and treats.

In addition to the wonderful food offerings at the area’s eateries, Left Bank’s hot dog cart will feature “Hallo-weenies” with all the fixings.

Adding to the festivities, from 1-2 pm the “Swat Team” from the Music Institute of Chicago will entertain with fun, Halloween-themed music. The group is made up of high school-aged musical theatre students from all over the North Shore who study at MIC, which is located at the Grove Cultural Campus in West Lake Forest.

On Monday, Halloween day, area youngsters and their parents are invited back to trick-or-treat at stores around the Square beginning at 2 pm. This year costumed pets are invited to join in the fun — treats for four-legged friends will be available near Talbot’s on the south side of the Square.

For additional information visit the Chamber website at www.ShopLFLB.com.

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‘Have A Heart/Heal A Heart’ Event Raises $209,000

October 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

From left, Beth Levine (Lake Forest) and Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis (Lake Forest), with ZCenter CEO Torrie Flink (Libertyville). Photo courtesy of kathleenweinsteinphotography.com

By Torrie Flink, CEO of Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center

According to a study published in Pediatrics Journal, bad economic times do more than reduce financial support of charities — when they need it most — they actually contribute to a rise in childhood physical and sexual abuse. Faced with the double-whammy of greater demand for youth counseling and advocacy services, and the prospect of lessening government funding, Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center did just what you’d expect from northern Chicagoland’s leading sexual abuse advocacy and counseling center, they got their friends together and made positive things happen!

ZCenter’s 10th Annual “Have A Heart/Heal A Heart” Casino Night fundraiser on Oct. 1 was not only the most successful dinner fundraiser in the agency’s history — netting $209,000 for its children’s advocacy and counseling programs — it was also an inspirational evening that emphasized “Art as a Healing Force”.

ZCenter’s event committee, led by chairperson Judy Reuter, displayed survivor art throughout Highland Park’s Exmoor Country Club and welcomed world-class soloist Heather Aranyi to perform for their sponsors and guests. Renowned for her extraordinary voice, as well as her exemplary musicianship and stage presence, Aranyi was a 2006 recipient of the Judith Dawn Memorial Fund artist scholarships (http://www.zcenter.org/JudithDawnFund.htm) that support sexual assault survivors’ pursuit of artist endeavors including singing, painting, dancing and more.

“Have A Heart/Heal A Heart is great mock-gambling fun and a very important fundraiser that is made possible each year through the generosity of our wonderful underwriters Jon Mills and Morris Belzberg,” exclaimed ZCenter’s Director of Development Joe Howard. “As an added bonus, this year’s 220-plus attendees enjoyed a fabulous performance, and courageous and inspiring message delivered by world-class soprano and sexual abuse survivor Heather Aranyi.” Click here to view videos.

Other highlights of the evening included: a salute to ZCenter’s incredible staff, recognition of their many “Aunts & Uncles” club members who donate $1,000 or more annually to support children’s advocacy and counseling programs, a fabulous silent auction, and a hugely successful live auction hosted by ZCenter’s “Wildcard Celebrity Host” Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World and Good Sam.

“Marcus was absolutely phenomenal,” said ZCenter’s Howard. “He pushed the auction to record numbers and strengthened people’s participation to the cause every step of the way. He made everyone who is connected to our organization very proud.”

In addition to bringing two tables full of guests, Camping World and Good Sam donated numerous RV rentals, VIP ticket packages to concerts, racing and entertainment events. “Marcus is passionate about doing everything possible to support ZCenter’s vital programs and services for survivors of rape and incest, and we at Camping World and Good Sam are looking forward to welcoming the evening’s winning bidders to our signature events, including ‘The Tim McGraw Tour’,” said Zrinka Allen, EVP of Camping World and Good Sam, and longtime ZCenter supporter.

Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, based in Gurnee, provides survivors of sexual assault or abuse with comprehensive, confidential, services at no charge including: medical and legal advocacy, emergency room and police sensitivity training, 24-hour crisis hotline and crisis intervention services, and counseling for both individuals and groups. The center’s Community Education department also provides prevention education to thousands of area school children each year. For details, call (847) 244-1187 or visit www.ZCenter.org.

Sitting From Left: Amy and Dr. Howard Freedberg (Highland Park), Dr. Daniel Ritacca (Highwood), Dawn Davidson (Highwood) and Shea Vaughn (Lake Forest). Standing From Left: Jack Karasik (Lake Forest), Mark and Kendra Karasik (Lake Forest) and Steve Ferrone, (Lake Forest). Photo courtesy of kathleenweinsteinphotography.com

Filed Under: Archives, News

Happy Endings For These Cat Tales

October 26, 2011 By 1 Comment

By Adrienne Fawcett

This is just a note to let GazeboNews readers know that the two recent “lost cat” stories that we’ve posted have ended on a happy note. Both the cat in east Lake Bluff and a black cat in the Whispering Oaks neighborhood of Lake Forest have been reunited with their owners, who are much relieved!

But there might be one little dog wandering the streets tonight, Wednesday. I saw what looked like a chubby Yorkshire Terrier dart in front of my car and into the bushes on Oak Terrace near Witchwood Lane in Lake Bluff at about 5:15 p.m. I’m not sure if it’s a neighborhood pooch, but by the way it was racing across the street, it looked like it was unfamiliar with being at large. (At first I thought it was a big, round rabbit, but when it got to the sidewalk and I got a closer look, I could tell it was a dog.)

Anyway—-if you know of anyone missing a dog of this description, let them know it was seen!

Filed Under: Archives, News

‘Ruse Burglary’ Reported In Riverwoods

October 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Riverwoods Police Department is investigating a “ruse burglary” that is said to have occurred at 3 p.m. on Oct. 17 in the 2300 block of Riverwoods Road.

A homeowner told police that while he was painting his house, he was approached by an unidentified male whom he described as approximately 40-50 years old, between 5’10″ – 6’00″ tall, medium build with short black hair and clean shaven.

The victim told police that he was lured into the backyard with the ruse of trees being cut in the neighbor’s
yard. He said the male communicated via a two-way radio, and that he asked the victim to remain in the backyard momentarily while the unidentified male walked to the front. After approximately five minutes, the man walked to the front of the house and observed that the male had left.

The victim said he observed a white or light silver Dodge Caravan or Toyota Sienna parked in his driveway with approximately three (3) other males (25-35 years of age) inside. He didn’t notice any items missing until the following day. He reports approximately $5,000 missing, as well as his entire gun safe, which contained: (1) .357 magnum revolver, (1) .22 caliber rifle, (1) .30-30 rifle, (1) .22 Erma Luger pistol, (1) 16 gauge shotgun. He does does not have serial numbers for any of the weapons.

If you have information about this crime, please contact Detective David Marks at dmarks@riverwoods-il.net .

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Cat Found In Whispering Oaks

October 25, 2011 By 1 Comment

A beautiful, family friendly cat turned up on the doorstep of a cat-friendly home in Whispering Oaks, Lake Forest, on Tuesday morning, Oct. 25. She is slate black with very short hair, an undercoat color of blueish grey, huge ears, a pointed face, skinny tail and fairly large feet for her size. She was extremely hungry, and ate three bowls of cat chow plus a small can of cat food before settling in for a nap.

The woman who found her said the cat resembles a Chinese Short Hair. She took her to her family’s veterinarian so they could scan her for a “chip” — but she has none.

The family who found the cat already has three cats who are indoor cats, and the vet advised that the do not allow the home-seeking cat in the house again as she could be carrying diseases like Feline Leukemia, for which the family’s cats haven’t been vaccinated. Therefore, the cat is in a cat carrier in their garage.

The vet suggested that the family turn the cat over to The Lake Forest Police Department, which will then take her to Orphans of the Storm. But she’d like to see if she can find the cat’s owners before taking that step. If you are missing this lovely cat–or if you would like to foster her or know anyone who would like to foster her, please send an email to adrienne@gazebonews.com and I’ll forward your info to the family that found the cat.

Filed Under: Archives, News
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