Lake Zurich to use $522,000 from CN on noise wall

Lake Zurich will construct a noise wall to protect some homeowners, using more than $500,000 received from Canadian National Railway through a legal settlement.

CN provided nearly $2 million to Lake Zurich for safety upgrades, noise reduction and other measures deemed necessary because of an expected increase in freight trains the company runs through the village. The federal Surface Transportation Board ordered CN to reduce train noise in certain areas.

Village trustees formally entered into the agreement in 2010, which stemmed from concerns over CN's controversial purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway. The line runs in a semicircle from Waukegan to Gary, Ind.

As part of the process involved with spending CN's cash, Lake Zurich officials received feedback from residents in affected neighborhoods on what they preferred in the way of noise protection.

Residents on Carolyn Court, just north of where East Main Street meets Route 22, expressed a preference for the noise wall. By a 5-0 vote, village trustees at a recent meeting agreed to pay $522,263 to the lowest responsible bidder, Woodstock-based Alliance Contractors Inc., for the barrier construction.

Although Alliance doesn't have specific noise wall construction experience, it's been deemed qualified to do the job in Lake Zurich, according to Mark Johnson, project manager with village engineering consultant Ciorba Group of Chicago. Alliance's specialties include work on retaining walls, sidewalks, bridges and box culverts.

Some concern about the tab was raised by Trustee Tom Poynton, who said he didn't want too much of CN's $1.9 million spent in one place.

"Are we going to have enough money left in this (CN) fund to do all the things that we told the people that we were going to do as far as noise mitigation?" Poynton said.

Plans call for other CN money to go toward safety mitigation work near schools, downtown Lake Zurich and other areas adjacent to the company's tracks.

David Heyden, Lake Zurich's public works director and village engineer, said in a memo that the 2010 agreement with CN required the entire $1.9 million be allocated to projects within two years. The village has formally requested a deadline extension to July based on the anticipated noise wall construction schedule, Heyden said.

Last month, officials in neighboring Hawthorn Woods agreed to use most of cash remaining from what it had received from the settlement to ensure officials have electrical power to do their jobs in the event of a crisis.

An amount not to exceed $43,000 will be used to buy and install generators at the village hall and adjoining police department/emergency operations center, a central location where village decision makers meet in the event of a disaster that needs a coordinated response.

Hawthorn Woods received a $760,000 settlement in September 2009 when it dropped out of litigation involving the CN's acquisition of the EJ&E.

Buffalo Grove: New Rental Housing Licensing Program

Main Village Bulletin

Posted on: November 5, 2012

New Rental Housing Licensing Program

Effective January 1, 2013, the Village of Buffalo Grove will begin the Residential Rental Housing Program. The purpose of the program is to provide for the registration and inspections of all rental properties within the Village.

The program is established to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people in the community. It also seeks to:
- Ensure that all rental units comply with the minimum housing standards regulated by Village ordinances;
- To protect the character and stability of residential areas;
- To correct and prevent housing conditions that adversely affect or are likely to affect the life, safety, general welfare and health, including physical, mental and social well being of person occupying rental units; and
- To preserve the value of land and buildings throughout the Village.
This program includes, but is not limited to: apartment complexes, condominiums, town homes, coach homes, duplexes, row homes and single family homes. If you own or manage rental property in the village please call our office at 847-459-2530 to register for this program

Buffalo Grove is Seeking Artists for 2013 Art Festival

Seeking Artists for 2013 Art Festival

To be considered as an artist for this coming year’s Buffalo Grove Fine Art Festival (and others coordinated by the same company), go to http://amdurproductions.com/. Deadline for application is January 11, 2013.

Moving Checklist....

Moving home can be very exciting, but also very stressful at the same time. If you are methodical and organised you can make the transition much more easily and save time too.

 

Planning
Once you have exchanged contracts, you can decide on a completion and moving date. In this interim period, begin throwing away all that junk from the attic, shed and garage you haven’t seen for years. Go through your possessions and use the opportunity to discard or sell the items you never use. Clean cupboards and pack systematically as you sort.
Decide if you are going to undertake the move yourself with a van and friends or use professional removers. Obtain quotes and book the van or removal firm. Make sure a firm is a member of the British Association of Removers and ascertain what level of insurance is available and who is going to be responsible for the packing, especially if you have any precious or valuable items.
Seal boxes as you pack, and then label them on the outside with marker pen. You can use a simple number system with each number corresponding to a number on a room plan which you can give to the movers on the day. Alternatively a more sophisticated plan is to construct a spreadsheet with a list of individual items, or types of items, to correspond to different numbers or symbols.
Make arrangements with the post office to have your mail redirected for a specified period of time.
Compile a list of all the people you will have to contact when you move house. In order that you can do this soon after moving without actually having to hunt out the paperwork, the list should include provider policy numbers and telephone numbers, so you can just tick off the list as you speak or write to car insurers, banks, DVLA etc.
Make arrangements for your children and pets to be looked after on the day- you won’t have time to give them any attention at all.
Find all the hidden keys to your home and outbuildings and give these to your estate agent just before you move- you won’t have time on the day.
On the day

• Pack some items in your car so you don’t have to wait for them or wonder where they are.
• Keep aside tea, coffee, kettle, milk and biscuits so you can motivate the movers. If this is safe you can access it at the other end as soon as you get there.
• If you pack a box of cleaning materials, you can clean up each room as the movers empty it and you will be ready to use it in the new house.
• Also keep aside a few plates, knives and forks so you can eat your first takeaway later on in your new house.
• Have your bedding with you too so you can at least make up the beds.
• Pack towels, personal toiletries and a change of clothes.

When you arrive

• Take meter readings when you leave and also read the meters at the new house.
• When you first arrive, quickly check everything works, then open the windows to air the property because a great deal of dust will be generated when you start unpacking.
• Ideally you would clean the house thoroughly before moving in, but if this is not possible, do not unpack everything until you can clean the cupboards etc.

Later

• Change the locks as soon as possible because you don’t know if anyone still has access to the keys.
• Investigate if it is cost effective to remain with the current energy supplier.
• Organise new telephone and broadband services if you have not been able to do so in advance. In the meantime find out where free WiFi services are available.
• Speak to neighbours and find out where the best GP and dentists are and register the family.
• Find out where the local tip is and continue to declutter as you unpack.

School report cards: Stevenson leads suburban schools

Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire again has swept the five academic categories among high schools, according to state report card data from 92 suburban school districts examined by the Daily Herald.

For the second consecutive year, Stevenson High School District 125 led a top-10 list for Prairie State Achievement Exam composite scores, reading, math, science and ACT college entrance exam results. Libertyville, Naperville Central and Geneva Community high schools nipped on Stevenson's heels in the academic categories for 2012.

Students in third through sixth grades, eighth grade and junior year in high school were tested last spring and the results are the basis for the 2012 report card. Subjects included reading, mathematics and science on the Illinois Standardized Achievement Test for the younger students and the Prairie State Achievement Exam for the high school juniors.

District 125 Superintendent Eric Twadell said the stellar report card can be attributed to the school's formation of a culture that's breeding academic success. He said students are encouraged to seek help right away if they are having difficulty in a subject, while teachers quickly intervene if they spot problems.

"When we find out kids aren't learning, we don't accept it," Twadell said.

Stevenson's director of curriculum and development, Mark Onuscheck, said the school has created comfortable areas where students may seek extra help for subjects with teachers or certified paraprofessionals. He said assistance may be provided to a pupil before classes start for the day or during a free period.

"There is a real commitment for teachers to reach out to students," Onuscheck said, "and the teachers are happy to see them there."

In the suburban high school district data examined by the Daily Herald, Stevenson led with 86.1 percent of students meeting or exceeding standards for the Prairie State composite scores, followed by Libertyville High at 84 percent.

In reading, Stevenson came in at 82.4 percent meeting or exceeding, ahead of Geneva's 80.9. Stevenson's 88.2 percent meeting or exceeding standards in math edged Libertyville High's 87.2.

Stevenson's 87.8 percent meeting or exceeding standards for science bested Libertyville High's 85.7 on the top-10 list. In the fifth and final category, Stevenson's students had a 26.2 average ACT college entrance exam score, ahead of Naperville Central's 25.5.

Twadell said a longtime ACT trend shows how Stevenson has grown academically. School records show the ACT average was 22 or so about a decade ago and continued an upward climb to 26.2 in 2012, he said.

An ACT score of 22 wouldn't have been good enough for the top 10 this year among the suburban districts examined by the Daily Herald.

Stevenson's academic progress also is due to the students' willingness to get ahead before entering as freshmen, officials said. Twadell said an average of 700 of 1,000 incoming freshmen have been choosing to attend summer school courses to prepare them for what's coming at Stevenson.

Onuscheck said the academic results demand a team effort from teachers, supportive parents and students who buy into the culture.

"We just work hard and we care a lot," Onuscheck said, "and that's what it's all about."

• Go to http://www.dailyherald.com/section/reportcards/ to get all the school report card data. You can sort by year, school, district, community or county.

Long Grove Holiday Kick Off: Tree Lighting

The holiday season gets started in grand fashion in Long Grove with the ceremonial tree lighting Nov. 10, 4 p.m., in the Village’s Town Square.

There are few times of the year that conjure up more sweet memories and nostalgia for days past than the winter holidays. The Village of Long Grove is more than just a town, it is a closely-knit community.

Whether you’re from the area or from across the globe, Long Grove is a great place to call home this holiday season. Its vintage, rustic atmosphere provides a welcome alternative from the busy commercial hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Also this weekend, Nov. 10-11, visit with Santa Claus at The Pear Tree Shoppe!

Buffalo Grove: Recycle Holiday Lights

No Cost To Recycle Your Old Holiday Lights

From November through February all holiday string lighting and extension cords can be dropped off at either the Village Hall (M-F 8:00 am to 4:30 pm) or the Police Department (24 hours).

Garland, live greens, wreaths or other non-recyclables are not accepted in this program. This program is jointly sponsored by the Village of Buffalo Grove, the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County and Elgin Recycling. For more information please call 847-459-2530.

Stevenson host Warren in the IHSA Football Playoffs!

Stevenson will host Warren in the IHSA 8A Football Playoffs on Friday, October 26, 2012 at 7:00 pm.

$5.00 Pre-sale tickets and $10.00 playoff t-shirts will be sold through the Patriot Superstore on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before school and during lunch periods. The game will also be live streamed on iHigh.com.

SHS One of Nation's Best!

Magazine Names SHS One of Nation's Best

Magazine Names SHS One of Nation's Best

May 8, 2012

U.S. News & World Report lists Stevenson High School as the highest-rated open-enrollment public high school in Illinois in its 2012 listing of the best high schools in America.

Stevenson is ranked No. 162 overall among 21,776 public high schools in 49 states and the District of Columbia. The only Illinois high schools ahead of SHS are four selective-admission schools in Chicago: Northside College Prep (No. 39), Walter Payton Prep (No. 41), Jones College Prep (No. 103) and Whitney Young (No. 135).

The magazine teamed with American Institutes for Research to determine the rankings. They used a process that compared performance on state proficiency tests, and college readiness based on scores from Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams.

This marks the second major honor for Stevenson from U.S. News & World Report during the 2011-12 academic year. Its September 27, 2011 issue listed Stevenson as having the top-ranked mathematics and science programs in Illinois among open-enrollment public high schools.

In the 2012 listing of best high schools, several suburban and city schools follow Stevenson in the top 300 nationwide, including Hinsdale Central (No. 235), Deerfield (No. 258), Lincoln Park (No. 276) and Lane Tech (No. 299). Suburban high schools in the rankings betwen 300-500 include Hersey (No. 304), Prospect (No. 319), Highland Park (No. 325), New Trier (No. 351), Riverside Brookfield (No. 367), Lake Forest (No. 439), Libertyville (No. 451), Evanston (No. 452), Vernon Hills (No. 463) and Glenbrook North (No. 468).

Stevenson has made the U.S. News & World Report rankings several times, including the last three times it was released using the current methodology: in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Long Grove Chocolate Fest: May 4,5,6 2012

House Walk Weekend at Royal Melbourne Country Club

Lake County Catholic Charities Celebrates Spring with Festive House Walk Weekend at Royal Melbourne Country Club

March 27 2012

Media Contact

Kristin Ortman
(312) 655-7019
kortman@catholiccharities.net

Spring has definitely bloomed in Lake County! Please join us on April 20 and 21, 2012, as Catholic Charities Lake County Services presents its Spring House Walk at Royal Melbourne Country Club, 4700 Royal Melbourne Drive, Long Grove. Get an inside look at some amazing showcase homes and take back great ideas for your own home. The event benefits Catholic Charities programs in Lake County. To register online, please go to www.catholiccharities.net/housewalk. For more information, please contact Mary Ellen Mason at (847) 782-4115.
Friday, April 20, 2012—House Walk with Tea
Doors open at 10 a.m.
The day will include tours of homes, a Southern High Tea (two seatings: 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.) at Royal Melbourne Country Club and exclusive vendor shopping.
Tickets are $55.
Saturday, April 21, 2012—House Walk with Workshops and Speakers
Doors open at 10 a.m.
The day will include tours, special workshops and speakers dedicated to spring gardening and decorating. Featured speaker is Joyce Konstantinow, certified master floral designer and owner of “Blooms & Rooms” Design Studio. Joyce specializes in interior design and custom silk floral arrangements. Also, Joan from Hawthorn Gardens will demonstrate “How to Create the Very Popular Terrariums and Fair Gardens,” with many on display.
Tickets are $45.
In-home vendors include Lovell’s of Lake Forest, The Olive Tap of Long Grove, and Whole Foods. Steve Foley Cadillac will display Rolls Royce’s at select homes.
Saturday Evening Elegant Dinner
There will be an elegant dinner at Royal Melbourne on Saturday night at 6:30 pm. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour featuring wine tastings, followed by an extraordinary buffet dinner with eight food stations.
Dinner tickets are $125.
"We cordially invite you to a unique and exquisite experience Friday and Saturday. Bring a friend and have a great time savoring pastries and tea "Southern Style," go shopping and then see awesome homes. And please add our Saturday night event dinner to your calendar. We handpicked great wines to taste, and then enjoy at our sumptuous dinner. See you all there!” said event co-chair Sue Kinney. The Spring House Walk is co-chaired by Sue Kinney and Mary Pat Lundgren.

Ice Meltin' Blues - March 24-25

Chase away the winter blues with two days of soul warming music in Long Grove's historic shopping district. The Ice Meltin' Blues event features talented musicians in venues all over town – including The Village Tavern, the Long Grove Café, The Olive Tap, Timmy's Sandwiches & Ice Cream, Seasons of Long Grove, the Country House of Long Grove, Beans and Leaves Coffee & Tea Café, The Keeping Room, Mangel Gifts, and Viking Treasures.

Each participating shop or restaurant will sponsor musicians at special hours of the day, and visitors are welcome to stop by and enjoy the lively music. Reservations for specific groups performing in the restaurants at lunch or dinnertime are recommended.