Friday, August 31, 2018

Saturday offers full day of activities at Buffalo Grove Days


There’s a full-day of activities on Saturday at Buffalo Grove Days including the Business Fair, Buddy Baseball game (now on Saturday) a wide variety of children’s activities and an assortment of music and food.




It’s important to note that not all events are at Mike Rylko Park.

On tap for Saturday:

8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Blood Drive Alcott Center

9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Disc Golf Tournament –presented by Buffalo Grove Park District Willow Stream Park & Twin Creeks Park

11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Craft Fair

11 a.m. Dog Show - presented by Buffalo Grove Park District Willow Stream Park South @ Dan Schimmel Pavilion

Noon to Midnight – Food Tent Open

11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Business Fair – presented by Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce

Noon – Midnight Beer Tent open

4 p.m. Buddy Baseball Game Note: game returns to Saturday.  Kendrigan Field at Twin Creeks Park.




Carnival Rides: 1 – 11 p.m. (Wristbands $25 for unlimited rides until 6  p.m. only)

Childrens Crafts Activities: Children's Craft Area Noon – 5 p.m.

BBQ Challenge 1 – 5 p.m. (Judging begins at 2:30 p.m.) Download your entry form at BGDays.com

Walkaround Entertainment: 1 – 5:45 p.m.

Magic by Randy (1-4 p.m.), Cinderella (1:30-3:30 p.m.), Darth Vader & Storm Trooper (1:30-3:30 p.m.), Bob Hirsch Balloons (2-4 p.m.), Elvis on Stilts (2- 4 p.m.), Lucy (2-4 p.m.), Wonder Woman (2:30-4:30 p.m.), Sunshine the Clown (2:30-4:30 p.m.), Frozen Queen Elsa & Princess Anna (3-5 p.m.), Ryan Freeman Balloons (3-6 p.m.), Jason Kollum Stiltwalking (3:45-5:45 p.m.)

 Children’s Stage

12:45 – 1:30 p.m.  BG Park District’s Big Deal Productions & Studio 83 Dance Academy Highlight Show

1:30 – 2 p.m. Jack the Magic Man

2 – 5 p.m. Margi Kanter Face Painting Children’s Stage

2:15 – 3:00  p.m. Miss Jamie Farm Children’s Stage

Main Stage

1:45 - 2:15 p.m. Barefoot Hawaiians Main Stage

2:15 – 3:15 p.m. Six on Friday Beer Tent

3:30 - 4 Ryan Freeman Balloonary Children’s Stage

7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Boy Band Night Main Stage

9 – 10:30 p.m. Eve 6 Main Stage

Beer Tent

3:45 – 4:45 p.m. JB Jazz Quartet Beer Tent

5:30 – 7 p.m. Industrial Drive

10:30 p.m. – Midnight The Gingers

Friday's schedule for B.G. Days

Buffalo Grove Days moves into high gear today. 



The schedule includes:

** The Food Tent will be open from 5 to 11  p.m., while the carnival runs from 6 to 11 p.m.
** The Beer Tent is open from 5 to midnight.
** Friday’s Main Stage entertainment includes Markette & Hutch at 7:30 with Suburban Cowboy taking the stage from 9 to 10:30 p.m.
** The Beer Tent Stage – features pianist Andrew Blendermann from 6:15 to 7:15 pm. with the Euphoria Band performing from 10:30 p.m. to midnight.

Don’t forget, A $25 wristband is available for unlimited rides.

Shuttle buses will run tonight from 6 p.m. until midnight from three locations (all are express and go straight to BG Days at Mike Rylko Park). Shuttle pickup and drop-offs will happen at 1100 West Lake Cook Road (just west of Countyline Tavern on the north side of Lake Cook Road), Twin Groves Middle School (2600 N. Buffalo Grove Road) and the BG Metra Station (825 Commerce Court). Parking is free at all shuttle locations.

Click Here for the BG Days brochure. For complete information about BG Days, go to bgdays.com

Thursday, August 30, 2018

BG Days Schedule for Thursday, Aug. 30

Buffalo Grove Days will be in full swing starting tonight.


The Carnival runs from 6 until 10 p.m. A $25 wristband is available for unlimited rides. The food tent, which will be open from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., will offer a limited selection of food vendors as the BG Days Committee gets ready for Bingo from 6:30 until 10:30 p.m. Bingo is sponsored by the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club. The Beer Tent will be open from 5 until 11 p.m.

                A bags tournament, presented by the Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, starts at 7 p.m.

                Shuttle buses will run tonight from 6 p.m. until midnight from three locations (all are express and go straight to BG Days at Mike Rylko Park). Shuttle pickup and drop-offs will happen at 1100 West Lake Cook Road (just west of Countyline Tavern on the north side of Lake Cook Road), Twin Groves Middle School (2600 N. Buffalo Grove Road) and the BG Metra Station (825 Commerce Court). All shuttle locations have free parking.

                Click here for the BG Days brochure. 

                For complete information about BG Days, visit bgdays.com

               

Friday, August 24, 2018

Stampede set for Sept. 2

News and notes from around the village.... 

            The Buffalo Grove Park District's Friends of the Parks Foundation will be hosting its annual 5K and 10K race, the Buffalo Grove Stampede, on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 2.  The race begins and ends at the Buffalo Grove Park District Fitness Center, located at 601 W. Deerfield Parkway in Buffalo Grove.

            The starts at 7:30 and concludes around 9:30 am.  Several streets will be closed to traffic during this race, including eastbound Deerfield Parkway from McHenry Road (Illinois Rt. 83) to Buffalo Grove Road (from 5 -10 a.m.), McHenry Road (Route 83) between Deerfield Parkway and Buffalo Grove Road,

            Checker Drive, Old Checker Road, Farrington Drive, Shady Grove Lane, Silver Rock Lane and Springside Lane.  Maps of the routes, as well as registration information can be found at bgstampede.org

Cops set to flip burgers

            The Buffalo Grove Police Department will participate in ‘Butterburgers & Badges’, a yearly event to fundraise for Special Olympics. It will be held Thursday, Aug. 30 from 4 until 8 p.m. at Culver’s, 450 McHenry Road.

            Police Department members will be on hand to serve meals to patrons who are both dining in, as well as those who are ordering their meals at the drive thru. During this fundraiser, $1 from every Concrete Mixer sold will be donated to Special Olympics. PArticipants will have the opportunity to purchase Special Olympics gear, make donations, and meet a Special Olympics athlete.

            “This is one of the most highly-attended Special Olympics fundraiser events each year by our officers,” Police Chief Steven Casstevens said. “They really enjoy serving meals and connecting with members of our local community.”

Donations to Special Olympics can be made at any time at the Buffalo Grove Police Department, 48 Raupp Boulevard in Buffalo Grove.

In 2017, the Police Department donated more than $45,000 to Special Olympics and is aiming to hit the $50,000 mark in 2018.

Buffalo Grove Days is next week

            The 57th annual BG Days festival will be held from Wednesday, Aug. 29 - Monday, Sept. 3, 2018. This year's fest includes the BG Days Parade, the BBQ Challenge, the Carnival, the Arts & Crafts Fair, Business Fair, Special Needs Events, Main Stage Entertainment, an array of food and beverages, and more. For an overview of the events happening during BG Days and how to purchase discounted carnival wristbands, click here. The BG Days Blood Drive is from 8  a.m. until 1  p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 at the Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive in Buffalo Grove. Appointments can be made by calling 877-543-3768 or by visiting lifesource.org and using sponsor code: BG98.

No farmers’ market

            The Buffalo Grove Farmers’ Market will not be running on Sunday, Sept. 2 during BG Days.

Commission for Residents with Disabilities sets food & fun

Join the Buffalo Grove Commission for Residents with Disabilities at Food and Fun, a free event hosted for individuals with disabilities at the BG Days Carnival. Register by clicking here. The event includes free admission to the carnival rides for all individuals with disabilities, and complimentary lunch for the individual and up to four family members or friends accompanying that individual (tickets for additional family and friends are $10 each).  For questions, please email Foodandfun@vbg.org.

BG Singers 26th annual show highlights the Best of 21st Century Broadway

The Buffalo Grove Park District’s BG Singers will perform their 26th annual choral concert, “Back to the Theater - 21st Century Broadway: Premieres and Revivals,” on Friday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, Sept. 29 at 3 pm, and Sunday, Sept. 30 at 3 pm at the Buffalo Grove Park District Community Arts Center, located at 225 McHenry Road in Buffalo Grove.  This show will also be celebrating the group’s first performance in the newly renovated, state-of-the-art theater at the Center.

             Directed by Linda Rosen, choreographed by Charla Silver, and featuring accompaniment by Dan Ermel, this show will include selections from new Tony Award-winning shows, such as Dear Evan Hanson, Beautiful, Hamilton and Waitress, as well as favorites from revivals like Hello Dolly, The King and I, and Guys and Dolls.

             “We opened the Community Arts Center in 2015 with a show titled, ‘Welcome to the Theater,’ which gave us the idea to use, ‘Back to the Theater’ when we were planning this year’s show,” Rosen said.  “We are thrilled to return to our home stage replete with great sight lines, thanks to new tiered seating, added lighting, and new sound equipment, as well as an entirely new lobby, art gallery and concession area.”

            Beginning Aug. 29, tickets for all performances will be available online at bgsingers.org, or at the Community Arts Center box office Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 am - 7 pm, Fridays from 8:30 am - noon, or Saturdays from 9 am to noon.  Advance ticket prices are $17 for adults, and $15 for children 12 and under and seniors 62 and older.  All tickets purchased at the door will be $20.  For more information, visit bgsingers.org, or contact Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132 or lindsay@bgparks.org.

Buffalo Grove police officers recognized for life-saving effort



            Buffalo Grove Police Officers Anthony Turano (left) and Derek Hawkins (right),shown with Police Chief Steve Casstevens (center), were honored at the Aug. 20 Village Board meeting with Life Saving Awards for their efforts that revived a man after a drug overdose.

The officers responded to a Buffalo Grove residence on July 12 where an adult male was found unconscious and not breathing. Due to their training, the officers made the decision to administer three doses of nalaxone to the man, while also starting basic life saving measures. The man regained consciousness and was transported to a nearby hospital and survived. Buffalo Grove officers have been carrying nalaxone, also referred to by its brand name Narcan, since 2014.

Friday, August 17, 2018

Board meeting, Night Out, BG Days highlight village news...


Village Board Meeting:  The Village Board has a regular Board meeting Monday night starting at 7:30.  The agenda can be found at: Village Board Agenda for Aug. 20

Buffalo Grove Days and Carnival Ticket Sales Info.:The 57th annual BG Days festival is from  Wednesday, Aug. 29 - Monday, Sept. 3. For a full schedule of events and entertainment, use this link: BG Days Info.

            Residents can now purchase a sheet of 30 carnival tickets for $30 at Buffalo Grove Village Hall. This promotion is available until Wednesday, Aug. 29. Wristbands are now available online at this link  Wristband Sales  at a cost of $60 for the all weekend wristband; individual daily passes are $20 each. Online wristband sales end Aug. 30 at midnight. Wristbands purchased during BG Days are $65 each for the entire weekend, and $25 for the daily passes. For more information, click here:  BG Days

National Night Out Rescheduled for Tuesday: The Buffalo Grove Park District has rescheduled National Night Out for Tuesday, Aug. 21,  from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Willow Stream Park, 651 Old Checker Road, Buffalo Grove.

The event was originally scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 7 but was rained out. National Night Out will include free hot dogs and Culver's custard (while supplies last), as well as kids activities, a business expo, interactive displays with the Buffalo Grove Police and Fire Departments, and live music. For more information, click here Night Out Info.

New Election Voting Sites For Some Buffalo Grove Area Voters: The Lake County Clerk's office has assigned new Election Day voting sites for voters in the Buffalo Grove area who live in Vernon Township precincts 276, 279, 280, 281, and 285. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Starting with the upcoming November election, Aptakisic Junior High School will no longer serve as an Election Day voting site. Instead, voters in precincts 279 and 280 will vote at the Willow Grove School, 777 Checker Drive in Buffalo Grove, and voters in precincts 276, 281 and 285 will vote at the Chevy Chase Country Club, 1000 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling. For more information regarding these changes, how to locate a precinct number, along with a map of the precincts, please click here Voting Site Info.

Buffalo Grove Police Win 2nd Place in Traffic Safety Challenge: On Wednesday, Aug. 15, members of the Buffalo Grove Police Department's Administration, Traffic and P-Core Units attended the 25th annual Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge. The Department was awarded second place in the Championship Class for their efforts on traffic enforcement and passenger safety throughout 2017.

Want to Adopt a Highway?:The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) is looking for volunteers to adopt Lake County highways and help pick up litter and debris along both the highways and bike paths. Volunteers can adopt a section of a county highway, and are provided with the necessary equipment to clean the area twice a year. LCDOT will collect all garbage bags and recycling bags from the side of the road. The deadline for Adopt-A-Highway applications is Aug. 31. For more information go to this site: Adopt a Highway


Wednesday, August 15, 2018

They serve, protect..and probably laugh at times

Can you hear it now? Most traffic stops don’t grab my attention, but when someone is going 40 miles over the limit, you notice. A 23-year-old man from Crystal Lake fits the bill. When police ask him if knew why he was stopped, he responded, “because you heard my motor”  When you’re going 89 in a 40 zone, that calls attention to you. Along with 2.9 grams of cannabis.
            We serve and protect -- but not negotiate.  A resident called police about the cost of his moving bill and wanted police to negotiate a lower price.  At least he didn’t ask them to help him unpack.
            Shattered glass…A woman called police to report a mirror in the lobby of a condo building had fallen and shattered. It was estimated that the mirror, and three others like it, have (or in this case had) been in the walls for around 40 years and may need to be checked for stability.
            Animal stories – According to police, some skunks were removed by a "less lethal" shot gun. Police were alerted to  a piece of playground equipment damaged by a dog chewing on it
            Well, they looked the same. Police were contacted by a resident who found between 15 and 20 printers in the dumpster behind his business. Police checked, using serial numbers, and did not find any reports of them being stolen.  Police speculate they were intended for the recycling firm -- which is across the street.
            What's wrong with computer dating -- a woman contacted police to file a report for "informational purposes."  The woman told police she had recently signed up with “OKCupid" -- an online dating service, ad that she received a message from a man and after a few days of exchanging messages, he told her he was stationed in Afghanistan, had injured his leg and that his captain had been killed a few days before. He also stated, police reports say, that he found a suitcase with $100 million  and he wanted to send it to her by way of private carrier.  He requested her phone, address and DOB.  She thought it was odd and asked her two college-age daughters, who agreed, calling the situation "Unbelievable". But wait, there’s more.  It was determined to be the beginning of a scam.  The woman was going to delete her account with OKCupid and let them know. Sounds like a good idea.
            Something fishy.  Resident reported a plastic dolphin was pried off his mailbox. The Mailbox was cracked.  No report about the Dolphin.
            Animal stories, Part deux: Two baby foxes were found in window well. Police speculate the mother escaped. Were they outfoxed?
            Rosemary Woods, we hardly knew ye – Police were summoned to meeting because of alleged eavesdropping.
            According to police reports, a man called police because during a meeting he noticed a “suspect” recording the meeting on his smart phone. The man said the other did not have permission to record the meeting, left the room and called police. The suspect said he was recording it because his wife could not attend the meeting. Officers explained the eavesdropping law and both parties left the meeting without incident.
            Try LinkedIn – Police were called to a local business because of a man who had stopped by three to four times over the last few weeks, yelling in Russian and demanding a job.  The man eventually stopped by the police department to file a complaint against the business and that he was going to write negative reviews about the company on Facebook. Officials at the company said they had never done work for him.
            Wait, seriously? – A man related that a girl, he knows only as Amy, broke his porcelain butter dish lid by throwing it on the floor for no apparent reason. The man only wanted this incident documented and did not want to sign a complaint or have the police department follow up.  Amy left before police arrived.  No word on how Amy got in the house or why.
            Better call Maaco – A man complained to police that someone tried to pry the Infinity emblem from the rear trunk lid of his vehicle.
            Just what was she expecting? A woman called police to complain that an attendant at a local gas station short-changed her husband who bought four gallons of gas and chips and paid with a $50 bill.  The clerk reportedly gave man $34 in change, but he came back with $11 in change. She claims it was because her husband was intoxicated. But wait, was he driving?
            Better call Maaco, Part deux– A resident reported to Police that the emblem of his Toyota Prius was pried off.
            And the BG police are to do what? A man complained to police because an employee for his trucking company dropped off a load in Alabama and requested a couple of days off before returning. The truck’s GPS located the truck in Brundidge, Alabama.  Buffalo Grove Police told the man that the employee has not done anything criminal at this point.
            Game. Set. Mismatch?  Police were summoned to a local park about a heated dispute.  Turns out, according to police reports, that the discussion was about proper tennis court etiquette for players waiting to us the court next. It’s called racking up. But let’s not go there.
            Line of the week:  The resident laid on the horn and the SUV’s passenger presented her with a middle finger multiple times.  Translation:  She flipped her off.
            Rightfully So.  An 18-year-old Buffalo Grove man told police he was “scared” during a traffic stop.  Org9inally stopped for doing  63 in a  45-mph zone, police officers, with the aid of the BGPD’s canine unit, found  82.3 grams of cannabis, which was located in various places in the car. The man was charged with possession of cannabis (30-100 grams) intent deliver cannabis (30-500 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a motor vehicle without insurance and speeding.
            Missing A resident reported that her Italian decorative ceramic watering can was missing. She suspects the landscaping firm.
            No Bull  Police were summoned to a business on Milwaukee Avenue as six cans of Red Bull were reported missing.
            New scam  -- Police were contacted  by a resident who said they received a call from someone who said they were from Comcast and that there were problems with the resident’s computer as there appeared to be illegal files being uploaded. The resident gave access to the caller who then showed the resident pornographic files which had allegedly been uploaded. The caller demanded $500 in gift cards and also locked the resident’s computer.
            Holy fire – Police were contacted by the dispatch service about a call made by a Mongolian to English language translator.  The translator stated his friend lives on Satinwood Terrace and believes he left a candle burning in his residence. Police were given the access code to the garage and entered the residence where they “…located a shrine type display that had real candles that had been extinguished and battery-operated candles that were illuminated. The responding officer kept the electric ones on and checked for any burning candles. None were found.
And finally…
This One Defies logic:  Two delivery personnel stopped by the police department to discuss a rather unusual delivery. The two men said they were called to a customer in Buffalo Grove to fix an issue he was having with his mattress.  The two said the fixed the issue the proceeded to follow the customer to a different room for an issue with another mattress. The customer reportedly told the two delivery men to stay in that room.  The customer came back and stood in the doorway in red underwear with an “adult item” sticking out. The customer touched one of the delivery men on the shoulder and stated, “it’s like an eclipse, I’ve done this to other people before, [its] name is Mr. Happy.”  The delivery men said they were shocked at what happened.  They exited the house and were followed by the customer to their truck. No report if the customer was wearing only wearing his underwear.
But wait, there’s more.
Police went to the customer’s house and spoke with him.  Prior to answering the door police report they observed the customer take off his shirt and shorts.  He answered the door wearing red underwear.  The customer moved away from the doorway and put on shorts and a shirt after his greeting.  He asked if his neighbors called on him again. I related that we were called by the mattress company regarding his odd behavior during the service call. He denied any issues during the service call but did confirm that the sleep number employees were at his house earlier to fix his bed’s cooling system.

Friday, August 10, 2018

News notes and other information....


Election Judges Needed…

            Fair and accurate elections are incredibly important to all of us, and attentive election judges are enlisted for the meaningful responsibility of processing voters. Join the election judge team and take on the rewarding role of working in your neighborhood Election Day voting site.

            Visit the Lake County Clerk’s election judge web page to complete an online application. Information can be found at: Lake County Election Judges.

            To be a judge in Cook County, go to: Cook County Election Judges

Make sure you are correctly registered to receive a mail ballot

            Lake County residents correctly registered with their current name and address can complete the required application to request a ballot by mail for the November 6, 2018 election.
Electronic and paper application forms are available by;

            • Logging onto LakeVoterPower.info.

            • Emailing VotingByMail@lakecountyil.gov, or

            • Calling 847.377.2406.

            Any registered voter can vote by mail - this is an ideal voting option for anyone who will be out of town on Election Day as your ballot can be mailed anywhere. According to Illinois state statute, ballots cannot be mailed to voters until late September. The Clerk's office must receive your completed application by noon on Thursday, November 1. Voted ballots being returned by mail must be postmarked by midnight on Election Day, Nov. 6  Lake County election information can be found at Lake County Election Judges

            Cook County residents can check information at: Cook County Election Info.

The Census Bureau is Hiring

            The U.S. Census Bureau is hiring field representatives.

            The Census Bureau conducts more than 130 surveys every year. To conduct continuous surveys — other than the once-a-decade population count — depends on survey takers in the field and our Regional Offices are hiring these workers.

            Field Representatives perform a variety of vital functions, such as updating address lists and maps; conducting interviews with residents in assigned areas; explaining the purpose of the census interview; and answering residents' questions. Hours of work for field positions will vary - some require employees to work during the day to see addresses on buildings, while others require interviewing the public usually in the evening and on weekends.

            For more information, go to: Field Jobs by State

BG Days is Coming Soon

            The 57th annual BG Days festival will be held from Wednesday, August 29 - Monday, September 3, 2018 (Labor Day) and will be kicked off with a charity softball game on August 29. The festival includes a carnival, live musical entertainment, a BBQ Challenge, the BG Days Parade, food vendors and much more! Visit bgdays.com for more information and for a full schedule of events and activities. 

Speaking of Buffalo Grove Days…carnival tickets now available

            Residents can now purchase a sheet of 30 carnival tickets for $30 at Buffalo Grove Village Hall. This promotion is available until Wednesday, August 29. Wrist bands are now available online at a cost of $60 for the all weekend wristband; individual daily passes are $20 each. Online wristband sales end August 30 at midnight. Carnival wristbands purchased during BG Days are $65 each for the entire weekend, and $25 for the daily passes. For more information, click here.

National Night Out Rescheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 21

            The Buffalo Grove Park District has rescheduled National Night Out from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 21 at Willow Stream Park, 651 Old Checker Road, Buffalo Grove. The event was originally scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 7, but was rained out. The event will include free hot dogs and Culver's custard while supplies last, as well as activities, a business expo, interactive displays with the Buffalo Grove Police and Fire Departments, and live music. For more information, click here.

Automated Meter Reading Coming Up

            North Shore Gas will conduct an Automated Meter Reading (AMR) throughout its service territory in Buffalo Grove. During the week of Aug. 13, an approved North Shore Gas contractor from MZI will be upgrading the meters. The contractor will have a badge with both the MZI Group, Inc. and North Shore Gas logo on it. The project includes installation of a transmitter device that will allow North Shore Gas to remotely read gas meters every month. Customers do not have to be present for the work to be performed, however, as a courtesy, the contractor will knock on the customer's door to announce their arrival and leave a door hanger when the work is done. To learn more, click here.

Prairie View Metra Station Area Existing Conditions Report Available 

            The Prairie View Metra Station Area Plan has a goal to guide future development around the Metra station in Buffalo Grove. The Existing Conditions Report for the plan is now available, and establishes a baseline understanding of the area around the Metra Station. It represents an accumulation of several months of research, analysis, and public outreach activities. The report is available now for public viewing online. A Draft Plan based off of the report's findings is scheduled to be completed this fall. For more information about the project and to sign up for the project's mailing list, click here. For specific questions and comments, please contact Nicole Woods at 847-459-5539 or nwoods@vbg.org.

Two New Police Officers Sworn in

            Two new Buffalo Grove Police Officers, Taylor Franzen and Michael Essig, were sworn in on Monday, Aug. 6. Officer Franzen comes from the University of Illinois Champaign Police Department, where she served for three years. Officer Essig previously worked for the Burr Ridge Police Department for five years. Both officers begin their assigned shifts on Monday, Aug. 13.

Got news?  If you or your organization has news for the community, send it to: Gaggininthgrove@gmail.com  Please include a contact name and phone number or email.

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Got a minute?


For nearly 10 years, I have blogged about the village, mostly as a commentary on various aspects of life in Buffalo Grove and, of course, various governmental agencies.

            In addition to the actions and controversies that I’ve seen while attending most of the Village Board meetings, I have had the opportunity to learn about and meet some of the residents who have addressed or been cited by the Board. Some of their stories are amazing.

            Unfortunately, many of the stories about village residents and organizations go untold.

            Why? Because changes in newspapers over the past decade, if not more, have impacted news consumers at all levels.

            Community newspapers are no exception.  This, of course, includes media outlets that serve (or try to) Buffalo Grove. Gone are the days when there actually was community news in the Countryside, the Daily Herald and the Journal-Topics) on a regular basis.

            While some of the aforementioned news outlets will cover "major" news stories (on a somewhat regular basis, news about the various organizations, churches, synagogues, clubs, Scout troops – and truly interesting people -- seem to have gone by the wayside.

            That does not mean there is not an interest in community news.  There is. Unfortunately, local news consumers seem reluctant to seek it out unless it's easily accessible. Over the past several months I have posted simple posts as a way to highlight events and general news from the village. To my surprise, there seems to be interest in this as the number of hits is surprisingly high. 

            Here’s where you – yes you – come in.

            Seeing that there is some interest in what's happening in the village via non-sponsored sites (as in the village web site, school websites, etc.), I am mulling over the possibility of starting a “hyper local” Buffalo Grove news blog. In a perfect world, it would be a community news site where the focus would be on community. The reason is simple -- There are a lot of great stories to be told about organizations and residents in Buffalo Grove.

            This is not a new idea by a long shot.  I have discussed this with people who post and/or distribute news to see what platforms they use and their methods of posting news (use of links, original copy, cut and paste, etc.).

            The first step, however, is to get an idea if there’s an interest.

            Again, here’s where you come in. I want your input on this idea.  All you need to do is go to complete a short simple at this link: News Survey.

            I’ll be discussing my ideas with officials at various governmental agencies (the village, school districts, park district, etc.) for their input.  In the meantime, your input will help.

            Thanks!