For one fleeting moment...

It may be considered the highlight of the musical... when Richard Burton as King Arthur, recalls that ":for one fleeting moment, it was known as Camelot..."

Buffalo Grove is not Camelot -- no place is -- but come Thursday, Sept. 2 and running through Monday, Sept. 6, the village will have its own little Camelot.

Buffalo Grove Days 2010.

More than a carnival or a concert, it's the village's time to just have fun.  Period.

A lot of people have worked tiredly on the event as the Buffalo Grove Day Committee does every year.  There have, however, been rumblings about the way Buffalo Grove Days have been run.

Stop.

This is a community event coordinated by your neighbors who work on all aspects of the event.  It is not a political rally, it is not a political arena, it is not a political football.

It's Buffalo Grove Days.  Period.

I could run the names of the committee, but why run the risk of having it seem like I am politicising the event.

Instead, I'll just cite the efforts of Festival Chairs Paulette Greenberg and J.V. Springman, Jr.   I may have met Paulette in passing, but I know J.V. and can tell you the when it comes to focus, you won't find too many people with the focus, intensity and passion that J.V. has.

So that's where the buck lies -- with the volunteer committee, lead by J.V. and Paulette, who work to provide the entire village an end of summer event.

Want to know what's happening when?  Check out http://bgdays.com/. 

As for politicising, there are those in the village who, as Cervantes wrote in "Man of LaMancha," think Buffalo Grove is a place "where evil brings profit and virtue none at all; where fraud and deceit are mingled with truth and sincerity."

Put it aside -- and have fun.  

If  you have an agenda, leave it at home.  Or better yet, stay at home with it.

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Want a Preview?

On Wednesday, Sept. 1, look for a Pink Firetruck at the annual Village Chamber softball game. The pink (really) fire truck is in the area as part of the International Fire Chiefs convention and is heralding the fight against Breast Cancer as part of the Pink Heals Tour.  It will be in front of the Village Hall starting at 6:30 p.m.  For information about the Pink Heals Tour, go to www.pinkfiretrucks.org.

Candidate discusses a deep subject

It has been a while since Village President candidate, Chicken Little, has been heard from. Until recently.

“I try to keep campaigning to a lull until after Labor Day,” he said. “But once again I am concerned about, well, the potential of the sky falling in on the Village.

Village Board
Candidate Chicken Little

How so?

“I’ve heard a lot about the fact that the ground water is so bad it’s going to infect our minds, curve our spins and keep the allies from winning the war,” he said. “But C.L.,” I asked, “the village gets its water from Lake Michigan and has for years.”

“Help me understand this, there are no wells in the village?” he asked. I explained to him that there are four wells in the village, but they are only for emergency purposes. “So what’s the problem?’ he asked.

It appears that at least one trustee is concerned about the health and safety of the drinking water and continually sites the Shaw Report. “But if the village is on Lake Michigan water, what’s the issue. And what’s the Shaw Report. The last time I heard from Shaw, it was Sadie asking me out.” C.L. must be the only person, oops, living creature who has not heard of the Shaw Report, which in essence was an environmental impact study on the L&L property that the village was interested in annexing five years ago.

Little asked if the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the federal environmental protection agency looked into it. Yes, I assured him, they did. “And what did they find? Not much of any consequence. “Oh,” he said, “then it must have been handled by the Lake County Health Department.” I told him it was. “So what’s the problem?” he asked. I explained to him that Trustee Lisa Stone things L & L is responsible for foul water. “Excuse me,” he said, “you have a problem with fowl water?”

Clarification made, I further explained that L&L was once a landfill, but now serves as a compost area. The federal and state EPAs have said L&L does not pose a danger to the village, or the surrounding areas.

“So as they say in the barn, what’s the beef?” he asked. I’m not sure, I told him. Granted safety of well water for human consumption has its valid points, but the village’s wells are 1,000 feet deep and any runoff from L&L will not impact them.

“So who will it impact?” Little asked? Another good question. Theoretically, it could affect resident in unincorporated Lake County. “Ahh, so I bet the village has been swamped with calls of concern from those residents.” Nope. “How about the villages of Riverwoods and Lincolnshire?” Nope.

“Do the residents have any concerns about the drinking water?” he asked. “I would expect anyone receiving well water could have concerns, but this is not a new problem,” I said.

Little pondered the situation as he fixed his feathers. “So why is Stone going ballistic about this problem if it does not affect the village and has been checked out by environmental engineers; is she an expert in this area?”

Good question, again, I noted. It’s especially intriguing to me, I told him that Stone used to live over in that area, but never said a word about.

“I dunno,” Little said, “It sounds a little strange to me. Would you have any concerns?
I told him I too live over in that area and found the odors and potential problems from the sewage treatment plant more of a concern, especially when I cooked.

“Really, that’s pretty interesting. What recipe were you most concerned about?” he asked.
I told him the one for chicken soup.

“Not funny,” he said, “Not funny at all."

Neither is hysteria over a problem that independent experts have addressed and provided solid information.

Another tradition gone away...

Being a traditionalist in many ways, this time of year is a cause for reflection.

Kids are going back to school, vacations are wrapping up, and the Cubs are out of the pennant race.

Some things never change.

One thing that has changed, however, is the traditional start of election campaigning. It used to be that politicians would not start their bids for office until Labor Day. Not anymore. Now it seems as though campaigning is year round. It starts prior to the primaries, runs through the primaries and once the primaries are over – boom – the incessant rhetoric picks up once again.

Trustee Lisa Stone, who has done for campaigning what Lar “America First” Daly did for Chicago mayoral elections, fits, no breaks the mold. Her stint on the Village Board has been one continuous campaign filled with (this not news, folks) ridicule and personal accusations. And while she claims to be a concerned about the village finances, her campaign continues to cost the residents.

The video taping of the Village Board meetings is not free – and the longer Stone rambles, the more the village pays those videographers, who I believe now get Tetanus shots as part of their benefits. Stone uses the community access to wave her disdain for just about everything in the village. She uses community access for her own benefit, such as the time she told the videographer to “focus in” on the page of the Shaw Report she was waving around. Regular to Village Board meetings may also recall the bird houses that were placed in front of each member of the Board in recognition of the Arts Commission Bloomin' Buffalo Grove. Only Stone moved hers aside. Guess it interfered with the camera angle.

The interesting thing here is campaigns are for politicians. Lisa Stone is not a politician. That’s not my assessment, nor that of any of her opponents. That’s her assessment – she, made that pronouncement during the Aug. 9 Board Meeting. “I am not a politician.”

I’ll add that to my list of great political quotes – along with “I am in charge here” (Alexander Haig), “the policeman is not here to create disorder, the policeman is there to preserve disorder” (Richard J. Daley) and, of course, everyone’s favorite “I am not a crook” (Richard Nixon).

So now it’s “I am not a politician” – which leads to the question, if you’re not a politician, what are you and why are you taking up space on a governing body?

If it’s to showcase special interests, then the mission is accomplished. If it’s to serve the community, let’s make that entire community, the mission is falling way short, sort of like the Cubs bid for a World Series title (wait, let’s make that appearance).

Stone apparently thinks being a politician means playing games, back stabbing and doing only what you want to do. But she would never do that, she’s not a politician.

Savvy politicians would never steal a limelight; instead they would let their record and performance speak for themselves. Nah, I don’t think Stone would do that because, after all, she’s not a politician.

Good politicians who serve their constituency well get re-elected, much to the chagrin of some. However, it’s important to note that even if they do serve a long time it’s because of public trust and dedication to serving their community, county, state or nation.

The bad ones are rejected in one way or another.

So as Labor Day looms, it’s sad to see some traditions go by the wayside – like controlled campaigning.

Thank goodness we have the Cubs.

Words, words, words...

As has been noted in this space, the late George Carlin used to say “I love words…there are 400,000 words in the English language and only seven you can’t say on television…”

While some resident may think those “naughty seven” may be applicable to the Village Board, the key word of interest is not even on the list. A bad word? Nah. Misused? Probably.

Independent.

Trustee Lisa Stone likes to wave her flag be pronouncing herself as an “independent voice.”

Independent of what? Yes, we know, independent of the old boys network.

Stone continues to overlook the history of the village to realize that many key decisions were made by women who dedicated their time to the development of the village. That, however, would make too much sense to Stone. Besides, what’s old? Village President Elliott Hartstein just had a birthday and he’s only a few years older than I am. Neither of us is old.

If she continues to think it’s an old boys network, she is clueless to her colleagues on the Board – Beverly Sussman, De Ann Glover and Jan Sirabian. Sussman, like Stone, is a first-termer. Glover and Sirabian have served the village for years and do so out of passion, not to be self-centered or make a name for themselves.

So now we need to move from George Carlin to the late S.I. Hayakawa, who among other things, was not only a college administrator (he was president of San Francisco State University), he was a renown semanticist who spent much of his career ‘studying the history of language patterns and habits of thought,’ according to U.S.English.org. I can only imagine what his thoughts would have been after watching Trustee Stone.

No doubt, Dr. Hayakawa would have bristled at her use, misuse, and over use of various words. Such as independent. There are, to no surprise, many definitions for independent. Merriam-Webster includes:

“… not dependent: as a (1) : not subject to control by others : (2) : not affiliated with a larger controlling unit b (1) : not requiring or relying on something else : not contingent (2) : not looking to others for one's opinions or for guidance in conduct (3) : not bound by or committed to a political party c (1) : not requiring or relying on others”

Sound like Liza? She would like you to think so. But recent rants show that she is focused only on self-interest items and does not contribute to items that affect the entire village. So who is guiding Trustee Stone? Is this true independence?

There are other words that could come into play as well. Merriam-Webster defines disrespectful as “a lack of respect” and define respect as

“… :an act of giving particular attention : consideration 3 a : high or special regard :esteem b : the quality or state of being esteemed c plural.."

The key words here are “consideration”, “esteem”, and “quality” – none of which seem to come into play with Stone. She shows little consideration for the efforts of her colleagues, holds no one in esteem, except for herself.

As for quality, well, her quality of her comments in both content and presentation is lacking. I never had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Hayakawa, but if it was possible to do so today, I wonder if he would associate one word with Trustee Stone’s incessant rants at Village Board meetings.

Annoying.

It would also be great if it was possible to hear the thoughts of the late Carlin. I don’t think he would have had one word. He might have seven.

A Restaurant Review: La Casa de la Aldea

I enjoy Mexican food.

I've eaten in small mom-and-pop places in Waukegan, Chicago, Los Angeles and as far south as Chula Vista, California.

So when I found a new Mexican restaurant in Buffalo Grove, I had to check it out. La Casa de la Aldea a small place on Raupp Boulevard and has been around for more than 50 years. It's staff and service is second to none. The decor is somewhat stark, but comfortable.

For years, from what I've been able to research, the management has provided a solid fare, somewhat routine, but effective in pleasing the palates of their customers. The management, working with staff, have enhance the menu and improved service on a regular basis. Customers seem to like the steady and dependable service and menu.

Having been a regular I can't help but notice an annoying change in the menu. It seems that while most of the culinary staff is pleased with the menu items, there seems to be a tendency to over serve refried beans.

I can't recall a restaurant that features as many refried beans as La Casa de la Aleda in the 15 months. It seems to me that they are accented with what taste like either old laundry or poor quality water, which is unusual because the village's water is really excellent.

The excess of refried beans seems to come from a member of the culinary staff who things they are the big enchilada and wants to keep serving the same old refried beans over and over again. I have friends who are in the restaurant business and have met some leading Mexican chefs, and they'll tell you that over serving a menu item, like refried beans, does little for your culinary excellence. Culinary creations are best developed working as a team. Items that are overdone, stale and not properly prepared do little for the overall success and image of the restaurant.

I don't think I'm off track when I bet that many customers have had their fill of these refried beans. Independent ideas can be a welcome idea to any menu, but the key is having solid ideas, not a self-proclamation as to your culinary ability. Unproven recipes and miserable service are not good for a restaurant. Culinary creativity, great service, solid management and presentation are the cornerstones for a successful restaurant like La Casa de la Aldea.

It has worked for more than 50 years and let's hope it continues.

Otherwise the Spanish phrase you may hear comes from the governor of the state that had the nation's most aggressive recall effort. You know the governor and you know one of his most famous lines.

Hasta la vista, baby.

A Really Cool Effort....

The sad thing about a lot of the sideshows at the Village Board meetings is that a lot of cool stuff in the village goes unnoticed or even unappreciated.

Take for example the philanthropic efforts of the Buffalo Grove Fire Department. Not only does it hold its annual "Pass the Boot" day, which is a fund raiser for Muscular Dystrophy, fire fighterSteve Rusin discussed the "Pink Heals Tour 2010" -- a fund raising program to fight cancer.

To support the effort, members of the Fire Department have been wearing pink T-shirts -- and now are taking it to the public.

T-shirts and hoodie sweatshirts are now for sale from the Fire Department's web site viawww.vbg.org where you will find complete information about this program. Make sure you click on the Fire Department's link on the left hand side of the village's home page. You can also pick up order forms at the Highland Grove fire station (the one that faces Deerfield Parkway). By the way, that's marked as Fire Station No. 26 -- don't ask me, there are only three fire stations in the village.

Make a note -- orders are due by Aug. 20. Checks should be made out to Steve Rusin who coordinates Pink Heals effort.

The cost of the T-shirts is $10 for childrens sizes and adult sizes up to 2xx and above. The larger sizes are $15. The sweatshirts are $25 for all sizes.

The Fire Department is hoping to have some of "Pink Heals Tour 2010" pink fire trucks on display at its annual softball game against the Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 1.

You won't be able to miss a pink fire truck -- and you won't miss an opportunity to support a really cool fund raiser.

As for fire fighters in pink -- that may take some getting used to.

For more information -- call the Fire Department at (847) 537-0995.

(c) 2010

What's good for the goose...

At last Monday night's Village Board meeting, Trustee Lisa Stone again ridiculed members of the Board and Village Board President Elliott Hartstein about what she thinks are excessive rules in the village.

In fact, at one point she indicated that those who may have violated any of the village rules be exonerated. She has previously voiced objection to rules put into place by the Village Board -- even though she voted for them.

There's more than a little irony here -- it's a flip-flop in positioning.

This is the same Lisa Stone who on March 1 indicated to village staff a need for more rules and enforcement.

This flip came as a result of a complaint sent to Stone about traffic problems near Stevenson High School. The resident indicated that the drop off and pick-up of students before and after school poses traffic problems,

In an email obtained via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regarding a letter from a resident who lives in the Tenerife subdivision across from Stevenson High School, Stone tells staff that: "...While enforcement is great, sometimes just having the signs and rules will dissuade many people from breaking the law. An occasional enforcement also affirms our village rules. Lack of ability to enforce is not a reason to not set the rules..."

This is the same Lisa Stone who, as noted, thinks there are too many rules when they appear to work against here, but if she needs rules to make her "look good" in the eyes of a resident, the by golly, let's slap another rule on the book and let's make sure the police are there to enforce them.

Interesting -- let's have the police enforce more rules and laws to please Miz Stone, but when the Village Board President wants rules enforced, she runs the red light, disobeys the speed limit and then cries foul.

What has run afoul here is the lack of a single standard. Instead, it appears that Stone wants her cake and eat it too and does not care how it is regurgitated on the village board, staff or residents.

It's another case of Stone using village time and resources to further her cause -- whatever it may be.

The reality is this -- what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Maybe she does not recall the conversation or email -- that would be too convenient.

What she needs to recall is that there are rules, regulations and laws in place by the village. Yes, to some they maybe extreme.

But through it all, it's equal justice for all.

This isn't Old Country Buffet, you don't pick only the ones you like.

(c) 2010