Monday, June 13, 2016

No wonder they flee to the roof to eat donuts...


I recently wrote about Buffalo Grove police offers who fled the cop cars and ran for donuts and roofs of Dunkin’ Donuts.

Seriously, it was for charity. But even if it wasn’t, I think I’d understand a cop’s desire to let loose.  All you have to do is read the police reports.
For example:

Guess counting sheep didn’t work:  A resident called police about a discarded box spring and mattress.

If at first you don’t succeed:  Resident complained of noisy dump trucks (before 7 a.m.).  Police responded and told drivers who understood.  Resident wanted drivers cited for air pollution rules in regard to idling trucks.  Resident was told trucks were not violating any law.  She stormed back into her house, according to police reports

Next time, go to Best Buy:  Police were called when a customer “threatened to blow someone’s head of” because the charger he bought at a gas station did not work.

Must see video:  A resident called because someone kept turning her door knob.  She used her cell phone to capture video.

Don’t tell PETA:  Police responded to an accident involving a car and deer.  Car won.   According to police “the deer sustained injuries that it could not recover from and (I) dispatched it with one .40 caliber round."  The estimated value was $41.  Value of what?

Something fishy here:  A man left a local sushi restaurant without paying -- for his beer.  Police report the man's favorite item was not on the menu, so he ordered a beer.  He claimed it was a dirty glass, so he did not drink the beer and then left.  Without paying.

Yes, unpacking can take a while:  A resident moved to the village in the beginning of December discovered March 28 that her computer was missing.

But was he charged?: Guy told police he was speeding because he was afraid his battery was "about to die".

Slow news day:  A resident reported that her curry leaf plant and pot were missing.

Slow news day, Part 2:  Two garage door handles were reported missing.

Take cover:  Police were called by a resident about a neighbor who was flying a drone. Caller said he thinks it’s violating his privacy.  Police found owner.  Said he flies drone to relieve stress. Police told him he was not allowed to fly drones within five of an airport (Chicago Executive).  Was also told Buffalo Grove Park District does allow drones to be flown on property.  How about over?

Different strokes:  Police were called to a spa because a customer wanted “front massage" pointing to, well, his front.  Employee said they do back only.  Man left.

Write Dear Abbey: A woman called police seeking advice how to handle her 14-year-old daughter. She's not the first with this question.

But did they have to pay $50 and pick up the garbage? Residents routinely call police about people leaving garbage by dumpster.

You can’t make this stuff up:  A resident complained that a man was masturbating.  She said  she was out for a run and heard the man who was making loud moaning noises.  Resident tried to record the activity with her cell phone, but he ran off. 

Suspicious auto -- well, sort of: Police were called by a resident because "that there was a male/and female subject in the back seat of a car fornicating in the parking lot of the apartment complex. Police talked to the subjects who admitted to "hooking up" as to their purpose for being there.  Police report that the subjects agreed to clean up what they had littered in the parking lot.  According to the report "they were strongly cautioned about their activities and trespasses.  They agreed not to return." Female subject said she had just gotten home from college.

Fan club needed? Police were called because a resident who said every time he turned on his bathroom fan, his upstairs neighbor pounds on the floor.  Police checked.  Fan seemed loud.  But rest assured, the manager said it would be fixed.

Suspicious auto -- well sort of Part 2:  Police were summoned because of a couple allegedly "having relations" in front of iHOP.  Couple said they were merely "making out" and that their choice of venues was not ideal.

Somewhere Betty Crocker is laughing:  Police aided Buffalo Grove Fire Department in response to a kitchen fire.  Residents turned on oven -- without taking plastic cutting board out first.

Sorry, Rocky: Resident called because she observed a maintenance man allegedly kill a squirrel with a metal pole.  Squirrel was inside building where man worked.  Said he did not kill it, but took it outside and released it.  He said resident called because she was mad at him for telling her not to feed the squirrels.

Slow news day, Part 3 -- Woman called police to report a theft of her recycling bin.  She told police she searched the surrounding area.   Waste management told her to file a police report. 

You can’t make this up, Part 2: Police were summoned to a residence for possible disturbance.  While en route, dispatch told police caller was not sure if it was an argument or sexual activity.  Once there, police spoke with the complainant who said for the past year on every Friday or Saturday night his neighbor yells and makes loud noises with another male. Caller said he has discussed this with the homeowners’ association and was told to document the situation(s).

A shot, and a police car?   Kids playing soccer kicked the ball...which shattered the rear window of a car -- a Lake County sheriff’s deputy car.

Cat on the loose.  Police responded to the call about a stray cat.  When officer(s) brought it back to the police department, it fled. 

But was he charged, Part 2: Police had a complaint about a car blocking a lane of a street.  Owner said battery died and he was going to have it moved.   Upon investigation police noticed a box of condoms on the front seat and three "apparently used condoms" a short distance from the vehicle.

But were they fiddling on the roof?: Police responded to a report of a naked male on a roof.  When they got there they did not see anyone.  Complainant insisted he was there.  Police called for Buffalo Grove Fire Department which sent a ladder truck.  Upon further investigation, police and fire fighters found both a man and a woman -- both naked -- on the roof.  Police reports say once the couple was on the ground they admitted to making a "bad choice”.

Curse you, Red Baron:  A dog named Snoopy was reported missing.  No report if it was found in Woodstock.

Slow news day, Part 4:  Resident called police to report that over the past two years he has found laundry lint in his bushes and on her porch.

Cat on the loose, Part 2:  Police were summoned to retrieve a stray cat. It was brought to station.  A citation for a cat at large was issued.  Reports did not say when the cat will appear in court.

Next time, call Uber:  Cab driver contacted police about a passenger who would not wakeup.  Turns out she was a.) intoxicated, b.) had given the cab driver the wrong address and c.) gave the cab driver the wrong city.

Next time, get the chicken:  A resident reported to police that there was a nail in their carry-out beef brisket sandwich.

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Buffalo Grove's Farmers Market kicks off 2016 season



Buffalo Grove's Farmers Market kicked off its 2016 season Sunday with a some new vendors coupled with child-oriented entertainment.

The usual array of items and services were available on opening day even though a couple of vendors canceled at the last minute.   Members of the Farmers Marker Committee expressed hope that the problems keeping missing vendors from the Market will be resolved.

 A downside to Farmers Market opening in early June, something that is not inherent to the Buffalo Grove Farmers Market, is a seemingly small selection of produce -- with good reason -- it's still early in the growing season. 

Buffalo Grove's Farmers Market runs every Sunday (except Labor Day weekend, which is Buffalo Grove Days) through Oct. 9   The Market is open from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is located at Mike Rylko Community Park, 951 McHenry Road.

For more information about the Farmers Market, or to attend Committee meetings, call (847) 459-2525.












Saturday, June 11, 2016

More than $45,000 raised in Relay for Life




The Relay for Life was scheduled to wrap up earlier today at Stevenson High School.  The annual event, coordinated by students from Stevenson and Buffalo Grove high schools, raises money for the fight against  Cancer.   Twenty-two teams, including one from the Village of Buffalo Grove, participated. As of 9 a.m. today, more than $45,000 had been raised.

Additional information can be found at BG-Lincolnshire Relay for Life.


Village Board President Beverly Sussman, Board Member Jeff Berman and Bruce Kahn


Beverly Sussman and Village Board Member Lester Ottenheimer III

A team prepares for the start of the Relay


Stevenson High School volunteers


Stevenson High School volunteers staff the registration area.

Team Chemosaurus Rex

Team Purplepower Jam.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

It's more than a Relay -- it's a marathon



For the most part, it’s a blip on the calendar.
                The annual Relay for Life.  The annual fund raiser for the American Cancer Society brings together students from Buffalo Grove and Stevenson High Schools in a civic activity – to raise money for the fight against cancer.
                This year’s event starts tonight and so far there are 22 teams with 117 participants that have raised just over $36,000 for cancer research.
                Not bad.  Many communities embrace the Relay for Life and turn out in force.  In the past, for example, the city of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, a community of around 12,000 has raised in excess of $300,000 during its Relay.  It’s a community event up there on the banks of the Rock River that gets the Relay going.
                The Buffalo Grove Relay for Life, which starts at 7 p.m., alternates between Buffalo Grove and Stevenson High School’s.  This year it will be at Stevenson.
                If you have never attended a Relay you’re missing not just an event, but a wake-up call as to the breadth of impact cancer has on people.  Yes, we have all heard to the stories and may even have had a family member impacted by cancer.
                Memories are shared and when a direct mail solicitation arrives in the mail, we drop a check in and fire it back.
                However, for some people, the fight against cancer and raising money for cancer research takes more than that.
                 As noted, there will be 22 teams raising money at this year’s Relay for Life.  One is from the village. The team consists of various village officials and staff who donate and participate in the event.
                It’s the team captains that captivate me.  A village employee and a trustee.
                Jennifer Maltas is Deputy Village Manager and Jeff Berman is a Village Board Member.  Working on the Relay is not part of their village job or role on the Board.  It’s something they feel compelled to do.
                For personal – very personal – reasons.  Why?  Here are their stories.

Jennifer Maltas 
                 I began Relaying with my family in 2004 after my mom’s breast cancer spread to her lungs and liver. She was diagnosed when she was 47, I was 17, and my brothers were 16 and 10.   
Jennifer Maltas
We have been Relaying as a family (dad, brothers, cousins, aunts and uncles) ever since and together as a family have raised $215,000 for the American Cancer Society. My mom lost her battle to cancer five years ago, June 5th.  Two of her sisters were also diagnosed with cancer.  My Aunt Claudia is currently battling a very aggressive uterine cancer that will ultimately take her life.  I have lost friends and family to the disease and I will Relay until there is a cure.

                When I was working for the Village of Deerfield I was approached by the American Cancer Society staff to run what was then the Relay For Life of Deerfield/Highland Park.  After that event, I was then asked to join the volunteer leadership team out of the Lincolnshire offices which assists with the 28 Relays on the North Shore, in Lake County, and the Northwest Suburbs.  This includes the Relay For Life of Buffalo Grove/Stevenson.  When I was hired as the Deputy Village Manager in Buffalo Grove, I was so happy to see the amazing involvement of the Buffalo Grove Village Board, specifically Jeff Berman, in supporting the Relay.  Since I was hired I have been working with Jeff to assist with team captain duties. 

Jeff Berman
                This Friday will make my seventeenth consecutive year as Captain (or Co-Captain) of the Village’s team for Relay for Life.
Jeff Berman
 I can only say how much I continue to be impressed and inspired by the dedication of our area’s young people who plan, organize and execute this incredible event, year after year, and to the community members who participate. It is truly remarkable. And make no mistake, what they do makes a real difference.

                Forty-one years ago last month, I lost my mother to cancer, just weeks before my own thirteenth birthday. When she was first diagnosed, in the early 1970’s, the form of cancer that claimed her was a virtual death sentence. But, today, the 5-year survival rate for very same form of cancer is estimated to be between 80% up to near 100%. That marked improvement is credited to progress in diagnosing cancer at earlier stages and to advancements in cancer treatment. It hasn’t happened through chance. It is the result of decades of dedicated efforts by researchers, much of whose work is funded through public generosity and specifically from money raised at events such as our Relay.

                And so, it is my great privilege to participate and support the efforts of our community’s young people who are fighting for those who are battling and have battled cancer. It is an honor to be a part of this effort to make a difference in the lives of survivors and those who love them. Each year, together, we help to give life and a voice to the cure that is on the horizon. And that, in a nutshell, is why I relay.
                If you still need a reason to attend or support the relay – just reread Jennifer’s and Jeff’s stories.
                For more information on the Relay for Life, go to:Buffalo Grove / Lincolnshire Relay for Life