Beyond Thanksgiving turkeys...

And so as we give thanks for a myriad of things, let’s not forget to thank our first responders who observe Thanksgiving almost daily because of the turkeys they deal with. For example:

Guess it was before his morning coffee -- An employee of a gas station called police because he did not like the way a customer said  "good morning" to him.

Divorce issue -- Woman reported to police that someone entered her car and stole a file of documents that included evidence against her soon-to-be-ex-husband.   Also reported missing was a bra from Victoria’s Secret.

Lassie go home...and take your friends with you -- Police responded to a call of stray dog.  In the process of returning the dog home, they found that 11 others also resided in the house, as evidenced by the foul odors and collection of feces and urine on the floor.  Owner was cited for having too many animals a residence.

Next time, get a car loan -- a resident thought the ad for car for sale on Craig's listed looked too good.  Only $1,500 -- but the sale had to be handled through e-bay and the car was to be paid for with three $500 i-Tunes gift cards. The resident later got an email from "ebay" asking for a $1,000 deposit which would be returned.   Resident thought this was odd and contacted ebay.  It was bogus, which make you want to know  What took him so long to figure this out?

Last line: Guy who been arguing with State Farm agent, argued with police who then hung up on him. His tirade to the officer included a series of four-letter words and specific references to male body parts.

From North Carolina-- Police were summoned by a resident regarding Michael Jordan basketball cards that he traded.  Seriously. According to police reports, He listed a 1984-85 star #101 card on e-bay and sold it to a man in San Diego, California. The BG resident agreed to trade (sell?) for two other MJ cards the San Diego man had.  The BG man received the cards and posted them on e-Bay. But -- He found out the San Diego cards were counterfeit and wanted his original card back -- which was supposed to have been shipped.  When the BG man got the package, the card was not included.  He valued the MJ card at $15,000.

Duck, duck, goosed -- Police were call to invetsigate a sick goose.  Turns out the goose was  “grievously injured”.   Police used “one beanbag round from department’s less-lethal shotgun to put the goose out of its misery.  And then what, according to the officer’s report “I collected the dead goose and disposed of it in the department’s dumpster.” Waste Management must have been thrilled.

Now You’re In Hot Water...Maybe.  Two people called the police because there was no hot water at a local restaurant.

Pomp, but no circumstance -- Police documented a situation where a resident came in to report that her college diploma from Moscow State Open Education University was missing.  Resident graduated in 1980.  Said report was needed for a duplicate.

Just  Say Cheese – Police were contacted after a customer at a sandwich shop became irritated after finding cheese on his sandwich after he specifically said no cheese. The employee at the shop was concerned and called police. The customer is no longer welcome there.

At least no one got  the shaft. -- Police were called to a local self-storage facility following a report of two men arguing over use of the elevator.  Police reports say the two men said they spoke "out of place", apologized to one another, and exchanged hugs.

What’s that, you say? – A resident contacted police after having a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Long Grove Fire department--selling hearing aids. Didn't seem right.

Up in smoke – A local story reported two boxes of White Owl cigars reported missing. Each cigar has a value of .99 cents. 

Reason to quit -- Police were summoned to an office building to check on the well-being of a man who, police reports say, had not been heard from for several hours.  Police, working with building staff and family members, found personal belongings of the man.  Eventually his wife was able to contact him at home.  It turns out he stepped outside to smoke and the building door closed and locked.  not having his "door card",  he opted to walk home from Milwaukee and Lake-Cook -- to Arlington Heights.

A Peach Of A Guy -- Police were summoned to a local grocery store on the report of a man, reportedly intoxicated, walking through the store eating peaches.  Police located the man who admitted to eating only one peach to make sure they were not too hard before purchasing more.  He was informed he was no longer welcomed in the store and if he came back, he would be arrested to trespassing.  No word if he bought any peaches.

Police had to help a resident who locked his keys in his car -- with his daughter in the back seat.  The 2-year-old was OK and comforted by a Teddy Bear the officer had in the back of his car. The resident said he's going to make a spare key. He may want to consider getting a Teddy Bear as well.

And, finally – Any time an occupation on a police report is listed as “part-time belly dancer,” you know it is going to be interesting.  As is the case with a 24-year old belly dancer has been charged with prostitution after performing a  "sensual" massage on a  34-year-old Lake Forest man, which, police say, included sexual acts.

When police gained access to the room at the hotel, the suspect appeared out of the bathroom wearing only a bath robe.  She did, according to police, begin to remove the robe to get dressed at which time, according to police reports, "she was directed to use the bathroom." 

When it comes to civics, the students get it -- but does anyone else?

            The village’s annual Civics Forum is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 23.  It is a great display of civic engagement by students from Buffalo Grove and Stevenson high schools who team up to discuss and debate matters of civic interest.

            Which is more than most residents do.

            The longtime event is coordinated by Village Clerk Jan Sirabian, who probably knows the importance of civic engagement more than most village officials – just ask her about voter turnout for village elections.

            A key component of civics education and civic engagement is a vibrant news media – just ask the Illinois State Board of Education, the Center for News Literacy or the News Literacy project.

No matter which side of the fence you may be on, the news media is more vibrant and important today than it has been in the decades. It is not perfect, but without a vibrant and independent media, news consumers – in this case Buffalo Grove news consumers – are left out in the dark.

            And it is getting darker.  For years residents had options for local news – the Daily Herald, the Journal-Topics, the Buffalo Grove Patch and the Buffalo Grove Countryside.  There have been others, but they have vanished.

            While local media outlets still exist, they are limited in the breadth of their coverage. The Daily Herald is anchored by veteran journalist Steve Zalusky.  But his gig with the Herald is part-time and there’s only so much one part-timer can do.  The Journal-Topics covers meetings and runs some press releases, but finding the paper is a challenge. Patch, which used to have a reputable reporter in Cristel Mohrman, is just plain useless without any credible reporting.

            Which leaves us to Pioneer Press. In its heyday – a long, long time ago, each Pioneer paper had local reporters to cover features, schools, and municipalities.

            That was, a long, long time ago.

            In more recent times, the Countryside has relied on community columnists Aileen Simons and Susan Dubin and staff writer Ronnie Wachter.

            Simons and Dubin provide editorial content that I have never been a fan of. These columns go back to the time when feature sections were called “Women’s News.”  Fortunately, we’ve moved forward. The society and gossip columns morphed into stay-at-home moms (seriously) who wanted to earn some extra money writing about things in their world. While, as noted, not a fan, Dubin and Simons provide a voice and outlet for local information, albeit at times a bit more personal than community information.

They used to rotate weeks. But not anymore. To save money, Tronc, which used to be Tribune company, pared Simons and Dubin back to once a month. This move no doubt will save thousands of dollars and will allow Buffalo Grove readers to get caught up on events in Harwood Heights, Barrington or Itasca.

            And then there’s Wachter. He’s been around Pioneer for what seems like decades and became a fixture at Village Board and school board meetings. He also wrote news and features about Lincolnshire, Long Grove and where ever else the folks at what used to be known as Pioneer needed him.

            But it seems that either Wachter got too expensive or the folks at Tronc decided that local news just ain’t worth it because Wachter, along with other veteran local journos are gone.

            Local news is important. So important that Report for America has embarked on a program to get 1,000 journalists trained and in local newsrooms (Report for America local initiative).

            But apparently Tronc doesn’t think so.

            Local media is essential in keeping local government agencies such as village boards, school boards, park boards, etc. accountable and transparent. This is not intended to point the finger at any agency in Buffalo Grove because it is the case in any city.

            It is difficult to get residents engaged if they are unaware of what is happening in their community. There are important issues that need independent and well-trained journalists covering them. Posts on social media just doesn’t do it.  All you need to do is look at the “Everything Buffalo Grove” Facebook page to see the rampant amount of misinformation that spews forth from emotional wags who have probably never set foot in Village Hall.

            What seems to be left for local news consumers is a smattering of news stories about local issues.  What’s fading are stories about everyday people who make a difference by volunteering, or who take an extra step in business or in their personal life.

            Yes, the delivery system of news has changed as have the habits of new consumers.

            But the need for civic engagement has not diminished, which is why there is now a mandatory civics education course in every Illinois public high school. In pursuing the course, the Illinois State Board of Education’s task force on civics education cited the need for essential news literacy skills from an independent news media.

            It is essential, perhaps now more than ever. Monday night’s Civics Forum is not a knee-jerk reaction to the times in which we live. Buffalo Grove has been at the forefront in working with high school students for nearly 20 years. It is a labor of love for Sirabian and she is disappointed when the audience is limited to village staff, students and, with luck, a parent or two. The key word is luck.

            Without a strong and vibrant community press, many people will not hear about the work done by the students.

            Which is, to say the least, too bad.

            If residents want to facilitate positive and constructive change, the need to be informed and become civically engaged.

            Attending Monday’s Civics Forum is a good place to start.

            We can all learn something from the students.

The annual civics forum is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 23, in the Jeffrey S. Braiman Council Chambers at the Buffalo Grove Village Hall, 50 Raupp Blvd. For further information, call village hall at (847) 459-2500.

Got news or story ideas?  Send them to me at gaggininthegrove@gmail.com

Hey copper, how about some Joe?

You have to wonder what’s up when a police officer offers to pour your coffee for you.

Unless, of course, it’s the annual national “Coffee with a Cop Day,” as it was last Wednesday. A fund-raising effort for Illinois Special Olympics that is underwritten by McDonald’s Corp., several Buffalo Grove cops spent a couple hours at the McDonald’s at Rt. 83 and Arlington Heights Road to chat with residents over a cup of Joe.

In addition to, as the late Irv Kupcinet would say, “the lively art of conversation,” members of the BGPD had crime prevention information and answered residents’ questions.

            Interestingly, it wasn’t just a cop or two, but as many as six who stopped by, most of whom were off duty.  The “Coffee with a Cop” promotion was more than a way for some BG cops to chat, it was another fund-raising effort officers participate in. Earlier this year, they teamed up with Dunkin’ Donuts for the annual “Cop on as Roof” day, again to raise money for Special Olympics.

            While a “Scotch with the Sergeant” event may draw more interest, having coffee with a cop is probably easier and more family oriented.

            And what about the stereotypical donuts for a cop? One officer said he typically avoids that stereotype.  But, he said, if he does partake in a doughnut, it doesn’t have powder sugar.

Lake-Cook Road Corridor Meeting moved to Nov. 16.

According to a press release from the Village of Buffalo Grove:

Buffalo Grove, Illinois – The Thursday, October 12, 2017 Lake Cook Corridor Open

 House has been rescheduled to Thursday, November 16, 2017.

Due to the importance of this project, the meeting date has been rescheduled to ensure that the draft vision presented to the public is as comprehensive as possible. The project team values the public’s input and apologizes for this inconvenience. Community members are invited to join the project team at the rescheduled meeting on November

 16 at Buffalo Grove Village Hall, 50 Raupp Boulevard, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. 

The meeting will be held in an open house format, meaning individuals can stop by anytime between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 pm at Village Hall. The draft vision for the Lake Cook Corridor will be revealed at the meeting, and was shaped by community feedback and ideas received at previous public meetings and through the Lake Cook Corridor website. This Village of Buffalo Grove will continue to seek feedback at this upcoming meeting.

All residents, business owners, property owners, community leaders and other stakeholders are invited to participate. Please join us and share your opinion and the vision for Lake Cook Corridor.

For additional information contact:
Nicole Woods
Planner with the Village of Buffalo Grove
(847) 459-5539; nwoods@vbg.org

Visit the Lake Cook Corridor Market Study and Plan Website:  www.vbg.org/LCC.

Fire Department gives residents a real hose job

Hundreds of Buffalo Grove residents braved sweltering temperatures on Saturday to participate in the Buffalo Grove Fire Department's annual open house.

The event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featured displays of equipment, fire prevention information, opportunities for children to slide down a fire pole and handle a hose.  A highlight of the event was the visit by the “Flight for Life” helicopter, which is based locally at Centegra Hospital in McHenry

The Fire Department also provided refreshments.

Residents were able to tour the Flight for Life Helicopter

Fire fighters provided a demonstration of a house fire and

how home sprinklers can make a difference.

Residents were able to learn about the BGFD's ambulances and their equipment

A chance to slide down a fire pole.

Youngsters had a chance to handle a fire hose.

Flight for Life departs.

Eric Smith to replace Trilling on Village Board

The search to fill the vacancy on the Village Board whenTrustee Steve Trilling resigned in June is over. Eric Smith will officially take the position at Monday's Village Board meeting.

Eric Smith

The announcement was made in a press release distributed by the village this morning.

According to the release:

At the September 18^th Village Board meeting, President Beverly Sussman will appoint Eric Smith, a 29-year Buffalo Grove resident with experience in local government, business leadership and philanthropy, to fill the unexpired term left open by former Village Trustee Steven Trilling.

In addition to serving as an interim Village of Buffalo Grove Trustee from 2010-2011, Smith currently serves as the Chairman of Buffalo Grove’s Planning and Zoning Commission, is a member of the Lake Cook Corridor Planning Group, and was a member of the committee that chose the Lake Cook Corridor project consultant.

A Buffalo Grove business owner for 29 years, Smith previously served as president, vice president, treasurer and secretary of the Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, as well as president of the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove. He has been a member of both organizations since 1988.

Village President Beverly Sussman said in reviewing the applications from the 12 candidates who vied for the open seat, she focused on choosing the individual who had comprehensive experience working in community affairs, business administration, organized leadership and community development.

Sussman additionally cited a background in community development and prior Village Board experience as important attributes of the right candidate. 

“Eric has a long history of service to the Buffalo Grove community and has a deep understanding of the issues facing Buffalo Grove.  I look forward to working with him,” Sussman said.

Smith said, “I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to serving the community in the role of Trustee.”

The Village will hold a reception welcoming Eric Smith to the Village Board at 7 p.m.  prior to the start of the meeting. All community members are welcome to attend and congratulate Dr. Smith.

Smith will fulfill the Trustee term, which ends April 30, 2019. On September 18^th, President Sussman will also appoint Planning & Zoning Commission member Frank Cesario to replace Eric Smith as Chairman of the Commission.