Civics Forum a lesson for more than just students

With the November 2018 mid-term elections a week away, much has been written about the importance of voting. Not only in this election, but any election.

Students from Buffalo Grove and Stevenson high schools
participate in the Oct. 22 Civics Forum

This is not breaking news.

However, an added twist in recent years has been the importance of civic engagement.  The message from major civic-minded foundations, government watchdog organizations and community advocacy organizations or the village clerk is simple – civic engagement is important.

Buffalo Grove’s Village Clerk, Janet Sirabian, is not someone who jumped on the band wagon.  In fact, Sirabian helped get the band wagon rolling years ago when she started coordinating the village’s annual Civics Forum.

The event includes students from Buffalo Grove and Stevenson high schools who, for a day, are involved in village activities that culminate with a Village Board meeting run by the students.

The Forum, held last Monday, gave students a chance to present village projects to the full board, made up of the students, with support from staff, also portrayed by students.

Students received information from village departments.  The proposals included a volunteerism video, community development manufacturing expo, purchase of 10-year smoke detectors, a bench and picnic table for the police department, purchase of a nitrogen generator tire-filling system, public workspace at village hall, and a daily endorphin for village employees.

Students had the day to study and analyze each proposal before presenting  -- and defending – them to the Board at the meeting.

What’s refreshing to note is that the students did what village staff and village officials do (or are supposed to do); and that is look at projects that impact the village. The students volunteered to participate in the Forum so they can experience first hand how government works and the importance of being involved in the civic process.

Which takes on seemingly more importance this year because of the mid-term elections. The easiest way to get engaged in civics is to vote. As said before, that’s not breaking news.

A more challenging way to get civically engaged is to follow village activities.  With Village Board elections coming up in April of 2019, you can bet there will be folks who will run for one of three Trustee seats available or, perhaps, even Village President.

Unless they are seeking re-election, some of the candidates who run seldom, if ever, attend Village Board meetings. Others may run simply to promote their own agenda rather than work for the issues facing the village as a whole.

While people want to jump on national or global band wagons, there is greater need for civic engagement at the grassroots level. There are more pressing issues than snow removal, skunks and parkway trees.

Sirabian knows this, which is why she gets young people involved.

And from the looks of things from last Monday’s Civics Forum – they get it.

Hopefully more people will.

Education, demonstrations highlight Fire Department's Open House

Residents had a chance to learn about fire safety, fire fighting techniques as well as the opportunity to climb on fire equipment at the Buffalo Grove Fire Department's annual Open House.

The event was held Saturday, Sept. 22 at the main fire station at  1051 Highland Grove Drive.  In addition to BGFD equipment, the "Flight for Life" helicopter was on display and gave visitors a chance to learn about the unit.

The "Flight for Life" helicopter gave visitors a chance for
a quick tour and photo opportunity.

Visitors had the opportunity to learn about the BGFD's ambulances.

Future fire fighters had the chance to check out
fire trucks and engines.

A chance to sit in the "Flight for Life" helicopter

A mobile command center was on display.

Young and old fire fighters had a chance to learn  how to handle a fire extinguisher.

The "Flight for Life" helicopter takes off after being on display at the BGFD open house

Village approves plans for new Milwaukee Avenue gas station

The Village Board Monday night approved resolutions that clear the way for the development of a new gas station and mini-mart on Milwaukee Avenue.

Plans for the station, which will be a 12-pump Shell gas station, include a 3,500 square foot mini-mart at 185  N. Milwaukee Avenue.  True North Energy, which is developing the project, has also entered into an agreement to purchase the Wooil Restaurant, which is currently on the site.

True North plans to offer beer and wine sales at the mini-mart. Development of the 0.9-acre site is scheduled to begin in Spring 2019.

Aptakisic Road closed until Sept. 28

The CN/Wisconsin Central Railroad has confirmed that they will be closing Aptakisic Road at the railroad tracks between Weiland Road and Bond Street until Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. Repairs will be made to the railroad crossing and will also include a future sidewalk crossing on the south side of Aptakisic Road - to be completed with the Weiland Road Project.

Fire Department Open House Saturday

The 23rd annual Buffalo Grove Fire Department Open House will be held this coming Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fire Department Headquarters, 1051 Highland Grove Drive in Buffalo Grove. This family-friendly event will include a vehicle extrication demonstration, side-by-side sprinkler burn unit, hands-on fire extinguisher training, equipment displays, a puppet show, and an appearance by the Flight for Life helicopter, along with a junior firefighter challenge including a fire pole! Free hot dogs and chips will be served. For more information, contact the Fire Department Public Education Division at (847) 777-6110 or at this link Fire Department open house.

Want to run for village office?

There are five open seats on the Buffalo Grove Village Board for the April 2, 2019 Consolidated Election, including Village President, Village Clerk and three Village Trustee seats. Trustees whose terms are ending including Jeff Berman, David Weidenfeld and Eric Smith.  Smith was appointed to replace Steve Trilling who was re-elected in 2015 but resigned when he moved out of the village.

Candidates can pick up petitions at the Buffalo Grove Village Hall, 50 Raupp Boulevard in Buffalo Grove, during regular business hours; Monday from 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., and Tuesday - Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Petition filing begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, December 10 in the Village Clerk's Office, 50 Raupp Boulevard in Buffalo Grove, and ends on December 17 at 6:30 p.m.  Details can be found here Village election information.

Questions regarding the Municipal Election should be directed to the State Board of Elections State Board of Elections. A Candidate's Guide may be obtained by calling the State Board of Elections at 312-814-6440 or can also be found online here, or specific to the County of residence. Lake County residents can click Lake County election information and Cook County residents can go to this site Cook County election information for additional information.

Or you can run for Buffalo Grove Park District Board

 Three current Buffalo Grove Park District Commissioner positions for 4-Year Terms, and one unexpired two-year term are open for election in the April 2, 2019 Consolidated Election.  Individuals interested in running for a position as a Buffalo Grove Park District Commissioner in this election can pick up petitions.  The circulation period for petitions is Sept. 18 to December 17.

 Petitions can be picked up at the Alcott Center, located at 530 Bernard Drive in Buffalo Grove.  The Alcott Center is open Monday from 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Residents interested in running for a Buffalo Grove Park District Commissioner seat must be a registered voter and have been a resident of the Buffalo Grove Park District for at least one year prior to the election.

For additional information, contact Ryan Risinger, executive director of the Buffalo Grove Park District at (847) 850-2122.

Thefts from vehicles continue to plague village

Buffalo Grove Police are investigating eight thefts from vehicles which, according to police reports, occurred in the past week.

According to reports, in each case vehicles were left unlocked and valuables, including car keys, wallets and cash, were left in the vehicle.  In one case, the vehicle was stolen, but was located in the  8800 block of south Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

In a statement issued through a village news release, Police Chief Steven Casstevens urged residents to be proactive in preventing thefts from vehicles. "We cannot stress enough, the importance of simply locking your vehicle," Casstevens said." Locking your doors is the most effective deterrent. Police are also investigating thefts from garages that were left open and unattended.

Police have arrested and charged a Waukegan man with four counts of criminal trespass to a vehicle Sept. 1 after a he allegedly stole items, mostly loose change, from unlocked cars.  The 43-year-old man, told police he was homeless and was merely looking for loose change. He is scheduled to appear in Cook County Court in Rolling Meadows Oct. 12.

Village Board meets Monday

The Buffalo Grove Village Board meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday for its regular monthly meeting. A complete agenda and agenda packet can be found at Sept. 17 Village Board meeting information.

SWANCC electronics, document shredding event this Saturday

The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) is hosting a one-day Electronics Recycling and Document Destruction event on Saturday, September 15, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. until noon in the Banner Plumbing parking lot, 151 Hastings Road in Buffalo Grove. Residents who live in any SWANCC member community can drop off items to be recycled. IDs will be checked for verification of residency. For more information about the event and items accepted, Click here

Aptakisic Road closed Sept. 21 - 28

Aptakisic Road will be closed between Weiland Road and Bond Street from Sept. 21 through Friday, Sept. 28 for work on the CN/Wisconsin Central railroad crossing. The work includes repairs of the railroad crossing and will include a future sidewalk crossing on the south side of Aptakisic Road - to be completed with the upcoming Weiland Road Project.

Fire Department open house Sept. 22

The 23rd annual Buffalo Grove Fire Department Open House is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Fire Department Headquarters Station, 1051 Highland Grove Drive.

This family-friendly event will include vehicle extrication, side-by-side sprinkler burn unit demonstrations, hands-on fire extinguisher training, a junior firefighter challenge including a fire pole, equipment displays, puppet show, an appearance by the Flight for Life helicopter and more. Free hot dogs and chips will be served. For more information view the Fire Department Open House flyer or contact the Fire Department Public Education Division at 847-777-6110.

Upcoming Wireless Emergency Alert Nationwide Test

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be conducting the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) test alert to all cell phone users at 1:18 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20.

The WEA system is used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children and other critical situations through alerts sent to cell phones. The WEA test message will have a header that reads "Presidential Alert" and a text that says: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed." The national test will use the same special tone and vibration as with all WEA messages (e.g. tornado warning, AMBER alerts). Users cannot opt out of the test or system.

Park District accepting applications for board post

The Buffalo Grove Park District Board of Commissioners is

accepting applications from residents of the Park District to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Commissioner Jack Schmerer. The individual selected will serve as Park District Commissioner until the middle of the term at the annual meeting in May 2019. The remaining two years of the term will be open during the April 2019 consolidated election. Residents interested in applying, should contact Buffalo Grove Park District Executive Director Ryan Risinger at (847) 850-2122. Applications are being accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14. Applications can be found on the Board of Commissioners page of the Park District website, www.bgpark.org

Partial Old McHenry Road closure begins Monday

The Lake County Division of Transportation will partially close Old McHenry Road in Long Grove for roadwork starting Monday, Sept. 10, . Old McHenry Road is scheduled to reopen to all traffic in November . Commuters are encouraged to use the following detour route: Route 22 to Route 83 to Route 53. Additional route information can be found on the detour map at this site: Detour map

Special Olympics plane pull  Sept. 22 at O'Hare Airport

Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steven Casstevens was recently interviewed on Fox 32 Chicago about the annual Plane Pull fundraiser which benefits the Special Olympics of Illinois. The Police Department will take part in the Plane Pull event. For those who would like to participate in the Plane Pull, there are 20 people per team, and it will be held on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at O'Hare Airport.  For more information and to register, click here. 

Garden Club to feature Mike Nowak

The Buffalo Grove Garden Club meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive in Buffalo Grove. On Tuesday, Sept. 11, guest speaker Mike Nowak will present, "That Ain't No Way to Treat a Tree." Nowak is a master gardener and Openlands TreeKeeper, and has shared his expertise about gardening, the environment and green living on radio, TV and in Chicagoland Gardening Magazine. The horticulture talk will be about Daffodils 1, 2 and 3. The Flower Guild will collect gently used books (birth - grade 6) for Bernie's Book Bank in Lake Bluff. Click this link for more information about the Buffalo Grove Garden Club and upcoming events, go to this link: Buffalo Grove Garden Club.

Woodman's a welcome addition; but it may not seem that way

I was once told by an executive in the restaurant business that it’s best to wait six months before passing judgement on a new restaurant.

            That timeframe, he said, gives the restaurant time to adjust to its clientele, operations, menus, etc. This was before the social media arrived on the scene. And while I’m sure the six-month timeframe may still be warranted, there’s nothing to control the wags who indiscriminately and thoughtlessly post on social media.

Woodman's is well lit and well

signed as shown in its produce

section

            A case in point is the opening of Woodman’s – probably the biggest retail opening in Buffalo Grove’s recent – if not its entire 60-year history.

            But if you read some of the posts on social media, specifically the “Everything Buffalo Grove” Facebook page, you’d think Woodman’s was as welcomed in Buffalo Grove as an Arab in a Kibbutz.

            And it has only been opened less than a week. Granted, the positive reviews seem to outweigh those wags who are beside themselves because the Sushi station at Woodman’s isn’t open, or they can’t use their Visa card to get points to use so they can buy an air ticket so they can fly to Des Moines -- or this major crisis -- they couldn't get cell service in the store.

            The bottom line is this; Woodman’s is, at least from my initial visit, a heck of an operation and has proved itself to be not only a welcome addition to the Buffalo Grove business landscape, but a great corporate citizen.

            In addition to jumping on to sponsorship bandwagon for Buffalo Grove Days, Woodman’s also paid for roadway improvements along Milwaukee Avenue and Deerfield Parkway to make things easier for its customers and those drivers who use both roadways.

            But we don’t read about good neighbors. Instead many folks overlook the strong impact Woodman’s may have on the village opting instead to rip village officials for not doing more to attract new retail outlets.

Wide aisles are a highlight at
Woodman's

            As noted, based on my initial visit, Woodman’s is impressive.  It’s large. Very large. The store’s total square footage is 254,000 square feet of which, store officials told me, 135,000 is for retail space. The remaining space is for warehousing, which one employee told me is massive.

            It is anyone’s guess which area store will feel the greatest impact. Beyond an impressive assortment of grocery items, Woodman’s carries what appears to be a wide variety of home-care products, hardware items and greeting cards.

           

In addition to a wide variety of grocery items, Woodman's
carries household and health and beauty items.

Unlike some smaller stores, Woodman’s does not make bakery goods on site and meat is not cut in the store, but at a supplier that delivers meat three times a week. Its liquor department is bigger (so it seems) than some liquor stores and is anchored by a wide variety of beer.

            Check-out lines, at least at this early stage, are well managed and offer both self-checkout and employee assisted checkout.

            If you’re gas-price conscious, on Friday Woodman’s was offering lead-free for $2.74 a gallon, between five and 15 cents less than major-brand stations in the area.

            And then there’s the ‘issue’ of payment. If you’ve read social media you would think that the fact that Woodman’s accepts only Discover cards, debit cards, checks and cash is the end of the world and, as the late George Carlin might say, would infect your mind, curve your spine and help the allies lose the war. It’s easy enough to overcome this ‘obstacle’ -- plan ahead. If none of these options work, Woodman’s offers a fee-free automatic teller machine.

            Give Woodman’s a chance; and welcome them to the village.

            As for Sushi. Relax, it’s coming. Maybe they'll call when it's available. 

            They'll just use a land line.

Heavy rain forces changes to today's Buffalo Grove Days schedule

Due to heavy rains, the business fair and car show have been canceled.

The Food & Fun for Persons with Disabilities is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. - noon. this is tentatively scheduled to continue, please check this link for updates.

The rest of the schedule has not changed.  Changes can occur at any time due to weather and standing water at the site.

Fun & Food for Persons with Disabilities, car show highlight last day of Buffalo Grove Days

The last day of Buffalo Grove Days is highlighted by “Food & Fun for Persons with Disabilities as described below. The second annual car show is scheduled (weather and field conditions permitting) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beer and food will be available during the afternoon.

Food & Fun for Persons with Disabilities

10:30 – Noon

Event takes place in Carnival Area and Food Tent Pre-registration required for this event; attendance is limited to the person with a disability and no more than four immediate family members or caregiver living in the same household; additional people are $10 per person. Register Here

2nd Annual Car Show (Weather and field conditions permitting)

Canceled

Craft Fair: 

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Appearances by Skates and Staley Da Chicago Bear, Magic by Randy Magic show:

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Music in the Beer Tent by The Stingrays:

Noon - 1:30 p.m.

Business Fair – presented by Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce

Canceled

Beer Tent open

Noon – 4 p.m.

Food Tent open

12:30 - 4 p.m.

Carnival Rides

12:30 – 6:30 p.m. (Wristbands $25 for unlimited rides)

Walkaround Entertainment

 Staley Da Bear (12-2 p.m.), Skates (1-2 p.m.), Frozen Queen Elsa & Princess Anna (12-3 p.m.), Ryan Freeman Balloons (1- 3 p.m.), Elvis on Stilts(1-3 p.m.), Magic by Randy (1-3 p.m.), Jason Kollum Stiltwalking (1-3 p.m.), Bob Hirsch Balloons (1-3 p.m.)

Facepainting by Rinart

12:30 – 3:30 p.m., Car Show Area

Stampede, parade highlight Sunday at Buffalo Grove Days

Sunday is the early day for Buffalo Grove Days starting with the Buffalo Grove Stampede – 5k/10k Race - presented by Buffalo Grove Park District Mike Rylko Community Park. The race 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

At 11 a.m., the parade, sponsored by Woodman’s Markets, starts at Bernard Drive & Indian Hill Drive, proceeding east on Bernard Drive to Raupp Boulevard, turning north to St. Mary’s Parkway.  More than 80 participants are scheduled to participate in the parade.

General Information

11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Craft Fair

Noon - 11 p.m. Food Tent open

Noon – Midnight Beer Tent open

1 p.m.– 11 p.m. Carnival Rides

Events sponsored by civic organizations

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

5p.m. Rotary Rubber Duck Race – Purchase ducks in person or www.bgrotary.org/duckrace Next to Business/ Craft Fair

Main Stage

1:45 – 2:15 p.m. Allegra Mexicana Main Stage

2:30 – 3 p.m. Pospeshil Performing Arts Main Stage

7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Centerfold Main Stage

9 – 10:30p.m. 7th Heaven Main Stage

Beer Tent

3:15 - 4 p.m. School of Rock of Arlington Heights

4:30 – 5:15 p.m. Prairie Station

5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Robbie Gold

10:30 p.m. – Midnight There Goes the Neighborhood

Children’s Stage

2 – 5 p.m. Margi Kanter Facepainting

2:30 – 3 p.m. Dave’s Traveling Reptile Show

3:45 – 4:15 p.m. Jason Kollum Juggling Show

5 – 5:30 p.m. Jack the Magic Man

Children’s Craft Area

1 – 5 p.m. Kids Crafts Activities

Walk-around Entertainment

Bob Hirsch Balloons (2-4p.m.), Lucy (2-4p.m.), Frozen Queen Elsa & Princess Anna (2-4p.m.), Darth Vader & Storm Trooper (2-4p.m.), Magic by Randy (5- 7p.m.), Shadow the Mime (2:30-4:30p.m.), Ryan Freeman Balloons (3-6p.m.), Princess Elena & Princess Tiana (3:30-5:30p.m.), Jason Kollum Stiltwalking (3:45-5:45 p.m.)