Board may need to rethink upcoming meeting schedule

The schedule for village board meetings is pretty cut and dry.

            The first and third Mondays of the month.

            Period.

            So when Prairie View resident Nora Bethman told the Board it was “ironic" that the Board took action on Weiland Road on Martin Luther King Day, I had to wonder if the cold weather was the result of global warming, or a hole in the ozone layer.

            Bethman said the irony was due to the fact that the Board “discriminated” against Prairie View in relation to the Weiland Road project.

            Actually the Board meeting actually reflected one of Dr. King’s values – freedom.  Even though Bethman contends that the ayes (yes, ayes…) of the Board are against her she needs to take into consideration a couple of things.

            First of all, one of the freedoms Dr. King fought for was equality as guaranteed in the First Amendment.  Bethman had the freedom of speech and she also had the opportunity to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.  Oops. How quickly some people forget.

            And before folks start commenting and emailing me claiming “the Board doesn’t give any one freedom of speech because they limit us to 10 minutes.”

            And your point is? Attend other Board meetings and you’ll find it’s not unusual for attendees to be limited to two or three minutes.   Period.

            And if the Board discriminates, did Bethman notice that she had the same courtesy extended to her as a village resident.  I didn’t think so.

            Just because you may disagree with the Board, does not mean you are the victim of discrimination.

            To her credit, however, Bethman may have raised a flag about upcoming Board meetings as they may interfere with major events that can impact, or do I dare say, discriminate against some people.

            Take for example this Monday’s meeting.  It’s not only Chinese New Year, but also the day the music died.  Yes, it’s the anniversary of the plane crash that killed the Big Bopper, Richie Valens and, of course, Buddy Holly.  Needless to say, the Board will be discriminating against the village’s Chinese population and music lovers.  Bye, bye, Miss American Pie.

            And you can kiss the Feb. 17 meeting good bye because that’s Random Act of Kindness Day, which means kind people would be offended.  It’s also President’s Day, so too many people would be preoccupied honoring the likes of Millard Fillmore and Herbert Hoover.  Happy birthday Abie baby.

            March isn’t much better.  The March 3 meeting coincides with “If Pets Had Thumbs Day” and “National Anthem Day.”  A double whammy here.  You’d discriminate against PETA and you run the risk of discriminating against national anthem singers who might claim the Board is unpatriotic.

            March 17. Is St. Patrick’s Day. Say no more.  There is, however, the possibility that people would want the Board to kiss their Blarney Stones.  As I said, say no more.

            April brings with it a litany of celebrations that conflict with the village’s need to conduct business.  April 7 is the highly popular “No Housework Day”, so meeting then would be a personal insult to domestic cleaners and cleaning service.  April 21 is Dyngus Day.  It’s always the Monday after Easter and is considered to be a “fun” Polish holiday.  You run the risk of discriminating against Dynguses and Polish residents.

            On a serious note, it’s also Patriots Day, the day on which the Boston Marathon is held.   Assuming the Board meets (as it should) it will take time out to remember the victims of Patriots Day 2013.

            Hooray, hooray, the lofty month of May.  The Board’s first meeting is May 5 – Cinco de Mayo. Need I say more?   It’s also Oyster Day, so you’d be keeping oyster lovers at bay.  Observant Jews, however, will likely flock the Board meeting.

            The May 19 meeting coincides with Boy’s Club Day.  There’s humor in there, but probably best left untapped.

            The June meeting will also prove to have some challenges.  June 2 is National Bubba Day.  That’s Bubba, not bubbie.  Chances are the Board would be riddled with ridicule for alienating the bubbas of the world, which result in an increase in the blare of country music emanating from pickup trucks.  The June 16 meeting is up against Fresh Veggie Day that may make PETA happy, but will discriminate against the Vegans of the world who may feel left out because they’ll be sowing their seeds.

            July typically has only one meeting, so the governing fathers and mothers will need to choose carefully.  July 7 is Chocolate Day.  There’s a chance the village will anger chocolate lovers with and without nuts.  July 21 is national Junk Food Day, so the Board will no doubt interfere with the vast number of consumers of chips, pretzels, Slim Jims and various grocery store check-out line delietcables.

            August, which may also yield one meeting, will pose problems as well.  August 4 is U.S. Coast Guard Day, so the village will, no doubt, tick off the present and past Coast Guard members.  Come Aug. 18, the village may be out of rhyme because that’s Bad Poetry Day.  Village officials may not know it, but they’ll annoy the village’s poets.

            Come September, the Board’s first meeting, which will likely be Sept. 8, will conflict with National Date Nut Bread day, impacting the village bakers, let alone nuts.  Sept. 22 coincides with Elephant Appreciation Day.  PETA, as well as some Republicans, might be offended if the Board meets that day.

            The Board’s first October meeting is Oct. 6 which is Mad Hatter Day.  It could be a time for the Board to take into consideration this gem from Alice in Wonderland. ““The Mad Hatter: Have I gone Mad? To which Alice replies: I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are.”  No further comment.

            Oct. is 20 is brandied fruit day, which is totally boring and does not lend itself to a sarcastic remark.  However, the Board could pay homage to many of the people who come to Board meeting by celebrating the big event of Oct. 21 – Babbling Day. 

            November is not without its conflicts.  Nov. 3 is Housewife’s Day, so traditional stay-at-home moms may feel discriminated against.  The Nov. 17 meeting could be a challenge since it is national “Take a Hike Day”, which could result in some suggestive rebuttal.

                        And finally, there’s December.  The Board first meeting coincides with World Aids Awareness Day, which like Patriot’s Day, does not lend itself to anything really funny – but a need to lose sight of its importance.

                        The last Board meeting of the year, if all goes as planned, will be Dec. 15 – Bill of Rights Day which recognizes the first 10 amendments to the constitution – which includes the First Amendment that guarantees freedom of speech, religion, press, petition and assembly.  This is a perfect lead-in to the January meetings, the second of which will be likely be on Martin Luther King Day.  That’s when Americans get the chance to reflect on Dr. King’s message of freedom for all Americans.

            Not just for those who have an axe to grind.

Retro retail ahead?

It has only been just shy of two weeks since Father Time sauntered out the door and the New Years baby that was 2014 crawled in the door.

               But much to my surprise, the banging on the keyboard and the incessant worrying was in high gear. Perennial candidate and worrier Chicken Little was hard at work.

               However, there was a twist this time.  Little has said repeatedly that he is worried about state number of vacancies in the village’s retail space, and rather than have him keep on clucking and expect the village to fill the spot, I told him to come up with some plans.

               He did.

               “I tell you, these plans can put Buffalo Grove on the map,” he said.  I’m thinking, not again.

               “Yep.  I’ve decided to the village needs a theme to develop a unique retail climate” he said. 

               Dare I ask?  The theme is?

               “Buffalo Grove, where we keep the past alive….”

               I’m lost.

               “So here’s my plan,” Little said, “we find ways to resurrect some of the famous names from days gone by the fill some of the vacancies.”

               Such as?

               “Can you see the former Dominick’s at Lake-Cook and Arlington Heights roads open as a Venture, Turnstyle, Wieboldt’s, Goldblatt’s or E.J. Korvette store?”

               Ah, not really, I said, but what about the rest of the strip center?

               “Easy”, he said.  “How about a Robert Hall, Steinberg-Baum or The Fair.”

               I am thinking a Col. Sanders or Chick-fil-a. 

               “Not funny,” he said.

               I asked C.L. if he had any ideas for the vacant car dealerships along Dundee Road.

               “You bet I do – all with the same theme.”

               I knew I’d regret this.

               “I’m thinking we could have Nickey Chevorlet, home of the backwards K or maybe Z Frank -- or -- better yet – how about Burt Weinman, your TV Ford man? 

               Any other bright ideas, I asked.

               “Well, now that you asked, I have one other idea for the Dominick’s at Lake-Cook and Arlington Heights road just in case my first plan doesn’t work.

               And that is?

               “A center with a Village Hall flair.”

               I asked him how he intended to do that.

               “Well, the old Dominick’s store could be a Gentleman’s Club.”

               With a Village Hall flair?

               “Just in name,” Little said.  “I was thinking about calling it the Dancing Dais, or Executive Session”.

               I asked him if he was serious.

               “Well, sure.  If we want to give it flair for the village’s finances a friend of mine gave me a great idea for a name.”

               And that is?

               “Bare Assets.”

               But what about the rest of the center?

               “Piece of cake,” Little said.  “I’m thinking of a coffee shop with a village twist.”

               Really?

               “Yep, and it would also have a retro theme.”

               How so?

               “Well, I may not have a name, but the barista would be former village manager Bill Brimm.”

               Well at least we know the coffee would be made with good water.  But, I asked how it would be retro.

               ‘The slogan, man, the slogan,” Little said.

               Which is?

               “Fill it to the rim with Brimm.” 

Have fun in the snow...and do a public service as well

Shovel  a 4-foot path around a fire hydrant and, if possible sweep the snow off to aid visibility

Kids getting on your nerves?

               Why not have them go out and play in the more than 12-inches of snow – and do a public service as well?

               As part of its “Pluggie’s Pals” program, the Buffalo Grove Fire Department encourages kids – and all residents as well – to shovel a 4-foot path around fire hydrants near their home.  Most hydrants have a metal flag on them, so they should be easy to spot. 
            While the fire department has a list of each hydrant and can easily find their location, when the hydrants are covered in snow it could take valuable time in an emergency to uncover  them.  Also, if you have a snow plow service, ask it not to pile snow on a fire hydrant.

               If you cannot locate hydrant near your residence, call the Fire Department at 847-537-0995. Do not call 9-1-1, as that is for emergencies only.

               Information about the “Pluggie’s Pals” program is at Pluggie's Pal.

Maybe it's time to look ahead, not back...

So here it is – just a few days from the dreaded Packers-Bears showdown and I, a Packer backer, am going to open this blog with a quote from – gasp – a Bears coach.

               As it has been around the newsroom of the Tel Aviv Times – hold the back page.

               But it’s what former Bears coach Mike Ditka, the last Bears coach who made press conferences interesting, once said, the only people who live in the past are losers and cowards.

               This is why I subtly roll my eyes when newspapers, web sites, stained glass windows, TV news reports, and news magazines bombard us with “highlights of the past year”.

               We get the chance to set the way-back machine to recall the events that some peopled would prefer to forget.  Things like floods, gnats, hail, locusts, public hearings etc.  We’re also reminded of things, mostly bizarre, that some folks said or did.  Really?  Do we need to revisit people’s misfortunes and bonehead deeds?

               It’s also the time of year when we remember the famous people who died during the previous 12 months.  Maybe rather than regale in the faults and failures of people, companies etc, we should look at the lessons of those who died.

               Maybe there’s more to gain from Nelson Mandela than disgraced politicians.  Maybe instead of focusing on the acrimony surrounding projects like Weiland Road and the instant downtown there can be a focus on the positives that can come from compromise and rational thinking.  Well, OK, it’s not all seashells and balloons.

               But perhaps instead of reminding us of the heavy rains that hit the area, we recall the eight first responders who gave up their time to help folks in tornado-ravaged Washington, Illinois, or maybe the fire fighters who gave up their time to do their annual collection for MDA, or the Heart of Buffalo Grove winners.

               It seems to me that maybe the little things that happen throughout the year may actually be the big stories – the ones about everyday heroes. I can’t help but wonder why a death, catastrophe or arrest is what puts people in the spotlight.  It seems to fit the mantra often associated with broadcast journalism and social media – if it bleeds, it leads. 

               And if you’re looking for a New Year’s resolution, forget it.  The endless stream of pieces written about things people resolve to do little more than take up time and space.

               If you want a resolution, just look to Nike.

               Just do it. 

Grocery wars ahead?

What a difference a few months can make.

               Buffalo Grove grocery shoppers, which until recently had limited selection of grocery stores in the village, may soon have a wider variety thanks to the closing of the three Dominick’s stores in the village.

               With Mariano’s grabbing the Dominick’s at Half Day and Buffalo Grove roads there remains speculation and hope that the remaining two sites at Lake Cook and Arlington Heights roads and Dundee and Buffalo Grove roads, would attract new tenants.

               It looks as though the Dominick’s at Buffalo Grove and Dundee roads may become a Garden Fresh Market.  Village officials have confirmed that the Mundelein-based firm has applied for an “an application for Tenant & Use” for the site.

               It will be interesting to see how Jewel handles its new competition.  In addition to Mariano’s and Garden Fresh, the Sunset in Long Grove is a 9-iron shot from the village while the newly opened “The Fresh Market” in Lincolnshire is a par-five from the village.

               I am amazed that grocery stores flaunt “fresh” in their name. Maybe it’s me, but I’m not in the market for dated food. 

               As a friend of mine noted, it seems like more and more consumers are making multiple trips for groceries, almost like they go the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker.  If he’s right, then the Caputo’s at Rand and Hicks factors in because it strives to be a major player in the produce game – my guess it’s fresh as well.
             If Garden Fresh gets the green light and opens at Dundee and Buffalo Grove road, it could make things interesting for Jewel.  If Garden Fresh emulates its Northbrook store, it would bring a very active kosher operation to Buffalo Grove, something Jewel has been trying to do in recent years.  But not on the scale as Garden Fresh.  In addition to have a Chicago Rabbinical Council approved “Kosher Korner” and a dedicated kosher manager – not to mention an afternoon minyan (services).  Calls to Garden Fresh’s corporate office have not been returned.

              As for Mariano’s, they will likely sabre rattle with Sunset and The Fresh Market since the three tend to be a bit more “upscale”.  Despite what has been reported, the Mariano’s concept is not a Bob Mariano idea.  One Mariano’s official told me the store is modeled after Rochester, New York-based Wegman’s.  The chain, which has stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Massachusetts, Virginia and Maryland, features food courts with prepared foods and tables.  They thrive on community involvement and local ownership, similar to what Mariano’s aims to be.

               Other players?  Rumors have been flying about Kroger coming to the Chicago area.  It would not surprise me if Cleveland-based Heinen’s, which has a store in Barrington and one planned for Glenview, would make a bid for one of Chicago area Dominick’s.  Buffalo Grove would be a good fit since Heinen’s does well in suburban areas.   I have visited Heinen’s stores in Cleveland and Wegman’s in both Erie, Pennsylvania and Jamestown, New York, which should give you an idea as to the excitement that often reigns in my life.  Most visits include my mother-in-law, which concerns me because if either Wegman’s or Heinen’s opens nearby, she may be tempted to visit more often.   No further comment.

               In the meantime, the village’s grocery landscape is rapidly changing.  No more will it be two standard stores, but there will be a little variety and competition.

               And who knows, maybe even a minyan too.

              

               

Going the extra miles to help...

So what did you do last week?

               Chances are you rounded you the family for a long Thanksgiving weekend, maybe hung holiday decorations or did some holiday shopping.

               Sounds like a plan.

               Unless of course you were one of 14 members of the Buffalo Grove police or fire departments who gave up their time to help first responders in central Illinois whose lives were thrown into turmoil by the Nov. 17 tornadoes.

               More than just a fund-raising drive, eight took time off and went to Washington, Pekin and Coal City to help fellow cops and fire fighters with getting their lives back in order.

               Wait, is this another blog lauding the efforts of BG’s first responders for their charitable work?

               Damn right.  Deal with it.

               Most of the time their efforts go unheralded.   Fire Chief Terry Vavra will remind residents of the annual “Fill the Boot” drive for MDA.  Vavra and the fire department also were front and center in the war against Breast Cancer a few years ago by having pink fire trucks stop by BG Days.  The fire fighters also sold pink T-shirts and sweatshirts to raise funds to fight breast cancer.

               So it wasn’t a complete surprise when Vavra Police Chief Steven Casstevens told the Village Board Monday night about the efforts of the BG 14 who went with a truck supplied by high school district 214 to the storm ravaged, areas armed with supplies, clothing and $8,600 worth of gift cards.

               The eight who went? Dan Pasquarella, Frank Horbus, Roy Bethge, Hector De La Paz, Michael Rodriguez, Randy Smith, Ross Valstyn and Melessa Horbus. It was no picnic, two videos at this link, BG First Responders help tornado victims, document their efforts.

               They’re not household names as the Village Board or staff may be, but their efforts reflect well on the village.  These are the professionals who respond residents’ call for assistance.  Checking the police report every week, I can tell you their service is outstanding – not to mention their patience.

               The efforts to fund raise or help others are great examples of going above and beyond.  As Vavra told the Village Board Monday night, “They were Told stories by first responders that are Horrific ; the devastation is unbelievable;  I’m glad we can make difference  in their lives in a small way. It shows us this (Buffalo Grove) is a great place to live and work.”

               The accompanying pictures are worth more than a thousand words.  There are just four more needed.

               Great job; thank you.

Unloading supplies from trucks supplied by High School District 214

Buffalo Grove's  Melessa Horbus (far right) with officer Hector De La Paz and Officer Frank Horbus.

Second from left is Pekin police officer Nathan Ujinski.

They serve and protect.....

They serve and protect; the members of the Buffalo Grove Police Department.

Sometimes I wonder how they do with a straight face.

Really.  For example, these gems from the blotter:

Quieter brush needed?  A resident recently called police to complain about a neighbor who was making too much noise – closing a can of paint.  Apparently there is an ordinance about construction noise – but nothing governing paint cans.

Truth in advertising..A resident contact police expressing concern about someone holding sign which read “will work for food.” 

Ill-advised statement..A resident who was distraught because a man was holding a picture of President Obama dressed as Adolf Hitler at a busy intersection summoned police to complain.  The man holding the sign told police he had First Amendment rights to do so.  But at rush hour?

Mobile home in the truest sense…A resident called police to report a suspicious vehicle.  When police approached the vehicle, a van, the occupant allegedly told responding officers that he lived in the van so he does not have to pay rent and was looking for a level parking spot.  Make sense, don’t you just hate it when your home tilts?

Vicious dog? Police had a report of a run-away schnauzer.  Really.  Check your milk cartons – or maybe Alpo cans.

Vicious dog, part 2 -- Police responded to a complaint of an aggressive dog at the Happy Tails Dog Park.  The dog’s owner, from Wheeling, was asked to control her dog.  Guess Wheeling didn’t want her either.

Say cheese? Someone called police because a person was taking pictures of a parked truck.  Seriously.

Really? Buffalo Grove police were contacted because customers at a local business were upset by a patron’s odor.  Seriously.  He must have been at the dog park.

Some things just need common sense…

We’ll just be a moment.  It’s not unusual for police to get a call from a resident who has been a theft victim after letting a "vendor", who just happened to stop by, into their house. There’s a lesson here – if you haven’t asked someone to your house, don’t let them in.  If someone claims to be an inspector, have them wait outside while you verify their validity.  Odds are they won’t be there when you come back.

If it sounds too good… Seldom has a week gone by when police do not report complaints of suspicious phone calls.  Callers claim to be investigators, collection agencies, Publisher’s Clearing House and a litany of other strange operations.   

Sensible suggestion.  Police frequently respond to calls about thefts from motor vehicles.  More often than not, the owner reports that the vehicle was left unlocked.  There’s a hint here.  Leaving valuables in your car?  Leaving your car outside?  Lock it.