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ROCK FOR AUTISM
TWO MOMS FROM THE NORTHWEST SUBURBS ARE READY TO ROCK. KELLY WEAVER AND DORIE HOEVEL MADE THEIR DREAM A REALITY, BACK IN DECEMBER, AS THEY OPENED THE ALEXANDER LEIGH CENTER FOR AUTISM IN LAKE-IN-THE-HILLS. NOW WEAVER FROM LAKE-IN-THE-HILLS AND HOEVEL FROM WAUCONDA ARE PREPARING TO HOLD A FUNDRAISER TO HELP THEM GET UNDERWAY A STATE CERTIFIED THERAPEUTIC DAY SCHOOL STARTED IN THE FALL AT THEIR 25-HUNDRED SQUARE FOOT DEVELOPMENTAL LEARNING CENTER. THEY ARE ALSO LOOKING AT LOCATING IN MCHENRY COUNTY IN A MUCH BIGGER FACILITY, POSSIBLY 7-THOUSAND SQUARE FEET AND HAVE LOOKED IN ALGONQUIN AND PLAN TO LOOK IN OTHER TOWNS AROUND THE AREA. WEAVER AND HOEVEL ARE HOPING TO GROW THE CENTER AND WITHIN THREE YEARS BUILD UP TO 30 STUDENTS, EVENTUALLY ADDING A HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM, A VOCATIONAL PROGRAM AND AN ASSISTED LIVING COMPLEX. "ROCK FOR AUTISM" WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, JULY 12TH, AT JOE'S BAR ON WEED STREET IN CHICAGO. ROCK FOR AUTISM WILL FEATURE THE NATIONALLY TOURING AEROSMITH TRIBUTE BAND DRAW THE LINE, WHO HAIL FROM BOSTON. DOORS OPEN AT 6:30PM AND TICKETS ARE $22.50 IN ADVANCE AT www.ticketleap.com. A RAFFLE AND OTHER SURPRISES ARE PLANNED FOR THE EVENT. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL OR THE JULY 12TH FUNDRAISER, CALL 847-458-6802 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT www.alexanderleighcenterforautism.com
America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta
“I wish I were an Oscar Meyer wiener …..” Todd Collins of DeKalb sings the well-known jingle from his cardboard boat, floating on choppy waters of Crystal Lake. The 24th Annual America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta attracted Collins and his friends and their offbeat sense of style, deciding next year to build a cardboard salad bowl or a cardboard ice cream truck. I met Collins and dozens of other creative cardboard boat builders on the beach at Crystal Lake for the event that attracts hundreds of people a year and brings thousands of dollars to charity organizations in the northwest suburbs.
First of course, I had to work my way to the finish line, where over the years, I’ve interviewed the builders of a Star Wars boat, a whale, a truck, pirate ships, tanks, and anything and everything that could potentially float at least long enough for a spectacular sinking. They told me of the cold water and bragged of their unsinkable boat and how they knew they’d finish. Some of the Cup contestants wore unusual costumes, looked like pigs sometimes, or pirates, or just wore bathing suits and life jackets. They’d tell of buying dozens of rolls of duct tape, of working three weeks steady in their friend’s garage building the cardboard shape, taping it together, painting it, and lugging the finished boat to Main Beach for the regatta. With recorder and microphone, I positioned myself at the finish line, usually in front of the throng of people watching. The crew of the green Tank must have realized the cardboard had taken on water about half way to the finish and they lumbered, rowing as best they could, the four young guys pushing water away from the tank from their perched positions on the sides of the tank, and slowly but steadily, they ran out of water, reaching the shore, exhausted, but excited, only to try and pick up the extremely heavy tank. Instead, each tore at the tank like they were tearing lettuce for a salad until the tank was nothing more than wet cardboard. They disposed the sheets of cardboard in the already filling dumpster. The dumpster held secrets of cardboard building, but mostly secrets of unsuccessful cardboard design. Yet some of the successful designs lay next to the dumpster, that of the Weinermobile and kids seemed to take to it, by walking inside what now was a soggy hot dog shell. Only problem, looked like nails protruding from the sides of the dog. I stayed clear and eventually finished taping the participants with the unusual boats, ending with Mike Bowers, a local guy that couldn’t seem to catch his breath after finishing . His boat resembled an old railway car…that you have to push a bar up and down, over and over. This was his design, so he got stuck working it to death , almost.
America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta……..a slice of creativity for all to see at Main Beach in Crystal Lake.
Golf Cart Parade
I’m not so reluctant, thought I’d be, but on my visits to Del Webb, the active retirement community in Huntley, I’ve found the reason why I’m no longer concerned of my slide into seniorhood. I’ve discovered the GOLF CART, what a way to go!!!! On my visits to my parents’ home in Del Webb, I’ll occasionally find motoring along quietly on the main drag, a guy in a golf cart, driving somewhere. I’m usually driving in the other direction, otherwise, I’d follow him and see where he’s headed. This past weekend was a smorgasbord of golf carts, a parade up and down Del Webb Boulevard. I dropped off my sons, and wife, where my parents were sitting, in a sheltered area, the only shelter Del Webb has off the boulevard. There they sat with Grandma and Grandpa Cohen and waited for candy and the excitement of seeing dozens of fancy decorated golf carts. The threat of rain persisted, but didn’t scare anyone enough to hold an umbrella, except I had a big Del Webb umbrella and there were women, each with a babushka ready to protect their silverly hair from the rain. My kids, always anticipating a chocolate candy or a sucker, walked out in the middle medium and got closer to the action from the other side of the boulevard, packing the pockets of their shorts with tootsie rolls, until they almost couldn’t hold their pants up. The adults sat back watching the energy of the kids racing toward the sweet treats, though my dad, Sid Cohen, a young man in his 80s, had to position himself for a good look at the carts, waiving at some of his friends in their carts. He noticeably held back a wave as the Green Bay Packers golf cart wheeled by, but got excited over the clown cart or the musical cart. I just got into the thing and all of a sudden, the sky let loose of a thousand buckets of icy water….on our heads…….yet, I minimized the damage to my hair by popping open my giant umbrella, pushing it over my dad’s head…and then I looked down and he was looking down, and we saw what used to be a beautiful landscaped area now looking like mud and flowers….and he was reluctant to step over…or maybe he physically couldn’t because it was more of a jump than a step….but I encouraged him because this was the fastest way to get over to the only covering we had, and so dad brought his leg up, and pushed himself over the flowers and the mud and back onto the sidewalk. Though I regretted missing a portion of the golf cart parade, I felt a moment of bonding with dad, holding my umbrella over his head, keeping my 84 year old dad dry so he could use all the energy he had to push or jump over this hurdle to safety. In the few seconds this took, I wondered whether my kids would be in a position to have me in 30 years do something physical…… Before the golf cart parade started, the only thing I thought I’d learn was that seniors seem to have a lot of time on their hands to decorate their golf carts….but what I actually learned was when pushed….even the guys in their 80s can turn the clock back for a few moments and do something physical they’ve not done in 30 or 40 years and I learned this watching a golf cart parade.
NEW SEAL
The McHenry County Government announces a design contest for a new County seal that will be used on all County business, including signage and correspondence. The contest will run from July 1st to October 8th, 2008.
McHenry County currently utilizes a slightly modified version of the State of Illinois seal. The County board is hopeful that it can adopt a new seal that is truly unique and identifiable. The new McHenry County seal should embody McHenry County's spirit and rich history.
For contest rules, submission requirements, and an entry form, please visit the McHenry County website at www.co.mchenry.il.us and click on the link "McHenry County 2008 Seal Design Contest" under the Announcements and Events section. For more information, please contact Adam Lehmann at 815-334-0309 or AFLehmann@co.mchenry.il.us.
TORNADO EVENTS
Crystal Lake – In an effort to plan for tornado events, the City recently completed the installation of a new Outdoor Warning Siren System. The project replaces the current eight (8) outdoor emergency warning sirens with eleven (11) new sirens. The new sirens will allow for a more effective activation system and testing method, greater maintenance abilities and more extensive siren coverage throughout the City of Crystal Lake.
The City of Crystal Lake will be testing the new sirens as part of the monthly scheduled testing on July 1, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Following the steps outlined below can minimize the possibility of death or injury during severe weather. Share these tips with your families, and practice a tornado drill in your home this week. Knowing the basics of tornado safety can help you to survive a tornado event.
Why are they called outdoor warning sirens?
The sirens are called outdoor warning sirens because their primary purpose is to alert people who are outside to severe weather. The system is not designed to provide notification inside of your home or business. The location, design and performance of the siren system is intended to provide a warning to people who are outdoors to take cover.
What should I do if I hear an outdoor warning siren?
If you hear an outdoor warning siren, you should seek shelter inside immediately. Once inside, you should turn on a television or radio to learn further information. Local officials will be disseminating information about the emergency through these outlets.
What can I do to be notified of an impending tornado inside my home or business?
Every home or business should be equipped with a NOAA Weather Radio. In the event of a watch or warning, most NOAA Weather Radios sound an alarm and turn on automatically. When they are not dispensing watch and warning information, these valuable tools will provide you with detailed forecast information. Many NOAA Weather Radios are equipped with Digital S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding) technology. This allows the radio to be programmed to receive automatic warnings specific to McHenry County. More information regarding NOAA Weather Radios can be found at www.weather.gov/nwr/nwrback.htm.
When are outdoor warning sirens activated?
The outdoor warning sirens are activated when a public safety officer (police, fire or EMS) or trained spotter reports SIGHTING a funnel cloud or tornado in or near the Southeast Emergency Communications (SEECOM) dispatch service area. The sirens are also activated when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for southeast McHenry County when the area is in the track of the storm. The SEECOM dispatch service area includes the municipalities of Algonquin, Cary and Crystal Lake.
When should I expect to hear testing of the outdoor warning sirens?
The outdoor warning sirens are tested on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. for a one minute duration. The sirens produce a loud steady tone during the monthly test as well as during an actual tornado warning.
Will the new sirens sound different from the old sirens?
The new Federal Signal 2001 series sirens are louder and have a different tone/sound.
What is the difference between a Watch and a Warning?
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means that severe weather is possible.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning means that severe weather is in the immediate area.
A Tornado Watch means that conditions are present that could produce a tornado.
A Tornado Warning means that a tornado has been sighted, and that you should prepare to seek shelter. The sirens will only be activated for a tornado warning or if a trained spotter reports a funnel cloud or actual tornado.
In either case, listen to the radio or television for updates.
Will the sirens provide an "All Clear" signal?
No. If the City of Crystal Lake is threatened by a tornado, the sirens will be activated. Any "ALL CLEAR" information is provided by the local news media. The sirens will NOT be activated to indicate an "ALL CLEAR".
Where are the sirens located?
The new sirens are strategically located to provide the optimal coverage area for all City residents. Previously, the City had eight (8) sirens located in the City. The new eleven (11) siren system re-uses three of the previous sites. The sirens on the former sites will be removed.
The five sites that have been removed and relocated are:
City Hall, 100 W. Woodstock Street
West Elementary School, 70 Briarwood Road
1434 Bridgedale at Westport (Park)
Palmer House, 660 Terra Cotta Road at Route 176
Fire Station 4, 8705 Bard Road
Why not keep the five old sirens?
The old sirens have surpassed their useful mechanical life. The reason the new sirens were purchased and installed was that it was becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain the old sirens as well as to ensure their reliability. Additionally, the new sirens provide an integrated SCADA (Supervised Control and Data Acquisition) technology which the old sirens do not provide. The SCADA technology is a two-way digital status monitoring system, which provides for supervised siren activation and control while monitoring the status of siren motor activation current, siren head rotation status, AC power, back-up battery voltage condition, control cabinet intrusion and communication status.
Where can I get more information when the sirens are activated?
The area media and the National Weather Service will provide updated information. Please do NOT call 911 when you hear the siren. Please use your television or radio to get these updates.
Where do I go in case of a tornado?
If a tornado has been sighted, take cover in the safest place possible. A basement is always the first choice.
Building with a basement. Go to the basement. Stay away from windows and chimneys. Hide under the stairs or heavy furniture. Cover your head.
Building without a basement. Go to the lowest level in the central portion of the building. The first choice is an interior closet, bathroom or hallway, away from windows. Cover your head. In all cases you should have a flashlight and a battery operated radio with you. Keep your keys with you. They can disappear in a tornado.
Shopping Center or Large Building. Look for a pre-designated shelter. If you don't see one, go to the middle hallway on the lowest level. Cover your head.
Mobile Home or Car. Leave at once and find shelter in a building. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in the nearest ditch, ravine, or culvert with your hands over your head.
What can I do to prepare for emergencies?
The Police and Fire Rescue personnel of the City of Crystal Lake have compiled an Emergency Preparedness Guide to help Crystal Lake residents prepare for natural and/or man-made disasters. The guide is available on the City’s website at www.crystallake.org.
Where can I get more information?
Residents are encouraged to visit the City’s website at www.crystallake.org to more information regarding the new outdoor warning sirens including reviewing a copy of the siren system map, the City’s Emergency Preparedness Guide, links to other sites and to hear the tone of the new sirens.
RABID BATS
Three more rabid bats have been reported in the County - in Crystal Lake, Island Lake and McHenry - according to the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH), bringing the total to 8. The bats in Crystal Lake and Island Lake were found in bedrooms with several people receiving rabies treatment. Thirty-two (32) people have received rabies treatment since the beginning of the year. Previously reported bats were in Cary (April) and Woodstock (May). MCDH strongly recommends that bats found in the home not be released but instead contained in a room or under a bucket (using appropriate safety measures). McHenry County Animal Control should be contacted immediately at 815-459-6222 so the bat can be tested for rabies.
Numerous animals have been tested this year for rabies (i.e. dogs, bats, cats, raccoon, skunk, coyote, muskrat, squirrel, badger) but only bats have been positive. Sixty-eight bats have been tested this year. Last year, McHenry County and the State of Illinois had record numbers of rabid bats - 13 and 113, respectively. A rabies fact sheet is available at the Illinois Department of Public Health website www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbrabies.htm.
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system and can only be confirmed in a laboratory. The best way to avoid rabies is to avoid exposure. Residents are encouraged to take a "hands off" approach to wild animals to reduce their risk of exposure. Parents also need to educate their children of the dangers. Keeping dogs and cats up to date on their vaccinations is a good way to protect them from rabies. A bat that is active by day, found in a place where bats are not usually seen (such as in your home, in a swimming pool or on the lawn) or is unable to fly, is more likely to be rabid.
Questions about exposure should be directed to MCDH's Communicable Disease Program at 815-334-4500.
A DAD IS FOREVER
Maybe because Father’s Day has arrived I internalized the day in my mind. Don’t dads think about this day? This is my day and their day. I’ve got two sons and they call me "dad" and I’m good with it because I am their dad, their father, their pop, and their old man. My older son calls me dad and I generally think he wants something from me, and it’s usually money, but could be that he wants to have his friends stay overnight at our house, or he’d like to remind me that he’s of driving age. My younger son calls me dad and I think it’s a conditioned reflex in addressing me. He’s heard it so often from his older brother that I can’t imagine he puts anything into it beyond just saying dad. Did I earn the honor of being their dad because I don’t believe a man should be this dad unless he has earned the designation…and what qualifies him to be dad? I’d say a dad is someone that is around them, answering their questions, spending time playing with them, helping them with homework, giving insight into dating or relationships or how to do something that’s important at the moment. Because I have boys, most of these things are geared toward them, but dads are just as important for their daughters. They learn a lot about guys through their dad…and that’s a great thing. Dad can show his daughter she deserves respect both mentally and physically. He can be there to help with homework, to make sure the boy she dates will get her home on time, to play ball with her, to give her jobs to do around the house and outside the house. I read that too many dads are not there for their kids, maybe the dads are too busy at work or the parents are divorced and the dad isn’t around, maybe the dad thinks it doesn’t matter how much time or energy he gives to his kids. But this does matter…..on Father’s Day, I have to look inward to what I’ve done to deserve to hear my kids say dad, can you come over here…I want to tell you something. I don’t pretend I’m perfect, I might say to them that I’m kind of busy and can this wait? Or I might ask them to tell me right away what they want. I know this attitude doesn’t lend itself to becoming popular, but I’m doing the best I can…and I know that over a period of time….I will have performed duties that I believe makes me feel that I should be called DAD…..and I’m grateful my kids seem to have the patience with me…whether I’m angry with them over something or whether I am not always fair. They seem to understand given all the things that are on my plate, that they are comfortable calling me dad….and I shall do all that’s possible to continue living up to what a dad should be….so someday as they are men themselves they can still call me dad…and it will fit forever.
LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE
McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) reports two individuals * one local, one from Michigan * have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease after staying at the Hampton Inn in McHenry. Initial information would suggest the illness may be associated with using or sitting by a hot tub at this facility on the same day. Both were hospitalized; one has since been released. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), who licenses and inspects this facility's pool and hot tub, is leading the investigation and has since closed the pool and hot tub area to reduce the risk to customers. The hotel is cooperating fully in this investigation.
Legionnaires' disease is caused by a type of bacteria commonly found in the environment and can thrive under certain conditions. People can get Legionnaires' by breathing in a mist or vapor (i.e. from a hot tub, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems) that has been contaminated with the bacteria; it is not spread person-to-person. McHenry County typically sees one or two cases of Legionnaires' disease every year.
Symptoms are similar to pneumonia and typically begin 2 to 14 days after exposure and include high fever, chills, cough, muscle aches and headaches. Chest x-rays are needed to confirm pneumonia; additional tests are needed to confirm the Legionella bacteria. Legionnaires' disease can be very serious and can cause death in 5%-30% of cases. Persons most at risk include those over age 65, smokers and those with chronic lung disease. Most cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
It has not been determined how many people stayed at the hotel and used the hot tub from May 9 * June 4. MCDH has activated its hotline number (815-334-2800) for residents to call Saturday and Sunday 9am-1pm; additional information will be provided on its website (www.mcdh.info).
WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS
The ‘agony of defeat’ stands alone as an immediately definable phrase, incomplete in its description, but clearly memorable for those of my age range. The full phrase includes “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” If it weren’t for Jim McKay narrating this recognizable phrase every week on ABC’S “Wide World of Sports” and the video of a ski jumper tumbling down a ski hill, I could have sworn this was the agony of the feet. Jim McKay meant more to me than agony of the feet, he was The Sports Voice that I thought more than any other national broadcaster of the 1970s gave life to sports and more than anything, kept me riveted to the television set during the 1972 Munich Olympics. This was the Olympics where eleven Israeli athletes were killed by terrorists. McKay’s coverage of this singular horror was professionalism at its core. His ability to describe a situation and use of words were so substantial that I wished every single broadcaster could do the same. After watching him talk about all the Olympic sports, I wanted to go outside and do that same sport, whether it was the Decathlon or the high jump. Something he said about the competition just got the juices flowing and the executives in television recognized how he could add to the dramatics of an event to hold an audience. I write about Jim McKay because he’s passed away, 86 years of life for this man. He died on his farm in Monkton, Maryland, and I could almost hear an announcer say the man that brought us The Thrill of Victory and The Agony of Defeat was on his way to see the greatest of the Olympians who’ve been waiting for the greatest Olympic announcer of them all to watch them and describe their contests for all time in heaven. Spanning the Globe, as Jim McKay would say to bring you the Wide World of Sports, I’m Stew Cohen and I’ve been Spanning the Globe to bring you my Stew’s Page.
A GRAND STAND APPROACH
Family Day at a theme park, family day at a baseball game, family day at the race track? What are we trying to do, teach the kids to bet on horses? That was the question I put in my head after my wife said she won tickets to Family Day at Arlington International Racecourse for June 1st. Certainly I couldn’t wait to go and see horse racing and win thousands of dollars. I dreamed of the big pay day and had enough money in my pocket, 80-dollars to assure the possibility of becoming rich beyond my wife’s dreams. But what of the kids, my sons, one not yet a teenager and the other looking for money to buy his first car and pay his auto insurance, no wait, that’s what I’ve said he must be able to do to drive. He’d just like to buy a gently used car and have me pay for his gasoline and car insurance. I was told the racecourse had things for kids to do. What would that be, face painting, arts and crafts? The Daily Racing Guide, bought inside the Clubhouse for a couple of dollars promoted the Sunday event, Pepsi Family Day presented by the Daily Herald. The guide says “All this plus pony rides, face painters and a petting zoo.” So I was right, face painting was offered to the kids. I should have won a bet, would have been one of the few on this day for me. The kids took their friend, another pre-teen, whom they thought would probably bring some of his own money they might borrow if he won a race or two. Why didn’t we go to Arlington the following weekend, I could have brought home a beach towel from the racetrack or the next day, Father’s Day and be treated to what they described as an exciting day of live thoroughbred racing. Maybe the kids would spot me 100-dollars. But on this Family Day at the Racetrack, my wife and I would do our best to make this an educational experience for the kids. I’d have to do my best to avoid being a messy better; no swearing at losing money, no waving around dollars won at the track, no making it look like I was hooked on gambling. This was a clean gambling image I’d project no matter how much I won or lost….and I won early and then lost, and lost, and lost….and my oldest son wondered whether I had exhausted all the money I’d won…. If not, he wanted to ‘borrow’ 10-dollars he could use to gamble. This was indeed a time of great lesson learning, similar I think to the sex education lecture or the driving sober lesson I’ve waited patiently to explain to him. We of course had things to do on this day; eat popcorn, hotdogs, ice cream and drink plenty of Pepsi, and put all the costs on our Visa card tab, a tab that grew larger than any possible track winnings except maybe for the 50-to 1 shot in the 10th race on Bubba Boy. I lost the bet though. By the end of the day 6:30pm, a full day at the track, we were tired, and nearly poor except for my sons’ friend, he won 50-dollars. We missed out on the jockeys goggles. They gave out their goggles for a lucky kid waiting for this tremendously thrilling present and did this at the end of every race. My sons weren’t lucky with the goggles or the races, though they did enjoy the escalator and brief conversations with the track tellers, particularly one guy that seemed to like the boys. Other tellers resembled the closest thing to death standing I had seen in a while. They just weren’t excited, though I can imagine how one might be brain dead taking those 2-dollar bets over and over for hour after hour. Our experience on Family Day at the Racecourse was a sure bet, you know…a sure bet in which the boys learned they sure don’t like to part with their money.
Editor's note: Arlington International Racecourse is a beautiful facility from the landscaping to the quality of its people and architecture. Much of this piece is kind of tongue in cheek.
LIFE SPRINGS ETERNAL
Honoring and remembering our fallen soldiers takes precedence on this and every Memorial Day Holiday weekend. I’m aware of the significance, my dad fought in World War Two and my grandfather was in the cavalry in World War One, and my father-in-law was in the Korean War and Vietnam War. Although I pause to reflect on their sacrifices and thank God for their return to us, I also recognize this is a time to celebrate life. This is spring and it’s a wonderful time for enjoying our little piece of the world, thanks in no small part to the men and women that fought to protect our freedom. Since this was a long weekend, we typically take advantage of the time off from work, planting flowers in our yard for a colorful backyard canvas, preparing for the long summer season ahead. A little cooperative weather and look out, thousands of people get the same idea, hanging out at the local garden center, buying flowers, mulch and dirt worth hundreds of dollars. We were typical, buying impatiens, geraniums, spikes, vinca, a hanging basket, bags of top soil, compost, and mulch. The bill for flowers alone cost more than 200-dollars from one of the high quality garden shops. But for the rest of the supplies, we chose one of the less expensive outdoor stores, thinking we’d save a bit on such items as top soil | | |
