Lake County News
From Ann Maine
Lake County Board & Forest Preserve District 21
January 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| A Note From Ann |
I wish you and your family a Happy New Year. In this newsletter I have a number of items related to cold weather safety and fun. Looking ahead into 2011, both the County and the Forest Preserve will be examining ways in which we can better serve you, while keeping costs down. I will continue to keep you apprised of the activities of your governments.
The general election on Tuesday November 2 resulted in new County and Forest Preserve Boards. On December 6, the Boards elected new leadership. I was honored to be elected President of the Forest Preserve. David Stolman of Buffalo Grove was elected County Chairman.
County Board meetings are available on-line. If you are interested in a specific item, you can look at the agenda and click on it. In the next year the Forest Preserve meetings will also be available on-line.
As always, I welcome your comments on these or any other issues. Government works best when the citizens are heard, so I hope you'll continue to share your concerns.If you'd like me to come to your Homeowner's meeting of other group to address more issues in person, just contact me.
Sincerely,
Ann B. Maine
Lake County Board and Forest Preserve
District 21 847-374-9787
Help me go paperless! I encourage you to forward this update to others who may be interested in Lake County news. Persons who wish to automatically receive these free updates should send their email address information to: amaine@lakecountyil.gov or click "join our mailing" list above.
|
Sign up for this Free newsletter
|
|
|
|
|
Winter Safety
|  Despite the warm weather at the end of 2010, we know the cold weather will return. It's important to be aware of winter hazards, and have a plan for your family, home, car, work and school.
In this 5 minute video, Lake County Emergency Management Coordinator Kent McKenzie gives tips on winter preparedness. You can also read the Illinois Emergency Management Winter Storm Preparedness Guide, which contains information about winter weather terms and tips for staying safe this winter. |
Forest Preserve and Nature News
|
Winter Sports Don't let the cold weather keep you indoors! Ice fishing is now available at Banana Lake at Lakewood Preserve, as well as at the South Bay of  Indepedence Grove and Sterling Lake in Van Patten Woods. The ice must be at least 4.5 inches thick. Shanties and shelters are allowed for day use. Find out more about winter activities including ice skating, sledding and cross country skiing.
Sledding
Sled hills are located at Lakewood Forest Preserve (Wauconda) and Old SchoolForest Preserve (Libertyville). The Lakewood hill is part of a dedicated Winter Sports Area at that site, and is lighted, allowing for winter fun until 9 p.m., daily. The Old School hill is open until one hour after sunset, when conditions allow sledding. Snowboards, metal runners or toboggans are not permitted.
Don't throw away your Christmas tree! Take the decorations off and put it in the back yard as shelter for birds and other animals. If that isn't feasible, bring it to one of the Forest Preserve drop off sites and it will be chipped up and used for trails and landscaping. Trees will be accepted until January 31 at the following sites: Half Day Preserve in Vernon Hills, Ryerson Woods in Deerfield, Old School in Libertyville as well as Lakewood in Wauconda and Van Patten Woods in Wadsworth.
Interested in volunteering? Come learn more about the opportunities for those above age 15. On Wednesday January 5 the Forest Preserve is hosting a Volunteer Open House from 5-7:30p.m. at the Forest Preserve's General Office at 2000 N. Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville.
The Liberty Prairie Conservancy, offers a number of interesting programs. Join them Thursday, January 13, when Stanley D. Gehrt, PhD discusses his studies of  urban coyotes. Dr. Gehrt's 10 year study of coyotes is the oldest in the nation and is sure to answer questions many of us have about the coyotes. There is a fee to attend the program. You can find more information and register on line.
See the Forest Preserve calender for information on the many other programs offered or call 847-968-3321.
|
Transportation News
| |
Here's an example of Lake County working to serve you better, while saving money and helping the environment too. The Lake County Division of Transportation is enhancing efficiency of snow removal, and going green through innovation and technology. Global positioning systems (GPS) on snow plows and other DOT vehicles are providing real-time tracking of these vehicles, as well as the application of salt and de-ice materials. The data is then used to better coordinate and target services, saving on salt and gas. Lake County installed 32 GPS units so far and is collecting the data that will be used as a benchmark for future years. DOT projects a savings of about 600 tons of salt and 1,600 gallons of diesel annually. The GPS units  were funded using a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. Click on the arrow to watch the 4 � minute video to learn more about these advancements in snow removal operations.
Additionally, DOT is helping the environment by using less salt on the roads with new techniques, including pre-wetting the salt before application, and blending it with beet juice. The result has been a 25% reduction of salt per treatment.
|
Environmental Concerns
| Did you know that between Thanksgiving and the beginning of the New Year, Americans throw away an extra 5 million tons of garbage! There are many ways to reduce the waste generated in your household. Read the SWALCO guide for the latest in items that can be recycled or directed to other organizations.
With the cold weather increasing the need for heating the house, take a few moments and look at ComEd's energy saving tips.
Many people have replaced traditional lights with CFLs. Remember, these bulbs do contain low levels of mercury and should be disposed of properly. The U.S. EPA has updated its brochure on cleaning up CFL bulbs.
|
Community Happenings
| | Many villages have their own websites. Be sure to visit them for the latest in your community.
Bannockburn
Green Oaks
Libertyville
Libertyville Township
Lincolnshire
Mettawa
Riverwoods
Vernon Township
|
Health News
| |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated as soon as possible. You may have questions about the flu. Please visit our web for more information
|
| Job and Business Information | Lake County Workforce Development has a variety of information to serve businesses, adult job seekers and youth with a variety of career and training opportunities. Another source of job information, including job sessions and Lake County Job postings is at the Job Center of Lake County.
|
Lake County News Archive
| Click here to view past issues of Lake County News from Ann Maine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
