Summer is a busy time in your Forest Preserves--biking, hiking, fishing, horseback riding as well as a number of special activities and events.  Between the wind storms knocking down trees and the paving of parking lots we have experienced a number of closures this year.  Be sure to check the Forest Preserve web site for updates in closures. 

Concerts at Independence Grove 

Once again there will be concerts at Independence Grove.  Concerts start  at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays until August 9.  If there is a postponement due to weather, the concert will be held Thursday night of the same week.  See the complete concert schedule. 

There is  a $5 cost per car if you arrive after 5 p.m.  Cars will be turned away if lots are full, you can find out if there is still parking or if a concert has been postponed due to weather by calling 847-968-3499.   And please, be considerate of the neighbors and park only in the Independence Grove lots. 

Discovery Museum

Quilt Treasures:  Pieces of History is a new exhibit that features 20 quilts from the Museum's collection , some of which have never been on exhibit before.  It is in the white room gallery until September 25.  It's a perfect complement to the Civil War exhibit.  Visit the museum soon! 

Adlai E. Stevenson Home Tours

The very popular and interesting tours of the Stevenson Home continue through the summer.  The next public tours are July 31 and August 28.  Get more information on times and fees.   You can arrange a private tour by appointment for any time.  Contact Nicole Stocker for details about fees and to make arrangements: 847-968-3422.  

Friends of Ryerson Woods

Is sponsoring an Outdoor Film Festival.  Gather a group of friends, a picnic and watch 3 short films on Green Design around the world.  While you are there, join curator Franck Mercurio for a gallery tour of  

The Art of Green, a survey of Chicago artists and designers.   Free.  Suggested donation $10.  See the entire Friends of Ryerson Woods calendar.  

Volunteers help the forest preserves and visitors in so many ways.  You too can learn about the

volunteer opportunities.  

Check out our Calendar of events for more information on these and other programs. 

This has been a difficult summer for many of us with repeated and prolonged power outages.  In case of future outages you can receive text messages that give an estimated restoration time.  Get more information.   You can also go to ComEd.com>Customer Service>Outage Information>Outage Alerts.  To sign up, you will need to provide your full name, account number (found on your most recent bill), your cell phone number and your wireless provider.  While this service is free from ComEd, your usual service message and data rates can apply.   

If You've Lost Food from the Power Outage, Check with Your Insurance About Reimbursement

Many homeowners insurance and renters insurance policies will reimburse for costs associated with food spoilage during a covered power outage. If you are unsure of whether or not your homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy covers you for food loss, you should contact your local agent or broker.

Looking for some local summer fun?  Visit the Lake County Fair. 

It runs  from July 26 through July 31 this year. The fair has no association with Lake County Government, is within the Village of Grayslake and under their jurisdiction. Get more Fair information  and schedule.  

The location for the fair is on the corner of Peterson Rd. and Midlothian Rd. in Grayslake, IL

 Environmental Issues  

SWALCO is committed to helping you help the environment.   

Each household has an average of 23 consumer gadgets.  Upgrading and new versions mean many of us have electronics we no longer use.  Are they gathering dust and taking up space in your closets?  Try to find a local agency that can use the electronics; many times your "dated" equipment is much better than others have.  If you can't find a new user, please recycle.  Nationally just 16% of e-waste is recycled; the rest ends up in land fills.  Most electronics contain valuable rare metals that can be reused.  You can participate in a SWALCO  E-waste event.  Best Buy will also recycle  any electronic no matter where you bought it or how old it is.  Learn more about Best Buy Electronic Recycling.  

Electronic Waste Events

Village of Deerfield (Public Works Facility)
465 Elm Street
Saturday, August 20, September 10
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  

Vernon Township Electronic Recycling Program

The Highway Department of Vernon Township has joined with SWALCO to offer seasonal electronic recycling.  Drop off your items at the designated area at 3050 N. Main St. in Buffalo Grove between 9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. Mondays through Friday until October 31.  Questions?  Call Tracy at 847-634-4600. 

Do you often find yourself wondering "What can I do with this?".  Then read the Reuse, Recycle & Redirect guide.  You'll be surprised.  Americans throw up to 85% of textiles into the trash.  Most people don't know that many of the larger organizations that collect used clothing such as Salvation Army and Goodwill, do accept ripped and torn clothing.  There is a large  secondary materials market.  So clothing that can't be worn can be sold for rags or industrial uses including an asphalt additive. This is can be lucrative for the organization.  So don't throw those old clothes away!   Many smaller groups are unable to store clothing that can't be used, so be sure to check before you drop it off.  You can learn more from the association of Secondary Materials and Recovery Textiles (SMART).  

Liberty Prairie Conservancy received a grant to bring the Conservation@Home program to Lake County. You can learn how to create an environmentally friendly lawn.  You can get a free lawn consult or arrange to have a free presentation for your group.   Call Sarah Surroz at 847-548-5989 ext 34 or email ssurroz@libertyprairie.org

 Community Happening 

Lake County's Biggest Book Drive Underway

United Way of Lake County (UWLC), in partnership with Bernie's Book Bank, has launched Lake County's biggest book drive called Page it Forward.  The goal of this campaign is to collect 100,000 books for low-income children in Lake County through a summer-long book drive and celebration of reading.  Page it Forward puts a contemporary twist on the old-fashioned book drive, as it includes a variety of cutting-edge social media options to make contributing to the goal of 100,000 books accessible, exciting and meaningful to all!  Book drop-off sites, July 12 at Independence Grove, August 24 at EH Wachs in Lincolnshire and Sept. 11 at the Farmer's Market in Buffalo Grove  For more information including volunteer opportunities and downloadable materials, visit: www.uwlakeco.org/pageitforward.

Farmers' Markets are open!!

Get some great fresh produce at a market near you.  

Libertyville market   

Thursday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Church St. between Milwaukee Ave and Brainerd Ave.  

Deerfield Market Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Metra commuter lot at Deerfield Rd and Robert York Rd.  Note--the underpass at Deerfield road may be closed.  

Lake Bluff Market  Fridays from 7 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

MainStreet Libertyville is sponsoring First Friday  the first Friday of each month. from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Come by and enjoy the evening with special music, shops and a chance to see friends. On Wednesday August 21 enjoy Car Fun on 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Church Street between Brainerd  Ave. and Milwaukee Ave. 

Recent Workforce Development Activity

Horwitz & Associates, Inc of Riverwoods received $2,000 for incumbent worker training. 

County Update: Focus on JOBS

The economic downturn has had a devastating impact on jobs across the country. In this edition of County Update, County Board Chairman David Stolman talks with Dr. Terri Berryman, Director of the Lake County Workforce Development Department about the many resources available to job seekers and employers through the Job Center of Lake County.  Watch now.

Watch Career Chat on Resume' Tips

Resumes are a critical component of any job search. It's important that your resume is professional, and helps you stand out from the rest of the applicants. In this edition of Career Chat, Terri Berryman, Lake County Workforce Development Director, gives tips and guidelines for writing resumes. Watch 6 minute video

You can now view Lake County bids and RFPS.  There is a separate site for Construction Job Order Contracts (JOC). These construction and remodeling jobs involve trade work including HVAC, electrical, plumbing and others. 

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.  

Click here

to view past issues of Lake County News from Ann Maine.