Ann Maine

County Board District 21

Last month was an exciting time for the Forest Preserve.  We approved the purchase of a 315 acre parcel in Newport Township, by the Wisconsin state line.  This will be part of Pine Dunes preserves and brings the total holdings of the Forest Preserve District to 30,000  acres.  The property is located on the north side of Edwards Road between Hunt Club Road and U.S. Highway 41, and has a rolling topography, Oak-Hickory woodlands and a complex of wetlands and woodland vernal pools.  Elevation on the property from the highest to lowest point is 82'. 
As part of the transaction, sellers are granting a trail easement on property they retain, providing the opportunity to connect future trails with a trail being constructed by IDOT along Russell Road.  The trail will be part of the 58.5 mile Millennium Trail loop, and ultimately can be connected with the Des Plaines River Trail resulting in a total loop of 77.2 miles.  The new property is in purple on the map above.  The yellow line is the Millenium trail.  The red line is the Des Plaines River Trail.

 

Annual 2013 Dog Permits go on sale December 3 and are available on-line, in person at the Operations and Public Safety facility in Lindenhurst and at the General Offices in Libertyville.  You can also call 847-367-6640.

 

 

The Lake County Discovery Museum is the site of the special exhibit A Dickens Christmas through January 6.  The main exhibit, Dickens:  200 Years of Celebrity continues through February 24, 2013.  Learn about the special programs associated with this exhibit.

 

 

 

 

Want to know what is happening in the woods and streams?  Visit the Forest Preserve blog for an interesting look at the nature of Lake County.


Did you know that the winter is one of our busiest times for restoration work?  The ground is frozen so we can get to sensitive spots without damaging the ground.  Don't let the cold weather keep you in.  Come join us for a Restoration work day.  Anyone over the age of 10 is welcome.  No experience needed. 

New volunteers and groups of four or more, please RSVP to Tom Smith, the Stewardship Coordinator at tasmith@lcfpd.org.   Or contact your site's steward, so we can be sure to bring enough equipment for everyone.

NOTE: If the weather is questionable (thunderstorms, high heat index or sub-zero wind chill), please contact the Site Steward to confirm before heading out to the scheduled workday.

 

And when you are out for a walk--keep an eye out for our volunteer WaterTrailk

some of the trash WTK picked up.

Keepers, who have worked incredibly hard this past year cleaning up the Des Plaines River and environs.  There is almost not a week that goes by when these hardy souls aren't out picking up trash, including tires, bottles, cans and construction debris.  Thank you WaterTrail Keepers!

 

 

 

 

 

While it may seem hard to believe--summer camp registration is open and 2 fishing camps are already full!  Check out the camp brochure and find a camp that fits your child's interests.  Early bird discounts are available through February 15, 2013. 

 

Check out the entire calendar for more activities. 

 
The winter season has closed down most of the construction sites.

Watch County Update: Transportation

The Lake County Division of Transportation works hard to maintain over 300 miles of roadway and 50 miles of bike path. In this episode of County Update, Paula Trigg, the director of the Division of Transportation, discusses current and upcoming transportation projects and walks us through the planning, design, and construction phases. Also learn more about the innovative solutions that LCDOT has developed for congestion, including roundabouts and Lake County Passage. 

Watch now.    

 

 

James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center 

Military families in Lake County can turn to the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago for their health care needs. The Center cares for active duty military, their family members, military retirees and veterans. The Center was established in October 2010 as a partnership between the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. Each year nearly 40,000 Navy recruits who transition through Naval Station Great Lakes are seen at the Center, as well as nearly 67,000 eligible military and retiree beneficiaries.  

 

For more information, visit the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center's website, or call 800.393.0865, ext. 82920, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

If you need information about additional services available to veterans or if you need a ride to the James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center for medical appointments, contact the Veterans Assistance Commission at 847.377.3344

 

 

Lake-McHenry Veterans and Family Services

Lake-McHenry Veterans and Family Services' mission is to work through a network of agencies to help military personnel, veterans and their families face challenges before, during and after deployments.

 

Free services are offered to veterans, active duty service members and their families facing issues such as homelessness, post traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, grief and loss, deployment, re-deployment, discharge and re-integration adjustment issues, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and substance abuse.

 

For more information, visit the Lake-McHenry Veterans and Family Services website, watch a video about the organization or call 847.377.8386.  

 

 

 

The end of the year and the holidays can be a busy time.  But take a few minutes and think about our environment.  A few simple steps and you can reduce your impact. 

From using LED lights to giving rechargeable batteries with your gifts, the tips in  the 12 steps to go green video will help your holidays be fun and watch out for the environment.  

Did you know that only half the aluminum cans are recycled in the US?  Learn how much recycling that soda can helps the environment.


Did you buy a new computer or flat screen TV?  Make sure you dispose of electronics and hazardous waste correctly.  SWALCO is here to help. 

Electronics Collection Site

The following are year round collection sites:
Village of Grayslake (Public Works Facility, Recycling Center) 585 Berry Avenue
Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m.
Saturday - 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

City of Highland Park (Firearms Training Center) 1180 Half Day Road
ONLY Tuesdays and Fridays  7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  (excluding holidays)
(fluorescent light bulbs, foam containers and packaging materials are also accepted at the Highland Park Electronic Collection)

Vernon Township (Road District Facility) 3050 N. Main Street
Buffalo Grove
Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

 

Is the lunch you send your child off to school with helping or hurting? Learn how you can make preparing a healthy lunch into a fun and rewarding activity for your child in this episode of "In the Kitchen." 

 

Watch now.   

is sponsoring their popular Dickens of a Holiday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday December 1 and Saturday December 8th.  There are many activities including a Victorian Tea, visits from Santa, a tour of the Cook Mansion, music and more.  Registration is required for the tea.

The Village of Deerfield hosts their Celebration of Winter on Friday November 30 and Saturday December 1.  Come to downtown Deerfield for horse drawn carriage rides, a visit by Santa and his elves and great music by a number of performers.  Read the Winter Celebration Schedule for more information.