Recycle First, Trash Last

"I Recycle, Do You?" is the theme for this year's America Recycles Day. Residents from all over Lake County are invited to come out and help celebrate America Recycles Day, the only nationally recognized day that acknowledges and celebrates the importance of recycling. In honor of the day, Solid Waste Agency of Lake County and Lake County are sponsoring an event that will allow residents to help the environment and dispose of a number of unwanted items they have around the house. The event will be held at the Division of Transportation campus, 600 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, on November 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All items collected will be recycled. Documents will be shredded and recycled. The first few hundred visitors will also receive a small gift and a set of the new go-to recycling guidelines for their homes.

Find a full list of accepted items and learn more about this event. 

Watch a video about the launch of SWALCO's new recycling initiative, Recycle First, Trash Last or visit RecycleFirstTrashLast.org.

Have you ever wondered where the water goes after you flush? Did you know that the same water ends up back in the environment? Treating wastewater is an extremely complex process, and several steps are taken before the water is considered clean and safe for the environment. In this video, staff members from Lake County Public Works walk us through the process and show residents what can and cannot go down the drain.

The Canadian National Railroad will close the railroad crossing on Diamond Lake Road at 6 a.m. Wednesday, November 7, in order to adjust the railroad tracks at the recently rebuilt crossing. Diamond Lake Road should reopen to traffic on the evening of Thursday, November 8. The signed detour route for this closure will be Illinois Route 60/83 to Illinois Route 60 to U.S. Route 45. 

Lake County's 2011 Strategic Plan calls for promoting the development of state, county and municipal transportation systems. Residents can make their voice heard on transportation within the county and beyond by participating in a Metra public open house meeting in Grayslake on November 8, or by posting their comments to Metra's website.

In coordination with its annual budget hearings, Metra is soliciting residents' input on the agency's long-term strategic direction through both public meetings and on its website. A link to provide feedback to Metra will be posted on its website by October 29, and feedback will be accepted through November 12.

Metra Open House Meeting

November 8, 4-7 p.m.

Grayslake Village Hall, Board Room & Community Room

10 South Seymour Avenue, Grayslake

For more information, visit Metra's Strategic Plan website. 

The Lake County Veteran's Assistance Commission held its fourth annual Stand Down, an event that provides winter clothing and more to at-risk veterans in Lake County. In addition to receiving warm clothes, coats and food, more than 300 veterans and their families also got flu shots, unemployment help, financial counseling and advice from the Lake County's Veterans Treatment Assistance Court.

Watch a video about the fourth annual Stand Down. 

Provided through the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the grant of $400,000 per year for four years is one of 52 awarded across the country. With an emphasis of assisting children of military families, the program is expected to be self-sustaining after four years.

"The Health Department has a Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Services (CABS) program, but there are more young people needing help than the program can provide," said Dominic Caputa, who coordinates the CABS program. "The reduction of state resources has created a need for us to search for other funding to do early intervention in youth," he said.

There is increasing scientific consensus that the origins of adult disease are often the result of early adverse experiences being expressed years later in the form of disease. Caputa said unaddressed trauma increases the risk of mental and substance abuse disorders, as well as risk of chronic diseases and early death.

Read the full press release.

Snuggling our children up in warm, cozy pajamas and reading a bedtime story is a nightly ritual in many of our homes. Extend that feeling of comfort and security to a child in foster care or a group home with a donation to The Pajama Program collection at the Vernon Area Public Library at 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire, November 10-23.

any have been removed from school for long periods of time and do not have access to books and their grade reading level is far lower than their peers.

Donations should be new, unused sets of pajamas (or a nightgown) for children from infants to 12 years old. New books may be paired with the pajamas, but it is not necessary to exactly match pajamas and books. Donations in either category are welcomed. Through the Pajama Program's Chicago chapter, items collected at the library's drive will be donated to One Hope United, a social service agency in Lake County.

Pajama Program website.

Halloween is just around the corner, and most kids can't wait. When else can you dress up in funny or frightening costumes, go door to door, and collect all the free candy you can fit in your bag?

While Halloween is a kid's dream, it can be a nightmare for parents who struggle all year to get their children to eat enough fruits and vegetables and avoid excessive sugars and saturated fat. Toby Smithson, Community Dietitian with the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center and national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, offers some tips for managing a happy and healthy Halloween.

Halloween Hikes

Ryerson Woods Welcome Center

October 26-27, every half hour, 6-8 p.m.

This guided candlelight trail hike stops several times to watch costumed performances in the woods. Finish off at a cozy cabin fireplace with cider and a fresh doughnut. This program isn't scary, so even your preschoolers will have fun. Hour-long hikes begin every 30 minutes between 6 and 8 p.m. Spots fill up fast, so reserve yours soon. Registration is required. Fee is $7 for Lake County residents, $9 for non-residents. Children 3 and under are free. Register online or call 847.968.3321. Please note we cannot accommodate large groups. 

Buffalo Grove Trick or Treating

October 31, 2-7 p.m.

Trick or treating safety tips.

Trick or Treat Downtown Long Grove

October 31, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

SWALCO Household Chemical Waste Mobile Event 

November 3, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Metra Train Station, 205 N. Archer Ave., Mundelein

Appointments are not required for Mobile Household Chemical Waste events. Residents may simply come to the mobile location between the stated hours, drive through and drop off their HCW materials. More info and a list of accepted items.

Electronics Recycling

Electronics recycling is held each Tuesday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (excluding holidays) at the City of Highland Park Firearms Training Center 1180 Half Day Road. This unique collection center accepts fluorescent light bulbs and foam containers and packaging materials, in addition to other accepted items.

Power of the Purse

November 14, 6-8 p.m.

The Arboretum Club, 401 Half Day Road, Buffalo Grove

The seventh annual Power of the Purse event will be hosted by United Way of Lake County's Women's Leadership Council. Guests will mingle, network and enjoy a vendor fair featuring a wide variety of local vendors, including jewelry (Charlotte Muzik, Triffany Gruber and Strung Out Design), purses (Miche Bags and Jazzy Designs), fun gifts (Thirty-One and Brittane's Designs) as well as Wine Shop at Home and Godiva. Vendors will donate 10 percent of all purchases to United Way of Lake County's efforts to prepare children to succeed in a changing world. Cost is $30 per person, which includes appetizers and a glass of wine. Visit the United Way of Lake County website for more information.

2013 Picnic Shelter Reservations Now Open

Reservations are now open for 2013 picnic permits for any of the 31 Lake County Forest Preserve picnic shelters. Apply for picnic shelter permits in person from 8 am to 4:30 p.m. at our General Offices at 1899 West Winchester Road in Libertyville (map), purchase online or by phone at 847.367.6640.

Lake County Forest Preserve picnic shelters and open areas are popular locations for baptisms, family reunions, wedding receptions, company picnics and other special events. Most picnic shelters offer electricity, water, toilets and at least one permanent grill. Many have playgrounds, sports fields and trails nearby. For exclusive use of a picnic shelter, regardless of group size, a permit is required. For additional information about using an open area at a preserve or reserving a picnic shelter, call 847.367.6640 or visit LCFPD.org/picnic.

Help Families in Need Receive Clothing and Books

Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) is once again partnering with the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago to provide those residing in homeless shelters with a Thanksgiving meal and warm outerwear for the coming winter.

You are invited to help in this effort by donating children's books and coats, socks, hats and gloves for adults and children. Clothing should be new or gently used with working zippers and no rips or stains. Donated items will be distributed at the Lake County Forest Preserves annual Giving Dinner held at the Greenbelt Cultural Center. GLCU employee volunteers help serve the meal and distribute the donations at the event, which typically serves more than 300 people in need.

Donations can be dropped through November 9 at the Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 N. Green Bay Rd., in North Chicago, or at any of the GLCU branches. View GLCU branches, hours and directions.