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.

 

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.

 

Watch now.

 

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. 

 

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is warning businesses of a scam in which a firm called Corporate Records Service offers to fill out a corporation's "Annual Minutes Record Form" for a $125 fee. The Illinois Business Corporation Act does not require the filing of any such form, or the collection of the fee. The form being used in the scam looks similar to the Secretary of State's annual report form, which may lead some businesses to fall victim to the scammers. White recommends that corporations do not reply to the solicitation. Businesses who have paid for such a service should call the Secretary of State's Office at 312.814.2201.

 

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. 

 

In recent years, Lake County has seen an increase in Chloride levels in streams, lakes and ponds due to road salt run-off.  Salt doesn't go away and can be toxic to aquatic life. We are seeing more salt in our surface and groundwater, and removing it is nearly impossible. Watch this video to see how to wisely apply salt in the amount that is necessary, and apply it when it's most effective to do so.

 

Watch a video about helpful deicing tips for homeowners. 

 

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.

For their annual "Make a Difference" initiative, the library is partnering with the national nonprofit Pajama Program. The Pajama Program works primarily with foster care organizations and family shelters to provide books and bedclothes to children in need. Some of these children have never before owned a pair of pajamas. And many 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.

For more information, visit the Pajama Program website.

 

Fall Festival

October 27, noon to 4 p.m., Deer Park Town Center

Free trick or treating, while supplies last. Look for pumpkin decals on doors or windows. And grab a complimentary bag to collect your goodies at Brilliant Sky Toys & Books. Other activities include dog costume contest judged by Save-a-Pet, Monster Mash with Center for Ballroom & Dance, plus a stilt walker, balloon artist and free face painting. More info.

 

Lake Zurich Rotary Club's Rockin' Halloween Bash

October 27, 7 p.m. to midnight

Hackney's, 880 Old Rand Road, Lake Zurich

This event benefits area food pantries. Musical entertainment by Alex and the All Stars, ostume contest, silent auction and raffle. $35 per person, $65 per couple. More info.

 

Trick or Treat Hours

• Barrington, 3-7 p.m. 
• Deer Park, 4-7 p.m.
• Hawthorn Woods, 4-8 p.m.
• Killdeer, 3-8 p.m.
• Lake Zurich, 3-8 p.m.

Tips for safe trick or treating. 

 

Trick or Treat Downtown Long Grove

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

 

SWALCO Household Chemical Waste Movile 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.

  

Chocolate, Champagne and Shopping

November 14, 4:30-9 p.m.

Forest Preserves General Offices, 1899 West Winchester Road, Libertyville

Visit the future home of the museum, sip champagne and indulge in chocolates while shopping unique gift vendors all to benefit the Lake County Discovery Museum. Adults 21 and older. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. More info.

 

Lake Barrington Field House "School's Out!" Days

The Lake Barrington Field House hosts fun and exciting "School's Out!" day camps during off school days, holiday shopping dates, holiday breaks and throughout the summer. All Lake Barrington Field House camps are organized by professionally trained staff, and all children enrolled at camp will be supervised at all times by Field House camp counselors. Campers stay busy with fun active sports, games and other activities. Held indoors, the camp will be held rain or shine. More info.

 

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.