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The Rotary Club of Palatine Oktoberfest begins tomorrow

September 16, 2021 by Barrington Hills Observer

Palatine Octoberfest

Games and activities for Family Day will be from noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, including face painting, police and fire department displays, children’s raffle prizes and birdhouse building by Home Depot.

The Rotary Club of Palatine will hold its 13th annual Oktoberfest Friday, Sept. 17, through Sunday, Sept. 19, on the corner of Smith and Slade streets in downtown Palatine, south of the Metra train station.

The event runs 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free to this tented event that features authentic German music, food, beverages and activities for all ages.

“Everyone knows beer is a large component of any Oktoberfest celebration,” said Al Stoeckel, beer chairman. “There are a number of beers being poured this year — Krombacher pils, which is an imported full-flavored German pilsner — along with three great beers brewed locally at the Wild Onion Brewing Company in Lake Barrington: ‘Oktoberfest’ German style lager, ‘Hefty-Weiss’ Bavarian style hefe-weizen and kolsch, a crisp clean German ale.

“For the non-beer lover, we offer two different varieties of wine, merlot and pinot grigio, and from Wild Onion, a strawberry lemonade hard seltzer.”

The event will also feature authentic German food and offerings from vendors such as Morkes Chocolates, Tap House Grill, Lincoln Land Kettle Corn, the American Legion, Friends of the Rotary, Schnitzel Platz, Tre Amici Pizza and Kooker’s.

Musical entertainment will kick off Friday night with Die Musikmeisters from 5-8:30 p.m., followed by Phenix from 9 p.m. to midnight. Saturday’s entertainment includes Ed Wagner’s Brass Band performing from 3:30-6 p.m., followed by Phenix from 6:30 p.m. to midnight.

The musical lineup on Sunday features Die Musikmeisters on stage from noon to 2:30 p.m., followed by Johnny Wagner performing from 3-6 p.m.

Read more here, or visit the Rotary Club Oktoberfest website here.

Posted in Entertainment, Fundraisers | Leave a Comment »

Village Plan Commission meets tonight

September 15, 2021 by Barrington Hills Observer

PC 9.21

The Plan Commission will be holding a special meeting this evening at 6:30 PM. Some of the topics on their agenda include:

  • Plan Commission Introduction, Duties and Code Requirements
  • Lot Consolidation Application: 266 Steeplechase (Public hearing followed by commission meeting/vote), and
  • Plum Farms

A copy of their agenda can be viewed here.  The meeting will be held at Village Hall, or residents can try to listen in to the meeting proceedings by dialing 508-924-1464.

Posted in 220, 300, Agendas, Hoffman Estates, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Meeting Minutes, Plan Commission, Plum Farm development, Politics, School Districts, Topics Of Interest, Village Code, Village Government | Leave a Comment »

Lake County orchestra to perform at Buffalo Creek Brewing

September 14, 2021 by Barrington Hills Observer

BC

Outdoor concerts at Buffalo Creek Brewing will include the Lake County Symphony Orchestra on Sept. 17.

Buffalo Creek Brewing and the Lake County Symphony Orchestra are proud to announce ongoing concerts in historic downtown Long Grove.

On the heels of the success of the July 3 “American Salute,” where the spacious Buffalo Creek Brewing beer garden was packed full, the Lake County Symphony Orchestra will open its regular season at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, with “Broadway & Hollywood Blockbusters.”

Featuring the music of “West Side Story,” “South Pacific,” “Wicked,” “Porgy and Bess,” “The Sound of Music,” and John Williams’ premiere orchestral suite from “Star Wars,” music will fill the evening sky for the whole family. Musical theater singers Chris and Donna Engelhardt, will be featured in the Broadway medleys.

Guests can enjoy food from Smokin’ T’s, freshly hard-crafted Buffalo Creek Brewing beer, and Lake County’s only professional orchestra.

Tickets are $20; free for children 12 and younger. Purchase tickets at www.lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com.

Posted in County, Entertainment, Lake | Leave a Comment »

Kansas City Southern Chooses Suitor in Bid for North American Rail Link

September 13, 2021 by Barrington Hills Observer

CN1

Canadian National “is continuing to evaluate all options available to us,” said Jonathan Doorley, a spokesman for Canadian National.

Kansas City Southern said on Sunday that it had deemed an offer from Canadian Pacific superior to a bid from Canadian National, in the latest turn in a monthslong battle to become the first railroad to connect North America.

Canadian Pacific first put forward a roughly $29 billion bid for Kansas City Southern in March, before being topped by a $33.7 billion offer from its rival, Canadian National, in April. But the Canadian National deal hit a key regulatory challenge this month, sending Kansas City back to talks with Canadian Pacific. The talks proved fruitful.

The crown jewel in the deal is Mexico, as the railroads look to capitalize on trade flows across North America on the heels of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement signed into law last year.

Closing a deal could take time. It must be approved by shareholders of both companies, as well as approved by Mexican authorities and the Surface Transportation Board, the U.S. regulatory board that oversees rail deals.

Kansas City Southern has notified Canadian National of its intention to terminate that deal, both companies said on Sunday. Canadian National has five days to make a better offer. If Kansas City opts for Canadian Pacific, Canadian National will receive $700 million in breakup fees, according to the terms of their deal.

Read more here.

Related: “Feds reject initial CN plan for merger with Kansas City railroad that’s drawn ire from some suburbs,” “Suburbs wary of proposed railway merger that could mean more freight trains,” and “Could railroad merger lead to more freight trains in the suburbs?”

Posted in EJ&E/Canadian National, METRA, Politics, TRAC, Traffic | Leave a Comment »

You’ll need an appointment — but can skip the lines — at many driver services facilities

September 13, 2021 by Barrington Hills Observer

DL App

Services such as behind-the-wheel driving tests and standard driver’s licenses now require appointments at certain Illinois Secretary of State facilities.

Questions such as “do you have an appointment?”, and the occasional letdown, “all our appointments are full,” circulated Friday outside the driver services facility in Lombard.

That’s because the Illinois Secretary of State’s office this month is retooling a variety of procedures to avoid crowds and lines at DMVs caused by COVID-19 backlogs.

What that means is, as of Monday, many Illinoisans will need to make appointments for services such as behind-the-wheel road tests, REAL IDs, standard driver’s licenses, and ID cards at certain locations. The change was rolled out earlier at some sites.

Appointments for those services are required at the following locations: Aurora, Bridgeview, Des Plaines, Joliet, Lake Zurich, Lombard, Melrose Park, Midlothian, Naperville, Plano, Schaumburg, Waukegan and Woodstock, plus three Chicago offices.

Scheduling can be done online at ilsos.gov or by phone at (844) 817-4649.

Walk-ins are still allowed for people seeking vehicle titles, or for renewing license plate stickers — but please don’t, officials say, since stickers are easily obtainable online. Customers can also order duplicate licenses and driving records on the ilsos.gov website.

At the same time, Secretary of State Jesse White is introducing a new program estimated to allow thousands of safe drivers to renew their licenses or ID cards remotely.

Read more here.

Posted in Springfield, Taxes | Leave a Comment »

9/11 Museum to open in Chicago area

September 11, 2021 by Barrington Hills Observer

museum

Chicago native Gary Marlon Suson, an FDNY Hon. Battalion Chief who served 7 months as the official photographer at Ground Zero for the FDNY is donating a large cache of his image collection for the 9/11 Museum set to open at Barrington High School in Illinois.

The opening on September 10, 2021 will honor the 20th anniversary of the attacks on The World Trade Center. The 9/11 Museum at Barrington will feature 100 Images and Artifacts along with BOSE audio stories narrating the history behind each display. It is a recreation of the 5-star rated 9/11 Museum Workshop in New York, a two-time winner of Trip Advisor’s prestigious “Top 25 Museums in the USA” Award.

The new Museum and 1.5-hour BOSE audio tour will initially be open only to students in the Barrington school district. Suson — who suffered lung damage from his extensive time served at WTC — called upon 9/11 families and firefighters he is close with to assist him with creating the exhibit by way of loaning rare artifacts culled from Ground Zero.

“This exhibit is high-enough caliber to be in any major city but I chose Barrington, Illinois because it’s where I spent my childhood and have so many special memories. I want to give back to the Chicago area which I so dearly love and I want the next generation of kids to learn first-hand about this historical event that inspired true bravery,” says Suson.  “Just as there are Anne Frank education centers around the world — I don’t see why there cannot also be education centers for September 11 around the USA.”

Suson was raised in Barrington Hills and attended Barrington High School. He began conversations with the Barrington School District about creating a Museum after they presented him with the 2019 Distinguished Graduate Award for Humanitarianism for his photographic work at the World Trade Center as the only photographer in the world granted full 24/7 access to every area at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks. His image collection has raised charitable monies for FDNY and 9/11-related charities, garnishing him support from numerous victims’ families and FDNY firefighters.

Read more here. To reserve a performance date and time at Barrington High School, click here.

Posted in Barrington High School, Resident Spotlights | Leave a Comment »

Heidner’s Annual Poolside Gathering Honors the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation

September 10, 2021 by Barrington Hills Observer

The Heidner family

On the evening of July 24, 2021, Barrington Hills residents Alisa and Rick Heidner and family hosted their extraordinary 5th annual fundraising event in support of the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. This year, the poolside gala was held at Collin Heidner’s home, a gorgeous country estate reminiscent of the rural Cotswolds in England. Proceeds from the event surpassed a stunning $604,000. “I am overwhelmed with our community’s generosity,” Rick Heidner said. “This will help so many families through the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. It’s such a beautiful event and gives me great joy,” Heidner said of his family’s labor of love that supports the foundation.

Seventy percent of families who have a child battling cancer run the risk of financial bankruptcy, says Abby Suarez, executive director of the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. During Rizzo’s own cancer treatment years ago, his mom, Laurie, left her job. At the same time, Rizzo’s grandmother was fighting breast cancer. “No family can plan for a medical experience such as cancer,” Suarez said. Knowing the weight that an entire family bears, Rizzo created the foundation to help others with similar challenges.

Read on here.

Posted in Fundraisers, Resident Spotlights | Leave a Comment »

2021 Art on the Fox this weekend

September 10, 2021 by Barrington Hills Observer

Art on the Fox

“Bringing nearly 100 artists together to engage with the community, Art on the Fox will take place on Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day. Located 40 miles northwest of Chicago along the Fox River, this free-entry festival, hosted by the Village of Algonquin and Public Arts Commission, will showcase the work of top national juried artists, live musical performances, interactive artist demonstrations, and other activities. Guests will have the opportunity to see and shop exceptional artwork in a variety of mediums including paintings, ceramics, glass, jewelry, sculpture and more.

Attendees of the fest will not only have the chance to shop for new art pieces, but also to meet and engage with the artists to gain a better understanding of their work and hear from them about the different processes, inspirations that go into their work. Live musical performances from Cirrus Falcon and Ron Steta Trio will take place in the newly renovated Old Town Algonquin, and many local eateries and shops are within walking distance from the show.

Art on the Fox will be open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12. Admission to this fest is free. Walk-ups are welcome; however, timed reservations are encouraged to help disperse crowds throughout the weekend. Free reservations can be made online.

Easily accessible, free parking is available throughout the Old Town area.”

Posted in Entertainment | Leave a Comment »

September Riding Club newsletter released

September 10, 2021 by Barrington Hills Observer

RCBH

The Riding Club of Barrington Hills (RCBH) recently released their September, 2021 newsletter. One of the sections provides an “update” on the August meeting of the Village Equestrian Commission regarding, Equestrian Trail Licenses:

“The Equestrian Commission met on the 19th of August to discuss the continued need for the Equestrian Trail Licenses issued by the Village for the purpose of riding on the Village deeded easement trails. 

By Ordinance in June in 2005, certain trails traversing private land in the Village exist as easements recorded in favor of the Village. The easements are generally in and around the newer subdivisions in the Village where the Village and the Equestrian Commission worked successfully with developers subdividing tracts of land to protect the continuity of the trail network and to maintain the unique character of the Village. Easement trails are maintained by the RCBH.  As set forth in Title 6 and Section 8-5 of the Village Code, equestrian use of easement trails is allowed solely by licenses issued by the Village of Barrington Hills. 

There is an ongoing discussion with a need for further information. As soon as the Equestrian Commission has that information a date will be determined for the next meeting.”

In other words, they’d rather not reveal anything that was discussed. No surprise.

A copy of the RCBH newsletter can be viewed and downloaded here.

Posted in Agendas, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Deception, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FRVPC, Horizon Farms, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Property Taxes, Riding Club of BH, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, Unions, Village Government, Well Water Quality | 2 Comments »

Prost to Hoffman Estates’ Platzkonzert Germanfest

September 9, 2021 by Barrington Hills Observer

HE Fest

Hoffman Estates’ 15th Platzkonzert Germanfest will feature music, beer, food and more

Get ready to hoist your stein this weekend when Hoffman Estates’ Platzkonzert Germanfest returns to the Virginia Hayter Village Green, 5450 Prairie Stone Parkway, just north of the NOW Arena.

The annual celebration will mark its 15th year. Visitors can enjoy authentic German music and beer from 5-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10-12. Admission is free, and events take place rain or shine.

“We had limited time to plan due to uncertainty with the pandemic, but this is a perfect outdoor setting at the reconstructed Village Green,” said Gayle Vandenburgh, co-chair of the village’s Platzkonzert Commission.

“There is plenty of outdoor space for social distancing while enjoying German traditions and music.”

New this year will be fireworks at 8:30 p.m. Friday.

The Kinderplatz will offer free children’s activities from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. In partnership with the Hoffman Estates Park District, Kinderplatz will feature arts and crafts, an obstacle course, bounce house and more.

True to the Platzkonzert name, a full lineup of music is planned over the three-day fest. Headliners include Alpine Blast at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Semple Band at 8 p.m. Saturday and the Johnny Wagner Band at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Read more here, or visit www.hoffmanestates.org/platz for more information.

Posted in Entertainment, Hoffman Estates | Leave a Comment »

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