Posted in Agendas, Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, BraveHearts, Conflict of interest, Countryside Elementary School, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Lighting Ordinance, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Taxes, Transparency, Unions on August 13, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The Barrington Hills Park District Board/Riding Club of Barrington Hills will hold their monthly meeting this evening in person and via Zoom at 6:00 PM.
A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here.
Posted in Agendas, Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, BraveHearts, Countryside Elementary School, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Lighting Ordinance, Massbach Hounds, Open Meetings Act, Organizations, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Transparency, Unions on July 9, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The Barrington Hills Park District Board/Riding Club of Barrington Hills will hold their monthly meeting this evening in person and via Zoom at 6:00 PM.
A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here.
Posted in Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, BraveHearts, Commercial Horse Boarding, Cook, County, Crabtree Nature Center, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, Friends of Forest Preserves, FRVPC, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Spring Creek Stewards, Taxes, Unions on June 25, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle has nominated Adam Bianchi (pictured) to lead the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. |Courtesy of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County
By Erica Demarest | WTTW
Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle has nominated a former district ranger with the U.S. Forest Service to serve as the general superintendent of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.
Adam Bianchi has more than 17 years of experience in public land and natural resource management with the U.S. Forest Service, according to a news release.
Bianchi previously served as district ranger for the White River National Forest’s Dillon Ranger District in Colorado. The 312,000-acre site near Denver includes two congressionally designated wilderness areas, two major reservoirs, 14 campgrounds, four ski resorts and nearly 500 miles of hiking, biking and winter sports trails.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the next General Superintendent at the Forest Preserves of Cook County,” Bianchi said in a statement. “This marks an exciting opportunity in my career dedicated to conserving forests, wildlife habitats and wetlands, while expanding access and welcoming more people to connect with their incredible public lands.”
If confirmed, Bianchi will oversee more than 70,000 acres of Cook County land that includes campgrounds, trails, boating centers, picnic groves, golf courses and aquatic centers. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County hosts hundreds of events and programs annually throughout the county and at its six nature centers.
Read more here.
Posted in Animal Welfare, Fundraisers on June 22, 2025| Leave a Comment »
By Kelly Szewc, Motor Werks
Motor Werks is partnering with Animal House Shelter for a heartfelt cause this summer — connecting rescue dogs with their forever homes.
As part of our ongoing commitment to community and compassion, Motor Werks will host three dog adoption events at the Barrington campus on the following dates: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays, June 28, July 26 and Aug. 23.
Each event will feature adoptable dogs from Animal House Shelter, giving families a chance to meet, play, and fall in love with their new best friend.
In addition to the adoption events, Motor Werks will serve as a donation drop-off location throughout the summer for pet food and essential supplies to benefit the shelter and its animals in need.
To further support Animal House’s lifesaving work, Motor Werks will donate $250 for every pet adopted during the events.
“Animal House Shelter does incredible work, and we’re honored to support their mission,” said Kelly Szewc, marketing director at Motor Werks. “Our campus is a place where people connect — what better connection than finding your next four-legged family member?”
Join us in giving back and giving a dog a second chance. Whether you’re looking to adopt or simply want to support the cause, we welcome you to stop by and be part of something meaningful.
For more information, visit motorwerks.com/ride-and-rescue-dog-adoption-event/.
Posted in Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, BCFPD, Conflict of interest, Contests, Entertainment, FPDCC, FRVPC, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Resident Spotlights, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Unions, VBHPD, Village Government on June 19, 2025| Leave a Comment »
“FRVPC Horse Trials, hosted by the Fox River Valley Pony Club, are held annually at the Barrington Hills Park District Riding Center and over the adjacent Spring Creek Forest Preserve. The Fox River Valley Pony Club and the running of this event, along with the FRVPC Mini Event held annually in May, play a vital role in protecting the Spring Creek Forest Preserve and uniting the community to preserve a legacy and lifestyle unique to our area!”
Click HERE for information.
Posted in 220, Animal Welfare, Board of Education, Clown Car, Daily Herald, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Elections, Ethics, Illinois State Board of Elections, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Taxes, Unions on June 14, 2025| 3 Comments »
Jesse Rojo, Erin Chan Ding and Maria Peterson
Three Democratic candidates have declared, or will declare shortly, their candidacies for the Illinois 52nd District House seat currently held by Representative Martin McLaughlin. McLaughlin has held this seat for four and a half years now having won election three times.
On Tuesday, the Daily Herald posted, “Former Barrington village board candidate running for State house seat,” namely Jesse Rojo. Records indicate Rojo, 29, moved to Barrington in March of 2023 from Des Plaines. His social media pages indicates he will be active this Flag Day at “No Kings” events, so look him there today.
Recently reelected CUSD 220 Board of Education member Erin Chan Ding is hosting a “Launch Party” event this coming Wednesday in Barrington to officially announce her candidacy.
And last, Maria Peterson, who ran in the November 2024 52nd District election against Martin McLaughlin, has announced her campaign kickoff event will be held June 23rd in Barrington. Peterson also ran for office in 2022 against former Senate Senator Dan McConchie in the 26th District.
The General Primary Election is on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2026.
Posted in Animal Welfare, Appointments, Capitol News Illinois, Dinky, Ethics, Illinois State Board of Elections, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Resident Spotlights, RINO, Springfield, Unions, Village Board on June 14, 2025| 1 Comment »
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul talks with new ‘Republican’ state Sen. Darby Hills, of Barrington Hills, on the Senate floor on May 30, 2025. | Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki
By Peter Hancock | Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – In a year when many state agencies received little or no funding increase, state lawmakers this year approved an increase of $15.7 million, or 22.4%, for general operating expenses in Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office.
That General Revenue Fund increase is significantly more than some other constitutional officers received for their operating expenses in the upcoming fiscal year. It’s also more than the $15 million that Raoul himself requested when he appeared before House and Senate appropriations committees this year – although reductions in revenue from other state funds left Raoul’s all-funds budget roughly flat from a year ago.
Raoul’s office did not respond to repeated requests to comment for this story about why lawmakers approved a larger general operating budget than he had requested, and why the budget reflected such significant cuts in two specific non-GRF funds.
During budget hearings in April, Raoul said he needed additional funding to hire attorneys and other staff to handle the increased workload that his office now manages. Some of that workload, he said, is the result of legislation that has given the attorney general’s office more responsibility.
But he also mentioned the increased workload that stems from more than a dozen lawsuits his office has joined challenging actions of the Trump administration as well as defending the state against legal actions the administration has filed against Illinois.
Read more here.
Posted in Agendas, Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, BH Polo Club, Big Brother, Countryside Elementary School, Deception, Equestrian Commission, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Lighting Ordinance, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Open Meetings Act, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Transparency, Unions on June 11, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The Barrington Hills Park District Board/Riding Club of Barrington Hills will hold their monthly meeting this evening in person and via Zoom at 6:00 PM. Some topics on their agenda include:
A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here.
Posted in Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, BraveHearts, Cellular Service, Countryside Elementary School, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Illinois State Board of Elections, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Lighting Ordinance, Longmeadow Parkway, Massbach Hounds, Open Meetings Act, Organizations, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Transparency, Unions, Well Water Quality on May 14, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The Barrington Hills Park District Board/Riding Club of Barrington Hills will hold their monthly meeting this evening in person and via Zoom at 7:00 PM. Some topics on their agenda include:
A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here.
Posted in Animal Welfare, The Washington Free Beacon, Topics Of Interest on May 4, 2025| Leave a Comment »
REVIEW: ‘The Word of Dog: What Our Canine Companions Can Teach Us About Living a Good Life’ by Mark Rowlands | Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
By Kristen Soltis Anderson | The Washington Free Beacon
In Jostein Gaarder’s Sophie’s World, 14-year-old Sophie Amundsen begins receiving mysterious letters from a philosopher, encouraging her to consider deep questions about life, the universe, and what it means to be human. One day, she is tasked with considering the differences between humans and animals, and reflects on the differences between her cat and herself.
Sophie was convinced that her cat, Sherekan, could think. At least, it could be very calculating. But could it reflect on philosophical questions? … A cat could probably be either contented or unhappy, but did it ever ask itself if there was a God or whether it had an immortal soul? Sophie thought that was extremely doubtful.
Sophie is challenged throughout the book to explore these big questions, to not settle for the easy contentment of blissful ignorance, or what Socrates might call “the unexamined life.” And yet philosopher Mark Rowlands, in The Word of Dog: What Our Canine Companions Can Teach Us About Living A Good Life, suggests that it might just be that lack of examination that makes our lovable pups as capable of feeling joy at the simplest of things.
Americans are increasingly crazy about their pets. I don’t say this in a negative way—I count myself among the crazies. My old Golden Retriever Wally felt like the center of my universe during my years with him. Most American pet owners view their pet as part of the family “as much as a human member,” according to the Pew Research Center. For all the brouhaha over “childless cat ladies” in the last election, there is some evidence that suggests Millennial women without kids outright prefer the company of their pets to children.
Rowlands, too, is crazy about his beloved dog, Shadow, and it is initially through Shadow’s imagined experience of the world that Rowlands reflects on how we humans might learn a thing or two from dogs. Shadow is a German Shepherd, a 100-pound East German immigrant with an aggressive streak. Rowlands describes himself as the sort of dog owner who only really goes to dog-friendly restaurants, who brings his dog to his lectures at the university where he teaches, who can’t bear the thought of boarding his dog at a kennel to go on a vacation.
Read more here.
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