Posted in Contests, Cuba Township Road District, Fundraisers, Resident Spotlights, Topics Of Interest, Village Government on June 2, 2024| Leave a Comment »
The Village of Barrington Hills and Cuba Township combine to bring the 4th Annual “The Land We Love Run” to their beautiful roads. Join us on June 29 at 7:30, for our 5k & 10k runs, or 2-mile walk.
New this year, our 5k and 10k courses have been certified and will be professionally chip timed. We have also added a Team Competition. Grab some friends and put together your team of 3 or more to compete for fun prizes.
Early registration pricing is available thru June 10th. Click here for details!
Posted in Bicyclists, Contests, FPDCC, Letters to the Editor, Public Safety, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, VBHPD, Village Code, Village Government on May 30, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Posted speed limit signs dot Cook County Forest Preserve trails, this one at Old Stover Trailhead near Barrington. | Courtesy of Ralph Banasiak
By Ralph Banasiak | Daily Herald
“You can’t remind people about safety too much,” reader David Owens commented.
With warmer weather and more cyclists hitting the roadways, safety should rank top-of-mind for anyone sharing traffic with vehicles of greater mass and speed. As of early May, motorist crashes have already killed four Illinois cyclists, including two in Cook County. In 2023, 42 cyclists died in vehicle crashes.
Safety, however, applies to trails as well as roadways. For those biking on multi-user trails, roles are reversed. Cyclists are the “motorists,” faster, often heavier and more maneuverable. Trail traffic is diverse — runners, walkers, equestrians, dogs and others — all slower-paced.
A trail sign near Westminster, Colorado, offers safety advice applicable to all trails. | Courtesy of Ralph Banasiak
With trail users, ages range from toddlers to seniors, quick-reflexed to slow, able-bodied to those with disabilities, including visually and hearing-impaired. People frequent trails for different reasons, not necessarily to move quickly from point A to point B, like roadway users.
If we are all truly “along for the ride,” as this column aspires, responsibility for trail safety also must be top priority.
One Northwest suburban reader who walks frequently with her husband in numerous parks and forest preserves expressed frustration with zooming cyclists. Her complaint: they approach too fast and offer little warning or none at all. Consequently, the couple avoid Fabbrini Park and Barrington Road Pond in Hoffman Estates, and especially Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village.
Her fears are not unfounded. A June 2013 bike-pedestrian crash at Lake Arlington took the life of a trail walker there. A young biker collided with a 74-year-old woman who died from a head injury two weeks later (dailyherald.com/20130709/news/fatal-lake-arlington-trail-accident-renews-calls-for-safety).
The woman’s death led to improvements by the Arlington Heights Park District that included painted path arrows, directional signage and a change in the flow of biking vs. foot traffic.
Yelling is free
Cyclists can use horns, whistles or bells to signal their approach from behind. These inexpensive devices break the ambient calm of Mother Nature, easily heard even on windy days. Of course, yelling costs you nothing.
It’s just pure courtesy to alert someone you are about to pass. By the way, this also applies to all you speedier cyclists when overtaking riders like me.
Read more here.
Join the ride. Contact Ralph Banasiak at alongfortheridemail@gmail.com.
Posted in 220, 300, Contests, District 220 referendum, EJ&E/Canadian National, METRA, Politics, Public Safety, School Districts, Topics Of Interest, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on March 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Editorial note: Shared only yesterday on Barrington 220 School District’s Facebook site. Posted by Metra on March 4th. Don’t need Referendum marketing distractions, apparently…
“Submissions are officially open for the 17th annual Metra Safety Competition! Students can submit a poster, video, or social post highlighting what it means to be a safety influencer. Submissions close on 4/1, so sharpen those artistic minds and start creating!”
Learn more: metra.com/safety-competition
Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Barrington High School, Board of Education, BOHICA, Clown Car, Contests, Deception, District 220 referendum, Elections, Ethics, Goat Rodeo, His Master's Voice, Look For The Union Label, New Normal?, Organizations, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, School Districts, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on December 21, 2023| Leave a Comment »
“At the December 19th Board meeting, the Board approved a contract with consulting firm EO Sullivan. The firm will help guide the district’s community engagement process over the next 10 months, as the district prepares to place a referendum question on the November 2024 election ballot.
A potential referendum question would include significant upgrades to the fine, visual, and performing arts spaces at BHS. ‘It could also possibly include projects that would impact all Barrington 220 schools such as additional safety and security upgrades.’ (The lobbying has clearly already begun)
The Board is planning to create a Referendum Advisory Committee to gain feedback about which projects should be included in a potential referendum question. The Board is anticipated to approve the committee charge at its next meeting on January 9.”
Click here to listen to the discussion.
Editorial note: According to their website, EO Sullivan focuses on, “Issue Advocacy, Lobbying Strategies and Influencer Persuasion.
Posted in Contests, Cook, Countryside Elementary School, County, Entertainment, Property Taxes, Real Estate, South Barrington on December 14, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Photo credit: iStock/fstoplight
By Amanda Rahn | Chicago Parent
Choosing a place to raise a family can impact the way a child sees the world.
Niche, a website offering rankings and statistics on towns, schools and colleges, also publishes a ranking of the best places to raise a family. See the rankings below to find out how towns in Cook County stack up.
These statistics were calculated based on public schools, crime rates, cost of living, and family-friendly amenities. Data for these categories come from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC and other data sources. You can find the full methodology here.
Here are the top 10 best places to raise a family in Cook County, according to Niche:
Read more, including a brief description of each community, here.
Posted in 220, 300, Barrington High School, Contests, Countryside Elementary School, County, Lake, Politics, Saint Anne Parish School, School Districts, Topics Of Interest on November 11, 2023| Leave a Comment »
The Lake County Clerk’s Office is pleased to announce the “I Voted” sticker design contest for Kindergarten through 12th grade students. The contest will run from October 6 to November 30, allowing young artists to showcase their creativity and talent.
The grand prize winner will receive a $125 gift card and the honor of having their design transformed into the official Lake County “I Voted” sticker for the 2024 elections.
Click here to download the contest submission forms.
Posted in Contests, Entertainment on November 8, 2023| Leave a Comment »
About a half dozen West Dundee-area restaurants will battle to be King of the Wing Thursday at The Assembly American Bar & Café. (Courtesy of The Assembly American Bar & Café)
By Rick West | Daily Herald
There ain’t no thing like a good chicken wing. And wing lovers are invited to help decide the best of the best from more than a half dozen local restaurants.
The Assembly American Bar & Cafe will host its first King of the Wing contest from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at 901 W. Main St. in West Dundee.
Admission is $20 for all-you-can-eat wings and the right to help decide whose wings will reign supreme.
The Assembly opened its West Dundee location in mid-April. It’s been in Hoffman Estates since 1978.
Each “judge” will get three vote tickets to cast as they see fit, either using all three to vote for one favorite or spreading them around among the restaurants.
The Assembly will put their wings up against competition expected to include Bamboozles Bar & Grill, Carol’s Corner, Dukes Blues n BBQ, River Street Tavern, Rosie O’Hares Public House and Sticky Fingers Kitchen.
Read the full coverage here.
Posted in Barrington Hills Park District, BH Polo Club, Commercial Horse Boarding, Contests, Cook, County, Deception, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Lighting Ordinance, Longmeadow Parkway, Look For The Union Label, Mad Cows, New Normal?, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Taxes, The Other Half, Transparency, Unions on October 13, 2023| 1 Comment »
Per the Barrington Hills Park District website:
“Forest Preserve Master Plan Presentation for Horizon Farm & Spring Creek
When: Nov. 8, 2023 – 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Riding (Club’s) Meeting Room, 361 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills
What: The Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) developed a long-term, comprehensive master plan for Horizon Farm and Spring Creek which they will share with the public.
You are welcome to attend the meeting to learn the details of how this plan addresses conservation and recreational issues.
Share your thoughts with the forest preserve about their future development of Horizon Farm and Spring Creek. The Park District will present your comments to the Forest Preserve representatives.”
Editorial note: It’s concerning recommendations are being sent to the Park District only instead copying officials at the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
Therefore, we strongly encourage residents save their suggestions submitted to the Park District, and utilize the official Forest Preserves of Cook County “Contact Form” to directly communicate those recommendations under the, ”Planning and Development,” category. Make sure your comments reference, “Future development of Horizon Farm and Spring Creek.”
Posted in Contests, Cook, County, FPDCC on August 1, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Blazing Star and Goldenrod by Michelle Wendling is a previous Forest Preserves of Cook County photo contest winner. (Courtesy of Forest Preserves of Cook County)
Submitted by Forest Preserves of Cook County
Whether you have an eye for casually capturing images or you’re a professional photographer, the Forest Preserves of Cook County wants to see your nature photographs showcasing the beauty of the preserves.
The forest preserves is accepting entries for the 2023 photo contest and is looking for the very best photos of preserve landscapes; close-ups of plants, insects, birds and other wildlife; pictures that highlight the seasons; and shots of people enjoying the outdoors or participating in recreational offerings.
Entries showcasing two treasures of the forest preserves — the Brookfield Zoo and the Chicago Botanic Garden — are also accepted.
Fifteen winning photos will be featured in the 2024 Forest Preserves of Cook County calendar and on forest preserves social media accounts. Winning photographers will also receive 10 copies of the calendar, as well as a forest preserves prize package.
Twenty-four additional photos will be selected as runners-up, and may be featured in the Forest Way newsletter, on forest preserves social media accounts, and on the forest preserves website.
Photos eligible for the 2023 photo contest must be submitted via email to fpdcc.info@cookcountyil.gov Aug. 1-15. There is a submission limit of five entries/photos per person, and all photos must meet requirements:
For information on the photo contest, including the official rules and additional requirements, visit fpdcc.com/photo-contest.
Posted in Agendas, Barrington Hills Park District, Board of Health, Building Department, Conflict of interest, Contests, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Finance Committee, Financial Reports, Horizon Farm, Mad Cows, Organizations, Pension Funding, Plan Commission, Police Pension Board, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Public Safety Committee, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Road construction, Roads & Bridges Committee, TMI, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Board, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Engineer, Village Government, Village President, Village Treasurer, Zoning Board on April 24, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Our Village Board of Trustees will be conducting their regular monthly meeting beginning this evening at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:
In addition, nominations for new or renewal appointments to Boards and Commissions will be voted on. Four member of the Equestrian Commission is on the list of renewals, however there is a problem with the renomination of one of those members.
That member ran for and won a seat on the Barrington Hills Park District Board earlier this month, and now this represents a conflict. Therefore, an alternate should be considered at a subsequent Board of Trustees meeting.
A copy of this evening’s agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.
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