Scenes from this Weekends Streets of Summer

Officer G kicked off the festivities by dancing up a storm with the Salsa Dancers.

The food and mixed drink area was a HUGE success! The coconut drinks were potent and fun!

The Mayors 3K race leaders go through Parkview at high speed!

The portable race track was a huge hit with the kids!

Many thanks to Kevin Garrett for sending me his pictures (A link to more is here) I used a few of mine and mostly his! If anyone has any they would like to see on here, email them to me here.

Winners of this mornings 3K

The winners of the event seemed happy, I on the other hand defended my last place finish for the second year in a row! Many thanks to all the people who showed up and helped and participated.

Mayors 3K this year! Walk and or Run Tommorrow Morning!

My 5K race is coming up on the 28th at 8am as part of the Streets of Summer Fest, and I have decided to make it two things in honor of our 100th Anniversary.

• First its going to be free,
• and second its going to be a run/walk!
  

I will have FREE T-shirts for the first 50 people (or until the shirts run out) to show up and walk with me. The route is slightly less then 2 miles so you can easily walk on sidewalks so bring the kids as well, it will be fun for all Round Lake Residents!

Blogcation!

I am taking a short break from the Blog this week, see you at the Fest and my walk on Saturday!

Fest is this week!

Celebrating 100 Years

1908-2008

Click here for the SummerfestPoster2008

What: Round Lakes Annual Streets of Summer Fest

Where: On Goodnow between Cedar Lake Rd and Route 134

When: Friday Evening June 27th through Saturday Evening June 28th

Sponsors: The Village of Round Lake and Local Businesses

Baxter

The Law Offices of James Magee

Parking: Available in the Metra lot as well as on Cedar Lake Rd downtown

Cost: Entrance, entertainment and all activities are free (with the exception of food and beverages)

Volunteers: If you are interested in being a volunteer for the 2008 Streets of Summer Fest,

please email rlfest@eroundlake.com

Vendors/Entertainers: If you would like to participate in our 2008 Streets of Summer Fest,

please forward your proposal to:

Village of Round Lake

Streets of Summer Committee

442 N. Cedar Lake Rd

Round Lake, IL 60073

Or email

rlfest@eroundlake.com

Member/Volunteer Meetings: Currently meet every other Wednesday at 6:00pm in the Round Lake

Village Hall (however, as the Fest draws closer, meetings will be held weekly).

All are welcome to attend and prior notification is not necessary.

Food and Beer Tent: Open Friday 5:00 PM until Close, Saturday 11:00 AM until Close,

Beer Tent 12:00 PM until Close.

***No one under the age of 21 will be admitted to the Beer Tent under any circumstances.

No alcoholic beverages will be allowed or served outside the Beer Tent.

Wrist bands will be given out in order to enter the tent.

The following events will be held on the Main Stage Friday June 27th

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM	Round Lake’s 1st Annual Streets of Summer Fest Iron Chef Competition Awards to be presented between 6:30 and 7:30 PM
	As with the famous Food Network show, Round Lake will be hosting it’s very own Iron Chef cooking challenge “Latino Style”
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM	Salsa Lessons a la Round Lake Fest Instructors To Be Announced
	Learn to Salsa dance by taught by a professionally trained Salsa instructor.
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM	Mambo All-Stars
	Started in 2006 by Chicago Salsa Instructor, and back up vocalist Miguel Mendez, Chicago Pianist, Composer & Musical Director, Eliezer "Pepe" Armijos, and Lead Sonero, Mr. Freddy Kenton, the Mambo All-stars play a vast repertoire of music including Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Mambo, Latin Jazz, Boleros, Cha Cha Cha, Guajira, Cumbia and more!
9:30 PM – 10:30 PM	The World Famous….
	Not just a dance band, the "Afros" are far from the typical. Their electrifying show propels you into the groove, complete with the style, costumes and dance moves of the ’70s. They demonstrate the common ties between ’70sDisco and today’s popular music. They have shared the stage with artists such as Lionel Ritchie, KC and the Sunshine Band, Kool and the Gang and have appeared on national shows such as Jenny Jones and Mancow.

The following events are being held Saturday, June 28th

8:00 A.M. Mayors 5K Run/Walk: Registration fee will be required. More information to follow.

10:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M. Streets of Summer Fest Car Show: Set up and registration from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and trophies presented at 3:00 PM. ***Dash plaques for the first 50 entrees

10:00 A.M. Lake County Animal Shelter: Offering low cost vaccinations as well as pet Microchip $6 for Rabies, Distemper and Lake County Rabies Tags for altered pets ($25 for non altered). $10 for pet Microchip

11:00 A.M. Save A Pet Adoption Services: Onsite for anyone interested in pet adoption, volunteering in their facility, and to play with some of the special friends available for adoption. Donations, either monetary or in the form of food, litter, toys, blankets, towels, etc…are always appreciated

11:00-11:30 A.M. Streets of Summer Fest Pet Parade: All pets welcome; however, all pets MUST be on a leash. Awards will be given in 6 categories including Best Trick, Best Dressed. Awards in each category will be given.

10:00 AM - AVAILABLE ALL DAY - Busy Brains Children Museum

A non-profit corporation founded in November, 2003 by Kathy Goers and Alison Price. The museum is a member of the Association of Children’s Museums and the Illinois Association of Museums. Some of the interactive play areas available at the fest will be Gearosity, Mystery of Flight, Good Vibrations, Touch! See! Smell! Hear! Construct!

11:45 AM and 5:15 PM Round Lake’s Own Canine Demonstration: Watch Round Lake’s very own Highway and his handler Officer Michael Stevens and his trainer from TOPS (TBD) demonstrate just what it takes to be a certified Police Dog. Highway will demonstrate all the training and hard work that goes into being able to save those in need, respond to specific commands, and sniff out crime to better our community.

10:00 AM Army Rock Climbing Wall and Hummer: Come test your strength and find out just what it takes to “Be All You Can Be.” Representatives from the Round Lake Beach Army Recruiting Center will be on hand.

12:00 PM – 4:00 PM. A Zoo to You Petting Zoo: Bring the kids and have some fun petting and feeding many different types of animals including ducks, chickens, llamas, rabbits, and goats. You can check them out at http://www.azty.net/petting-zoo. Trained handlers will be on site to assist from the littlest to the biggest kids and answer any questions they may have.

12:00 PM-4:00 PM Buttons the Clown:. Watch Buttons the Clown make amazing Balloon creations, do silly walk around tricks to amaze the whole family and of course the most important to all children - creative Face Painting. Buttons will be walking around the entire fest to amaze, excite and delight everyone he meets.

1:00 PM – 6:00 PM Clowning Around Entertainment: Three of the most exciting activities for young and old will be available. The little ones will enjoy scrambling around in Tot Town. Pre-Teen and Teenagers alike can test their skills at Dance Dance Revolution, and of course who can say no to a giant Velcro Wall! www.celebrationauthority.com

1:00 PM-5:00 PM NASCAR Prime Time Races: Anyone that loves watching NASCAR on television or the thrill of being able to race one of your own will enjoy racing against your family and friends on a 42’ oval track and compete for the winners circle. These cars go fast, race hard and you’re in charge. www.prime-timepromotions.com

3:00 PM-4:00 PM Pocket Circus: No festival would be complete without an amazing circus show called “Planet Circus.” This 50 minute long show starring two circus entertainers from Argentina is fun for the whole family and includes juggling, magic, acrobatics, and audience participation.

4:00 PM-6:00 PM Jason Kollum Variety and Entertainment: Watch a half hour show of juggling and many other fun variety acts for the whole family with Jason Kollum. After the show, Jason will join the crowd while stilt walking, juggling, performing magic and just having fun

Saturday night June 28th entertainment held on the Main Stage

1:00 PM-2:00 PM	Scribble Monsters: On the Main Stage as if all the other activities weren’t enough, the Scribble Monsters Full Live Band will be rocking out for all the young kids. Join Scribble Jim and all his friends and dance along with their hit songs including “I Love Chocolate Milk,” “Best Friends,” and “Everybody Learns to Count.” www.scribblebooks.com
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM	Chicago’s Very Own Band.......... Off Broadway!! A late-'70s power pop group from Chicago. Much like Cheap Trick, Off Broadway played a quirky hopped-up blend of Beatlesque melodies and Move-like power. They wrote catchy songs and managed to sell around 200,000 copies of their 1979 debut album, On. In 1997, the band recorded and released their first record in 17 years, Fallin' In, and followed it with a live set in 1998, Live at Fitzgeralds.
9:15 PM – 10:30 PM	National Headliners: SEVEN MARY THREE "Be ready for the rock," mock-warns Seven Mary Three. In fact, from the opening salvo of the balls-out "Settle Up" to the aggro "Bark No Bite" to the emotive first single, "Without You Feels," Dis/Located is indeed "guitar-ded," full of "1970s dirge-y, dirty type of riffs," observes singer Jason Ross. The group's fifth outing captures the raw power of the literate, universally personal songs of band founders Ross, Giti Khalsa, Casey Daniel, and the lineup's “new” guitarist of four years, Thomas Juliano. Dis/Located's 11 tunes, in fact, represent the most immediate, from-the-gut collection in a stellar career that began with 1995's platinum-plus American Standard and its massive radio hit "Cumbersome," and was furthered on tours with Aerosmith and Matchbox Twenty and subsequent albums showcasing the young band's insightful, timeless take on rock.
10:30 PM	The Round Lake End of the Fest Fireworks Display

Summer Safety Alert

Methamphetamine cooks are buying propane tanks from the exchanges at Wal-Mart, Kroger, and emptying them of the propane gas. Then they fill the propane tanks with anhydrous ammonia, which they now have a recipe to cook Methamphetamine. After they are finished with the propane tanks, they return them to the store. The stores refill the tanks with propane gas, unknowing to them the improper substance that was inserted in the tanks and sell them to their consumers. Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank. It can be very dangerous when mixed with propane gas and hooked up to a grill, recreation vehicle, etc.

You should inspect the propane tank for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas. If there are evidences of these substances, do not purchase the propane tank and advise the vendor of your findings.

The information was researched, and you should check out the following website for more details. They also have pictures for you to view.

Don't Miss the Upcoming Fest! Next Weekend!

The annual Streets of Summer Fest will be held on June 27th and 28th. There will be many events and lots of entertainment including:

• an Iron Chef contest
• salsa dance & lessons
• low cost pet vaccinations & micro-chipping
• pet parade
• Busy Brains Children's Museum
• Army Rock Climbing Wall
• Classic Car Show
• Canine demonstrations
• petting zoo
• Bob the Magician
• Scribble Monster Children's Band
• mini-Nascar racing
• Family Circus

A beer tent and food vendors will be available all day, and a fireworks display at 10:15 p.m. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED for event information.

Vendors and volunteers will be needed, please send an email to rlfest@eroundlake.com for more information.

Lake County flood situation

Lake County and our partners continue to respond to the flood situation across the Fox River basin. More than 200 properties have been impacted by the flood and that number is likely to increase. Water levels through the Fox River and Chain O’Lakes will remain high for the next few weeks. The Villages of Antioch and Fox Lake; Antioch, Cuba and Grant Townships; Lake County Emergency Management; and the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission are working together with State and other local agencies to provide assistance to businesses and homeowners impacted by the Fox River and Chain O’Lakes floodwaters. The Fox River and Chain O’Lakes remain closed until further notice. Daily flood information is being posted at www.co.lake.il.us.

National Safety Month: Natural Gas Safety in the Workplace

Natural gas is a clean, efficient, reliable, and safe fuel used in a wide variety of comrcial and industrial operations for heating, cooling, cooking, and processing. As with any flammable substance, however, natural gas can be hazardous if treated improperly. By following a few simple guidelines, you can help to ensure that your facility and employees are safe while working in and around natural gas equipment and appliances.

What is Natural Gas?
Natural gas is methane, a substance formed deep below the earth's surface. Natural gas is odorless, colorless, and non-toxic. When used properly, natural gas is a safe, clean, and reliable source of energy. Natural gas can be used to heat and cool your business, cook food, provide hot water, and is the fuel choice for industry.

Natural Gas Safety Tips

• Make sure that all natural gas equipment and appliances are inspected by qualified personnel at least once per year.
• Keep all combustible material (chemicals, papers, boxes, solvents, etc.) at a safe distance from natural gas equipment and appliances.
• Follow all manufacturers' recommendations related to cleaning and maintenance for all natural gas equipment and appliances.
• Make sure that all areas of your facility are adequately vented, and that all pipes and flues are in good condition.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors in all areas of your facility.
• Never hang tools or other devices on gas pipes and meters.
• Check pilot lights on natural gas appliances, and make sure that they are burning mostly blue. Appliances with yellow-burning flames should be serviced by a qualified professional immediately.

Dealing with Natural Gas Emergencies
Knowing how to recognize and properly react to potential natural gas emergencies can help to ensure the safety of you and your employees, and minimize any damage to your facility.

Natural gas is colorless and odorless. In order to make it easier to detect, a chemical called mercaptan that smells like rotten eggs is added. This distinct odor may indicate a gas leak in the vicinity. Other signs include a hissing sound, or dirt or dust blowing from a hole in the ground.

If You Suspect a Natural Gas Leak…

• Vacate the building immediately and contact your local gas utility representative.
• Do not attempt to locate the source of the leak yourself.
• Do not use any electrical devices, such as light switches, appliances, telephones, or even door openers. They could ignite a spark and cause a fire or explosion.
• Don't use matches or lighters in the area.
• Do not start any vehicles in the area, and do not try to shut off any gas valves or equipment.
• Do not reenter your building until it has been inspected and cleared by a natural gas utility representative.

Flooding Warning

Sunday, June 15, 2008 12:05 p.m.
Scattered storms yesterday and overnight produced very little additional rainfall over any of our watersheds. Additional storms this morning and tonight may bring some rain to Lake County, but the greatest risk of heavier rain and more severe storms appears to be to our south.

The Fox River upstream of Lake County at New Munster Wisconsin continues to rise. Drier weather is expected for our area in the coming week, with precipitation forecast for the next five days at about a half an inch of rain across our area. The Des Plaines River continues to fall in Lake County, and should be below its flood stage of 7.0 feet at Gurnee by Monday evening and at Russell by Wednesday.

The Fox River at New Munster is now forecast by the National Weather Service (NWS) to crest Sunday night at 15.2 feet, above the record flood level set last August for that gauge. The duration of major-stage flooding on the Fox River at New Munster is now forecast to continue into next Saturday. Water levels in the Fox River Springs subdivision now exceed levels seen last August, severe flooding continues, and will likely continue throughout this week and into the next week.

While the Fox River continues to dump more water into the Chain of Lakes than can flow out of the Chain, the rate of rise on the Chain has slowed. The water level across the Chain is now within an inch of levels seen last August, and will likely keep rising slowly until Thursday or Friday of this week. The lower Fox River also continues to rise, and is now within about six inches of levels it reached last August.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is keeping the flood gates open at the Stratton Lock and Dam in McHenry County. We now expect the Chain to slightly exceed the flood levels we experienced last August, but probably not by much. The Fox Waterway Agency and IDNR have designated the lower Fox as a restricted (no boating) zone because of the high water levels and dangerous currents, and have also restricted the Chain of Lakes and Upper Fox to no-wake zones.

Debris, including trees, logs, docks, shore stations, and other personal property, remains a concern for boaters and for hydrologists. Debris can obstruct the flow of water, causing unexpected rises in flood levels in localized areas. Residents can help reduce the amount of debris on rivers and lakes by making sure their shore stations, boats, picnic tables and chairs, toys, and other property are secured in place or moved above the expected flood lines.

The Fox Waterway Agency and IDNR are prepared to respond to obstructions as necessary. Lake County continues to provide resources to our partner communities. Sandbags are available through Township Highway Departments and Municipalities. Many Lake County and partner departments and agencies are working to help our communities and their residents.

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Strange Maps

538

Lake County Motorist

Your next senator!

Rummage Sale Report for the Relay for Life Team Sponsored by the Village

The Round Lake Village People had their first Community Rummage for Relay sale this past Saturday the 7th and we had an amazing turnout. The rummage sale was held for one day only, and had donations from all over Lake County from Round Lake through Gurnee and even donations from other teams who had items left over from their own garage sales.

Our Rummage sale was held inside the Public Works Building and we had over 30 banquet tables of goodies, not to mention items that were still boxed that had to wait for room to get put out and so many pieces of clothing there was no possible way for us to get them organized and out all at once. From 8-3 we were open and the last 2 hours we held our $2 paper bag sale where anything you could fit in a grocery bag was just $2.

When the dust cleared and we finally got the remaining items bagged and ready for other fundraising groups, churches and Purple Heart to come and collect, our team made over $2,100 for the day. Not too bad for selling shoes for 50 cents and giving away free stuffed animals! We were able to test out the Picture for a Cure camera and was able to collect over 30 pictures and stories just from that 1 day. Our goal for our entire Relay is 100 so we are well on our way to exceeding this number, since I will have a fundraising and Advocacy booth at the Round Lake Streets of Summer Fest June 27 and 28th!

Again, thank you to all that helped with this wonderful endeavor and we look forward being able to hand in that check knowing in our hearts that it was all worth the sweat and aching limbs

Report on the 120 Bypass (Part 4 of 5)

Today we are going to look at Scenario Four which is a 4 lane 6 Lane Arterial By-pass

NOTE: Please read part one for an explanation of the terms I am using in this post.

Scenario 4: 6 Lane Arterial By-pass

One caveat on these scenarios, is that they have been adjusted to take in the planned road improvements over the next 22 years, so for example Peterson's eventual widening to 4 lanes is taken into account. So using the same bullet points and spots we looked at in the earlier posts we see the following I am going to bold my observations on the changes.

• Look at the number for 120 at 83, 17,700 in 2008 but in 2030 the number is 19,100 indicating that the stretch of road is as full as it can be right now. However we have added a 6 lane bypass and traffic is 61,400!
  
• Interstate 94 has 113,000 ADT in 2008. The new number is 162,1300 in 2030. Very little change between the scenario 1, 2, 3 here! Huge number increase however from 2008.
  
• Peterson Road has 9,400 ADT between 60 and Alleghany in 2008. With the widening the road is heavily congested at 17,400 ADT in 2030. This is reduction in what we can expect.
  
• 60 has 14,200 just past Fremont Center in 2008. The traffic flow along 60 is now seriously reduced down to 9,600!
  
• Fairfield has 10,500 at Gilmer in 2008. The number now is 9,600 in 2030. We now see that the concept of a large bypass across the county does make sense because we see a drop in traffic on the subsidiary routes
  
• Washington has 15,800 at 83 in 2008. The number in scenario 1 is 14,900 in 2030. In scenario 2 its now 17,100, still very serious congestion. In scenario 3 the traffic is 16,100, and now its 14,900 in scenario 5.
  

I am stunned by the volume of cars that would travel on the 120 bypass in this scenario, if you delve deeper you see a reduction across Lake County of the ADT numbers as you see most commuters find the 120 bypass to their liking!

Jim McKay 1922-2008

When I was a kid in New York, I grew up watching ABC Wide World of Sports. To this day my love of international events like the Olympics, cycling, track and field, soccer, boxing, and of course American events like NASCAR, and of course the best of all time demolition derby. There was one person who was always and will forever be the voice of sports in my childhood.

That was Jim McKay, I can't tell you the feeling when I heard yesterday that McKay had passed away, all my memories of sports and my love of them came flooding back. When I heard McKay's voice or saw him over the last few decades I always thought of the "thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" first!

He loved horse racing like I do, and as far as I concerned he was the finest voice in television sports! He will missed.

Saturday Village Garage Sale

Police and Public facility on Townline road HUGE amounts of stuff! I was just over there briefly on my way back from other duties and I was amazed! So check it out this weekend.

Metra Parking Article from Todays News Sun

Trustees reject free parking during Metra station lot work

BY ALEC JUNGE Special to the News-Sun

ROUND LAKE -- The village's Metra station parking is going to get messed up and ugly with construction potentially beginning in August.

The Village Board has decided to continue to charge residents the same parking fee during the construction process, despite losing 129 spaces, according to Village Administrator Marc Huber. He added the lot construction and reconfiguration is expected to last at least four months.

"Whatever decision we make, we are going to have some unhappy people," said Mayor Bill Gentes.

He suggested the village not charge for parking during construction. That idea was rejected by a majority of trustees.

"The tollway closes lanes and still charges the toll," said Trustee Robert Del Prato.

"People know that there is going to be some inconvenience with construction," said Trustee Sherry Perkowitz.

"We should go for free," said Trustee Dale Multrerer, who was the only one to support suspending the parking fees. "At least we have attempted to do something."

Marc Huber noted the village had the potential to lose approximately $22,000 in revenue for the period. That was an amount trustees agreed was too much money to squander.

Gentes stressed the positive, that once complete, the parking lot will bring back the original 128 spaces lost and add 112 more.

Also, another consideration was how to handle the two residents who hold year-long passes. They all agreed to refund the portion of money that would cover the construction period.

Trustees also agreed to suspend seasonal and monthly permits during the construction process. Included in the plan was to allocate the spaces on a first-come, first-served basis, according to Gentes.

The growing village was able to finance the project by diverting $200,000 from a previous federal grant relating to the purchase of the Long Lake Metra Station, Gentes said.

The village was able to set aside that amount for construction costs which it is transferring from the Long Lake project. The grant now permits the village to reallocate a portion of it to another project, according to Huber.

Del Prato was concerned Metra officials might forget they requested the transfer and then leave the village on the hook for the portion that was reallocated for the Round Lake lot.

Village Attorney James Magee said it was unlikely Metra would go back and seek the funds at a later date.

Huber added the construction start is still uncertain. He stressed that a preconstruction meeting still needs to be conducted. If construction begins in August, expected completion is slated for early January with landscaping finishing in spring 2009.

Gentes stressed the timing is really up to Metra, which will control when the project starts and is completed.

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Report on the 120 Bypass (Part 3 of 5)

Today we are going to look at Scenario Three which is a 4 lane Arterial/Boulevard By-pass

NOTE: Please read part one for an explanation of the terms I am using in this post.

Scenario 3: 4 lane Arterial/Boulevard By-pass

One caveat on these scenarios, is that they have been adjusted to take in the planned road improvements over the next 22 years, so for example Peterson's eventual widening to 4 lanes is taken into account. So using the same bullet points and spots we looked at in the earlier posts we see the following I am going to bold my observations on the changes.

• Look at the number for 120 at 83, 17,700 in 2008 but in 2030 the number is 19,200 indicating that the stretch of road is as full as it can be right now. So in 22 years the entire 4 lane 120 is as congested as a 4 lane road can be! But we add in the new 4 lane arterial concept and at 120 bypass and 83 we have 46,200 on a four lane road. In addition we have 19,700 on old 120. Which does demonstrate that lots of people want to drive east west in the county!
  
• Interstate 94 has 113,000 ADT in 2008. The new number is 163,100 in 2030. Very little change between the scenario 1, 2 and 3 here! Huge number increase however from 2008.
  
• Peterson Road has 9,400 ADT between 60 and Alleghany in 2008. With the widening the road is heavily congested at 19,800 ADT in 2030. Scenario 3 reduces the traffic here by 2,000 ADT the road.
  
• 60 has 14,200 just past Fremont Center in 2008. Now the traffic flows onto Peterson and not down 60 so the ADT is reduced to 10,200. In other words this traffic will be the same as it is today.
  
• Fairfield has 10,500 at Gilmer in 2008. The number here is 15,000 (serious congestion) in 2030. The number drops in scenario 2 to 12,300 and in scenario 3 it drops to 10,200. Not much change here
  
• Washington has 15,800 at 83 in 2008. The number in scenario 1 is 19,100 in 2030. In scenario 2 its now 17,100, still very serious congestion. Now in scenario 3 the traffic is 16,100.
  

This is the first scenario where we look at actually have built a road separate from existing 120, and we can start seeing reductions in traffic flow at various intersections that we are spotlighting. If you look at this scenario you see that the bypass concept works and it does reduce traffic.

Rummage Sale this weekend! Tons and Tons of Stuff Available

When: Saturday June 7th Time: 8:00AM – 3:00PM
Where: The Village of Round Lake’s Police & Public Works Building at 751 W. Townline Rd

Plus there is a $2.00 Bag Sale 1 pm to 3 pm
Everyone in the community is invited to come out and hunt for bargains. It benefits the Relay for Life!

NOTE: I would have a spectacular picture of huge amounts of stuff here, but for some reason, photos won't load today on the blog...but trust me, there is a lot of stuff.

NOTE #2: Today the publishing pictures tool works so here is the picture.

Graduation Day

On Saturday my daughter graduated from Grant High School! She was a member of the Honor Society, the Art Club, the environmental club, swam on the swim team, ran cross-country and track and field in her four years at Grant. She earned 7 letters in those four years. She holds the school record in the 100 meter fly swimming and was Academic All Conference this year for Girls Track and Field.

The Grant Girls team of which she was a member finished 8th, 3rd, 5th and 7th in the state AA division and won numerous sectional and county titles.

I am incredibly proud of Denise, who will be going to Illinois State this fall to become an Art Teacher. She hopes I win my senate race so I can be her clothing, shoe and magazine delivery man on my way to Springfield, since Bloomington is on the way down!