D300 Parking Lots Improvements- Courier News

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Written by Suzanne Baker, The Courier News. June 30, 2014

http://couriernews.suntimes.com/2014/06/30/19-school-parking-lots-getting-facelift/

19 School Parking Lots Getting a Facelift

The parking lots of 19 schools in Community Consolidated School District 300 are getting a much-needed makeover this summer.

District 300 Assistant Superintendent of Operations Chuck Bumbales said this past winter was particularly harsh on school parking lots throughout the district. He said work already has begun repairing the lots filled with potholes.

The $3.3 million project to fix the holes ranges anywhere from completely tearing out all asphalt surfaces at one school to paving small areas at other schools.

Among the lots getting work done are:

  • Hampshire Middle School
  • Algonquin Lakes
  • deLacey Family Education Center in Carpentersville
  • Dundee Highlands Elementary in West Dundee
  • Eastview Elementary in Algonquin
  • Hampshire Elementary in Hampshire
  • Hampshire Middle in Hampshire
  • Lake in the Hills in Lake in the Hills
  • Liberty in Carpentersville
  • Lincoln Prairie Elementary in Lake in the Hills
  • Perry Elementary in Carpentersville
  • Sleepy Hollow Elementary in Sleepy Hollow
  • Golfview Elementary in Carpentersville
  • Neubert Elementary in Algonquin
  • Parkview Elementary in Carpentersville
  • Lakewood Elementary in Carpentersville
  • Algonquin Middle in Algonquin
  • Westfield Community School in Algonquin — (track original to the building)
  • Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville
  • Jacobs High School in Algonquin.

In addition to parking lots, Golden Eagle Drive adjacent to Jacobs High School will get facelift to repair the numerous potholes.

While the top layer of asphalt was ground away in the parking lot at Parkview Elementary School in Carpentersville, the community still was able to use the lot for public parking at the Rock the Fox Music Festival June 27-29 in town. Drivers did have to navigate the lighted traffic sawhorses marking the manholes that jutted up from the scraped surface.

The paving work was bid in early March, and the School Boards approved the bids from the lowest contractors in April.

Contracts went to Abbey Paving Co. for $1.8 million, Schroeder Asphalt Services for $371,685, Arrow Road Construction for $647,095 and Accu-Paving for $240,065. The total amount for all contracts, including oversight services from Lamp Inc. and allowances for unforeseen conditions, was $3.3 million.

Money for the work will be paid out of District 300’s Capital Projects Fund.

The budget established for this work was $3,516,281.

East Dundee’s New Fire Station Response Time- Post-Tribune

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Written by Erin Sauder, The Sun-Times Media. June 13, 2014

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/search/28057210-418/east-dundees-new-fire-station-location-improves-response-time.html

East Dundee’s new fire station location improves response time

EAST DUNDEE — A year after construction began on East Dundee’s new fire station, officials moved this past week into their new digs along Route 25.

“It’s been great,” said Fire Chief Steve Schmitendorf. “And the biggest thing we’ve noticed — which is what we thought would happen — is that our response time is much better out of this building. Especially anything in the eastern end of our district. Obviously, going back by the old station will take a little longer, but it is downhill and we don’t navigate those narrow streets anymore.”

A $5.5 million referendum approved by taxpayers in November 2012 made possible the new fire station, located near Routes 25 and 72. Fire officials said the area is more centrally located to serve their entire district, which extends as far east as Higgins Road and Interstate 90. The district serves the villages of East Dundee, South Barrington and Barrington Hills, and unincorporated Kane and Cook counties.

The move also means more room for the East Dundee Police Department, which will expand into the fire department’s old building on Third Street.

Fire officials were able to move into the new building Monday.

Schmitendorf said that for the most part, the project stayed on its projected timeline.

“We were maybe two weeks behind what we were hoping for, and that was just because of that tough winter,” he said. “Obviously, we still have some odds and ends to work on; but we can function out here now.”

The land the new fire station is built on is owned by the village. Both fire and village officials agreed to swap the land for the current fire department building. To make the exchange more equitable, since the village was receiving three acres of land with a complete building, East Dundee officials said they would donate $100,000 per year to the East Dundee Fire Protection District — a separate taxing body — for the 20-year life of the loan to build the station to offset payment of the bonds.

A community open house is planned for the fall, to coincide with Fire Prevention Week.

“We’re waiting because we want to do things in the building to spruce it up,” Schmitendorf said.

Village President Lael Miller visited the facility Friday.

“It’s incredible,” he said. “It’s a beautiful building, and I’m sure those guys will be happy in it for the next 50 to 75 years. It’s a huge asset to all the residents of East Dundee and our entire fire service district.”

As for the construction of the village hall and police station, Miller said those projects are going through the final design phase.

“We’re anticipating sometime at the end of summer or early fall we’ll start construction on the police station portion,” he said. “Last I heard, the tentative completion schedule on that is May of next year.”

Miller said work will also begin on the village hall “somewhere in parallel with that.”

ECC Life Sciences Building achieves LEED Silver Certification.

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Lamp Incorporated is honored to announce that the Health and Life Sciences Building at Elgin Community College has achieved LEED Silver Certification! Congratulations to all who worked hard to accomplish this success.  Click here to read the full report.

Elgin Kiwanis Park Dedication- Post Tribune

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Written by Staff, Post-Tribune. November 22, 2013

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/search/23273578-423/elgin-kiwanis-park-to-be-dedicated-on-wednesday.html#.U8VeGPldWoE

Elgin Kiwanis Park to be dedicated on Wednesday

The city of Elgin will host a dedication ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Kiwanis Park (formally Observatory Park), at National and Villa streets.

The ceremony will recognize the Kiwanis Club of Elgin and its partners who teamed up to construct a gazebo in the park. Other organizations that assisted with the project were Lamp Inc., the Housing Authority of Elgin, Kane County Health Department and the Elgin Golden K Club. The total cost for the project was about $62,000.

“The city of Elgin is very grateful to the Kiwanis Club of Elgin for their leadership in the purchase and construction of this beautiful gazebo, which supports their continual efforts to serve the children of our community. Having the gazebo in this park allowed us to offer the free lunch program at this site for the first time this past summer” said Randy Reopelle, Elgin’s parks and recreation director. “Given the city’s limited park development funds, I see this type of community partnership as a template for future park improvements.”

For more details, call 847-931-6127.

 

Elgin: Sherman, city to hold family fair Saturday

Advocate Sherman Hospital, in partnership with the city of Elgin, will host the 27th Annual Halloween Family Fun Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way. With an emphasis on health and well-being, this free event will feature a variety of fun and educational activities.

A costume contest will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for children ages 12 and younger. Prizes will be awarded for best character look-alike, most creative and best makeup.

In addition to games, children will get a glimpse inside an ambulance, police car and fire engine during one of the tours. The fair also will feature pediatric developmental screenings, Kidcare Photo IDs, a safe-toys booth, and various health and safety information booths.

The fair will include a car seat safety check by Advocate Sherman Hospital and Kane County Safe Kids. Certified child passenger safety technicians will inspect child safety seats and provide instruction.

This event is free to the community, and no registration is required. For more information, call 1.800.3ADVOCATE or visit www.AdvocateHealth.com/events.

Elgin: Sherman set to celebrate Food Day

Advocate Sherman Hospital will celebrate National Food Day on Thursday, a nationwide movement for healthy, affordable and sustainable food. The lake level and café of the hospital will transform into a farmer’s market open to the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors from the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market will be on site with local produce, meat, baked goods and other locally grown and produced items.

Attendees can learn how to incorporate fresh foods into their diet and how to start a garden, with advice from Sherman Community Gardeners and the University of Illinois Master Gardeners. Sherman dietitians will share tips on how to shop for fresh foods and prepare nutritious meals.

Other vendors at the event include the new member-owner grocery Shared Harvest Co-Op, and Food for Greater Elgin.

Sherman’s café chefs will prepare items from the official Food Day cookbook and share the recipes. Attendees can collect recipe cards at each Food Day station for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Sherman’s Tree House Gift Shop.

For more information, call Advocate Sherman Public Affairs & Marketing at 224-783-8700.

South Elgin: Church to hold ‘Trunk-or-Treat’

Community United Methodist Church in South Elgin will host its annual “Trunk-or-Treat” community event from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Refreshments will be served, and children can “Trunk-or-Treat” for candy, play various games, and participate in other exciting activities. This free event is open to all.

The church is at 400 W. Spring St. More information is at 847-931-0563 or cumcsouthelgin@sbcglobal.net.

Elgin: ‘Trunk or Treat’ at Church In The Word

Church In The Word will host its fifth-annual “Trunk or Treat” community event from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. A group of cars decorated and stuffed with candy will line up in the parking lot at 430 Airport Road for an afternoon of free food, games, costumes and candy.

Families and local businesses team up to provide this free, fall event. Children can “trick-or-treat” from one car to the next, playing games and collecting candy. There will be warm beverages and snacks, and giant inflatables for the kids to bounce around in. The Redefined Student Ministry will host a “students only” lounge for middle school and high school students.

For more information, visit www.ChurchInTheWord.com or call 224-585-9673.

Elgin: Wild Ones to hold floral arrangement class

Artist Jean Muntz will demonstrate how to arrange dried native grasses, leaves, berries, seed pods, branches and flowers into works of art at the Northern Kane County Wild Ones meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, 12N462 Tina Trail, Elgin.

Attendees are asked to bring their own vase or other container, pruners or scissors, and any dried material they would like to use or share. A limited amount will be provided. No background in floral arranging is necessary.

Kane County: Prescription drug turn in Saturday

The Kane County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will offer the public its seventh opportunity in three years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

People can bring medications for disposal from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the sheriff’s office, at 37W755 Route 38, St. Charles. The service is free and anonymous. The sheriff’s office is one of several sites in the county that will participate in this initiative. If residents are not able to come to the sheriff’s office, they are encouraged to find additional sites in the community. A list of sites can be found at the DEA’s Office of Diversion Control website at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov. Also, the sheriff’s office does accept any unused or unwanted prescription medicines during normal office hours. People can come to the front desk at the sheriff’s office and turn these medicines in.

According to the DEA website last April, Americans turned in 371 tons (more than 742,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and its thousands of state and local law enforcement partners. In its six previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in more than 2.8 million pounds — more than 1,400 tons — of pills.

Crystal Lake: Heart for Animals fundraiser set

A Heart for Animals has a fundraising goal of $3,000 at its Howl-o-ween Bash and Fundraiser on Saturday to pay for medical care for animals in foster care.

The event is open to adults, and children must be 11 years-old and older. No pets will be admitted.

The winner of the best costume award will win a $200 cash prize. The event includes buffet dinner, DJ, silent auction, raffles, 50/50 raffle, one drink ticket and cash bar for $30. Raffle prizes include Chicago Blackhawks tickets and other items. All proceeds go directly to benefit the rescue animals.

The Howl-o-ween Bash and Fundraiser will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. at Old Towne Hall, 54 Brink St., Crystal Lake. To purchase tickets or make a donation, call 847-868-2432 or visit www.aheartforanimals.org for details. Donations are tax-deductible.

East Dundee Fire Protection District breaks ground on long-awaited new fire station site

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EAST DUNDEE — Mark Guth was 13 years old when the fire station was built on Third Street in downtown East Dundee six decades ago. At the time, his father was on the fire department staff. Guth, 75, is retired from the fire department and is now president of the East Dundee Fire Protection District Board of Trustees.

On Tuesday, the East Dundee resident joined other trustees, village and fire staff, and community members to break ground on the fire district’s new station. “I’m kind of excited,” he said. “It’s nice to watch another one go up.”

“Today’s the day, finally,” said Fire Chief Steve Schmitendorf. “It’s very exciting. It’s something that’s been a dream for a long time.” A $5.5 million referendum passed by taxpayers in November made possible the new fire station, which will be located near Routes 25 and 72. Fire officials said that area is more centrally located to serve their entire district, which extends as far east as Higgins Road and Interstate 90.

The land the new fire station will be built on is owned by the village. Fire and village officials agreed to swap the land for the current fire department building on Third Street. To make the exchange more equitable, since the village was receiving three acres of land with a complete building, East Dundee officials said they would donate $100,000 per year to the East Dundee Fire Protection District — a separate taxing body — for the 20-year life of the loan to build the station to offset payment of the bonds.

The move also will mean more room for the East Dundee Police Department, which will expand into the fire department’s old building. Construction is anticipated to take about 10 months. Village President Lael Miller said it’s an exciting time for East Dundee. “And this is such a perfect location for the fire station,” he said. “This is a great win for the entire village.”

Guth said he hopes the building lasts as long as the Third Street location did. “Getting out of the downtown wasn’t bad 50 years ago,” he said. “But today with how big the equipment is, it’s a lot more difficult to get out of those curvy streets. And the response time will be the same. This is going to help (the fire district employees) a lot. It’s going to help everybody.”
The fire district serves the villages of East Dundee, South Barrington and Barrington Hills, and unincorporated Kane and Cook counties.