GazeboNews

County Issues Flood Alert

The following was written by Lake County's storm management leaders:

By Joseph Hmieleski, Flood Operations Manager, Principal Wetland Specialist Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, and C. Kent McKenzie, Emergency Management Coordinator Lake County 

The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission has issued a Yellow Flood Alert for Lake County, which means that a “Flood Might Occur or Minor Flooding is Occurring.” Snowmelt and rain over the past several days have brought local streams and rivers up to flood stage in some places, and some additional increases in water level are possible over the next few days. The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for Lake County for the Des Plaines River at Russell (near the Wisconsin line) and Gurnee, and for the Fox River north of the Chain O’Lakes.

Current gauge readings for the Des Plaines River indicate the expected leveling-off of the water level rises has begun, and relatively little further increase is expected at both Russell and Gurnee. At Russell, the Des Plaines is above the flood stage of seven feet on the gauge, and a crest of eight feet is expected Saturday evening. A water level of eight feet on the gauge indicates that some yards and agricultural lands along the river are flooded, but no structures are directly impacted. At Gurnee, the Des Plaines is below the flood stage at just over six-and-a-half

Spring Starts Now At The Lake Forest Shop

Dear Readers,

GazeboNews was started in the fall of 2008 with two primary missions: To provide high-quality local news that welcomes reader interaction, and to serve as a platform for local businesses to communicate their timely marketing messages to the local consumer.

We're excited to welcome The Lake Forest Shop to our list of sponsors, and we hope those of you who need to put a spring in your spring wardrobe will shop at this longtime Lake Forest ladies boutique. The store is hosting a spring trunk show through March 20, featuring special occasion dresses and outfits from more than 20 vendors, including Azul by Lian Carlo, Lourdes Chavez, Frascara and Alberto Makali (to name a few). You can even create your own unique look with custom cut and fabric. Here's a small sampling of what's in store:

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LB School Caucus Seeks Candidates

The following was submitted by the LB School Caucus

The Lake Bluff School Caucus is seeking to nominate candidates for the April 2011 School Board election for the Lake Bluff Elementary School District 65 and the Lake Forest High School District 115. Caucus Members will be conducting interviews in October to slate four candidates, (3) for D65 and (1) for D115. Each elected school board member will begin a four-year term shortly after the April 2011 election. All prospective candidates are asked to complete a candidate data sheet, which may be downloaded from the Lake Bluff School Caucus website: www.lbschoolcaucus.org/. Interested persons should email completed data sheets to: secretary@lbschoolcaucus.org.

Spring Break Calls For Books

It's spring break season, and whether you're going out of town or staying home you may want the companionship of a good book. GazeboNews asked owner Sue Boucher and her staff at the Lake Forest Book Store to compile a list of great reads for spring break.

Sagas

• Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
• Northern Clemency by Philip Hensher
• Roses by Leila Meacham

Love Stories

• Benny and Shrimp by Katerina Mazetti
• Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
• The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran

Page Turners

• Dream House by Valerie Laken
• Little Bee by Chris Cleave
• Life Sentences by Laura Lippman

Mysteries

• Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson
• League of the Night and Fog by Davie Morrell
• Revelation by C. J. Sansom
• Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
• Tourist by Olen Steinhauler
• Vienna Secrets by Frank Tallis

Literary

• In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin
• Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
• The Women by T. C. Boyle

Lighter Reads

• Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy
• Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian
• Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker
• The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
• True Colors by Kristin Hannah
• Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

Historical Fiction

• Cape Ann by Faith Sullivan
• Piano Teacher by Janice Y. K. Lee
• Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas
• Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

Sunday Is World Friendship Day

The following was submitted by the local chapter of Friendship Force, which includes members from Lake Forest and Lake Bluff.

Friendship Force Northern Illinois will celebrate World Friendship Day on Sunday, March 14, at 2 p.m. Club members will model native costumes and describe adventures from past exchanges with Friendship Force clubs abroad. The club will serve a buffet of home-made recipes from around the world, with a silent auction humming in the background. All are invited, and admission is free. The event takes place at The Colony Club, 680 Cress Creek Lane, Crystal Lake. For further information, please contact Sally Coyle, President at tomensally@aol.com.

The tradition of World Friendship Day began in 2005 as a way for Friendship Force International and its 350 clubs in 60 countries around the world, including Friendship Force Northern Illinois, to commemorate the organization’s birth. A resolution to honor Friendship Force International and designate March 1 as World Friendship Day was introduced in the U.S. Senate in 2007. 

The idea for the Friendship Force was born in the imagination of Wayne Smith, a visionary who understood the potential of friendship to overcome the prejudices of culture, color, language and religion. Friendship Force International was launched at a White House ceremony on March 1, 1977, with the endorsement and support of President Jimmy Carter. The work of FFI was also recognized with a 1992 nomination for the Nobel Peace prize.

Friendship Force Clubs are community-based volunteer organizations that work to increase international understanding through home hospitality. Club members travel to another country where they are matched with local hosts in whose homes they live for a short time. Each year, more than 5,000 citizen ambassadors travel with FFI, changing the way they see the world. After viewing other countries from the inside, living with a host family, sharing everyday life, they return home with increased global awareness and commitment to make a positive difference in the world.

For more information on Friendship Force International please see www.thefriendshipforce.org.

LFC Student Found Dead In Glacier Park

By Adrienne Fawcett

The body of a Lake Forest College student was found frozen in a snow bank near Glacier National Park in Montana last week. His name was Alexander Charles Rettinger. He was 19 and had been missing since last September. A spokeswoman for the Flathead County Sheriff's Office said the cause of death was asphyxiation.

Mr. Rettinger's parents, who live in Round Lake Beach, reported their son missing to the Lake Forest Police Department last September after not hearing from him for a couple of days, said LFPD Deputy Chief Glenn Burmeister.

In a letter to students, staff and faculty (which the college shared with GazeboNews), Lake Forest College President Stephen D. Schutt said the following:

"Alex left campus near the end of last September without informing the College or his family. Investigation later revealed that he had purchased a ticket and boarded a train to Seattle, but nothing further could be determined. Last week, the Flathead County, Montana, Sheriff's Office found a young man's body buried under a quantity of snow near the town of Essex, Montana, in the vicinity of Glacier National Park. The Sheriff's Office has now identified the body as that of Alex, and the College and his parents in nearby Round Lake Beach have been informed." 

Gowns For Gorton Preview

What did you wear to the Academy Awards? Pajamas? Members of the Junior Women's Club of Lake Forest & Lake Bluff were more ambitious than most of us last Sunday night--they donned designer gowns and wore them to an Oscar party at The Grille On Laurel to raise awareness for the first Gowns For Gorton fundraiser. The women walked a red carpet while wearing special occasion dresses that were donated to the the Gowns For Gorton sale, which is on Saturday, March 13. The Club needs more gowns, and it's accepting donations through Friday--proceeds of the fundraiser go to the Gorton Community Center. 

You can drop off your gently worn frocks at The Grille, The Lake Forest Shop, Gorton and ABC Cleaners by Sunset Foods Thursday and Friday. And on Saturday, you can shop for replacements. Doors open at 10 a.m. at the Grille. For more info, contact event chairwoman Kendelle Cornette at 847-338-5885. 

Here are some shots of Sunday's Oscar party--these dresses will be for sale at Saturday's event:

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Kendelle Cornette submitted these photos of last Sunday's Oscar Gown party.

Reptile Rampage Is Sunday

For just $5 you can spend Sunday with your favorite and not so favorite reptiles, when Lake Forest Parks & Rec’s Wildlife Discovery Center hosts “Reptile Rampage.” The event will include displays of live reptiles and a performance, which also includes live reptiles. The festivities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the LF Rec Center, 400 Hastings Road, Lake Forest. Here are some photos from last year's Rampage, submitted by Anneliese Crawford, whose sons Andrew and Peter will exhibit their reptile pets on Sunday. 

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Check Mate For LB Student

It's great to come across links that reveal the interesting things local people are doing. Here's a story from the United States Chess Federation's website, which reports that Miranda Liu of Lake Bluff Elementary School took 4th place with 3.5 points in the K-6 Varsity section of the Chicago Scholastic Chess Championship, which was held on Feb. 27-28 in Northbrook. Here's the link--Miranda is mentioned in paragraph nine. 

Give Gowns To Gorton And The Rest To Vets

Just in time for spring cleaning, here are two opportunities for local donations: 

Gowns For Gorton: You can donate evening gowns and dresses to Gorton up through March 12, and then you can shop for gowns on March 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grille on Laurel, at Laurel and Western in Lake Forest. Admittance is $3, and numbers will be given out. Drop off your donations at the Gorton Community Center, The Lake Forest Shop, The Grille on Laurel or ABC Dry Cleaners. Proceeds benefit Gorton. Click here to read GazeboNews' earlier story about the Gown-raiser.

Route 66 Vets: This is a new thrift store run by homeless veterans who are presently living at the North Chicago VA campus. The store is at 109 S. Genesee St., Waukegan. Its goal is to help the Vets, both men and women, transition back into civilian life. You can drop off donations or contact the store and they Vets will pick them up for you: 847-360-0678 or rt66vets@aol.com. Here's a partial list of what they need: apparel, cookware, small appliances, furniture, household items, tools, jewelry, linens, musical instruments, books, media items, accessories, shoes, children's items, toys, ties, belts, purses, winter items, sports equipment, office & school supplies, garden equipment, blankets, curtains, holiday items and more.

Parent University: Helping Parents Help Kids

In the movie "Freaky Friday," Jamie Lee Curtis hollers "Make good choices!" every time she drops off her teenager at school, and the teenager, played by Lindsey Lohan, looks back in horror. What could a middle aged mom in unfashionable clothing possibly know about the choices teens have to make?

Helping kids make good choices is just as topical today as it was in 2003 when "Freaky Friday" was released. LEAD hopes to provide answers at its Parent University event on Saturday, which focuses on "Ethical Kids." Best-selling author Barbara Coloroso will discuss how parents can help their kids make good choices at a time when what's "right" is not always obvious. She'll also focus on bullying and cyberbullying, which are the topics of her book "The Bully, The Bullied And The Bystander."  She'll cover:

• The Bully -- What it is and isn't 
• The differences and similarities between boy and girl bullies
• What to do if your child is a bully
• The Bullied--warning signs and steps you can take if your child is being bullied
• The Bystander--how they aid and abet the bully and how they can become peacemakers

Please visit LEAD's website for more information about Ms. Coloroso and Parent University. You can register online through Friday, but walk-ins also are welcome.

Polar Plunge Draws Record Crowd Into Icy Lake

By Adrienne Fawcett

It was 46 degrees and sunny on Saturday, perfect for a swim in the lake. ... Well, not exactly perfect, but certainly doable for the 226 brave souls who jumped into the water at Sunrise Beach in Lake Bluff to raise money for the Special Olympics. And raise money they did--$100,000.

LB Police Chief William Gallagher was joined by his eldest daughter, and by Chief Steve Balinski of the Buffalo Grove Police Department. As in previous years, they were among the first to enter the water, which Chief Gallagher said was about 34 degrees Fahrenheit. And no, it's no easier jumping into Lake Michigan when the air is 46 degrees than when it's 20 degrees. 

"The water is still very cold and your body temperature drops like a rock," he said. "We have had years where the water was so cold that the ice had to be continually broken up so that we could go in, and then years like this one where the air was relatively warm and the water was almost clear of ice ... it was still very cold!" 

The LBPD was one of the first police departments to sponsor The Polar Plunge. Officer David Thomas initiated it 12 years ago, and the event has grown in numbers of participants and dollars every year since. The first LB Plunge had 75 plungers and raised $34,000. In 2009, The Polar Plunge drew 126 swimmers to Sunrise Beach and raised $84,000 for the Special Olympics. Chief Gallagher said there are now 19 Plunges in Illinois, and that combined they will raise more than $1 million for the Special Olympics.

When she isn't working the overnight shift at the Lake Bluff Police Department, communications officer Jeanne Cotter loves to take photos. In this shot, you can see Chief William Gallagher in a grey t-shirt. That's his daughter in the right corner. Photo by Jeanne Cotter.

Calling All Old-House Lovers

Is there a great old house or building in Lake Forest that you love? The Lake Forest Preservation Foundation needs a few good addresses for this year's awards program. Your nomination doesn't have to have been renovated or built in the past 12 months--any structure or   landscape constructed in the past 50 years is eligible. And you don't have to own the building or even know the people who live there. Nominations can be made by any interested person--the owner, neighbor, friend ... or an admiring passerby. 

The deadline is coming up fast--March 20, and the Foundation appreciates community involvement. You can find nomination forms at the Foundation's website or at its office in the Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest.

Also, save the date for the Foundation's awards ceremonies, which will take place during its annual meeting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 25, at Gorton. For more information, call 847-234-1230 or visit www.lfpf.org. You'll also find photos and descriptions of all of the Foundation's previous award winners.

First Pres Preschool Hosts Art Fair & Toy Drive

The following invitation comes from the moms, teachers and artists of the First Presbyterian Preschool:

The First Presbyterian Church Preschool's Annual Art Fair and Ryan Nyland Memorial Toy Drive will be held Saturday, March 13, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall at the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Forest. This is an outstanding and unique event, and all family, friends and community members are encouraged to attend.

During the school year, students create exceptional individual and classroom projects that coordinate with lessons on topics such as The Farm, The Rainforest, Holidays and The Human Body. They then work with their teachers to submit two of their favorite pieces to display in the art fair. Each students’ pieces are displayed at different and unknown locations in the gallery for their families and friends to find, and a big sculpture gallery in the middle contains classroom projects that are eligible for adoption by families.

For those interested, names will be collected during the event, and a drawing will be held the following week to determine the lucky winners who get to take the sculptures home. This event 

Please Don't Choke The Children

This is a personal essay that was written and submitted by Catherine Driscoll of Lake Bluff after a smoggy experience last week: 

By Catherine Driscoll 

Like many of my friends with school-aged children, I’ve become an accomplished multi-tasker. Between 3 and 6 p.m., I conduct business from the front seat of my car as I drive between school and dance, basketball and piano. Armed with a cell phone, notebook, newspaper and book, I work through a never-ending to-do list while I’m waiting. And I do a lot of waiting. I know that I'm not alone because I hear the same comments from my friends. We can burn a tank of gas every week without ever leaving the ZIP code. 

I recently went to Lake Bluff Elementary School to retrieve my daughter early for an appointment. At 2:30 p.m., a full 20 minutes before the bell rang to dismiss the children, the pick-up line of cars, minivans and SUVs filled the circular drive and stretched onto W. Washington Street. And with the exception of two cars, every vehicle was running, as were all the buses. I parked in the lot and walked 150 yards to the front door, nearly choking from the fumes. Twenty minutes later, hundreds of kids stepped out of the school and into the exhaust. I wondered: Is it like this everywhere, every day? 

Yes, it turns out. I started to pay attention in my daily travels, and I noticed vehicles idling at other schools, recreation centers, and sports practices. I routinely saw parents sitting in their vehicles for up to an hour with the engines running while waiting for their children at the Kumon enrichment program, most not even realizing they were doing it. 

This has inspired me to pose a challenge to all the multi-taskers out there. It will take one second of your time, cost you nothing, and in fact may save you money: Turn off the engine while you’re waiting. 

The advantages are obvious, so I’m not going to bore you with talking points about air pollution, carpooling, or long-term health risks caused by CO2 emissions--you can read all about these by clicking on the links below. I just want us to be able to breath when we get out of our cars, and I want our kids to be able to breath, too.

So I challenge each of us to stop choking the children. If you’re going to be parked for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine. If you get cold, turn the engine on and crank up the heat for a minute or two. But then turn it off again. Contrary to popular belief, 10 seconds of idling can use more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it.

It’s been said an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. Well, so is an idle car. With all the complex issues we’re facing as a community and nation, turning off the engine is a no-brainer.

So, who’s with me? 

Here are some links for those readers who would like further information:

• To learn more facts about idling cars, go to this link at the Consumer Energy Center website 
• To learn more about the health effects of auto exhaust, read this new report published in Science Daily that links auto exhaust to heart attacks and strokes

  

 All but two of these vehicles were idling at LBES for at least 20 minutes one day last week ... so were the school buses. Photo by Catherine Driscoll.

Need Shoes? Please Wait Until Wednesday

The Mothers Trust Foundation invites you to shop for shoes while enjoying wine and other treats from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, at Forest Bootery in Market Square, Lake Forest. The store will donate 15% of all shoe sales that night to Mothers Trust Foundation. Courtyard wines and Lake Forest Food & Wine will provide the food and libations. 

Also: MTF has secured a date for its 2010 Betty Bash: September 24 at the Lake Bluff Park District golf course. This year's theme is "Dream A Little Dream," because every child deserves to have a dream come true. 

Volunteers are needed! Contact co-chairs Joannie Keller at bjk6131987@aol.com or Michelle Kovacs at Michelle.Kovacs@Grainger.com.

It's Time To Get Lucky ...

The Gorton Children's Drop-In Center submitted the following invitation to the community:

The Lucky Shop Gift Boutique is back for your one-stop gift shopping needs. You can stock up on all of your upcoming gifts at The Lucky Shop on Thursday, March 11, at the Gorton Community Center. Local vendors will sell a variety of gift items for any occasion, such as Mothers Day, graduation, teacher's gifts, expecting/new mothers, brides-to-be, birthday gifts, hostesses or even a special treat for yourself. 

This free event is open to the public, and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Gorton Children's Drop-In Center. This event, originally founded by Parent Board alum Megan Stockton, also supports local entrepreneurs. Shopping hours are 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Complimentary wine and appetizers will be available at the evening event, so bring your girlfriends or neighbors! 

Lansdowne Price Redux

The list price for the Lake Bluff mansion known as Lansdowne has been lowered to $15.45 million. Chicago Tribune contributor Bob Goldsborough reports that the new price comes just a few weeks after the renovated house was put back on the market for $20.62 million. Please visit the Tribune for the full story.

Lake Forest In Winter

Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-40s this weekend, so it's inevitable that at some point, the snow of 2010 will melt into the earth and fade into memory (unless it snows again.) Here are some photos to keep the icy memories alive. Matthew Anderson took these of his frozen back yard in the Whispering Oaks neighborhood of Lake Forest after last week's snowfall. The first photo is dark and ominous, because he took it at 11:30 p.m. with a very elongated shutter speed. 

Enjoy Vivaldi's Four Seasons while viewing these photos (Click on the link ... and make sure the volume on your computer's speakers is set appropriately.)

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Matthew Anderson took these photos of his backyard in Lake Forest after a recent snowfall

The Four Seasons by Vivaldi by American Baroque

Save The Date: Art Show At Pasquesi

Artists on the Bluff, Lake Bluff's own organization of local artists and artisans, will host a show and sale at Pasquesi's Garden Center on March 20-21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. 

Paintings and drawings of landscapes and still lifes are planned to tie in with Pasquesi's emphasis on their new plants and garden materials for spring. You'll also find handcrafted garden decor, floral hand-painted greeting cards and prints and gifts. Coasters depicting sections from the new murals in the historic Lake Bluff train station will be available in gift packs.

This is a member-only show including the work of artists from Lake Bluff and nearby communities. Proceeds are used to promote the arts in the local community. For more information visit www.artistsonthebluff.org.

Save The Date: LF Library Meeting

The Friends of the Lake Forest Library is planning its 2010 anual meeting, which will feature a free performance by renowned literary entertainer Barbara Rinella. Mark your calendar for 4 p.m. on April 21 at Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. For years, Ms. Rinella has enchanted literary-loving audiences with her one-woman shows that bring current literary works off the pages and onto stage. On April 21, she will perform The First Ladies by Margaret Truman. In the book, Ms. Truman uses her insider’s eye to provide the reader with an intimate look at several extraordinary First Ladies and their experiences during their White House years. What roles did they play? How great was their influence? Did they change the course of history? Come see Ms. Rinella's performance on April 21.

Save The Date: First Pres Rummage Sale

The 60th annual spring rummage sale of the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest will be on Saturday, May 1, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The community is invited to shop at this gigantic sale of bargains. Categories include furniture, clothing for adults and kids, jewelry, china, silver, sports equipment, toys and bikes, books, baby gear, linens, and so much more. Parking is easiest at the train lots and The Church of the Holy Spirit, with shuttle service to the sale. Proceeds go to charity.

After Simple Life, Woman Leaves Fortune To LFC

There's a lovely story in Thursday's Chicago Tribune about an elderly Lake Forest woman who lived simply, died wealthy and left $7 million to her alma mater, Lake Forest College, when she died in January. The story "Amazing Grace" was written by reporter John Keilman and can be found by visiting the Tribune's website.

The U.S. Census: Be Alert

The U.S. Commerce Department is spending an estimated $340 million on advertising to promote cooperation with the 2010 Census report, according to the New York Times. It's true your participation is important to our local communities, but you need to be careful about the process. Here's a note that Mettawa Mayor Jess Ray sent to his constituents and neighbors, which is of interest to many:

By Jess D. Ray, Mayor of Mettawa

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the U.S. and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is--how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

• If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, he or she will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see his or her identification and badge before answering the questions. You should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.
• Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information.
• Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.
• No matter what they ask, you really only need to tell them how many people live at your address.
• While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, you don't have to answer anything at all about your financial situation.
• The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.
• The Census is not working with ACORN on the gathering of information. No ACORN worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.
• Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by email, so be on the lookout for email scams impersonating the Census.
• Never click on a link or open any attachments in an email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more information on this issue, visit Snopes.com.

Time For A Paddle Party

The winter paddle tennis season is winding down ... which means now is a great time to celebrate the sport. The Lake Bluff Park District is hosting an evening paddle tennis social on March 12 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the new courts and hut in Blair Park. It's for members, friends of members and people who think they might like to play paddle but just aren't sure. Food and drink will be provided, the games are free, and paddle pro Ray Murphy will be on hand to play. If you're a current member whose guest signs up for a 2010 membership, both of you will receive 10% off your membership for next year--so long as the guest is a newbie to the LB paddle club.