Pandemic playing havoc with summer events
Village-sponsored activities this summer will continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The question is – to what extent?
Village staff and the Village Board discussed four major events; the Farmers Market, Fourth of July Fireworks, the Symphonic Band and Buffalo Grove Days during a Village Board Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting Monday night and at least one thing is certain – there’s still a lot of uncertainty – especially around Buffalo Grove Days.
However, two events appear to have their 2021 fates sealed – the Farmers Market, which will be held as it was last year -- and the Symphonic Band performances, which will not be on the docket for summer 2021. The Board will take definitive actions and an upcoming regular meeting, as votes are not taken during COW meetings.
The Board called last year’s Farmers Market, which operated with tight mitigations, including social distancing and the mandatory wearing of masks, a success. Food sampling and entertainment were not allowed.
A lack of rehearsal space for the Symphonic Band was cited as a prime reason the Band, now in its 21st year, will have its summer season axed. Rehearsals are typically held at areas schools, but none have resumed large scale rehearsals or performances for student music groups, let alone outside groups. Constraints on performance spaces, such as Ernie Karge Rotary Village Green will also keep the Band from performing.
The annual July Fourth fireworks display remains possible, but in a vastly different format. Village Manager Dane Bragg told the Board that one recommendation by staff is to do a “drive-in” display. This would entail residents parking at a series of parking lots to watch the display. Parking lots under considered include the Hamilton Partners parking lot on Lake-Cook Road Willow Stream Park and parking areas at the village complex at Raupp Boulevard and Church Road.
To no surprise, most of the discussion centered in Buffalo Grove Days. Held Labor Day weekend, among the activities included are a carnival, concerts, parade, food tent, children’s craft areas and an array of activities, such as ‘Buddy Baseball’ for residents with challenging conditions.
Both Board members and village staff expressed concern about sanitation of portable restrooms, eating areas and carnival rides in addition to golf carts used to transport people with physical challenges.
There was also considerable discussion about when a decision could be made so there would be ample time to execute contracts for entertainment and vendors.
In Bragg’s report, he noted that if the village decides to go ahead with Buffalo Grove Days, contracts totaling $34,185 would need to be signed in March. Bragg noted in his report that “A majority of these contracts have a 30-day cancellation policy so if the event was not cancelled in addition to losing the deposits the Village would need to pay the full contract amounts which comes out to about $75,000 on the low end.”
The packet containing the complete report to the Board is available here. The next Village Board meeting is Monday, March 15.
Blood Drive is March 6 at Alcott Center
A Buffalo Grove Community Blood Drive Saturday, is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday in the large gym at the Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive.
For more information or to schedule a donation, call 877-258-4825 or visit vitalant.org and use group code BG98. Appointments and face covers are required. For additional information, click here.
Wanna be a cop?
The Buffalo Grove Police Department is accepting applications for an entry level police officer. This position offers opportunities for growth and advancement, with excellent salary and benefits. Interested candidates should apply online here.
Deadline for Rotary Club scholarships approaching
The Buffalo Grove Rotary Club is offering vocational scholarships of up to $1,500 each to assist residents with tuition costs. The application deadline is Monday, March 22.
The education required for the vocation should be less than a four-year (baccalaureate) degree, and scholarship funds are limited to programs that prepare individuals for immediate entry into a career field (Associate of Applied Science Degree, trade school diploma, certificate or license). Visit this link for more information and to apply.
Congressional art competition open to residents
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-10) is encouraging Tenth District students to participate in the annual Congressional Art Competition. The theme for this year’s contest is “Unity.”
Area high school students are invited to submit a piece of art they have created in the past year, which will be judged by a panel of local educators and artists. Students are encouraged to interpret the theme of “Unity” creatively and submit artwork that reflects their personal interpretation.
Submissions can be submitted online here. Students should continue to create artwork in their preferred medium and upload high-resolution, well-lit photos of their projects (there is a 35 MB limit to photo uploads).
The deadline to submit artwork for the competition is 5 p.m. Friday, April 16.
Due to COVID-19 school closures, the competition rules were modified to allow both teachers and students to directly submit student artwork directly. Additionally, the restriction was lifted on five pieces of artwork per school; however, there is now a maximum of one submission per student.
The winning submission will be exhibited in the U.S. Capitol for a year. The second and third place pieces will be displayed in the Congressman’s District and Washington D.C. offices, respectively.
Additional information, including important guidelines for submissions, is available on Congressman Schneider’s website: https://schneider.house.gov/services/art-competition.
Library to host author Jacqueline Woodson
Hear from Jacqueline Woodson, one of our country’s most acclaimed authors, in a live online event at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 18. She will talk about her storytelling and shares her inspiration for this year's One Book selection, Red at the Bone. This program is a live presentation and will not be viewable after the event. Click here to register
Scout troop recognized
Girl Scout Troop 45133 from St. Mary School in Buffalo Grove was honored for its projects at area facilities serving senior citizens. Details are here.
POLICE REPORTS
Man faces two charges in theft -- A Glenview man was charged with retail theft and resisting a peace office following an incident at Woodman’s Market. 1550 E. Deerfield Pkwy.
Reports say Mohammed Mahdi, 41 was at one of the registers still checking, when store officials noted that he was allegedly putting items in the outer pockets of his coat. When officers wanted to speak to him after he left the store, reports say that while officers tried to apprehend Madhi, he started to run through the parking lot towards Deerfield Parkway. Officers were able to catch up with him at which time he was arrested. Reports note that once in the patrol car, he became apologetic and said he could pay for the items he took without paying for. A nice gesture, but he still has to appear in Lake County Court.
Life in the slow lane irks driver -- A 59-year-old Chicago man told police that while he was driving westbound on Deerfield Pkwy a 29-year-old Chicago woman drove up behind him and started tailgating him. The man said the woman the pulled up next to him, pointed her middle finger at him and said something very uncomplimentary and drove away. The man then followed the woman to a nearby parking lot, where he spoke to the woman who she said she was upset because he was driving below the speed limit.
The man contacted police be he “just wanted the incident documented.” In the spirit of the new friendship, the woman said the same thing, but denied sticking her middle finger up at the man until he followed her into the parking lot.
The woman was told driving five miles under the speed limit was not a crime. Both parties were spoken to about their behavior and the dangers of confronting a total stranger over their driving.
Man charged with battery -- A 37-year-old Hoffman Estates man was charged with one count of domestic battery after allegedly hitting his wife in the face. The man told police said he got into an argument with his wife because he was in the shower and she wanted to give the children a bath before bed.
Bogus Amazon call – A Buffalo Grove resident told police she received a phone call from a number which displayed Amazon. The caller told her there was a charge on her Amazon account for $350 for an iPhone, which the woman said she did not purchase.
The caller requested the woman sign into her Amazon account on her computer to clear up the misunderstanding. The woman said when she did log in, the mouse pointer began moving on its own and another person began logging into her bank information.
The caller informed the woman that they had control of her accounts and would delete all her money if she did not go to Target and purchase five $100 gift cards and provide them access to the money.
The woman refused and hung up, but stated she had been receiving phone calls demanding money all day. The woman told police she contacted her bank and credit card companies and informed them her accounts had been compromised. All purchases were blocked and the woman did not lose any money.
Scanner swiped -- Officials at the CVS pharmacy at 20 E. Dundee Rd. told police that while an employee was stocking a liquor delivery in the wine section, he placed a handheld scanning device set on top of the wine shelf. The employee said he stepped away, but when he came back 30 minute later, the scanner was missing. Surveillance video indicated that a female customer picked up the scanner and left the store.
Got News?
If you have news about your club, school, church, synagogue or other community organization, please submit news, information and story ideas to BuffaloGroveNews@Gmail.com.
Articles should include a contact name, email and phone number. Commentary articles are also welcome. They should be limited to 350 words and should include contact information as noted above. All submissions may be edited for style, spelling, and libelous content.
Questions about B.G. News & Info. should be sent to BuffaloGroveNews@Gmail.com.
Subscribe by email
If you want to receive Buffalo Grove News & Information by email, send your email address to BuffaloGroveNews@Gmail.com.
Comments
Post a Comment