In this edition: Late park commissioner honored / Did someone say Plan B? / Homeowner teed off

 Community News and Notes

Park renamed in honor of longtime commissioner

The Buffalo Grove Park District Board of Commissioners on Saturday, July 10 dedicated Twin Creeks Park as Rick Drazner Park, in memory of longtime Park Board Rick Drazner member who died in 2019.

The Park is at 401 Aptakisic Road in Buffalo Grove. Mr. Drazner served on the Buffalo Grove Park District Board of Commissioners for 20 years, and was just re-elected to another term in 2019 before his sudden death.

“Everybody loved Rick. He was a great person who loved this community, and dedicated countless hours to make it the kind of place it is today, ” Buffalo Grove Park District executive director Ryan Risinger said.

During his many years on the Park Board, Mr. Drazner was a strong advocate for people with disabilities, as well as for the arts. He was most proud of Kendrigan Field at Twin Creeks Park that Buddy Baseball uses, and bringing the Community Arts Center to Buffalo Grove. He was also instrumental in the creation of Broadway Buddies, which, similar to Buddy Baseball, is a theatre program for people with disabilities.

His son, Jeremy, spoke at the park dedication, saying “Thank you to the Buffalo Grove Park District for this incredible honor. For 20 years my dad enthusiastically and proudly served on the Buffalo Grove Park District Board, and this is the greatest honor for him and our entire family. My dad loved serving Buffalo Grove; and, this park has meant a lot to him and my entire family.”

In addition to his work with the Park District, Mr. Drazner was a member of the Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove for many years, having served at one point as president of both organizations.

What’s next for Town Center?

      The Journal and Topics reports that a “Plan B” is being developed for Town Center.. According to the reporting in the Journal & Topics, that’s what Village President Beverly Sussman says. In the same story, Village Manager Dane Bragg says there is no “Plan B.” Stay tuned.

Launch Pad reopens Wednesday

The Launch Pad at the Indian Trails Public Library will open for one-hour appointments beginning July 14. Make a reservation to come in and use equipment or work on a project. Make your appointment starting July 13 by using this link.

Library offers summer reading program

The Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 Schoenbeck Road is offering a Summer Library Adventure through July 31. Participants can earn prices by reading. For more information, see this link. 

East Asian gardens program set

Yvonne Wolf, a consultant with Chinese Intercultural, will offer insights into the aesthetics of Japanese and Chinese gardens during a virtual program from 2 to 3 p.m. on Friday, July 16.

Participants will learn how Confucian symbolism is expressed in gardens and how it is used to relieve stress and cultivate inner peace.

Wolf will share the cultural history of the East Asian gardening and its carefully composed scenes of mountains, ponds, bonsai, forests, moon doors and pavilions. Click here to register. 

Water’s good

The quality of water in Buffalo Grove once again meets or exceeds Federal and State government standards, according to the annual Village of Buffalo Grove Water Quality Report released July 1.

The annual Water Quality Report is prepared by all community water systems and distributed to their customers as mandated per amendments to the Safe Water Drinking Act.

The report is available on the Village website at www.vbg.org/ccr. 

Rylko restrooms closed due to vandalism

            In a social media post, the Park District announced that “Due to vandalism, the bathrooms at Mike Rylko Community Park will be closed until further notice.” The post did not provide specific information as to the nature of the vandalism or when the facilities may reopen. 

Scam alert

Buffalo Grove Police are reminding residents to be aware of recent text and email scams claiming to be from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. Scammers are sending unsolicited messages claiming individuals have outstanding renewal fees or missing contact information, with a link attached for further details.

Residents are urged not click on any links attached or share any information. Police advise individuals to delete the text or email immediately. Residents should not click on any links that are associated with the text, nor should they provide any personal information.

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office will never request personal information via text message or email. 

Concert to feature “Good Clean Fun”

The Park District is sponsoring a free concert at Willow Stream Park from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 13 featuring the band, Good Clean Fun! For weather related updates on the day of concerts, use the Rainout Line app, or call 847.235.6857.

The concert series continues Tuesday, July 20 with a night of classic rock featuring the band Voyage. In addition to the concert, Billy Brick's Wood Fired Pizza and Kona's Shaved Ice will have food trucks at the event.

 

Tots in the park program Friday

The Park District is sponsoring “Scribble Monsters” from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. on Friday, July 16 at the Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive.

This free program lets kids to dance and sing with staff in the park! A face covering is required for all participants 2+ years old when outside of a circle. Participants should bring an umbrella, blanket, and sunscreen. For more information, contact Allison Oberst at (847) 850.2146 or allison@bgparks.org. 

Metra schedule expanded

Metra has a revised schedule for its North Central Service  that includes expanded rush hour service. The schedule went into effect July 12. The North Central line serves Buffalo Grove's Prairie View and Buffalo Grove Metra Stations and provides access to Chicago Union Station and other communities as well as O’Hare International Airport. The new schedule can be found here. 

Chamber seeks executive director

The Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce has an immediate opening for an executive director. Currently a part-time position, it could grow into a full-time role. The position offers flexible work arrangements. To receive a full description or to submit your resume, email bglcccareers@gmail.com.

Sen. Johnson plans mobile hours

      If you want to bend a state senator’s ear but don’t want to go to Springfield, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-30) is getting her act together and taking it on the road by having mobile office sites. Johnson, of Buffalo Grove, is also a member of the Buffalo Grove Park District’s Board of Commissioners. A list of dates, hours and locations can be found here.

Fire Department wants input

The Buffalo Grove Fire Department is seeking community feedback as part of its 2021 strategic planning process.

To gather input, the department has released a community survey focused on understanding residents’ experiences with fire protection and emergency services.

The survey also offers opportunities for respondents to offer open comments on perceived strengths and/or challenges related to services provided by the department.

The brief survey, available at this link. Additional information is available at the same site. The deadline for submitting is Aug. 8. For more information and to respond to the survey, visit www.vbg.org/firestrategicplan. 

Crime and Punishment

Well, at least they played -- A customer was upset that they could not cash in all of their lottery tickets, and left the Shell station at 185 N. Milwaukee Ave. after having a verbal altercation with an employee. The customer was gone upon the officers’ arrival.

Dog walkers accused of vandalism - Several mailboxes in the 200 block of Stonegate Road were pulled or dislodged from the ground by three individuals who were walking a dog.

Homeowner teed off -- A stray golf ball struck and damaged a window on the complainant’s home. Owner of the golf ball is still missing.

Must have wanted a break today -- A customer who apparently was not happy with a recent price increase threw her food and drink towards the drive-thru window employee at the McDonald’s at 1200 N. Arlington Heights Road. She was told not to return. Not even for a happy meal.

Honest thief? -- A person stole more than $300 worth of merchandise from the Jewel on McHenry Road. Police reports indicate that the merchandise was returned and he was issued a citation.

New route needed -- A resident in the 800 block of Checker Drive reported that a neighbor’s children routinely cut through her yard to go to the playground. Police contacted the children’s parent who said she would have her children abide by the complainant’s request.

Getting to the root of the problem -- Two trees were reported cut down at a park on Aptakisic Road. The Park District said that the trees were scheduled to be cut down due to disease.

Cash swiped – Police report that while an employee at the Walgreens, 15 N. Buffalo Grove Road was stocking shelves, she observed a male subject taking an unknown amount of cash from a register. Reports said the employee confronted the male subject, and he ran from the store.

Simple request? -- The driver of a parked vehicle in the 0 – 100 block of Oak Creek Drive was reportedly verbally aggressive towards a maintenance worker when he asked him to move his vehicle off of freshly paved asphalt to avoid damaging it. The driver drove off prior to police arrival.

Stupid is as stupid does -- In the past 10 days, Buffalo Grove  Police have issued five tickets for driving on suspended license, one for driving 21-25 mph above the speed limit, one for driving under the influence of drugs, one for operating and uninsured vehicle, two for operating a vehicle with expired registration, four for DUI / alcohol and one for squealing/screeching tires.

The week ahead

Need a reason to celebrate this week? You may want to mark your calendar for these events:

July 12

Different Colored Eyes Day

Pecan Pie Day

July 13

Barbershop Music Appreciation Day

Embrace Your Geekness Day

Fool's Paradise Day

National French Fries Day

National Nitrogen Ice Cream Day

July 14

Bastille Day

Pandemonium Day

National Macaroni and Cheese Day

National Nude Day

Shark Awareness Day

July 15

Be a Dork Day

Cow Appreciation Day- Go out and give a cow a hug

National Give Something Away Day

Tapioca Pudding Day

July 16

Fresh Spinach Day

World Snake Day

July 17

Peach Ice Cream Day

World Emoji Day

Yellow Pig Day

July 18

National Caviar Day

National Ice Cream Day

Women's Dive Day

 

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Buffalo Grove News and Info, is independently produced by Buffalo Grove resident Stan Zoller. A longtime journalist and journalism educator, Zoller covers Buffalo Grove and monitors news and information about the village, its schools, park district and community events. Buffalo Grove News and Information is not affiliated with any municipal body.