MainStreet Libertyville Wines from Around the World Fundraiser is next Monday!

If you're interested in tickets - let me know ASAP @ jimmoran77@gmail.com

Tours of Mettawa estate mark Adlai Stevenson Day on Feb. 5

I've lived down St. Mary's Road from the Adlai Stevenson home most of my life and still haven't had a chance to take a tour - the looks like a great opportunity! This is a story out of today's News-Sun.


METTAWA -- Guided tours of the Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home will be part of the first celebration of Adlai Stevenson Day on Feb. 5.

Tours of the home on St. Mary's Road, a mile south of Route 60, in Mettawa will be offered at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. by the Lake County Forest Preserve District.

The one-hour tours will focus on information about Adlai E. Stevenson II and anecdotes about his family's use of the home. Tour visitors will see the home itself, including the study where Stevenson met with dignitaries such as John F. Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt, and the service building and grounds.

Visitors will learn more about the influential American statesman known as "the man from Libertyville" as they take in the setting where he wrote speeches, reflected on world events and found solace in the landscape.

Stevenson served as governor of Illinois from 1949 to 1953 and ambassador to the United Nations from 1961 until his death in 1965. He also ran unsuccessfully for president against Dwight Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956.

A bill was signed into law in August designating Feb. 5 of every year as Adlai Stevenson Day.

The Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home was built in 1938. The property is a designated Illinois Historic Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tours are open to visitors ages eight and up. They are free, but registration is required and can be made at www.LCFPD.org or by calling (847) 968-3321.

Parking is available on site. The grounds are open to visitors daily, 6:30 a.m. to sunset. A self-directed walking tour of the grounds is available, featuring exhibit panels on the history of the property and Adlai Stevenson II.

For more information on the home, call (847) 968-3400.

Early Voting Starts Monday!

Early voting in Lake County starts Monday and runs through January 28th.

For Libertyville Township residents interested in voting early (I do every election) all you need to do is, head up to the Lake County Transportation Building (600 West Winchester Road) with your driver's license and they'll be able to pull your ballot. It's pretty simple. If you'd like to see who you'll be voting for, or find any other information about this election - visit Lake County Clerk (and Libertyville resident) Willard Helander's website - www.LakeVoterPower.info

With most primary elections - it can be difficult to know everyone on the ballot, unless you are pretty in-tune with politics. Even then it can be hard to follow everything. Having worked on several campaigns and also followed many as a news reporter in Chicago - I am quite frequently asked about candidates running for office (especially on the primary ballot) - so I thought I'd share with you some of the candidates I support in this election.


U.S. Senate
Mark S. Kirk

Illinois Governor
Dan Proft

U.S. Congress 10th District
Beth Coulson

Judge of the Appellate Court Second Judicial District
Ann B. Jorgensen and Mary S. Schostok (Libertyville Resident!)

Things To Do This Weekend:

MainStreet Libertyville First Friday:

First Friday on MainStreet 6 pm – 9 pm. It is a party in downtown Libertyville every "First Friday" of the month. You will find a surprise around every corner. It might be a jazz band, a balloon artist, a classical guitarist, hor d'oeuvres, an art exhibit, or any number of other things that will entertain and delight you. It's the entertaining way to shop! It's in downtown Libertyville every "First Friday" of the month from 6 pm to 9 pm! (This month's First Friday also lands on Elvis' 75th Birthday!)


Little Shop of Horrors at the Libertyville Civic Center:

A down-and out skid row floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon "Audrey II" grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination!

Dates and Times:
1/8, 1/9, 1/14, 1/15, 1/16
6:30pm dinner & 8pm show

Cost:
$40.00 per ticket


Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society Meeting - Monday
History of the Lake County Fair:

The January meeting will feature Dave De Young, President of the Lake County Fair Association. Mr De Young will take the Historical Society members and guests through the long history of the county fair, including an overview of the present - brand new - Grayslake facility. He'll also offer a peek at future plans for the fair.

Who: Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society Meeting:
When: Monday, January 11th, 2010 7:30pm
Where: Libertyville Township Offices – 359 Merrill Court, Libertyville, IL


Live Music:

Friday Night -
Mickey Finn's - Black Betty - 10pm
Austin's Saloon & Eatery - Chasin Mason - 8pm

Saturday Night -
Mickey Finn's - Your Villian My Hero - 10pm
Austin's Saloon & Eatery - Indika Reggae

Mayor Weppler - Trustee Proepper Share New Year's Outlook with the Libertyville Review

Libertyville's Mayor and one of the Village Trustees spent time answering questions for the Libertyville Review's Stephanie Kohl - below is part of Mayor Weppler and Trustee Proepper's responses. Click on the link to read the full story.

Mayor, trustee discuss goals for village in 2010

January 7, 2010

By STEPHANIE KOHL skohl@pioneerlocal.com
The Libertyville Village Board was asked to reflect on 2009 and look forward to 2010. Below are the responses the Review received:

What do you think have been the biggest accomplishments of the village in the past year?
Mayor Terry Weppler: The formation of an auto dealer's marketing group for the Libertyville auto dealers. By working together with the dealers the village is able to help promote sales in the village. The auto dealers are vital to the village of Libertyville, not only in the sales tax they generate, but also through the many programs sponsored by the dealers. They sponsor soccer teams, Little League teams and other community events. They recently completed a food drive that resulted in the delivery of numerous barrels of food to the Libertyville Township Food Pantry.

Trustee Nick Proepper: I feel that the biggest accomplishment of the village this year was the village staff and employees' positive reaction to the deteriorating revenue picture throughout the year. Our staff and employees have sacrificed much to maintain the services that make Libertyville a great place to live.

What New Year's resolutions do you have in relation to the village for the new year?
Weppler: I would like to continue to promote bringing new business to the village in all areas of the community including the downtown, South Milwaukee Ave., Route 176 corridor and Route 137 corridor. We have recently formed a marketing committee to help further promote the village. I would also like to organize the restaurants as we have the car dealers. Libertyville offers so many different types of food that we have something for everyone. We need to let people know that Libertyville is the place to go to eat out due to the array of restaurants which include numerous specialty restaurants not found in other communities.

There is more of the story available on the Libertyville Review's website - Here is a link to the story: http://www.pioneerlocal.com/libertyville/news/1965618,libertyville-resolutions-010710-s1.article

Libertyville Civic Center: Little Shop Of Horrors!

Encore Theatre presents "Little Shop of Horrors" a Musical Dinner Theatre performance to benefit the Libertyville Civic Center Foundation

Dates and Times:
1/8, 1/9, 1/14, 1/15, 1/16
6:30pm dinner & 8pm show

Show:
A down-and out skid row floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon "Audrey II" grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination!

Dinner
(2 entrees per night)
Chicken Ala Kiev, Chicken Marsala, Vegetable Lasagna, Grilled Salmon, Roasted Red Potatoes, Wild Rice, Vegetable Medley, Caesar/Tossed Salad, Garlic Bread/Dinner Rolls, Desert Table, Soda, Coffee, Cash Bar.

Location:
Libertyville Civic Center
135 W. Church St.
Libertyville, IL 60048

Cost:
$40.00 per ticket

For more information, call 847-708-8880 E-mail: stagedude1@gmail.com


Other Theatre News:

From the Daily Herald:
The Improv Playhouse in Libertyville is seeking conservative or right-wing comedy improvisers to join a potential improvisation troupe. Auditions are at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, at 116 W. Lake St., Libertyville. Call (847) 968-4529 or visit improvplayhouse.com.

Cook Library Board Loses Another Member

The Cook Library Board has announced the resignation of another board member. According to the Daily Herald - board member Chris Dolton turned in his resignation last month. He was elected to the library board in 2007, finishing fourth out of the four trustees who were elected (I finished 5th, 41 votes behind....) The paper says Dolton decided to step down due to a "work related" conflict. Newly appointed Cook Library Board President Bonnie Quirk told the Herald that the current board members will revisit the applications of those who applied for the last vacancy (when former Board President Aaron Lawlor left to take a position on the Lake County Board) to fill the current opening.

Read Russell Lissau's full Daily Herald story here: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=348292&src=3

Fresh Foods Skeleton Finally Going......

What great news in today's Daily Herald!

The eye-sore that's been in place for years on the South End of Libertyville is finally going away! According to Mick Zawislak's article in today's paper - the paper work is finished and the wrecking ball is on the way to tear down the partialy started Fresh Foods building!

It's too bad this store didn't work out - from every one's expectations, it should have done well. Every time this location is brought up, I always hear about how nice it would be to see a Trader Joe's go into that spot. Unfortunately, Trader Joe's has no interest to locating to our town - for now.

If you'd like to see a Trader Joe's come to Libertyville - click here: http://www.traderjoes.com/location_requests_form.aspx

The form only will take a few seconds to fill out. Maybe, someday - we'll finally get a Trader Joe's!