Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Brainerd Concert Event

Don't forget to get your tickets for tomorrow night's concert event at Austin's!

What: Brainerd Community Center “Making Brainerd Real” Concert Event
Who: Friends of the Brainerd Community Center!
When: Saturday, May 29, 2010 Doors open at 7:30pm
Where: Austin’s Saloon and Eatery – Fuel Room, 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville

The show gets underway at 8pm with Jonathan Weppler, then the headlining act is Dave Seabaugh and his Orchestra. Tickets are $50 each - if you haven't bought any, let me know (jimmoran77@gmail.com) If you live in the Libertyville area, I'd be more than happy to bring them to you. Also, if you can't make the event, you can still show your support by purchasing a ticket or two! If you're worried about missing the Blackhawks game - don't worry, they're going to win anyway - so come on out to the concert then head home and watch the highlights of the game :)

There was some good press this past week on the Brainerd Center:

Mick Zawislak had a great write-up earlier this week in the Daily Herald - here's a link to the story: www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=383381&src=63

John Roszkowski also did a great job featuring the Brainerd Center for the Libertyville Review - here's a link to his story: www.pioneerlocal.com/libertyville/news/2275606,libertyville-brainerd-052010-s1.article

More info: www.savebrainerd.org


Libertyville Historic Preservation Ordnance

Last week, the Libertyville Historic Preservation Committee held a hearing on the idea of a historic preservation ordnance for the village - about a hand full of people were there for the meeting.

One of the issues the committee is looking at is whether or not an ordnance should cover just commercial or both commercial and residential structures. I feel that a law protecting both should be in place. One of the most valuble assets our village has is it's history - something needs to be in place to protect the buildings and homes that make the charater of Libertyville so unique and wonderful.

Here is a great write-up of the meeting by the News-Sun's Ed Collins: www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/2312072,5_1_WA25_LIBPRESERV_S1-100525.article


Libertyville Memorial Day Parade - Monday, May 31st!

The annual Libertyville Memorial Day Parade will begin Monday at 9:30am, leaving from the Metra Station, up Milwaukee Avenue to Cook Park. A Memorial Day Ceremony will start at around 9:45am in Cook Park. After a short ceremony, everyone will walk to Lakeside Cemetery for a Veterans' Memorial.


Here's me and my grandmother at last year's Memorial Day parade!

Lake Minear Opening Weekend!

One of our local treasures opens to the public this weekend. Lake Minear Beach's opening weekend starts tomorrow - the beach will be open on weekdays beginning on June 7th. More information, including membership info is available on their website: www.lmbeach.com


FYI - Today (May 28th) is a Furlough Day for Village Employees

From an e-mail from the Village:
All non-union employees will be on furlough on May 28 and June 25, 2010. The Libertyville Sports Complex will be open with employees taking alternate furlough days. Emergency services will not be affected.

Lake County Convention & Visitors Bureau Blog

I'm happy to announce that I am now a contributor to the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau blogsite!

Visit the blog here: www.lakecounty.org/blogs.cfm?CFID=40598741&CFTOKEN=98949818

I'll be updating the site with blog entries a couple of times a month about various events and things to do in Lake County. I made my first entry today - featuring a write up about Downtown Libertyville and the MainStreet Libertyville First Friday events. Let me know what you think!

Wednesday Night

Libertyville Historic Preservation Committee Meeting

I wanted to re-post the information about the Historic Preservation Committee meeting - the committee is inviting residents of Libertyville to come and ask questions, or voice their support for a village ordnance designed to protect some of the heritage and history of our community. I will be there - I encourage you to come out too! The character of our neighborhoods is too valuable of an asset not to be protected.

Where: Libertyville Village Hall
When: Wednesday May 19th - 7pm
What: Libertyville Historic Preservation Committee Meeting

Here is a story from the Daily Herald from this past week: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=380320&src=63



Car Fun on 21!

Tomorrow (Wednesday) night marks the return on one of my favorite MainStreet events in downtown Libertyville - Car Fun on 21!


It's the official sign that summer is here! Car Fun on 21 starts the season with the first classic car show of the summer on Church Street in downtown Libertyville this Wednesday, May 19th from 6pm ~ 9pm. Cars 25 years and older will line Church Street and the parking lot behind St. Lawrence Episcopal Church. Food by Chip's Sub Depot, Culver's Ice Cream and Popcorn Headz kettle corn will be on hand.

Car Fun on 21 Classic Car Show
Wednesday, May 19th
6pm to 9pm
Downtown Libertyville

For more information, visit the MainStreet Libertyville website or call 847.680.0336

A few ways you can be active in Libertyville over the next week - Help your community!

Monday - MainStreet Libertyville Annual Meeting

Where: Mickey Finn's Amber Room
When: 6:30pm Monday, May 17th
What: MainStreet Libertyville Annual Meeting

This is your chance to hear of the success of our Downtown business organization responsible for dozens of events, promoting downtown business and preserving the history of our community. RSVP to the event by calling the MainStreet office - 847-680-0336.


Tuesday - Head out for the Blackhawks game!

Where: Libertyville
When: The puck drops at 9pm
What: Why not head out to watch Chicago's hottest sports team? The Chicago Blackhawks are set to take on the San Jose Sharks!
This could be a fun way for you, your friends and your family to show your support for the Blackhawks, while also supporting our local restaurant and tavern industry. You could have some drinks at the Island or Mickey Finns, or Pizza at Morgan's or Tommy's - regardless this is a fun way to support local business and a great way to put money into our local economy.


Wednesday - Libertyville Mile of Cars, Used Car Sales Event

Where: Life Storage - Libertyville (Route 176)
When: Wednesday May 19th - Saturday May 22nd
What: Used Car Sales Extravaganza
Libertyville Mile of Car Dealers are holding a used cars sales event for 4 days only. All Cars will be clearly marked with reduced prices right on the front window tag. Over 300 Cars and Trucks to choose from 11 dealerships in 1 location. Banks and credit unions will be on hand to help you get the lowest financing possible!


Wednesday Night - Libertyville Historic Preservation Committee Meeting

Where: Libertyville Village Hall
When: Wednesday May 19th - 7pm
What: Libertyville Historic Preservation Committee Meeting

Here is a story from the Daily Herald from this past week: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=380320&src=63

One of the most valuable assets the Village of Libertyville has is our history. What would our town be like without the downtown business district? Or Cook Park? Or our older neighborhoods? Without our history, we'd be Gurnee or Vernon Hills. There is nothing wrong with Gurnee or Vernon Hills - they're just a different type of community - more strip malls and less character. If maintaining the character of our community is important to you, please come out to the Historic Preservation Committee meeting and let your views be heard.


Thursday - Tickets for the Brainerd Concert Event Fundraiser

Where: www.SaveBrainerd.org
When: Anytime before May 29th
What: Brainerd Community Center Concert Fundraiser

If Thursday arrives and you haven't yet purchased tickets for the Brainerd Community Center fundraising concert event at the Austin's Fuel Room - let me know! (e-mail - jimmoran77@gmail.com) I'd be more than happy to deliver tickets to anyone in the Libertyville area. If you can't make the show - you can always buy a ticket or two, then donate your tickets to a place, such as the Lake County Haven!

For more information on the concert featuring Dave Seabaugh, with special guest Jon Weppler as the opening act, visit: www.savebrainerd.org

WGN Radio Live Broadcast

The radio home of the Chicago Blackhawks will be broadcasting live from the Libertyville Civic Center this Friday morning. 'GN morning guy Greg Jarrett will be broadcasting his show live 5a-9a. Of course - the radio geek that I am will make sure to catch at least part of the show - you should too!

WGN choosing to broadcast from Libertyville is another example of how we've become a premiere destination in the suburbs. Plus - the fact most of the broadcast appears to be centered around our restaurants really speaks volumes for what a great reputation Libertyville has for a dinning destination.

Here's the information from the WGN-AM website: (It looks like there will be a lot of food! If I would have picked the line-up, I would have left out the Liberty and included the Townee Square or Wildberry)

Libertyville Civic Center
135 W. Church Street
Friday, May 14
5-9am
with Greg Jarrett

Stop by for a free Mac & Cheese breakfast featuring Libertyville's own Foulds Macaroni. Sample 12 different varieties from local restaurants and vote on your favorite. The winning restaurant will be announced at the end of the broadcast. Space is limited to the first 80 attendees and samples will be served starting at 6am.

Participating restaurants are:
• Mainstreet Smokehouse
• Trattoria Pamigliano
• Casa Bonita
• Austin’s
• Mickey Finn’s
• Morgans
• The Tavern
• Egg Harbor
• Battios
• Liberty Restaurant
• Max’s Dog House

Now, we just need to get the WBBM-AM Noon Business Hour to broadcast from our town!

Libertyville Murder Mystery!

Sometime tomorrow (Wednesday) night into Thursday morning will mark the 125th anniversary of the suspected murder of Ansel B. Cook's gardener. The murder itself is believed to have happened right inside of the historic Cook Mansion along Milwaukee Avenue!

August Rosine was a German immigrant who worked as a gardener at the Cook estate in Libertyville - which was also a place he called home. According to newspaper reports - he had dinner down the street from the Cook Mansion the evening of May 12th, 1885. He was seen walking home with two "friends" later in the evening, around 9pm - that was the last he was seen alive. His body was recovered from Butler Lake the next day - he had been strangled. Ansel Cook reportedly believed that Rosine was murdered by two other German immigrants, but would not give up their identity because he didn't want to wrongfully accuse anyone. The investigators believed the motive for the murder was robbery - however, Rosine had about $1,000 in cash on his body when he was found. Nobody was ever charged with the murder and the case, to this day, remains unsolved.

I first heard this story when I was about 8 years old - it was that moment that sparked my interest in local history. The urban legend says you can still see Rosine's ghost roaming the halls of the Cook Mansion!

FYI - Tours of the Cook Mansion will resume once the Cook Memorial Library reconstruction project wraps up late this year.

This Weekend!

The fun starts tonight in Downtown Libertyville with another First Friday!
(I took the following off of MainStreet's facebook posting)

From Buss Flower Shop on the south end to Caribou Coffee on the north end, there will be refreshments, music, surprises, sales, fun and wonderful stores to check out, you never know what you might find!

What a great night to celebrate Mom, with Mothers Day special"s for finding the right gift or a night out for Mom to enjoy!!

Musical line ups and specials are here: (View their facebook page for the full list)

Latitude/Serendipity 705/707 N. Milwaukee Live Music

North Shore Pro-Active Health 112 W. Lake St NSPAH turns 3! Join us for wine, apps, dessert, live music

Chip's Sub Depot 603 N. Milwaukee open 'til 9 PM!

Trattoria Pomigliano 602 N. Milwaukee free glass of house wine w/dinner

Curtis Frame 543 N. Milwaukee Tina & Trina, violinist. Unveiling new stand-up photos - just in time for Mother's Day

Motif 526 N. Milwaukee talented local Moms (artist & jewelry); wine tasting
Forest Bootery 525 N. Milwaukee spend $75 get a free "Bootery Blush" nail polish

Someone's in the Kitchen 522 N. Milwaukee Mother's stop by for a "sweet treat" & free recipe packet & Live Music

The Present Moment 521 N. Milwaukee Book reading by poet, Sue New

Studio West 512 N. Milwaukee acoustic guitar & take a comp. pic for your mom

Cathy's Garden Gate 505 N. Milwaukee Mac, a Caricaturist & refreshments

Parkview Gourmet 121 E. Cook Jazz Band

Arden's Furniture 416 N. Milwaukee shop late and check out new showrooms

Whatsit & Doohickey Co. 346 N. Milwaukee Kitty Testa on Piano & Beer (from @ the world) Tasting - email sign up and receive 15% off purchase

Petranek's Pharmacy 426 N. Milwaukee 40% off any gift item for mom or you


WXLC Live Broadcast

Join 102.3 WXLC's Diane Ebert out on Saturday at Libertyville Mitsubishi!

(From XLC's website)
Libertyville Mitsubishi
Saturday, May 8, 2010
10 am - 12 noon

• The upside down event continues at Libertyville Mitsubishi. Now through Monday night, Libertyville Mitsubishi will pay off your trade no matter how much you owe.

• We’ll be giving away prizes every 20-minutes and enter for your chance to win tickets to see Cobra Starship at the Bamboozle Tour coming to Chicago!

• Plus, come pick-up your 102.3 XLC Green Guide brought to you by Pace. A Fresh Approach to Public Transportation.


Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society Meeting - MONDAY night

The Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society will wrap up the 2009-2010 season of programming with one of the more popular annual meetings – “Show and Tell.” The Show and Tell program continues to be a favorite with current historical society members, plus serves as a great meeting for prospective members, or interested members of the community to come out and have fun!

Members of the Libertyville/Central Lake County area are invited to bring in their special antique or collectible to show off! Everyone will have an opportunity to display and chat about their valued item with appreciative collectors and historians. It will be a night of fun and fellowship!

All of the Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society meetings are free to attended and open to the public. Anyone who is interested in attending a meeting or joining the organization is welcome to attend.

Who: Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society Meeting:
When: Monday, May 10th, 2010 7:30pm
Where: Libertyville Township Offices – 359 Merrill Court, Libertyville, IL

Five Guys is now open!

As I type - I am sitting at the new Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Like I just told someone on facebook - I feel fat and broke, but WOW - good stuff! These burgers are great! I suggest stopping by and trying this place out for lunch or dinner sometime this week. The burger was made with two patties (about 1/4 pound each) with tons of toppings to choose from. The fries are okay - but the burgers is really what makes this place so outstanding!

Five Guys Burgers and Fries
147 North Milwaukee Ave (Suite 104A)