A Look Ahead!

I just got back in town after spending a few days out on the West Coast - the trip was great! (Anytime I get to enjoy an In & Out Burger, life is good! We really need one in Libertyville!) Anyway, I am a little behind in updating some upcoming events. This is a busy week in and around Libertyville - here are a few highlights of what's going on:

Lake County Fair Kicks Off
(Libertyville Resident Buys First Ever Beer at Fair!)

The Lake County Fair kicked off another week of summer fun yesterday - marking a new year in a new location. The Fair has moved closer to Libertyville, near Peterson Road and Midlothian, in Grayslake. In addition to beer sales, this year's fair also features more well-known music entertainment, including Blake Shelton performing on Saturday night.

Mickey Finn's Backlot Brew Fest!

One of the "must attend" events of summertime in Libertyville is the Mickey Finn's Backlot Brewfest! Festivities kick off Thursday night, with most of the outdoor festivities taking place Friday and Saturday night. The food and atmosphere is very conducive to a great time! On Friday night you'll be able to catch hula and Polynesian fire dancers - that sounds like fun! They'll also be live entertainment all weekend too! Oh, did I mention the beer tent? Find out more information on the MickeyFinnsBrewery.com website.

Farmer's Market & Out to Lunch!

Also, don't forget the weekly Mainstreet Libertyville events going on this week! The weekly Libertyville's Farmer's Market is tomorrow from 7am - 1pm. I'll be there early for crepes and coffee!! Out to Supper with the Village Band at 7:30pm Thursday night in Cook Park. And, of course - Friday's Out to Lunch event runs from 11am - 2pm. Also, in other MainStreet news - tickets for this year's Street Dance and now starting to go on sale! Make sure you mark your calendar for Saturday, September 26th!

America's Most Wanted Fugitive Caught In Libertyville!

A 38-year-old Wisconsin man featured on a recent episode of America's Most Wanted was arrested yesterday, after he was found living near downtown Libertyville!

According to the AMW website, Ray Cooper was wanted for the sexual abuse of a young girl in Columbia County, Wisconsin. Columbia County is a bit north of Madison. Someone called the America's Most Wanted tip line and said Cooper was living in Libertyville, in an apartment that had recently suffered fire damage. After a short search, Libertyville Police found that Cooper was living in an apartment on Grant Court, under his own name!

Brainerd Building Looked at For "Most Endangered" List

(This is from the 1939 Nautilus yearbook - Marlon Brando's freshman year)

The president of the Libertyville's Brainerd Community Center (John Snow) spent yesterday leading a tour of the former high school building for the Landmark Illinois preservation organization. Landmark Illinois is in the process of reviewing possible sites for the next "Most Endangered Historic Places" list. According to an article in today's Daily Herald - the Landmark Illinois group has narrowed it's list of potential "Most Endangered" buildings to 30 - the final list features 10.

If the Brainerd building can be named to the list - this could help fundraising efforts. Right now, the Libertyville Village Board is in the process of reviewing a request by the Brainerd Center board to give their support to the restoration process. The support the Brainerd board is looking for isn't necessarily monetary, but more of a chance for the village board members to say this project is a priority in the community, and encourage others to get involved with the project.

I have been a member of the Brainerd Community Center Board since last fall - I was also a third generation high school student at the building. This is a project I feel very strongly about. Not only does the building need to be saved from a historical perspective - but, Libertyville is also in dire need of a community center for youth programs. Could you imagine how cool it would be for your children to learn acting on the same stage Marlon Brando acted on while he was a student at Libertyville High School? How about having a drop in day care center? After school programs? Art and music programs? All of this can be a reality with the completion of this project.

The best way you can help is to get involved is to visit the BrainerdCenter.org website. Whether it's a check for $100 or donating some of your time recruiting your neighbors to get involved or taking part in a service day trimming bushes, there is plenty available for you to do. Please get involved. E-Mail me with any questions.

Casa Bonita Opens TODAY!

The long wait is finally over - The Casa Bonita restaurant is finally open!

My parents have been big fans of their Waukegan location - I've never tried it, but am looking forward to heading over to the Casa tonight once I get off the train!

I was thrilled to receive an e-mail from MainStreet Libertyville earlier this week with the news:

CASA BONITA, a classic old world Mexican cantina, opens its doors this Friday, July 24, for lunch and dinner, right on the corner of Lake Street and Milwaukee Avenue. They are a 20-year Waukegan icon, and we are absolutely thrilled to have them in downtown Libertyville. And we guarantee you will be too!All of their famous menu items have arrived intact. If you want fun, food, and a fine margarita, then you have found your Libertyville headquarters!

Go to www.casabonitarestaurant.com for more information.

Casa Bonita Restaurant ~ 633 N. Milwaukee Avenue ~ 847.362.4400

(My next question is: When does Tommy's open??????)

News & Notes Update July 22nd

A few items of note:

New Cook Library Board President:

As we reported last week - Aaron Lawlor had stepped from the Cook Memorial Library Board to take a seat on the County Board, leaving a vacancy on the library board. At last night's meeting, Cook Library Board veteran and a great example of dedication and leadership in the Libertyville community, Bonnie Quirke was named President of the library board. The board still has a trustee position open - there has been no word yet on who will fill that vacancy.

ROADWORK (& Headache) ALERT!!

Road construction has begun along Milwaukee Avenue between Route 137 and Church Street - this is part of an IDOT repaving project. The work is expected to start in the downtown area, working North as the project progresses. According to today's Daily Herald - the project is expected to last the next seven weeks.

Goose Dropping Tickets Are Available Online!

Your chance to win $35,000 is just a few clicks away! The Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Club has tickets available online for their ever-popular Goose Dropping Contest! This year's top prize is $35,000, with a second place prize of $3,500 and 3rd - 5th place prizes of $1,000 each.

The 4th Annual Goose Dropping event will take place on Saturday August 22nd at the Libertyville Sports Complex. A full list of the day's activities is available at the http://www.goosedropping.com/ website.

This weekend: BROADWAY SATURDAY NIGHT!

The signs have been up all over town for weeks promoting this weekend's Musical Summer Showcase 2009 at Austin's Saloon and Eatery. Unfortunately, I'll be out of town this weekend - but, from the reviews I've heard - this show is a must see!

The event features "the finest entertainers performing the best of Broadway in a cabaret style setting." The show's headliner is LHS grad, Ian Liberto, who is currently starring as Bobby in the Broadway touring company of A Chorus Line.

There will be two shows Saturday night, 6:30pm and 9pm - tickets are only $20 and are available here or at the door.

The show will help raise money for the Liberty Town Productions organization, a not-for-profit group dedicated to "Celebrating talent on life's stage."

Mark Kirk makes run for Senate official!

At a press conference earlier this morning, our 10th District U.S. Congressman Mark Kirk announced he has officially put his name into the running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Rolland Burris. As I've stated before, Congressman Kirk has a proven track record of integrity and independent leadership that Illinois has been lacking for years. Please join me in supporting Congressman Mark Kirk's run for U.S. Senate.

Kirk's official website for his senate run is: www.KirkForIllinois.com