Chick-Fil-A!

Libertyville Needs a Chick-Fil-A!

If you have ever had one, you know what all of the excitement is about.... Chick-Fil-A is coming to the Chicago area this summer!


When the news came out last month - I was initially very excited (almost as excited as I was when Krispy Kream came to Mundelein), but my excitement soon turned to frustration once I realized that all of the locations being talked about were in the Western Suburbs. Why the Western Suburbs? They got the first Sonic, Jimmy Buffet's restaurant and other high profile eateries that could have done better in Lake County. Don't get me wrong, I'll probably make the drive to Aurora for the opening, but I won't like it.

You can read more about Chick-Fil-A's move to the Chicago area in Kim Mikus's (LHS Grad) column in yesterday's Daily Herald here: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=369581

The story also features a mention of a facebook group I started - The "We Need A Chick-Fil-A in Libertyville, IL" - if you're on facebook, make sure you join! Maybe someday - if we make enough noise in Libertyville, we can add a Chick-Fil-A to our menu of outstanding choices when it comes to places to eat.

Radio Radio!

Broadcasting Live!

95 WIIL Rock's Tom Kief will be in Libertyville tomorrow (Saturday, March 27th) broadcasting from Libertyville Mitsubishi.


From 95WiilRock.com -

Big news at Libertyville Mitsubishi...they're now taking up both sides of Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville. Tom Kief is out this week, starting at 10a at Lib Mit. Win tickets to see Five Finger Death Punch and As I Lay Dying, plus check out their massive selection of new and used cars.

(Pic - Tom and I at Mickey Finn's on St. Pat's Day)


Bloggin' Radio!

Two of Chicago's Traffic Diva friends of mine that I have had the chance to work with over the years have come out with their own blogs! Both Jill and Marti have worked as traffic reporters for local radio stations; WIIL Rock, WXLC and WKRS-AM.

Marti Jones has introduced her "Meetballs and More" blog. Her blog features a mix of topics about food and relationships - check it out here - http://meatballsandmore.wordpress.com/

Jill Urchak has also introduced her own blog via the ChicagoNow.com website - check out In Check with Urchak here - http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/in-check-with-urchak/

I'm Back!

Well - it looks like I have taken a bit more time off from blogging than I would have liked! I'm happy to say, starting now - I'll have blog updates for the Libertyville area on a more regular basis!

Remember - if you have a blog idea, or just want to say hi - drop me an e-mail: jimmoran77@gmail.com

Lake County Board Candidate Arrested!
Here is John Roszkowski's Libertyville Review story

It seems local Green Party Lake County Board candidate Dave Serdar had a run-in with an ex-girlfriend at a local funeral home, near his house on Route 176. He had a pretty slim change of beating long-time and well liked incumbent Carol Calabresa before his arrest.... this won't make things easier for him.




Brainerd Presents: North Shore Wine, Craft Beer, Cigar and Food Festival!

The details were just announced today, but make sure you mark your calendar for the last weekend in August for what looks to be a lot of fun!

Here are some of the details from the press release that went out earlier today:
"The Festival will held at the Brainerd Building on Park Ave. (Route 176) just west of Milwaukee Ave (Route 21) on August 28 and 29, 2010. Hours are 12:00p-7:00p on Saturday and 1:00p-6:00p on Sunday.

The Festival will include approximately 75 wineries, 40-50 craft brewers, many of the area’s great restaurants and an array of the finest cigars available on the North Shore.

More details will be made available closer to the event."

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