BLF-8-15-2013

Thursday, August 15, 2013 • MyBarringtonLife.com

SPLIT DECISION PART 2 IN A SERIES ON THE SEPARATION OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS SERVING THE BARRINGTON AREA

YOU’VE GOT THE LIFE

Words from a general Gen. Colin Powell gives inspirational lecture at Leadership summit

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THING S DO TH TO WEEK IS END

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Seems too early to bid farewell to summer

Thursday, August 15, 2013

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Is it really almost fall already?

If you haven’t seen a back-to-school shopping story in Barrington Life, it’s because I’m in denial. Where did summer go?

I’ve mentioned countless times how impressed I have been with the amount of fundraisers, family-friendly and communal events that we have been announcing all summer, and I look forward to seeing what fall brings to the area.

Last week, I had the chance to listen to Gen. Colin Powell and Pastor Bill Hybels speak with the Willow Creek community at their annual Global Leadership Summit. I joke around that I felt like I was at Disneyworld with the thousands of visitors, shuttle parking service and ginormous facility, but it really was an inspirational experience with a great turnout.

Susan DeLay, the church’s spokeswoman, told me that the planning committee will take one day off this week before they start planning for next year.

TARAH THORNE Barrington Life reporter Yikes!

I was standing in the coffee line at the church when I heard a familiar voice call my name. One of the Barrington school administrators had taken two days of summer vacation just to volunteer at the event, listening to speakers and staffing the coffee shop. I thought this was an incredibly selfless service when a lot of people are using their last days of summer to head on a final road trip.

And before we bid farewell to summer, an important decision must be

COMMUNITY CORNER: BEL CANTO STUDIOS

VISIT US ONLINE

Jeanie Carter has owned Bel Canto Studios at 217 Park Ave. in Barrington for 11 years. She is currently the only talent coach, focusing on rebuilding the business.

Bel Canto Studios can provide help for any sort of performance, whether it be musical, theater or interview-related. Carter spoke with Barrington Life about her inspiration for founding a Barrington business, musical expertise, successes and plans for the future.

For breaking news, updated features and event coverage, visit MyBarringtonLife.com.

You also can like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ barringtonlife and follow us on Twitter at @BarringtonLife.

.com Submit Stories Do you have a news tip or story idea? Call us at 815-459-4122 or email tthorne@shawmedia.com.

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LETTERS

What was your inspiration to start the business?

I love to perform and wanted to share what I’ve learned with others; to make a difference in people’s lives by providing a comfortable, inspiring place where they could reach for their dreams.

“Serving our communities to make them better places to live.”

made. The village will vote on its 2014 staffing solution on Aug. 19. Thus, this week’s Barrington Life features the second part of our fire series – a view from the village.

I want to thank residents and union firefighters for coming forward and offering their insight and opinions on the issue. I believe part three, dedicated to public opinion, should and will have the potential to influence 2014 fire structure decisions even if a split is certain. Operational strategies will be discussed all the way up to Jan. 1 and beyond. Two heads are better than one, right? Barrington is larger than two executive boards.

With that being said, I want to encompass all sides of public opinion and have not heard much from residents who believe the 2014 village/district split will be for the best. Is there anyone who supports two departments? Did you see this split coming? Barrington Life wants to hear your perspective.

How did you choose the Barrington area for your business?

I was very active at Willow Creek Community Church, so I knew the Barrington area. I started teaching at Kurt Saphir Pianos and the Willow Arts Center.

My studios really took off. After a couple of years, I opened my own location and hired some other teachers to work with me.

What makes this location so unique?

We’re in a vintage building, right in the heart of downtown Barrington. The studio walls inspire hopefuls with pictures of artists and composers from every musical genre, student headshots, and authentic Broadway window cards. It’s possible to start with us at a very young age and continue all the way through adulthood, no matter what your performing goals are, something you rarely find in a studio.

What is your musical experience?

I studied piano for 10 years before entering the conservatory. I’ve sung musical theater, pop and jazz ever since I can remember; performed opera and oratorio in the Chicago area for years. Most recently, I’ve gone back to singing jazz.

Barrington Life welcomes original letters to the editor on public issues. Letters must include the author’s full name, address and phone number for verification. Email letters to letters@mybarringtonlife. com.

WHAT’S INSIDE

Any specific areas of expertise?

Voice building (opera, musical theatre – legit and belt, pop, jazz, blues, R&B, rock, country), music theory, piano technique, acting, public speaking, interview skills.

McSweeney bill signed...........8 In Their Life..............................11 Fire dept. split Part 2..............12 Life 5..........................................14 Bocce feature...........................23

What successes have clients had?

ON THE COVER

Bel Canto students have been accepted at high-profile music schools and summer programs – Juilliard, Berklee College of Music, Interlochen Arts Academy, Chicago Academy for the Arts, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Tanglewood, and others. Our students perform in musical theater productions, operas, independent films, plays and commercials. They’ve won competitions, released CDs, and are in-demand keynote speakers.

General Colin Powell speaks Thursday at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington during the Global Leadership Summit.

See page 4 for a story on the event, and page 5 for more photos.

Kyle Grillot photo

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Thursday, August 15, 2013

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Powell visits area church

Retired general’s speech a part of leadership summit

By TARAH THORNE tthorne@shawmedia.com SOUTH BARRINGTON – More than 8,000 visitors took their seats at Willow Creek Community Church last week to hear a speech from Gen. Colin Powell, but several attendees at the 2013 Global Leadership Summit said his speech was just one highlight of a day of inspirational lectures.

“The speakers are phenomenal, motivating and influential for my ministry,” said Kathy Gudonis, a Lake Barrington resident and member of the Alexian Brothers Parish Services leadership team in Schaumburg. “I wish I could bring everyone I know.”

The Global Leadership Summit is a two-day event that is telecast throughout the world to more than 170,000 leaders who represent more than 14,000 churches. It is telecast live from Willow Creek’s campus at 67 E. Algonquin Road in South Barrington every August.

Powell, whose speech was telecast from South Barrington, said it is his mission as a leader to inspire people to reach beyond themselves.

“Even though I am a leader, I’m not the one getting the work done,” he said. “Followers get it done. The best leaders invest in followers and give them what they need to get the job done.”

Powell carried the theme of caring for followers throughout his speech before he sat down to speak with Willow Creek Senior Pastor Bill Hybels.

“If you want to be a great leader, take care of your troops,” Powell said. “If you want to make sure that you keep moving forward, set a

Kyle Grillot – kgrillot@shawmedia.com

Gen. Colin Powell speaks Aug. 8 at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington during the Global Leadership Summit. destination.”

Speaking with Hybels, Powell addressed racial discrimination and attitudes.

Powell said he thinks back to 1958 when he entered what he referred to as one of the most socially segregated organizations of the time – the U.S. Army. Becoming the brigade commander in the 101st Airborne Division in the mid-1970s held a lot of significance for him.

“It was my job to take advantage of the opportunity,” he said. “If I showed them that I was a good commander, [race] was their problem and not mine.”

Powell also brought up a name on a lot of people’s

minds due to his critical health condition – former South African President Nelson Mandela.

“If Mandela sought vengeance, he’d still be in prison,” Powell said.

Powell spoke with Hybels about the importance of “getting mad and getting over it” and avoiding an ego. He said he doesn’t believe anyone who acts when they are upset will act in the best way and noted that anger can create dysfunction.

“It’s OK to get mad, but you can’t stay mad,” he said.

“If people are afraid to come to you with a problem, the whole organization becomes contaminated.”

If Powell could find a “red flag” for leaders who may not set out with the best intentions, he said it would be an ego.

“Some people are brilliant and can get the job done, but no one taught them to be humble,” he said. “I’ve never fired a man with an ego, because I usually need them, but I also make sure they will never be in a position to hang their drapes in my office.”

Powell is one of 13 internationally recognized speakers who lectured during the two-day, sold-out event. More than 230 locations throughout the U.S. participated in live telecast events in addition to other worldwide broadcasts.

Susan DeLay of Willow Creek Community Church said she expected more than 8,000 people to attend the summit Aug. 9, with an additional 75,000-plus people viewing live telecasts each day.

“When leaders get better, everyone wins,” Hybels said.

Beckie Smith, a former Palatine resident, traveled from Atlanta to attend the summit.

Smith said she and her guests agreed that even if they left before Powell’s speech, the Willow Creek experience was worth the trip.

“We get our batteries charged spiritually and influentially,” she said.

Even though I am a leader, I’m not the one getting the work done. Followers get it done. The best leaders invest in followers and give them what they need to get the job done.” – Gen. Colin Powell

Global Leadership Summit held in South Barrington

Photos by Kyle Grillot – kgrillot@shawmedia.com

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Barrington Life | Thursday, August 15, 2013 TOP: Gen. Colin Powell speaks Aug. 8 at the Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington during the Global Leadership Summit. The summit is a two-day event that is telecast throughout the world to more than 170,000 leaders who represent more than 14,000 churches.

FAR LEFT: Carly Florina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, speaks before introducing Powell.

TOP LEFT: During his speech, Powell said it is his mission as a leader to inspire people to reach beyond themselves. “Even though I am a leader, I’m not the one getting the work done,” he said. “Followers get it done. The best leaders invest in followers and give them what they need to get the job done.”

BOTTOM LEFT: Author Patrick Lencioni speaks with Powell.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

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8NEWS BRIEFS Smart Farm fall seed sale

BARRINGTON — Smart Farm of Barrington is hosting a fall vegetable seedling sale from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 31 at its hoop house on the Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Campus, 450 W. Highway 22.

Available seedlings will include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and kale. All seedlings are organic and locally-grown. Funds from the sale will assist Smart Farm in its mission to help educate the community about the benefits of sustainable gardening and healthy eating, as well as feeding neighbors in need.

For pre-orders or additional info, visit www.smartfarms.org.

– Tarah Thorne

Fleet 17 to host Venetian Night boat parade

BARRINGTON – Fleet 17 Boaters on the Fox will host their 23rd annual Venetian Night Boat Parade on Aug. 17.

The parade on the Fox River will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Fox River Preserve Marina in Barrington and end at Port Edward Restaurant in Algonquin.

Boaters who participate will be eligible for prizes.

To enter a boat, call 847772-1817 or visit www.fleet17. org.

– Shaw Media

Good Shepherd earns achievement award

BARRINGTON – Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital has been recognized by the American College of Cardiology Foundation’s National

Cardiovascular Data Registry ACTION Registry–GWTG Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2013.

The award recognizes Good Shepherd Hospital’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients, and signifies the Barrington hospital has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/ American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.

BCFPD hires former village employee

By TARAH THORNE tthorne@shawmedia.com LAKE BARRINGTON — The Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District has hired Kim Mueller as its finance director/administrative assistant, With 17 years of experience serving fire departments and districts, Mueller, of Woodstock, will work with BCFPD Chief/Administrator Jeff Swanson to complete the

district’s pending separation from the village of Barrington in 2014.

Mueller, a former village of Barrington employee, will perform multiple duties, including developing and implementing an ambulance billing system, preparing annual budgets and tax levies, managing operational finances and maintaining district records, as well as training and managing the district’s personnel and establishing

administrative procedures for the new department. She was an executive assistant at the Barrington Fire Department and spent 15 years with the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District.

“There is less of a learning curve because I am already familiar with the district’s operations,” she said. “I understand the board’s expectations for delivering emergency services and look forward to helping achieve those goals.”

– Shaw Media

Good Shepherd to host senior vitamin program

BARRINGTON – Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital will host a Senior Breakfast Club program that will cover how vitamin supplements can help build a stronger healthy diet outside of food alone, according to a news release from the hospital.

Dr. Theresa Walden MD, a family physician, will lead the program scheduled from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21 at the hospital, 450 West Highway 22, Barrington.

Walden will address the questions surrounding vitamin supplements, including how many to take, various types of supplements, and which works best for each individual.

A light breakfast will be served during the lecture; there is no fee to participate.

To register, call 1-800-3ADVOCATE (1-800-323-8622), and ask about the Senior Breakfast Club Summer Programs.

Barrington Breakfast Rotary The Barrington Breakfast Rotary Club (BBRC) would like to THANK the sponsors of our Western Rendezvous. The success of this fundraiser will enable BBRC to fund meaningful programs and community and world.

Generous Sponsors Clarke Investment Management Inc. Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers Barrington Bank & Trust BMO Harris Bank The Oak Knoll Group @ Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Hollis Bros.

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By TARAH THORNE tthorne@shawmedia.com SOUTH BARRINGTON – An “Eat Dirt Mud Run� 5K race is scheduled for September at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington.

A “Mini-Mud Run� is being offered for children ages 6 to 12.

This obstacle-course event, scheduled from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 28, promotes fitness by challenging participants through a muddy course that includes mud pits, mud slides, swamps, tunnel crawls, climbing walls, slippery hill climbs and more.

Group registration is

available at a discounted rate and heat times can be selected when registering. The heats race every half hour from 7 a.m. to noon.

Adult registration includes a timing chip, bib, official race shirt and after-race food.

5K registration is $60 or $70 after Aug. 29, and $80 on race day.

The children’s mini-mud run fee is $17, increasing to $20 after Aug. 29 and $30 on race day.

Registration is open until the day of the event.

Willow Creek Community Church is at 67 E. Algonquin Road. Visit www.eatdirtmudrun.com to register or find more information.

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Barrington Life | Thursday, August 15, 2013

South Barrington to host mud run

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Thursday, August 15, 2013

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Gov. signs Rep McSweeney’s bond bill Law limits governments’ authority to issue alternate revenue bonds

By KEVIN C. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com If a local governmental body decides to borrow money through alternate revenue bonds, a new law taking effect next year will make it harder to do so and easier for taxpayers to challenge it.

Gov. Pat Quinn on Friday signed into law House Bill 983, written by state Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, which limits most governments’ authority to issue the bonds.

Alternate revenue bonds – known to municipal lenders as double-barreled bonds – rely on an identified revenue

stream to pay them off. But if revenue falls short of projections, taxpayers are then left to make up the difference through their property taxes.

McSweeney said he introduced the bill after McHenry County College officials indicated they could use the bonds to pay for a proposed expansion and repay the debt from a proposed health club.

But he also cited the village of Lakewood, where taxpayers for years repaid bonds to pay for the purchase of RedTail Golf Course because golf revenues fell short of covering the debt.

“I think this is going to protect taxpayers,” McSweeney

Rep. David McSweeney

Sen. Dan Duffy

said. “The problem with these alternate revenue bonds, like the Lakewood golf course, is that the taxpayers get stuck with the bill.”

Under the new law, governments that want to issue alternate revenue bonds must appoint an independent accountant or feasibility analyst who would not benefit

from the project to determine whether the revenue streams identified by the taxing body will be enough to support the borrowing.

It also lowers the number of signatures needed for taxpayers to force the bonds to a referendum.

The bill lowers the signature threshold in districts with 4,000 or more registered voters to the lesser of 5 percent or 5,000 signatures and increases the deadline to file the petition from 30 days to 45 days.

McSweeney’s bill applies to governments with fewer than 500,000 residents and takes effect Jan. 1.

To learn more

You can read the text of House Bill 983 at the General Assembly’s website at www.ilga.gov.

McSweeney’s fellow area lawmakers helped carry the bill.

Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, was chief House co-sponsor, and Sens. Pam Althoff, R-McHenry, and Dan Duffy, R-Lake Barrington, carried it through the Senate.

The bill was the first piece of legislation from McSweeney signed into law. McSweeney was elected last November.

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Harmony, Hope & Healing plans concert to benefit Family Service

By TRACY GRUEN Barrington Life Contributor BARRINGTON – As a community effort, the Barrington United Methodist Church is hosting a concert Aug. 18, provided by Harmony, Hope & Healing, in order to benefit Family Service of Barrington.

Family Service of the Barrington Area provides family and individual counseling.

Harmony, Hope & Healing is an organization started by Marge Nykaza in 2000 and offers creative, therapeutic and educational music programs to those living in poverty, are homeless, victims of domestic violence or substance abuse.

More than 600 people annually go through the program, which has a goal of offering spiritual and emotional support through music.

“We work in underserved communities,” said Nykaza, noting some programs take place in shelters on the South and West side of Chicago.

Although not located in Barrington, Nykaza said the group sings at St. Anne’s in Barrington every year and thought the concert would be a great way to benefit a deservPhoto provided ing Barrington organization.

Harmony Hope & Healing, an organization started by Marge Nykaza in 2000, offers creative, therapeutic At the Aug. 18 concert, peo- music programs to people who are suffering through poverty, are homeless, victims of domestic violence ple who have been through the

See CONCERT, page 10

and substance abuse, etc. They will appear in Barrington Aug. 18. From the top of the left corner 2nd row: Terry Blanks, Christopher Baker, Edith Watson and Antonio Watson. From bottom left corner 1st row: Angelia Holman, Amanda Brown-Longe, Marge Nykaza, Tina Villapando and Jolie Perryman.

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Barrington Life | Thursday, August 15, 2013

Therapeutic music to mend community

Thursday, August 15, 2013

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Harmony, Hope & Healing provides variety of programs • CONCERT

Continued from page 9 Harmony, Hope & Healing program will be performing.

“It’s phenomenal,” said Nykaza. “When we sing, we are giving back to the community. We are all in this together. We’re helping to make the world a better place.”

Harmony, Hope & Healing provides a wide variety of musical programs, such as parent/child classes, and classes for adults. It also offers a musical program for formerly incarcerated men and women to help build their self-esteem.

Edith Watson lived in a shelter when she met Nykaza in 2006. After going through the program, she now teaches classes with Harmony, Hope & Healing, where participants learn breathing techniques and sing inspiring songs together.

She said she is glad that something positive has come out of some of her difficult times.

“I can still remember Marge,” Watson said of meeting Nykaza for the first time.

“She was so full of energy. It was a spiritual new beginning for me.”

Watson said the program has shown her how to see the musical side of herself

“

If you go n What: Harmony, Hope & Healing concert, to benefit Family Service of Barrington n When: 3 p.m. Aug. 18 n Where: Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road in Barrington Hills n Cost: Free-will offerings encouraged that she didn’t notice before.

The program also helped one of her sons get accepted into a percussion program at the Chicago High School for the Arts.

Family Services of the Barrington Area was started 47 years ago and provides individual, couple, family and group therapy, said Joyce Wisniewski, a therapist at the agency.

Wisniewski said the organization greatly depends on donations from the community and never turns a client away for lack of funds.

“We help those who have helped us,” said Nykaza, about the upcoming concert. ”It’s just paying it forward.”

Bill Braithwaite and his wife live in Barrington and have served on the Family Service board since the beginning. He said that Harmony, Hope & Healing has a “very powerful musical program and spiritual message.”

It’s phenomenal. When we sing, we are giving back to the community.

We are all in this together. We’re helping to make the world a better place.” – Marge Nykaza www.hospiceanswers.org

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GET TO KNOW ELEANOR ANNE SWEET, BUSINESSWOMAN, VOLUNTEER tell us a little bit about this firm and how you became involved?

I started that business in 1987, which now consists of several businesses. The common theme for my businesses are I coach my client’s with tools that increase their professional success. I have created marketing and sales systems, oriented toward increasing their customer base, while adding revenue to the bottom line of their businesses.

What is your favorite part about this community?

How does your business background complement your philanthropical interests?

The great people. We have a very unusual amount of “doers” in our community.

These are people committed to making a difference and helping those in need. The other thing I love about Barrington is the beautiful lakes, terrain and oak trees that add such depth of character to our environment.

What is involved with being event chairwoman for Relay for Life of Barrington?

I was involved in 20112012 with the marketing and corporate/business donations side. As event chair this year for Relay for Life of Barrington 2013, I was responsible for overseeing the yearlong fundraising efforts in the greater Barrington area. Relay for Life is a fundraising vehicle for the American Cancer Society to help raise funds to find a cure for cancer and help those in need with cancer in the local communities.

I felt our job this year was to reach out to and engage more of the residents in this great cause. Barrington is particularly supportive of helping raise funds for American Cancer Society. This is the third year Barrington has ranked No. 2 in the state of Illinois in terms of the amount of money we raise to help those in need with cancer.

This year, in addition to focusing on our great teams, we reached out to the community with special events to engage more of the residents in our fundraising. The community really responded and loved the different events. Our next

Photo provided

Eleanor Anne Sweet is an ever-friendly face for Barrington, volunteering much of her time to Relay for Life and the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce. Professionally, Sweet is the president/CEO of the Remington Group LLC. She has lived in North Barrington for almost 30 years. great event is Monday, Aug. 19, at Makray Memorial Golf Course with our first Relay Golf Outing at 9 a.m.

How is Relay for Life more than a once-a-year commitment when it comes to preparation and planning?

The majority of our activities run from January to June, with the Big Relay being the first Friday of June. We start gearing up in the fall building our committee, and then launch in January with our kickoff party. The next two events we have are Monday, Aug. 19, the Relay golf outing, and we plan to be involved in the polo event.

What is your Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce affiliation?

I joined last year and think it is a great group of people.

The organization is truly supportive of the community.

I have been working closely with a lot of the members in the last three years with Relay.

How do you balance all of your roles within the community?

As I shared with you, I have been a resident of North Barrington since 1984 and always was involved in the community a number of ways, trying to help in any way I can try to make the

Barrington and the world a better place. I believe it is not about ourselves but all about us together as a group.

What do you like to do to relax?

Sit on my porch and look at the lake, spend time with my family and friends. I tend to be a very high-energy person by nature, so what is work for most is relaxing for me. I like to me on the move.

A lot of your community roles probably feel like full-time jobs, but you’re professional career is as president/CEO of The Remington Group LLC. in Barrington. Could you

When I help my clients, I have to help them first by exceeding the initial promised value of the expected service and results. Fundraising has to also be approached as a business with ROI assessed.

Remind yourself how can you help the cause raise money but always at the same time support and add value to those who are donating to the cause. It is always about the overall collective good of the group and community. By helping each other, there can be added value to everyone’s lives and businesses. This year we consciously worked as a committee to make this happen with Relay for Life of Barrington 2013.

What did you want to grow up to be as a child?

I wanted to go into advertising and marketing on the corporate side. Then I also wanted to eventually have my own business and help other people either with a product or with their businesses in terms of marketing and growing their customer base.

What are you plans looking forward?

I plan to continue with my established businesses. I am excited about launching a new business growth system product this fall, which I have created for small business leaders. I also will be helping at BHS with the new Business Startup Incubator program this school year. In addition we will be gearing up for Relay for Life of Barrington 2014.

Barrington Life | Thursday, August 15, 2013

Eleanor Anne Sweet has been a North Barrington resident since 1984. She is very involved with the community, both from a business and volunteer standpoint.

As a mother, Sweet finds herself balancing multiple “full-time” responsibilities in addition to her work and philanthropical services.

Sweet spoke with Barrington Life about her passion for making a difference and plans for the future.

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Thursday, August 15, 2013

SECOND IN A SERIES

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Village officials: Fire split is win-win

Barrington Life | Thursday, August 15, 2013

| Barrington Life

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Barrington seeks long-term positives in separation of departments

By TARAH THORNE tthorne@shawmedia.com BARRINGTON – If there’s one thing the village of Barrington is anticipating for the 2014 fire department structure, it is improved services.

The village’s fire service coverage area will be cut by 90 percent – from 51 to 5.1 square miles – when the Barrington Fire Department splits Jan. 1 from the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District.

“It’s a win-win situation for the village, district and people of Barrington,” Village President Karen Darch said.

The split is due to disagreements between the village and district over staffing levels and equipment purchases.

As of January, the district and village will have separate fire departments, ending a decades-long intergovernmental agreement.

Barrington Fire Chief James Arie said those agreements have made sense because shared resources are cost-effective. The district has given the village money collected from Countryside property owners through its fire tax to purchase emergency fire and medical services from the Barrington Fire Department.

Before 1994, there wasn’t a village or Barrington Countryside fire department, but paramedics who were village employees and firefighters who were members of “Barrington Fire Department Inc.,” a nonprofit group that provided fire service to the village by contract on a paid, on-call basis and service to Countryside residents via an intergovernmental agreement with the village.

In 1994, the village decided to employ full-time firefighters/paramedics and created the Barrington Fire Department, Station 1. Station 2 opened in Barrington Hills in 1997 and Station 3 in Lake Barrington in 2004. The current four-year intergovernmental agreement with the BCFPD began in 2005, was automatically renewed in 2009, and expires Dec. 31.

Friction began to emerge in November 2011, when the fire district asked the village to hire seven additional firefighters/paramedics to man its two stations.

The request was based on a 2010 report from the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, which recommended a personnel increase from three to five firefighters/ paramedics per shift at each of the fire district’s stations.

SPLIT DECISION This is part two of a three-part series on the pending split between the Barrington Fire Department and the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District.

To explore different perspectives on the split, part one last week focused on the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District’s point of view. Part two today looks at the village’s side, and part three will compile the opinions of Barrington-area residents and fire personnel.

For a timeline of events, visit MyBarringtonLife.com

The village disagreed with the study.

Village consultant Bill Balling of WRB LLC Consulting, said there wasn’t a need or a fund for staffing expansion.

Arie estimated the village receives five to seven emergency calls each day, while the district only one to two.

With two-thirds of the Barrington fire personnel working outside Barrington, experiencing fewer emergencies than the village, Village Manager Jeff Lawler said it doesn’t make sense for the village of Barrington to take on the long-term responsibility for seven additional employees that would likely increase to even more employees if the district built a desired third station.

In December 2011, the village denied the district’s request to hire additional staff. And since the agreement stipulated the village pays 35.75 percent of district personnel costs, the district could not add staff. The BCFPD notified the village in September 2012 it wished to terminate the intergovernmental agreement.

“With the split, the district will be unhindered in their desire to hire as many people as they want,” Lawler said.

“And the village won’t take on additional long-term legacy costs.”

The village will keep 16 to 18 firefighters/paramedics on staff, Lawler said, so 19 to 21 employees will be laid off.

But the intergovernmental agreement stipulates the BCFPD give 2014 employment preference to the 37 now-villageemployed Barrington firefighters/para-

Shaw Media file photo

Barrington Countryside firefighters fill up their pickup truck with water as smoke rises from a brush fire in the background at Citizens Park in Barrington in this June 2012 file photo. The Countyside district has decided to split with the village of Barrington Fire Department at the end of this year. medics. Layoffs will be made according to an agreement between the village and fire union that calls for people with the least seniority to be laid off first.

Less lifelong costs

Under the agreement and state law, the village assumes responsibility for the pension, health care and disability liability of any fire personnel serving at any of Barrington’s three stations.

The village will assume those costs for the 19 to 21 former employees after the split. The fire district will have to pick up those costs for any additional staff beyond what it hires from the village.

Village Finance Director Jason Hayden said the village’s pension is funded at just 67 percent due to changes in state law, investments not doing well, and an increasing number of disabilities.

The village’s 2014 tax levy will be

unchanged from this year’s $937,270. It doesn’t anticipate needing to ask residents for any additional tax increases to fund its staff after it splits from the district.

What staffing levels in Barrington will be as of 2014 has yet to be determined. In July, Balling presented two staffing scenarios. Option one recommended 16 personnel at an annual cost of $2.45 million, down from the predicted 2014 annual operational costs of $2.6 million.

The second option is what Balling referred to as the “enhanced version,” with 18 personnel at $2.7 million. Balling said the extra staff would be on a variable shift schedule, floating to help when vacation time or illnesses arise.

Hayden said the latter model would not cost residents more.

Both options will allow the village to run two ambulances out of its single fire

station – important to Darch for multiple EMS calls and helping residents despite congestion from the Canadian National railroad.

“Lake Zurich will drive its ambulance south toward the tracks while Barrington heads north,” Balling said. “If there’s no train conflict, Lake Zurich can go back to their station and Barrington can respond to the call.”

Village officials say maintaining automatic aid relationships is crucial for the community, which has five automatic aid partners: Lake Zurich, Long Grove, East Dundee and Carpentersville. And it has requested to add a sixth.

In June, Darch sent the BCFPD a proposed 2014 automatic aid agreement; the district has said it will wait to respond until it knows village fire department staffing levels.

The village said it will leave its invitation open but does not agree with

the need to wait. Arie said there’s an opportunity for both the village and the district to benefit from each other, since some areas of the district are less than a half-mile from the village.

“It doesn’t make sense to not agree in advance [of the new year] for automatic aid especially since the village goes to the district more than twice as much as the district helps the village,” Lawler said.

Looking ahead

Village officials have been collecting public opinion to aid in their Aug. 19 staffing decision. Darch said there is no specified time period for the village to notify its personnel of decisions, but officials don’t want to take too long since all Barrington firefighters/paramedics have been invited to work for the district.

The village does not anticipate needing to buy additional equipment

for January and will not meet with the district again until current equipment is assessed and divided between the two entities.

“I’m looking forward to providing improved services to village residents and I wish the district well in their quest to provide services to their own,” Village Trustee Jim Daluga said. “When cooler heads prevail, this will be a good deal for everyone.”

Thursday, August 15, 2013

| Barrington Life

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TO DO S G N I 5 TH UND O R A & IN TON G N I R R BA CRUISING AND GROOVING FOR CHARITY CAR SHOW

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WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18 WHERE: Barrington Horizons, 1418 S. Barrington Road COST & INFO: This Alden Estates of Barrington Short-Term Rehabilitation Center’s car show asks for a $20 donation.

Awards will be presented for Best in Show for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place cars. Live DJ, food, raffles and more. All proceeds benefiting the Leukemia Research Foundation. Call Lorrie Woebbeking at 847-382-6664 for more information.

SWEEP THE FIELDS

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WHEN: 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18 WHERE: Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington COST & INFO: Join a naturalist and hike through the fields in search of insects and discover the important roles they have at Crabtree Nature Center. Call 847-381-6592 for more information.

JAZZ DU JOUR

WHEN: 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17 WHERE: The Annex cocktail lounge, 205 Park Ave., Barrington COST & INFO: Local jazz musicians will be present for an evening of fine music. Visit www.theannexlounge.com or call 847-382-3900 for more information.

LEGENDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

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WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17; doors open at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Sears Centre Arena, Hoffman Estates COST & INFO: The Legends Football League (formerly Lingerie Football League) holds its Western and Eastern Conference back-to-back divisional playoffs.

Tickets range from $17 to $89. Parking is $10.

RED 2

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WHEN: 5:40 and 8 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, 7 p.m.

Sunday through Thursday WHERE: The Catlow COST & INFO: Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Anthony Hopkins star in this sequel to 2010’s “Red.” Tickets are $5.

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Barrington Life | Thursday, August 15, 2013

Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 7:00 PM Cary Chiropractic Office 395 C Cary Algonquin Rd, Cary www.carychiropracticoffices.com

Thursday, August 15, 2013

| Barrington Life

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Hatch Chile hype growing in Barrington

By TARAH THORNE tthorne@shawmedia.com BARRINGTON – Hatch Chiles and Heinen’s have one thing in common – neither are native to Illinois, yet each are drawing attention locally.

Hatch Chiles, grown only in the Hatch Valley of New Mexico, have been shipped to Barrington’s fine foods retailer by Melissa’s Produce for a two-day roasting event, which is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 17 and 18.

Each fall, the Southwestern concept of roasting Hatch Chiles produces a distinct aroma and loud crackle and pop throughout New Mexico communities – especially during the annual Hatch Chile Festival each Labor Day. The festival attracts thousands of worldwide visitors to the small, 3.1-square-mile village of Hatch, N.M., about 40 miles north of Las Cruces.

These large, thick-skinned, meaty chiles are only ripe once a year, but once a batch is

Tarah Thorne – tthorne@shawmedia.com

“Hatch Chile peppers look very similar to the everyday variety of an Anaheim Chile,� said Robert Schueller, Melissa’s Produce. “That chile is the granddaughter of the Hatch Chile, but it’s not as thick and only comes in a mild flavor.� roasted, it can be frozen for up to two years and used to compliment anything from burgers to stews. Robert Schueller of Melissa’s said that no other chile can be frozen more than six months without disintegrating; the Hatch Chile can because of its thick flesh. “Unlike other chiles, Hatch Chiles are grown at an eleva-

tion of more than 4,000 feet, allowing them to be hot during the day and cool at night,� he said. “They grow very tough because of the significant weather differential.�

Heinen’s, an Ohio-based fine foods retailer, held its first Hatch Chile Roast shortly after its August 2012 grand opening in Barrington. Gen-

eral manager Mark Vrtacnik said the store will hold this year’s roast outside the store, and expect 50 cases of mild Hatch Chiles and 40 cases of a more hot version. “It’s a fun time to celebrate the Hatch Chile harvest and educate Barrington residents,� he said.

Roasting Hatch Chiles is meant to enhance flavor. Heinen’s will using large roasting machines, provided by Melissa’s, to roast 23-pound Hatch Chile cases for customers, as well as providing tasting samples, recipes to take home and surprise items prepared with the chiles.

Vrtacnik said smaller batches will be available for purchase during and after the roast – so long as Heinen’s will be able to receive shipments from New Mexico.

Hatch Chile season is short. The 7-inch, light green chiles are grown during spring and summer months, but only harvested during a six-week season from Aug. 1

What: Hatch Chile Roast Where: Heinen’s Barrington, 500 N. Hough St. When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 17 and 18 Know more: www.heinens.com/ and www.melissas.com/

until Sept. 30, Schueller said. “It’s important to buy fresh Hatch Chiles while you can,� he said. “Ninety-five percent of these chiles are canned, jarred or dried because they only have a two-week shelf life.�

Schueller also stressed the importance of having Hatch Chiles professionally roasted, explaining that the machines Melissa’s will provide at Heinen’s can roast a 23-pound box of chiles in only three minutes – something that would take hours on a regular grill. Melissa’s representatives will also remove the skin, veins and seeds for customers during this weekend’s roasting.

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BARRINGTON – It’s a sunny summer day, but a group of teenagers are indoors.

More specifically, they are in the basement at Consolidated Music of Barrington, 125 Barrington Commons, playing guitars, bass, keyboards and drums – learning a Flaming Lips song. They are being guided by musician Mario Licciardi.

They are taking part in the store’s Rock Star 101 program.

And the basement even gives them the feel of a garage, as the workspace and shelves have guitar polishes, string winders and fretboard conditioners. There are posters of Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton among others.

This is the popular program’s seventh year. Store owner Jeff Lindahl started it as a summer program with a dream of helping students realize their potential as musicians.

“We want to help kids

learn all the aspects of becoming a good musician,” he said. “They have 10 classes in three weeks to play together and get the feel for how it is to put together a band.”

It is geared toward students who are between 10 and 16 years old, but they’ve taken a few older students and a few younger. The program even had an adult group once.

Now the program is year-round. And a number of students repeat more than once. There are a number of pictures in the store of bands that formed and played after taking the course.

It is more than a course about reading tablature and figuring out riffs. According to Lindahl, this is the whole experience.

“We match kids with the same musical ability closely,” he said. “Then they get to work it out from there.

And according to Licciardi, there are a wide variety of musical tastes and requests.

He said they teach groups

MIKE MARTINEZ Barrington Life to put on everything from a quick 20-minute set to a full hour show. He has looked at a lot of different songs and bands during the years.

“I’ve gone back and studied a lot of older music,” he said. “And I’ve restudied things and I’ve found that the musicians today play more aggressively than they did 20 or 30 years ago. So I have a different take on the music than I did when the program started.”

And while they are accommodating musically, Lindahl reminds people that the name of it is Rock Star 101. You’re likely not going to see the next Sarah Jarosz or the next young whiz on the roots, clas-

Photo provided

Musician Mario Licciardi leads a group of area teens through a rehearsal at Consolidated Music of Barrington. sical or bluegrass circuit.

“It is called Rock Star 101,” Lindahl said. “We are accommodating and we have other ways to help students who want to learn other styles.”

And you can check out what these young musicians learned because the current Rock Star 101 class will put on a show at 3 p.m. Sunday

at the Penny Road Pub, 545 Penny Road, Barrington.

For more information on Rock Star 101 log onto http:// www.consolidatedmusic.net/ rockstar101.php .

• Mike Martinez is a 17-year member of the Barrington Breakfast Rotary Club. His column appears monthly in Barrington Life.

The Arboretum of South Barrington Rt. 59 & 72 • 847.551.9394

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Barrington Life | Thursday, August 15, 2013

Helping students realize musical potential

Thursday, August 15, 2013

| Barrington Life

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OPINIONS Political advice about abortion

To the Editor: There are two positions that politicians take on abortion, pro-life or pro-choice. I’m the pro-life type myself, but here’s some free political advice for all current or aspiring politicians.

Pro-life is the more moral and religious position, and a perfectly acceptable political position as well. But there is one caveat.

Politicians must run on prolife with exceptions for rape, incest or to save the life of the Barrington Life accepts letters to the editor on topics of local interest.

Submit your original letter to the editor by email to letters@mybarringtonlife.

mother.

If you do not allow for these exceptions, you are too stupid to be a politician and need to find another vocation. Indeed, if you run without the exceptions, you will lose, and you will bring down your party with you. And, finally, you will end up promoting abortion because the person who beats you will be pro-abortion.

This is free political advice, politicians. Wise up and take it to help your career, your party, and the cause.

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Include your address and phone number for verification purposes.

Letters are limited to 350 words.

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Promotes Rapid Healing Of The Injured Tissues.

This pain-free, non-surgical approach works by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes, providing pain relief and reducing injury damage. This leading edge technology has an impressive success rate of returning patients to work, sports and competitive activities, as well as everyday life.

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Thursday, August 15, 2013

| Barrington Life

.com

Birds of Barrington – the bobolink

By WENDY PAULSON

Wendy Paulson is a nationally known birder, naturalist and longtime Barrington Hills resident. She leads spring bird walks in Barrington and Chicago and developed the education program for Citizens for Conservation. Paulson contributes regular posts to 365Barrington.com in an ongoing series called The Birds of Barrington. You’ll find her contributions at 365barrington. com/category/birds-of-barrington.

The bobolink, a bird of large grasslands, is one of Barrington’s most cosmopolitan summer residents. It spends winter months in the pampas and wetlands of northern Argentina and Paraguay, and flies over and through many countries each spring before returning to its breeding territory in North American prairies and fields. The bobolink’s bubbly, joyous jumble of notes is one of the surest signals that nesting season has begun.

But the status of the bobolink is not secure. Once widespread over much of the United States, bobolink populations have plummeted over the last 50 years as the grasslands they depend on have been plowed up, paved over, or built upon.

According to the National Audubon Society, the decline of the bird in Illinois in that time period exceeds 90 percent.

The good news is that, in Barrington, bobolinks are increasing and, in some places, thriving. The reason is expansion of suitable habitat, thanks to restoration

efforts by public agencies such as the Cook County Forest Preserve District and nonprofit groups like Citizens for Conservation, Audubon Chicago Region, and Spring Creek Stewards. As volunteers and agency staff work to rebuild and expand native prairie ecosystems in the area, bobolinks have returned in robust numbers. Their happy song and buoyant flight now grace several restoration sites. One of the best – and surest – places to spot bobolinks is Galloping Hill, part of the Spring Creek Forest Preserve, directly across from the Penny

Road Pond parking lot in Barrington Hills.

It is not difficult to identify a bobolink. A member of the blackbird family with a sharp, conical bill, the male looks all black from the front. But when it turns around, it reveals a flashy white and black pattern on its back, as well as a mustard yellow cap on the back of its head that looks almost like velvet. The female, however, looks entirely different. While similar in shape and size to the male, she sports head stripes and soft brown feathers in a subtle pattern that undoubtedly helps camouflage her as she incubates eggs in the nest she makes on the ground. Both males and females are handsome to my eye, and I count sightings of them among the most satisfying experiences of a summer day in the field.

But if you want to see bobolinks this summer, you will need to hurry.

Already they have begun to gather, or stage, for their long return flights to South America.

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Even if you are on a special diet, you still can enjoy delicious foods Debi Stuckwisch The Personal Chef One of my clients hired me recently to come to their home and prepare an intimate dinner party for five.

Their diet is gluten-free, and they wanted appetizers, dinner and dessert.

The menu I came up with was humus on red bell peppers, bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, figs with goat cheese draped in prosciutto, and watermelon soup.

The entree was grilled

horseradish-crusted N.Y. strip steaks and grilled vegetables.

For dessert was peach Melba with fresh berries.

They emailed me the next day saying, “Thank you so much for such a lovely dinner that you prepared for me and my family last evening, Chef Debi. Everyone raved about it. It was much better than going to a five-star restaurant.

We really enjoyed it, and everything was so delicious.”

I wanted to share the watermelon soup recipe and show that even if you are on special diets, you still can enjoy wonderful foods.

This watermelon soup is fast, easy to make and delicious.

Watermelon Soup 3 cups watermelon, cut into large chunks 1/2 green bell pepper, quartered 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 handful fresh cilantro 1 green onion, trimmed 1/4 jalapeño pepper, seeded 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt Mint leaves and watermelon squares, for garnish Put all items except the garnish in a blender or food processor. I like my Vitamix blender for this.

Blend until smooth. If not completely smooth, strain.

Chill for 3 hours. Pour into small tea cups or shot glasses. Garnish with one mint leaf and a watermelon square on the rim of the glass.

Watermelon Soup

Photo provided

• Chef Debi Stuckwisch is the owner of Meals Like Mom’s Personal Chef service in McHenry County.

She can be reached at 847-7789351 or mealslikemoms@comcast. net, or visit www.mealslikemom. com.

Barrington Life | Thursday, August 15, 2013

5-star meal can be made healthy at home

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Thursday, August 15, 2013

| Barrington Life

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The Bocce Ball court of Pinstripes in South Barrington will soon host the facility’s First Annual Bocce Tournament. Team entries must be submitted

by Aug. 21. One hundred teams of four players (with a fifth, alternate player) are invited to participate.

​Pinstripes to host 100-team tournament in September

By STEPHANIE KOHL Barrington Life contributor Registration is under way for the first Bocce Tournament at Pinstripes in September.

Players from across the country, ranging from experts to beginners of all ages, will have a chance to show off their skills at this Italian ball sport as they compete for a grand prize of $15,000. According to the World Bocce League, Bocce Ball is one of the oldest of all lawn or yard games. Best known in Italy, it is gaining popularity in North America as it can be played by people of all ages.

The object of Bocce is to get as many of your bocce (bigger, weighted balls) as close to the pallino (smaller target ball) as possible. If you are successful in getting your bocce closer to the pallino than your opponent, you are awarded points.

“It’s just a fun way for us to con-

nect the community with Bocce,” said Sandie Montgomery, event director of Pinstripes.

Montgomery said that, in recent years, Pinstripes has seen Bocce rise in popularity, especially among the younger age groups.

“It’s a game that’s not physically restrictive,” Montgomery said, adding it is not unusual on a Sunday to see three generations of a family playing the game together. “Once people learn about it and try it, they enjoy it and we see it grow. It’s really exciting to pass it on.”

Danny Passaglia, president of the U.S. Bocce Federation, said the organization also has seen an increase of interest in Bocce and that he gets countless calls and emails every week from across the country from people looking for places to play the sport, asking how to build a court or even asking about the rules.

“The days of darts and all that are

gone,” Passaglia said. “Besides, those are the sports you can’t have eight people play at a time. Bocce creates a very social atmosphere.”

Passaglia said part of what makes Bocce so appealing is that everyone can play it. He’s taught six- and sevenyear-olds how to play the game and played alongside men that were 90 years old. Plus, he added, Bocce can be played anywhere – in the sand, on grass and even played in the hallway of a college dorm. It’s a recreational sport that can become competitive.

“The idea is to bring people together and have a lot of fun,” he said of the upcoming tournament.

In the tournament, 100 teams will be allowed to compete at the various Pinstripes locations. The qualifying rounds at the South Barrington location will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, as well as at the Northbrook and Oak Brook locations. Pinstripes Edina will hold its competition on

Sunday, Sept. 15. Four teams from each location, for a total of 16 teams, will go on to compete in the Championship Rounds on Sunday, Sept. 22 at Pinstripes Oak Brook.

“This is a great opportunity to get together with friends, family and co-workers for a great afternoon of fun and community,” Montgomery said.

Registration must be submitted

by Aug. 21 with payment. The cost to register is $400 per four-person team (a fifth alternate is also allowed) and includes breakfast and lunch on the day of the qualifying rounds.

To register, contact Montgomery at sandie@pinstripes.com or 630-5758744.

The top eight teams will win cash prizes. Fifth through eighth place will earn $500. Fourth place will receive $2,000; third place will receive $3,000; second place will win $5,000; and first place will receive $15,000.

Barrington Life | Thursday, August 15, 2013

Get your bocce on

Thursday, August 15, 2013

| Barrington Life

24

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