Health Department urges residents to swim safely

Memorial Day marked the unofficial start of the summer. When you are swimming at your local pool or enjoying time at your favorite beach, it is important to protect yourself from illness, prevent the spread of germs, and practice safe swimming.

Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) can spread if you swallow, have contact with, or breathe in mists or aerosols from water contaminated with germs. You can also get them by having contact with chemicals that are in the water or that evaporate from the water and turn into gas in the air. Diarrhea is the most common RWI.

The Lake County Health Department monitors lake water for E.coli bacteria in over 100 Lake Michigan and inland lake beaches to ensure that the water is acceptable for swimming. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, beach closure information can be found on the Health Department’s Beach Mon- itoring and Advisories web page, which is updated daily by 10:00 a.m.

When bacteria levels are high, the Health Department notifies the beach’s manager, and signs are posted indicating a swim ban is in place.

Water samples are taken daily until the bacteria levels fall below the standard.

“We keep our community protected and prevent waterborne illnesses by testing the water,” said Alana Bartolai, Ecological Services Program Coordinator. “We recommend checking our beach advisories page before heading out to the beach to ensure you can do so safely.”

Here are ways to protect yourself from illness at pools and water parks:

• Don’t swim or let your children swim when sick with diarrhea.

• Don’t swallow the water.

• Take children on bathroom breaks every 60 minutes.

• Check diapers every 30–60 minutes and change them in a bathroom or diaper-changing area–not waterside–to keep germs away from the water.

• Shower before you enter the water.

Follow these tips to avoid hazards when swimming in our lakes this summer:

• Before heading to your favorite lake, check if the beach is open on the Health Department website. If a swim ban is in place, do not swim in the lake.

• Avoid swimming in lakes after a large rain event, since rainfall can wash pollutants into lakes resulting in elevated bacteria levels.

• On Lake Michigan, don’t swim during times of heavy surf (i.e., high waves), which can overpower even the strongest swimmer. Know before you go and check the National Weather Service for any beach hazard advisories.

• On inland lakes, occasional harmful algae blooms may occur. Avoid areas where the water has a green or blue-green appearance. Re- port any algae blooms to the Health Department.

Throughout the summer, the Health Department samples 11 beaches along Lake Michigan four days per week: North Point Marina Beach, Winthrop Harbor, Illinois Beach State Park North Beach, Zion, Illinois Beach State Park South Beach, Zion, Illinois Beach State Park Resort Beach, Zion, Waukegan North Beach, Waukegan, Waukegan South Beach, Waukegan, Foss Park Beach, North Chicago, Lake Bluff Sunrise Beach, Lake Bluff , Forest Park Beach, Lake Forest, Park Avenue Beach, Highland Park, and Rosewood Beach, Highland Park.

The Health Department also samples Lake Bluff Dog Beach and Moraine Dog Beach once a week.

For more information on beach monitoring, please call Lake County Health Department’s Environmental Services at (847) 377-8020.

‘Love

Our River Day’

Celebrate the Fox River with “Love Our River Day” at McHenry Dam State Park on Sunday, June 11. There will be many activities and fun for all ages at this open house event.

Timed events

• 7:00 - 9:30 am Bird Walk w/ McHenry County

Audubon

• 8:00 a.m. - Noon - Guided Canoe Trip Down the River

- Pre-registration required @ $30/person

• 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. River Clean Up with Friends of Moraine Hills State Park

• 11:00 a.m. - Noon - Intro to Yoga under the pines with Yoga Bee Happy

• 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Free Copi Tasting!* Courtesy FOMHSP & IDNR *while supplies last - there will be 50 Copi sandwiches

• 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Fishing with Friends of Moraine Hills State Park

• 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Tai Chi Under the Pines with Jarett Sanchez, Fox Valley Tai Chi

• 1:30 - 2:15 p.m. Children’s Stories Along the River by Wauconda Library

• 2:15 - 3:00 p.m. Youth River Poems - Readings Along the River

Throughout the Day 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• RiverWatch volunteer network

• Libraries Under the Tent - Stories & Crafts

• Plein Air Painting along the Fox with David Becker, The Studio - BYO Paints

• Just Ducky - A River Ring-toss Migration Game

• River Critters with IDNR Conservation Police and others

Community briefs

Spring into Summer

Family Fest June 3

The Mundelein Beautification Committee and Tighthead Brewery present the Spring into Summer Family Fest on June 3 from noon to 4 p.m.

Event highlights include: kids activities, paint your own flowerpot, face painting, butterfly photo screen, and chalk art; free milkwee plants and marigold seed packet giveaway while supplies last; and adults can enjoy a Tighthead Brew, live entertainment and good food.

Free compost will be provided by SWALCO at the tool library from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Other exhibitors include: University of Illinois Master Gardeners, Lake county Forest Preserve, Ace Hardware, and Mundelein’s farmers market manager.

Entertainment will be provided by School of Rock, classic rock music from the 1960’s through today.

Tighthead Brewery is located at 161 N. Archer, Ave., Mundelein.

‘Artist’s Garden’

Antioch Fine Arts Foundation hosts monthly invitational exhibit opportunities open to the public. Carol Giannasi is shown with her piece “Artist’s Garden” at the opening reception for the May show, Art in Bloom. The Antioch Art Gallery and Education Center is located at 952 Main Street, Antioch. For more information visit antiochfinearts.org.

Tickets for The Great Outdoors Beer Trail on sale June 3

McHenry County Con- servation District will host

The Great Outdoors Beer Trail on Saturday, September 23 from 1-5 p.m. at Fel-Pro RRR, 1520 Crystal Lake Rd. in Cary. The event, now in its sixth year, is perfect for craft beer connoisseurs who also enjoy time spent in nature.

Event-goers can walk the one-mile paved path while sampling beers from various regional brewers.

Numerous local craft brewers will be pouring new arrivals and old favorites. The event will feature live music, local food trucks, and outdoor games.

Tickets will be available for purchase starting Saturday, June 3 at 8 a.m. at

MCCD.me/GOBT.

• Early Bird: $50 (Before August 1) -- Includes 3 oz. tastes from multiple brewers + souvenir tasting glass

• VIP: $60 (Limited tickets available) -- Includes onehour early access & promo goodie bag

• Late Bird: $60 (After July 31) -- Includes 3 oz. tastes from multiple brewers + souvenir tasting glass

• Designated Driver: $15 Includes water/soda & commemorative glass Participants must be 21 or older to attend. The site will be closed to all other visitors during the hours of the event. The event is dog friendly with leash required.