Highland Park Report

So I guess most people can’t believe that anything good came from the terrorist attacks on September 11.  But nearing the 5 year anniversary, there has been some changes in local security and safety, which should leave all of us feeling safe and secure, even though we live in a world where that is merely impossible.   Because of  the attacks, local emergency responders, airports and libraries and villages and towns have all undergone vast improvements.  Local police and fire departments have received more federal money for programs, training and equipment since the attacks occurred.  So there’s something good, more money, grants and federal funding for local agencies.  That’s a pretty big deal considering what it was like before, and the fact that the government doesn’t like to shell out money.  So much training has taken place since that horrific day, especially these past few months.  Drills have taken place in Highland Park, other Northshore communities and in downtown Chicago.  With the mutual aid law in the state of Illinois, tons of help will be on hand in the case of an emergency.  Not only have emergency officials been trained for terrorist attacks, but for natural disasters such as the one from Hurricane Katrina.  Local officials are taking everything seriously, which is such a good thing to know.  It’s amazing the amount of money that has been granted for our lifesaving, hardworking emergency officials.  They are now able to buy air packs for firefighters, respirators for police officers and vehicles and new forms of communication between other community police and fire officials, such as box-alarm systems to call for additional aid.  Even local airports that never carry more than 20 passengers have been able to make improvements.  They’ve made changes that now include background checks on the 40 full-time employees and 36 part-time employees wo work for eight companies the airport has.

Technorati Tags: Highland Park, September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Highland Park police department, Highland Park fire department

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The Heller Honey Harvest is incredibly bountiful this year, with 400 pounds more honey than last year.  For the beekeeping program, students, residents, and those wanting local honey for Rosh Hashanah September 23, this is good news.  Highland Park is known for the land of milk and honey, and 3,600 pounds of the honey is now on sale in one-pound jars for the public.

The fact that Highland Park does this is amazing.  Educational programs to teach families and interested students about honey bees, Apis mellifera and making candles is something I never was able to even consider learning about where I come from.  It is such a neat opportunity that is fairly rare.  The programs are available in September and November.   The park district of Highland Park offers a year-round program at the Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Road, with the opportunity for students in schools and residents at the center to learn about beekeeping.  Not only do you get to learn about beekeeping, and making candles, but the money raised from the honey sales and candles is used and put back into the park district programs.  The program has expanded significantly through the years, as more and more volunteers keep coming out.  Apparently, the extraction went well, with few stings and new equipment used to help harvest the honey.  You can find the honey at Sunset Food stores: 1812 Green Bay Road, Highland Park; 1451 West Peterson Road, Libertyville;  825 South Waukegan Road, Lake Forest; and 1921 Raymond Drive, Northbrook, as well as at the Nature Center itself.  Be sure to make it to the Heller Nature Center on September 16 from 10 a.m. to noon to catch an adult and family program to learn more about honey bees.  You can see the honey bee colonies along with extracting honey from frames where the bees store it.

Technorati Tags: Highland Park, Il, Heller Honey Harvest, Heller Nature Center, Sunset Food Stores, Libertyville, Lake Forest, Northbrook

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This Saturday and Sunday, Highland Park will host its annual Port Clinton Art Festival, featuring over 250 vendors, ranging from paint to sculpture to metal.  The festival is at Central Ave and First Street, run by Amdur productions.  This is a great festival to go to, and you can even purchase art for under $50!

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life will be in Highland Park this weekend at Sunset Woods park.  It is the final event in Lake county for the cancer society.  The relay features a lot of special events, including entertainment, food, a special guest appearance by Chicago Bears’ tackle Keith Van Horne, a silent auction, and a midnight luminaria walk for reflection for those lost to cancer.  The Highland Park volunteer team is working to raise $123,000 of $1.3 million the Lake County area plans to raise with their 10 community events.  Whether or not you know anyone fighting cancer, or have lost the battle with cancer, please come out and help support a good cause.

Technorati Tags: Highland Park, Il, American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, Sunset Woods Park, Chicago Bears, Keith Van Horne, Lake County, Port Clinton Art Festival

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