- Halloween Hours: Official Vernon Hills Trick or Treat hours are today (Tuesday, October 31) from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Drive with Caution: Please use extra caution when driving through the neighborhoods, as lots of folks will be out and about.
- Wait to Sample Your Snacks: Don't eat your treats until an adult has had a chance to check through. Adults, throw out any unwrapped candy, fruit, etc.
- Stay with Your Group: Trick or treat with a known adult or, for older children, with your group of friends. Take care of each other.
- Don't Go Inside: Do not accept invitations to go into a home unless you know that person. Otherwise, stay on the porch and on the sidewalks. Don't accept rides from unknown people, either.
- If Something Looks Suspicious – call 911: Vernon Hills Police will be out enjoying the night with everyone. But as always, don't hesitate to call 911 if you see any person, vehicle or situation that looks suspicious or out-of-place.
- More Safety Suggestions: More safety tips are found on the Village YouTube page and the VHPD.com Halloween Safety webpage. Have a happy Halloween!
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The VHHS trebuchet will be back in action during the Park District Pumpkin Launch on November 4. Photo from the Daily Herald/Mark Welsh, photographer.
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Trying to figure out what to do with your old jack-o-lanterns and pumpkins? Here are two options...
The Vernon Hills Park District Pumpkin Launch: This year's Pumpkin Launch is planned for Saturday, November 4 starting at 11 a.m. VHHS teacher Jason Rush and his students will set up the trebuchet for some spectacular pumpkin flinging. Other activities are also planned.
SWALCO Compost Collections: The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) has set up three pumpkin composting collections:
- Saturday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to noon at Village of Gurnee, 235 O'Plaine Rd, Gurnee
- Saturday, Nov. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at College of Lake County Parking Lot 3, Grayslake
- Sunday, Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Mundelein Park District Community Park Sled Hill
SWALCO encourages recycling and composting, and offers back-yard compost bins and accessories at a substantial discount from retailers. For information, visit www.swalco.org.
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Donate Your Old Phone to "Cell Phones for Soldiers"
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Are you waiting on the new iPhone? Or maybe you have an old cell phone or MP3 player you don't use any more? Consider donating your old items to the Village's Cell Phones for Soldiers collections. Your unused item will earn a rebate, which will help buy prepaid calling cards for our soldiers serving overseas. Each $5 earned recycling rebate results in an estimated 2.5 hours of free talk time. Items may be dropped off at the Vernon Hills Police Department, Village Hall or Public Works Facility. More information is found on the Village's Cell Phones for Soldiers webpage, or contact VHPD Community Service Officer Lon Paulausky at lpaulaus@vhills.org for assistance. Information about the organization, including it's history, is found at www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.
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Change Your Clocks –
Change Your Batteries
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Don't forget to move the clocks back one hour on Saturday night (November 4) as we "fall back" for the end of Daylight Savings Time. Countryside Fire reminds us that when we change our clocks, we should also change the batteries in all of our smoke detectors and CO alarms. If your units are more than 10 years old, it's time to replace them. More information is available on the Countryside Fire webpages.
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The Vernon Hills Skunk Removal and Assistance Program continues, with more than 28 reimbursement requests processed as of October 26. The program is a join effort by the Village of Vernon Hills and the Vernon Hills Park District. Residents interested in working with a licensed wildlife specialist to trap skunks on their property may qualify for a rebate of up to $75 per documented catch. More information, including required documentation, is on the Village's Skunk Removal and Assistance Program webpage.
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Village Tree/Menorah Lighting Planned for Nov. 25
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The 2017 Vernon Hills Holiday Tree and Menorah Lighting is planned for Saturday, November 25 at 4:30 p.m. Gather at the Vernon Hills Muni Golf Course club house (291 Evergreen Drive) for pre-lighting hot chocolate, snacks and conversation. Then head out to the giant pine tree as we count down for the Village Queens to help flip the switch. Santa himself is expected to arrive in style for a quick visit, thanks to our friends at Countryside Fire. Mark your calendar for the Saturday after Thanksgiving for this Vernon Hills tradition.
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Next Village Board Meeting is November 7
The next meetings of the Vernon Hills Village Board are planned for November 7, November 21 and December 5 (only one meeting in December). Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are held at Village Hall, 290 Evergreen Drive at Route 45. Residents are encouraged to attend meetings, as well as view them on the Village YouTube Channel and on Cable Access. Agendas and minutes are posted online.
A Few Items of Interest...
- Cougar Community Hustle for Harvey 5K on November 12: During the October 17 Vernon Hills Committee of the Whole meeting, Trustees approved a request from Vernon Hills High School to conduct a 5K run/walk on Saturday, November 12 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.. Proceeds of the event will go toward Hurricane Harvey disaster relief. Hats off to VHHS student Ryan Schofield for envisioning this event, and to members of the VHHS Girls Cross Country team for their support. (10-17-2017 Board Meeting) (Register here)
- Emergency Siren Replacement: The Village will proceed with plans to replace the 19-year-old emergency siren located in the Gregg's Landing neighborhood with a newer rotating unit with longer range. The Village will work with technicians to determine best placement, with current options being on a public access road near White Dear Run golf course or near the Park District maintenance facility. (10-17-2017 Board Meeting)
- Hawthorn Kindergarten Center Progress: Representatives from Hawthorn D73 are expected to be on hand for the November 21 Village Board Meeting in order to share progress on the Kindergarten Center wing planned for the north side of the Park District Sullivan Center. Road extensions required to facilitate bus and car traffic are expected to be addressed. (www.hawthorn73.org)
- The Residences at the Cuneo Mansion and Gardens: Pulte Homes continues work on 53 acres just north of the Cuneo Mansion. The company expects that 25 homes (out of 128 planned) will be occupied by the end of 2018. (Pulte Homes)
- VHPD Ford Utility Vehicles: In response to reports of carbon monoxide issues with Ford SUVs in other departments, VHPD has worked with Public Works to install CO detectors. These systems have been in place for some time, and have indicated no issues with the VHPD police fleet. (10-17-2017 Board Meeting)
- Shared Inspections & Coordinated Building Codes: Vernon Hills continues to work with Mundelein and Libertyville to share services for building inspections. The next step is to update all building codes and rules so that they mirror each other. That project is expected to be complete by December 2018.
- HomeGoods is In: HomeGoods has formalized their intent to be part of the new Mellody Farm retail/residential project. Other tenants are expected to include Nordstrom Rack and Whole Foods. (Regency Centers)
- Remaining Construction of Port Clinton Place/Route 45 Still In Play: During the November 7 meeting, developer Sy Taxman is expected to again address the Board regarding the remaining undeveloped portion of Port Clinton Place, located at Milwaukee and Route 45 in a Village TIF District. Taxman is is considering changing that development to from an 80-unit multi-family high rise to 18 town homes. That discussion began during the October 3 meeting. (10-3-2017 Board Meeting)
- Century Park Earns Arboretum Status: Vernon Hills Park District's Century Park has earned Arboretum Accreditation through the Morton Arboretum.
- Remke Industries, maker of electrical cable connectors, has opened at 730 Lakeview Parkway. (www.remke.com)
- Roosters Men's Grooming Center is open at 445 E Townline Road, with a grand opening celebration planned for Nov. 14. (www.roostersmgc.com)
- Openings on Police Pension and Zoning Board of Appeals: The Village is looking for residents willing to serve. For information, check last month's eNewsletter or contact Lynn DeAnda.
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The November 2017 Vernon Hills Update Web/Cable Show includes an introduction to the Discover Vernon Hills mobile app, a discussion with VH Police Chief Patrick L. Kreis, info about the Village Tree and Menorah Lighting Celebration, and some holiday safety tips from Countryside Fire.
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 Halloween Trick or Treat Hours – Tues., October 31 from 4 to 8 p.m. (Official hours for Vernon Hills)
Park District Pumpkin Launch – Sat., November 4 at 11 a.m. at Century Park North. VHHS teacher Jason Rush will break out his trebuchet and fling some pumpkins – plus more. Park District events
Daylight Savings Time Ends – Sat., November 4 – Clocks back 1 hour as we "fall back" – and change the batteries in your smoke and CO detectors!
Aspen Drive Library Principals Read – Mr. Fredricksen, Hawthorn Aspen Elementary – Wed., November 8 at 6:30 p.m. Cook Memorial Library
D128 The Big Event Fundraiser – Friday, November 10 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Mickey Finn's, Libertyville D128 Foundation
Cougar Community Hustle for Harvey 5K – Saturday, Nov. 12 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Vernon Hills High School Rustoleum Field. Proceeds support disaster relief efforts. (Register)
Village Tree & Menorah Lighting – Saturday, November 25 at 4:30 p.m. at Vernon Hills Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive Tree/Menorah Lighting
Last Yard Waste Collection – November 27 or 28. For information, check the Village's Trash & Yard Waste webpage, or contact Advance Disposal at 847-623-3870.
Park District New Year's Eve Family Party – Sun., December 31 at 4 p.m. Count down the New Year family style. Park District events
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Thank you all for reading. Suggestions? Questions?
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