Sunday, May 20, 2012
Illinois lawmakers are again looking to expand gambling options in Illinois.
Illinois lawmakers are considering plans to add more casinos as the state continues to grapple with budget woes. The latest proposals would place casinos in Danville, Rockford and Waukegan. Another proposal would allow for slot machines to be operated at race tracks like Arlington Park, the Alton Daily News reported. The bills are sponsored by Terry Link (D-Waukegan) in the Senate and Lou Lang (D-Skokie) in the House. Gov. Pat Quinn has called the legislation to, once again, expand gambling in Illinois "a distraction." Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been pushing for a Chicago casino. A Chicago casino is something that officials in the city long have sought. As far back at 1993, Mayor Daley proposed an $800 …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
It's time to vote for this week's Chowdown Showdown champion.
Over the past week, we asked readers to tell us where their favorite place to get a cup of coffee in McHenry County. Thanks for the feedback. We have two finalists for this Chowdown: Cafe Firefly, 301 S. Main St. in Algonquin, and Concscious Cup Coffee Roasters, 5005 Northwest Highway in Crystal Lake. Here is how you can vote for your favorite restaurant: The winner will be determined based on a combination of poll results, ratings and comments. Voting will continue through 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 22. The winner will be announced in an article that will be posted the morning of Wednesday, May 23. Without further ado, let the voting begin for this week's Chowdown Showdown champion!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Last Day to Vote in Chowdown Showdown Coffee Challenge
Monday, May 14, 2012
The local frozen yogurt chain has stores located in Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills.
A local frozen yogurt chain with locations in Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills recently announced aggressive plans to expand with 100 more stores in the next two years, according to a Marketwire press release. Yumz Gourmet Frozen Yogurt plans to add 25 locations in the Chicago area and will 75 additional stores throughout the United States, according to the press release. There are currently 30 stores in the works for Madison, Milwaukee, Scottsdale, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and Spokane. Yumz was founded by owners Matt and Lori Thelander and John Barnes. The first store opened in Crystal Lake, at 5006 Northwest Highway, in November 2010. The second store opened in July 2011 at 277 Randall Road in Lake in the Hills, according to the …
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Check out where you can find trinkets for Mother's day. Get out and explore the unique local shops and all they have to offer.
A photography business started 25 years ago in a Crystal Lake basement thrives today as one of the downtown's most cherished retail establishments at 33 N. Williams St. CLIX has morphed from the photography studio into a gift shop featuring home furnishings; children's toys, games and clothing; jewelry; greeting cards; games; wedding gifts and much more. Owner Ann Nevills discontinued the photography aspect of her business about five years ago in order to focus on the merchandise aspect of her store. She felt she had gone as far as she wanted with studio photography at the time and was looking for fresh adventures in retailing. Yours and Meyn, Simply Designed is a popular destination in historic Downtown Crystal Lake for home furnishings…
Local plumbing company teams up with Wauconda heating company.
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Saturday, May 12
Black Diamond Plumbing and Mechanical, Inc. has acquired Progressive Heating and Air Conditioning, of Wauconda, to increase their market share in Lake County. “This acquisition will allow us an opportunity to offer new services, such as radiant heating, as well as strengthening our commitment to customer service," Black Diamond President, Rick Sperando, said. "We can truly become our clients’ one stop shop for all of their home comfort and indoor air quality needs.” Black Diamond is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all residential and commercial needs. Contact Black Diamond at (815) 444-0979 or visit www.BlackDiamondToday.com.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Congrats to The Texan in Algonquin — this week's Chowdown Showdown champion.
After a week of taking votes from local Patch.com readers, The Texan in Algonquin has been chosen as the best place to get ribs in McHenry County. Patch.com readers in McHenry County chose The Texan, Chris's Coach House in Cary and Crystal Lake Rib House in Crystal Lake as finalists in this round of the Chowdown. Voting closed for the Chowdown at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The Texan lead our Chowdown poll with 62 votes — 72 percent of the vote total. Crystal Lake Rib House had 17 votes or 20 percent of the vote total and Chris's Coach House in Cary had six votes or 7 percent of the vote total. Check out this week's Chowdown Showdown Challenge — we are looking for the best coffee house in McHenry County. Let us know your favorite place to get …
Monday, May 7, 2012
Long-awaited range is finally opening just north of Rte. 176.
The long-awaited, and somewhat controversial, shooting range is finally opening its doors this week in Crystal Lake. Originally called Straight Shooters and expected to open June 2011, On Target Range and Tactical Training Center will open at 10 a.m. Wednesday at 560 Beechcraft Lane in Crystal Lake. The shooting range was approved by the Crystal Lake City Council in November 2010 even though a number of Nunda Trail residents objected. The residents weren't objecting to firearms, they objected to the increased traffic, possible pollution from lead bullets, and noise and safety issues. Twelve Nunda Trail households had submitted a letter to the city's Planning and Zoning Committee asking the request be denied on those grounds. Several of …
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with these Patch Picks.
Cinco de Mayo is one of those "holidays" that everyone can embrace for fun. Ironically, it is not celebrated as widely in Mexico, but American alochol marketers have embraced the day. In that spirit, Patch Picks has five Mexican foods and drinks you can try to commemorate Cinco de Mayo. 1. Tequila anejo Añejo tequila is an aged tequila that is made by different manufacturers. It is best consumed as a single shot followed by salt and lime. You can find this tequila at most Crystal Lake liquor stores. 2. Mole Sauce The ingredients in this dish includes nuts so if you’re allergic, avoid it. Otherwise, it’s a scrumptious, spicy, chocolate sauce that melts in your mouth. A number of Crystal Lake restaurants offer mole enchiladas. Try it and …
Friday, May 4, 2012
Shoppers can win gift certificates for buying local during the summer event.
Crystal Lake is offering shoppers the chance to win gift certificates for shopping local this summer. The I Shop Crystal Lake contest began May 1 and ends July 31. Shoppers who make at least $200 in purchases from Crystal Lake businesses will be eligible for a drawing for I Shop Crystal Lake gift certificates. Participants must submit an entry form with copies of their receipts totaling at least $200. The drawing will occur Aug. 2. The entry form is attached to this article and is available on the I Shop Crystal Lake website. The prizes for the summer contest are: I Shop Crystal Lake is a program launched by the city's economic development committee that aims to encourage shopping local. It provides free tools to support local businesses, …
Cindy Tessman
10:02 pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012
No it is not a good idea at all. Cook County can not handle the money that comes in now. All it will create is for more crooks to dip into the pot and screw us. The Lottery is suppose to go to the schools............if that is so then why does the schools have to cut back in activities for the kids now. This state nor county hasnt a clue how to handle money.......they only know how to take the … more ›