Black Diamond Acquires Progressive Heating & Air

Local plumbing company teams up with Wauconda heating company.

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.

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Crystal Lake Shooting Range to Open Wednesday

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 …

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Nominate Your Crystal Lake Hero for General Motors Contest

Winners of ‘Our Town, Our Heroes’ program will receive $500 in gift cards and a one-week loan on a new GM vehicle.

The “Our Town, Our Heroes” program, sponsored by General Motors, is looking for people “who inspire others and drive positive change” in the Crystal Lake community. In its second year, the contest held throughout Illinois aims to highlight the accomplishments of those who truly make a difference. Potential nominees could include teachers, coaches, veterans, parents, friends or anyone else who goes above and beyond to serve others. “We want to recognize the unsung heroes who inspire others and make a difference in the community,” said General Motors communications manager Brian Goebel. GM is seeking nominations through November. One finalist will be chosen every month based on the most votes received on the Our Town, Our Heroes website. The…

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Patch Arm Me

The Greatest Cappuccino Ever Made

The Arm Me makes cappuccinos and roasts coffee beans.

The Arm Me learned a lot about coffeee, mostly that there are people in this world that spend a lot of time learning about coffee.

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Michael Bivona

2:00 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012

Pam, If you'd like a cappuccino made the way you see it in the video I'm sure the Shipleys would allow me backstage to create another masterpiece.   more ›

Panera Offering Free Coffee

"Warm Up Wednesday" to run throughout February.

Wake up! Roll out of bed! Drag a comb across your head! And find your way downstairs to drink a cup of free coffee! Panera, located at 6000 Northwest Hwy in Crystal Lake, is offering free coffee during their "Warm Up Wednesdays" throughout February from 7 to 9 a.m. So find your coat and grab your hat and grab some free coffee.

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Crystal Lake Native Joins Hauser Group as Intern

Jenna Matzer joins public relations agency.

Jenna Matzer of Crystal Lake has joined the Hauser Group as a spring intern. According to the Hauser Group, Matzer will be working side by side with the company’s experienced team and gain insight into the daily activities of a public relations agency. Matzer is a senior at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) in Edwardsville, Ill., and will graduate this May with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication, with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in Psychology. For the past three years, Matzer has served as the public relations chairperson for the SIUE chapter of Up ‘til Dawn, a student organization dedicated to raising money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. She also served as the publicity and advertising …

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Nick's Receives $25K Grant, Business Looking Up

Nick's owner made some waves in September when he sent an email plea to customers.

Nick’s Pizza & Pub's up and down fortunes took an upward swing recently when they were named the recipient of Intuit Inc.’s “Love a Local Business” small business grant program. The Crystal Lake pizza pub received word in November that a frequent guest had nominated them for the $25,000 grant. “We’ve turned a corner financially, and with Intuit’s generosity, I can now refocus my attention on continuing to hire the right people and growing our company,” Nick's Founder and CEO Nick Sarillo said. Sarillo created headlines in September when he sent out an email to longtime customers, asking them to help save his business, which, he said, would be going under if things didn’t change soon. "We overbuilt and overspent, and then we didn’t cut fast…

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Weather Frightful for Some, Delightful for Others

Balmy weather a downer for owners of snowplows and salt sellers.

Kathy Raycraft, who works at Geske & Sons Asphalt Paving, said she’s personally enjoying the warm weather, but it’s having an effect on the bottom line at her work. Wintertime the paving company she works for refits the front ends of construction equipment with snowplows. She estimated that an eighth of the yearly revenue at her work comes from clearing snow for clients — from the parking lots of office buildings and shopping centers. “We haven’t even been able to spread much salt yet either,” Raycraft said. She said she feels guilty enjoying the warm weather. But temperatures will drop and the flakes will fall. She’s confident of that. “In the next week or two, it’s going to get colder,” Raycraft said. At the Crystal Ice House, where you …

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Kohl's Hosting Job Fair for New Store in Woodstock

New store to open in March with 130 new jobs for area.

Kohl’s Department Stores opens its Woodstock store in March and the company is holding a job fair Jan. 15 to 19 to fill approximately 130 positions. Applicants should visit www.kohlscareers.com or call 877-639-5645 to schedule an interview and to obtain additional information regarding time and location. The job fair will take place Jan. 15 and 16 from 10:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.; Jan. 17 from 12:15 to 7:30 p.m.; and Jan. 18 and 19 from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Crystal Lake Conference Center, 800 S. Route 31 in Crystal Lake. For new stores, Kohl’s needs register operators, department associates, customer service associates, early a.m. freight unloaders and evening ad set associates. Kohl’s associates receive competitive …

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Crystal Lake's Sears OK for Now, Verdict Still Out on Kmart

Mayor Shepley is concerned for both businesses.

City officials received word that the crippled Sears Holdings Corporation will not be closing its Sears store in Crystal Lake any time soon.  Michelle Rentzsch, director of planning and economic development for the city, said Tuesday night that she was recently notified that the Sears store at 105 Northwest Highway would remain open. But she has yet to receive word whether the Kmart in Crystal Lake, at 6000 Northwest Highway, would also stay in business. “I was in Sears yesterday,” Mayor Aaron Shepley said following Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. “It was not very crowded. Yes, I’m concerned. “… But I’m glad to hear they will remain in business. I’m pulling for them.  My feelings are the same for Kmart. I want business here to …

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