Another reason beets are good for your health

For those who haven't heard, Hanover Park Public Works is taking a new, more organic approach to fighting winter storms.

Director Howard Killian and company have begun using GeoMelt, which is basically beet juice that gets mixed with brine. The juice, which goes on roads before a storm hits, keeps ice from forming on the streets at temperatures as low as minus-30 degrees, making it a better ice-melting agent than standard road salt.

The beet-based solution offers environmental benefits since the village will cut its use of salt, which is corrosive to cars and roadways and harmful to bodies of water and vegetation.

So far, Hanover Park has used GeoMelt only for the Dec. 3 snowfall, but feedback has been positive.

Behold the power of the beet.

From 2007, with love: Having reached the end of Streamwood's 50th anniversary year, the Historical Society is sending future residents a way to start their celebration of the 100th.

A time capsule containing mementos and remembrances from both 1957 and 2007 has been sealed and will be buried near village hall in the spring.

Community members in 2057 will open the capsule and learn about life in two different eras, both long since passed by then.

Some of the village's original residents have written accounts of raising their families here in the 1950s and '60s, while other families have written about the experience of raising kids today.

The capsule also includes a memory book signed by attendees of this year's Summer Celebration, specifically addressed to the residents of 2057.

There are plans of Streamwood from the beginning and today, as well as village flags from both eras. Also inside are the program from Streamwood High School's 2007 graduation ceremony, a current village calendar and park district brochure, caps from this year's Summer Celebration and letters from local officials including state Rep. Fred Crespo.

The time capsule is made of materials and equipped with a locking mechanism meant to keep out the elements for half a century.

"We're hoping the things inside will survive," said Historical Society President Jill Ingram. "We've taken every precaution that we could."

The Historical Society has contacted a company on the Internet that provides time capsule "wake-up calls." It tracks time capsules and ensures that future officials will be contacted at the proper times to open them.

Modern Sugar Plum Fairy: The Bartlett Park District and Lisa's School of Dance will put on the third annual production of "The Nutcracker All Jazzed Up!" tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. and again tomorrow at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Bartlett Community Center, 700 S. Bartlett Road.

Local dancers will perform to Tchaikovsky's musical score, re-orchestrated in jazz, ballet, reggae and rock styles. Reservations are required. Tickets cost $7. Call (630) 540-4873.