Sure thing some musicians won't be at music fest

It was a busy week in Hoffman Estates, and I'm told that I have to keep this short. From some of the reactions to last week's column, some readers are happy with fewer of my words.

The Sears Centre arena is still planning an outdoor food and music fest for September. But it seems all musical acts mentioned last week at the village board meeting were merely examples of acts that could perform.

So, to clear things up, none of the acts mentioned has signed on -- and, their agent tells us, aren't available.

Sears Centre officials were more than a bit agitated with me for the column. They'll let the public know which acts will play when the deals are set and they're ready to promote the event, if and when it all comes together.

Also, be aware this is the first time Sears Centre officials have planned this type of outdoor musical event at the arena and they'll have to seek village approval on future events individually.

We know this for sure, these acts are not playing: The Beatles, The Doors, Tupac, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, the Ramones and Elvis. Just to be abundantly clear, none of those performers will be there and were never mentioned before in connection with the event, so don't expect them to show.

Cop land: It was also a busy week for Hoffman Estates police, starting with the May 13 Homeland Security drill at the Sears Centre.

Police Chief Clinton Herdegen said it was the first of its kind in Cook County, as emergency crews practiced handing out antibiotics to residents in case of a bioterrorist event, such as the spread of anthrax.

Officials hoped for 3,000 volunteers to play victims, because the larger the crowd, the more realistic the exercise. But there was little sense of a pandemic event as around 800 volunteers went through the drill over four hours. Some of the police told me that the conditions were too relaxed and they weren't as focused as they would be under a real threat.

Herdegen has also said he was disappointed that Cook County President Todd Stroger's appearance -- and the handshake snub by Hoffman Estates Officer Vince Pusateri -- overshadowed the actual drill.

The week concluded Saturday morning at Hoffman Estates High School as 260 prospective cops showed up for the police testing. Actually, it was 261, as I went through the physical and mental exams.

But more on that later. I'm out of space.

Do you have any interesting Hoffman Estates story ideas? Send them along to Ashok Selvam at (847) 427-4475 or aselvam@dailyherald.com.