Carpentersville readies for bikes and brews
If you needed a reason to check out the Chicago Cyclocross Classic when it criss-crosses Carpentersville's Carpenter Park in October, the village board added one last week.
Not only can spectators watch men, women and children take on the challenging course that includes water hazards, sand boxes, gravel pits, hills and hurdles, they can also enjoy a cold beverage on the sidelines.
The village will host the first-ever Chicago Cyclocross Octoberfest on Sunday, Oct 19, complete will food vendors and a beer garden. Village President Bill Sarto issued the event a special liquor license to allow organizers to sell beer in the park, located at the corner of Lord and Maple avenues in the village's Old Town area.
The cyclocross, which is a mix of competitive running and cycling, begins mid-morning and the fest is expected to get into full swing just before lunchtime. Several vendors are already signed up and entertainment for children and adults is also lined up. The fest will include inflatables for the kids and live music for the older crowd.
Jeff Provisor, owner of Main Street Bicyces, which is hosting the cyclocross race, said he wanted to include a beer garden since the sport has deep roots in Belgium, France and Germany. Now he can have his Bavarian-themed fest, though I am not sure if organizers have hired polka musicians or if they will sport a pair of lederhosen.
Going for two: Also on the sporting front, Carpentersville resident Steve Janowiak continues his quest today to complete two Ironman Triathlons in one week. Steve is racing in the two events, the second of which is Sunday, Sept. 7, in Madison, Wis., to raise awareness and money for aplastic anemia research. The rare bone marrow disorder almost claimed his wife, Joanna's life a few years ago. She is now in remission.
Last Sunday, Steve competed in the Louisville Ironman and finished the race in just over 13 hours and that's despite swimming off course, battling stomach problems during the bike ride and running with sore feet for the 26.2 mile run.
He admits doubt crept into his mind during the marathon but said he does feel good enough to race in Wisconsin today.
If you would like to support Steve and help him reach his goal of raising $15,000 for the Aplastic Anemia Society, or to track his progress, visit his Web page at 2foraa.blogspot.com.
Real estate transfer tax?: Voters in West Dundee can expect to see a question on the Nov. 4 ballot asking whether or not the village should impose a real estate transfer tax. The tax would be imposed on buyers of a home at the rate of $5 per $1,000 of the value of the home. Those moving from one West Dundee residence to another are exempt from the tax.
Village officials say the tax is needed to fill a $350,000 gap in the village's budget created by ailing sales tax revenues.
Village officials had mulled other tax alternatives such as a food and beverage tax, increased property taxes or a refuse collection fee to fill the six-figure deficit, but the board ultimately decided a real estate transfer tax was the most fair since it was a one-time fee and only applied to those moving into the village and using village services for which they had not previously contributed.
The village trustees voted unanimously last week to draw up a question to pose to voters.