I'll gladly sit in traffic while they fix the potholes
It was a treat to be totally stuck in traffic Thursday. Really. And it was all thanks to reader Don Fraas of West Dundee.
OK, make that Don and a few high-powered public officials. But it was Don who first contacted me almost two years ago about the rough ride on Route 31 at the Northwest Tollway. And his plea for help did yield some pothole patches at the time.
But the folks from the Illinois Department of Transportation are in full fix-it mode this week. Get ready for a wait going north and south on Route 31 near the tollway overpass. That puppy is down to bare bones, and it looks like we'll have a much smoother ride coming soon. Despite our impatience while waiting in construction back-ups, our hubcaps and axles sure do thank you.
No east or west test
An east-side Algonquin reader would like more such fix-its near his home. After seeing the complete resurfacing done near the Algonquin village hall and other west-side streets, he wondered if his side of town was getting short shrift. He's only seen patching on some of his area's main roads.
Never fear, Mr. East Side. Algonquin officials assure me your side of town has received plenty of attention, too. In fact, Village Manager Bill Ganek said the east-side roads were the priority in the village's five-year capital improvement plan for some time.
Among the east-side roads paved in the past year or two are River Road, Vista Drive (North, South and West), Chelsea Drive, Tamarac Drive, Carriage Drive, Linda Drive, Helen Drive, Stratford Lane, Meghan Avenue, Susan Court, Sandbloom south of Souwanas, Countryside Drive, Jennifer Court, Mohawk Trail, Deerpath Road, North Harrison Street, Front Street and a couple dozen more.
That said, Bill notes there are more potholes than dollars for immediate fixes, but it sounds like they're sure trying.
Cleanup time
Another Algonquin reader asked me to check to see if there is a special trash pickup for large items in the fall. The next free pickup is not until April, but you can call Waste Management to schedule appliance pickups anytime (for a small fee.)
Calling all women
Kathy Maynard of the Barrington Area Professional Women invites you ladies to their Oct. 4 dinner meeting and first member trade show to hear Catherine Lee, president of the Chicago chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, at Francesca's in Barrington. The nationwide group helps women entrepreneurs and welcomes you to network and learn with them. Call (847) 207-8403 by Sept. 28.
Book it
Looking for a good, cheap book? Kent Sprague tells me they'll have plenty of choices for you at the Algonquin Area Public Library fall sale Sept. 27 to 30. Mark your calendars. More than 22,000 hardbacks, soft covers, paperbacks, DVD's, CD's and videos are just waiting to go home with you. I'll have more details and a reminder in Wednesday's column.
Harvest fun
Meanwhile, how about a little time to kick back with this fine weather we're having? Ginny Kissamis invites us all to the third annual St. Charles Borromeo Harvest Festival, including a beer and wine garden, bands, bake sale, kids games, fresh sweet corn, pizza, sandwiches, hot dogs, cotton candy and more. They'll have a giant pumpkin moonwalk and fire truck slide, pumpkin painting, helium balloons, hayrides, bingo and music.
It's at 297 E. Jefferson St. in Hampshire. Take Route 72 west to State Street, then go north to Jefferson and east to the festival. Admission is free. Enjoy!
Hoedown time!
And don't forget the Country Auction from 6:30 to about 10 p.m. Saturday at St. James Boynton Parish Hall, Washington and North Sixth streets in West Dundee. Silent and live auctions, country music and lots of yummy food will set the scene at what sounds like a fun event. Call (847) 426-5612 for details.
Make mine rare
It could be a busy Saturday for you. You're also invited to stop by the Lake in the Hills American Legion Steak Fry from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Legion, 1101 W. Algonquin Road (that's just east of Pyott Road on the south side of Algonquin). Call (847) 658-2010 for details.