Lake County Gazette

Following this afternoon's strong storms, ComEd's Outage Map indicated that 846 Highland Park residents were without power as of 3:50 PM on September 7. The Outage Map offers the most up-to-date status reports and estimated service restoration times for customers who would like to monitor the status of restoration efforts.

The potential for severe weather continues into the evening of September 7, and a severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 9 PM. Follow the US National Weather Service (weather.gov/lot) for the latest updates. 

ComEd is monitoring the weather carefully this evening. Call 1.800.EDISON1, go to ComEd.com, or use the ComEd App to report any outages, downed power lines, or downed tree limbs that are near or touching power lines. Do not attempt to drive over power lines or move debris from power lines. 

If you observe a tree limb, debris, or other obstruction in the roadway or public right-of-way, contact Public Works at 847.432.0807, or submit a service ticket at cityhpil.com/service.

For information regarding the removal of tree limbs or other debris on private property, please contact Lakeshore Recycling Services. LRS will accept landscape waste as part of the landscape waste program. Learn more at lrsrecycles.com, or call 773.685.8811.

To report interruptions in phone, cell phone, TV, or internet service, please contact your provider directly.

Fall Programming at the City of Highland Park Senior Center

Registration is about to begin for a wide variety of in-person and virtual programs at the Senior Center! Several day excursions are available, including a last day of racing at Arlington Racecourse and theatrical performances. Drive-thru events include a members-only ice cream social on September 10, a flu & COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Friday, October 15, and carry-away treats and meals for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and New Year's. Concerts include a Beatles tribute, a special Veterans Day program, and a holiday show. Zoom programming includes a series on Rodgers & Hammerstein and a speaker series. In-person favorites, including Bingo, canasta, art, and fitness classes are also available. Some in-person programs may be offered in a hybrid format. View a full listing of upcoming programs and descriptions in the latest issue of Shorelines.

Registration for Senior Center members begins on Thursday, September 9 at 9 AM. Open registration begins on Friday, September 17 at 9 AM.

All Senior Center programs are available to individuals age 50 and better; a nominal annual membership fee is required for participation in many of the free programs. To join as a member and to register for activities, visit cityhpil.com/seniorcenter or call 847.432.4110.

In addition, the Senior Center has announced new fall hours:

Monday - Thursday, 9 AM - 4 PM

Friday, 9 AM - 1 PM

Please note that the Senior Center is closed for facility maintenance on September 7 and 8, reopening on September 9 at 9 AM.

September 11 20th Anniversary Observance

The City of Highland Park, in partnership with the City of Highwood, the Highland Park Public Library, North Shore School District 112, the Park District of Highland Park, and Township High School District 113 – Highland Park High School, will mark the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks with a solemn ceremony of remembrance on Saturday, September 11, 2021.

The ceremony will begin at 9:00 AM at Fire Station #33, 1130 Central Ave., Highland Park. 

Although the event will be held in a well-ventilated indoor/outdoor space, consistent with guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health all attendees are encouraged to wear face coverings at all times. For those who prefer to attend virtually, the event will be livestreamed on the City’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

For more information, please contact the City Manager’s Office at 847.926.1000 or visit the Facebook event.

Bitter Jester Music Festival Winner: Summer Drive

Congratulations to the winner of the 15th annual Bitter Jester Music Festival, Summer Drive! This talented band took home the grand prize of $1,000 and multi-track recording, with 2020's original song winners Pretoria taking second and the Adem Dalipi Band finishing third at Sunday's Grand Finale Concert. Cash prizes for the first, second, and third place finishers were generously sponsored by the First Bank of Highland Park.

Thank you to all the outstanding young performers and the team at the Bitter Jester Foundation for a summer of great music, and a fantastic show over Labor Day weekend! Many thanks to the event sponsors and participating local businesses who made the season special, including Judy's Pizza, Sweet Home Gelato, Ravinia Brewing Company, the Highland Park Community Foundation, the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, the Highland Park Public Library, Chicago North Shore Moms, and media sponsor 101.9 FM The Mix. Special thanks to the Park District of Highland Park and Township High School District 113 for hosting the Sept. 5 festivities at The Preserve and Wolters Field.

COVID-19 Updates

• The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has released an FAQ regarding face covering and vaccination requirements.
• The CDC has issued updated information for individuals suffering from post-COVID conditions.
• Planning any fall travel? Check in with the CDC's travel recommendations first.
• NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci and CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky report that epidemiologists are carefully tracking the Mu variant. However, the Delta variant continues to dominate in the US, representing 99% of cases. Both Dr. Fauci and Dr. Walensky urge vaccination against COVID-19 and community health measures, such as masking in indoor public spaces, as vital to protecting those who cannot be vaccinated, especially areas of high community transmission.
• In Season at the Ravinia Farmers Market

A bountiful harvest continues at this week’s Ravinia Farmers Market, Wednesday, September 8 from 7 AM -1 PM at Jens Jensen Park in the Ravinia Business District. Look for zucchini and summer squash, eggplant, peppers, beans, sweet corn, greens and lettuces, cucumbers, herbs, heirloom tomatoes, Michigan peaches, and nectarines, plums, summer apples, berries, and even more seasonal, local, and organically grown produce! 

Live music is sponsored by the Highland Park Community Foundation, with the Diamondback Country Duo playing at 11:30 AM.

Food Truck Thursdays

The 2021 Food Truck Thursdays season closes this Thursday, September 9. Beginning at 4:30 PM in Jens Jensen Park, enjoy music from Aloha City Strummers (4:30 - 5:45 PM) and The Acoustic Generation (6:15 - 8:15 PM) while you sample delicious menu items from a variety of food trucks and Highland Park restaurants. Many thanks to all the food trucks, restaurants, and team for a summer of great food and music! 

Learn more about Food Truck Thursdays.

Save the Date: Energy Efficiency WebinarMark your calendar! Plan to attend a webinar to learn how you can save energy and money for your home or business with the North Shore Gas Energy Efficiency Programs. Two webinars will be presented on October 6: 10 AM for businesses and 6:30 PM for home customers.