village government riverwoods...may 05, 2019 · from the pentagon to the state of hawaii. ......
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Riverwoods Joins Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods in Welcoming Amory Lovins and Judy Hill Lovins – 2019 Honorees at Smith Nature Symposium & Benefit June 1
Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods will honor leading environmentalists Amory Lovins and Judy Hill Lovins at its 36th annual Smith Nature Symposium & Benefit, Saturday, June 1, 2019.
The Symposium is a celebration of nature, the arts, and individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the
science of conservation and deepened the study and understanding of the natural world.
“Brushwood Center is honored to recognize Judy and Amory with our distinguished environmental leadership award,” said A. Gail Sturm, Chair of the Brushwood Board of Directors.
“Amory is a global sustainability trailblazer. He promoted the practice of energy efficiency long before it became corporate common sense. Judy has dedicated her life to revealing the beauty of our planet’s natural areas through photography.”
As chief scientist and chairman emeritus of Rocky Mountain Institute’s (RMI) board of trustees, the 60-year-old Lovins helms one of the nation’s preeminent sustainability organizations, with clients that range from the Pentagon to the state of Hawaii. Lovins himself has published 29 books on environmental- and energy-related topics and regularly provides advice to both captains of industry and international political leaders. Nineteen heads of state have lined up to shake his hand and get an earful. Bill Clinton is an old friend. Bill Joy, the cofounder of Sun Microsystems, is a client.
A childhood concert pianist, Lovins grew up in Massachusetts and studied physics at Harvard and Oxford before writing a seminal, 10,000-word article, “Energy Strategy: The Road Not Taken,” for Foreign Affairs in 1976. The piece spelled out the divergent strategies the United States faced for meeting its growing energy demands: Build more coal and nuclear-power plants and increase dependence on foreign oil (the “hard path”), or make better use of existing energy supplies, develop new ones, and increase efficiency (the
Judy Hill Lovins and Amory Lovins pose at their passive-solar home and office in Old Snowmass, Colorado, which doubles as the headquarters for the Rocky Mountain Institute.
V I L L A G E
G O V E R N M E N T
All Village Board Meetings
are held at the Village Hall
at 300 Portwine Road.
Meetings are open to the
public and residents are
encouraged to attend.
Riverwoods Village Board1st and 3rd Tuesdays at
7:30pm. May 21, June 4, 18,
July 2 and 16.
Riverwoods Plan Commission 1st Thursday at 7:30pm. June 6.
G E T I N V O L V E D
I N R I V E R W O O D S
Riverwoods Preservation Council (RPC)
David Shimberg, president
Riverwoods Residents Association (RRA)
Jill Kaplan
847-945-0062
Riverwoods Book Club
June Melber
847-940-7086
Plant Sale CommitteeSheila Hollander
847-945-4879
RiverwoodsV I L L A G E V O I C E
Riverwoods Village Voice
May/June 2019
Volume 23/Issue 3
VillageofRiverwoods.com
V I L L A G E V O I C E
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S E N D I N T H O S E
L E T T E R S !
Letters from residents and Riverwoods homeowners’ associations are invited and en-couraged. Preferred length: ap-proximately 250 words or less, typed. All letters must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Letters may be printed, space permitting, but may be edited for grammar, clarity and length. If contro-versial topics are addressed, the editor will seek opposing viewpoints for balance. Deadline for the July/August issue: June 20, 2019 Send to: Editor Riverwoods Village Voice 300 Portwine Road Riverwoods, IL 60015 [email protected]
R I V E R W O O D S
V I L L A G E V O I C E
Riverwoods Village Voice is published bimonthly by the Village of Riverwoods. The purpose is to provide a commu-nication forum and informa-tion for residents. The views expressed in the newsletter are not necessarily those of the Mayor or members of the Board of Trustees. Editor: Jackie Borchew. Any resident wishing to become a newsletter staff volunteer please call the Village Hall at 847-945-3990 and leave your name and phone number.
L E T T E R F R O M T H E M A Y O R
Once again we have the sad task
of saying goodbye to a trustee leaving the
Board after years of service to the Village.
Kris Ford will be leaving after six years as
a trustee. During her time on the Board,
Kris helped us update our investment
structure, cash projections, and other
treasury functions. These changes have
enabled the Village to realize a better
return on the Village funds. Kris has also
served as our representative to the NSSRA
and has volunteered to continue in that
position. Before becoming a trustee, Kris
served on the Plan Commission, as well
as numerous Village and community
committees. We will miss her on the
Board.
Our sadness in losing Trustee Ford
is tempered by being able to welcome a
new trustee, Michael Clayton. A native of
Chicago, Mike and his family have lived
in the Village for over 15 years. Reflecting
his love of Riverwoods, Mike been active in
many areas. He is a past president of the
Vernon Woods Road Association and a past
president of the Riverwoods Preservation
Council. We are sure he will be a welcome
addition to the Board.
John W. NorrisMayor, Village of Riverwoods
A Community GardenR E S I D E N T S I N T E R E S T E D I N A V I L L A G E C O M M U N I T Y G A R D E N ,
P L E A S E E M A I L S H E I L A H O L L A N D E R A T S H E I L A H O L @ C O M C A S T . N E T .
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R I V E R W O O D S V I L L A G E B O A R D O F
T R U S T E E S
John NorrisMayor/Board President847-945-6293 jnorris@rvillageofriverwoods.
com
V I L L A G E T R U S T E E S
Cheryl ChamberlainExternal Communications/ Bike Path/[email protected]
Kris FordNSSRA/Treasurer [email protected]
Eric GoldsteinCommunications/IT/[email protected]
Michael HaberLegal/Public [email protected]
Henry HollanderRoads/Zoning/Planning and Land [email protected]
Rick JamersonPolice/[email protected]
C O M M U N I T Y S E R V I C E S
Village Board of Trustees Meeting Notes
The following is a summary of ordinances,
resolutions, and non-routine matters considered by
the Board of Trustees from the meeting minutes of
March 5 and 19. Read the entirety of these minutes,
including the current Police reports and Plan
Commission reports on the Village of Riverwoods
website at www.villageofriverwoods.com.
March 19
ENGINEER’S REPORT
Village Engineer Pat Glenn introduced
Ashley Strelcheck from the Lake County
Stormwater Management Commission, to
discuss the Des Plaines River Watershed-Basin
Plan. There are 15 communities that have
adopted this Resolution. The Watershed Plan
encompasses more than 230 square miles.
There are seven goals including improving
and protecting water quality, protecting and
improving natural resources and regional
green infrastructure, flood damage reduction,
installation and maintenance of storm water
infrastructure, community and agency
coordination, sustainable agricultural systems
and education and outreach.
Ms. Strelcheck noted that each project needs
partners. There are more than 3630 projects
that were compiled from field assessments.
They have a plan implementation that
includes milestones. The plan will be updated
in 10 years. She is looking for support.
Trustee Jamerson questioned whether the
plan should be updated sooner, as the outlook
he read was not favorable. It was explained
that this was a live working document
that will be continually updated. Trustee
Chamberlain asked about Riverwoods’
involvement. Ms. Strelcheck explained they
are looking for feedback and any kind of
participation. Trustee Chamberlain noted it
would be a benefit to be aware of what the
watershed group is doing as well as some
participation.
Rob DurningDirector of Community [email protected]
Bruce Dayno Chief of [email protected]
Tom KruegerFire Chief Lincolnshire/Riverwoods Fire Protection District847-634-2512
PLAN COMMISSION REPORT
Village Attorney Huvard noted that the Plan
Commission concluded the public hearing on
the senior group home continued the hearing
on the senior group home and came up with a
motion for no more than six unrelated people
living in the home. The Board will discuss this
after the Plan Commission report is received.
The owner of 777 Saunders asked for a hand
car wash. Staff will meet to help them fine
tune their request.
Community Services Director Rob Durning
reminded residents that if you have a notice in
your window that you do not want solicitors,
they are not allowed to come to your door.
The Village has a solicitation ordinance that is
several years old.
INFORMATION ITEMS AND COMMENTS
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Report on Engage Riverwoods Results – Mayor
Norris noted there were some flaws in one
question on the survey that could have resulted
in bias in the numbers of that specific question.
Electronic written responses were slightly
more favorable while the written were 100%
negative. Mayor Norris noted the response rate
was less than 10 percent of the residents. Most
of the responses were in the middle. Trustee
Chamberlain noted 10 percent is actually an
acceptable number of responses for a survey
of this type, but she will check with the
MindMixer representative. She questioned
whether the Board would like to send the
numbers to the committee, and they will help
assimilate the numbers. The Board needs to
determine how it will be used.
Trustee Chamberlain questioned whether
the Board should make assumptions beyond
the actual numbers received and comments.
Trustee Haber believes the survey has provided
the Board with a lot of guidance. He does
not believe there is overwhelming cry for
the project because only 135 responses were
received. Trustee Haber commented those that
responded were split on the project 50-50 at
best.
Village resident Laura Baumann questioned
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Village resident Sherry Graditor heard the residents saying
they were happy the Village hosted an event for adults.
New Business
DONATION POLICY REVIEW
Mayor Norris noted the two requests for donations, Center
for Enriched Living and Deerfield Parents Network, were not
included in the packets. The committee is recommending a
lower maximum contribution of $1500. In the past, there was a
$5000 maximum. The rest of the criteria will remain the same,
but there are no guarantees a donation would be granted.
Trustee Ford noted the Village is being more conservative of
spending outside of the Village. Trustee Haber questioned
whether the Village should make a decision to do away with
donations rather than just reduce the amount. Trustee
Chamberlain noted there was no official maximum, but $5000
was the amount the Board had used in practice. The Board can
make a decision on any donations. Trustee Chamberlain would
like to do away with most donations, but if the Board considers
them, Trustee Chamberlain would want to know how the
organizations interact with Riverwoods and Riverwoods
residents.
Mayor Norris noted some organizations such as After-Prom
and the Deerfield Parents Network are not charities, per se, but
include our residents. He questioned how those organizations
would be considered. Trustee Ford noted they would still
complete an application. The application process would not
go away; the Board would still make a decision. Mayor Norris
questioned whether the Village should consider donations
at all. Trustee Jamerson believes things like the Explorers,
After-Prom and the Parent’s Network should receive donations,
but organizations that have fundraising abilities should not
receive donations. Deerfield only gives money to the high
school.
Mayor Norris summarized the Trustees only want to donate to
organizations that directly benefit the Riverwoods community.
how the survey data was gathered and the integrity of the data.
March 5
TREASURER’S REPORT
Daniele Driscoll, Vice President, JPMorgan Securities, and
Michael Kearney, Vice President, JP Morgan Securities, were
present. Mr. Kearney presented an overview of the Village
investment portfolio. He discussed the economy over the past
few months. A lot has changed due to the government shut
down. Mr. Kearney noted that both the U.S. interest rates and
the number of rate hikes have been reduced. The current
yield is 2.49% and it is projected to be 3.05% at the end of the
year.
Ms. Driscoll noted that the Village can invest in U.S. corporate
debt, which can be added to the Village portfolio. U.S.
corporate debt, A rated or better, is very liquid. The 3-month
to 1-year comparison are up by approximately 25 basis points.
U.S. agency notes and U.S. treasuries are equal while corporate
A or better are higher. Ms. Driscoll suggested the Village
purchase corporate debt rather than commercial paper.
The Village portfolio increased to $11,050,000 with the $4
million that was transferred from Wells Fargo. Trustee Ford
noted getting a better return is part of the Village’s cash
management goals. Sixty-eight percent of the Village’s
investments are in CDs. The Village lucked out because
they received very attractive 3 percent rates for 2-year CDs.
The duration of the portfolio is 1.02 years, which has been
significantly shortened. The overall yield is 2.627 percent
on the portfolio. Ms. Driscoll noted that as things mature,
they have been replaced with higher yielding investments.
Fifty-one percent of the investments mature in less than 1
year. Trustee Ford noted the Village moved the Wells Fargo
portfolio to JPMorgan and that had a negative result. In the
future, the Village can see more corporate investments, which
would yield more than 3 percent at this time.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS & COMMENTS
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Wine and Cheese Event – Mayor Norris reported that the wine
and cheese event was a tremendous success. He congratulated
Trustee Chamberlain and Clerk Paras for organizing the event.
Trustee Chamberlain noted there were about 120 attendees
from all areas of the Village. Every person she spoke with were
told about Engage Riverwoods. She also asked people how
they heard about the event. Village Voice, email and signage
were the top three responses. Unfortunately, the Village
website was not cited. The event came in within the budget.
RRA - Join and Make a Difference!
The Riverwoods Residents Association (RRA)
forms a support network within our Village. Membership
is $25 per family and includes two vehicle stickers. Mail
your check to RRA, P.O. Box 341, Deerfield, IL 60015. For more information contact Jill Kaplan at [email protected]
or call her directly at 847-945-0062.
M E M B E R S H I P F O R M
Name
Phone
Address
# of extra stickers at $5 each
Amount Enclosed
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Village Stewards for The Woodlands
We need your help to save our woodlands, our most valu-able resource. As a part of the Village's programs to protect our woodlands, we are looking for residents to volunteer as Village Stewards for the woodlands. This special group will help the Village with ideas and be trained to communicate with residents about the value of our woodlands. If you are interested or want more information, please call Trustee Cheryl Chamberlain at 224-804-7156.
Share Your Thoughts – Engage Riverwoods
Your Village invites you to “Share Your Thoughts!” Welcome to the Engage Riverwoods, a website that has been created to give you an opportunity to tell us how you feel about important issues in the Village of Riverwoods. Please vist www.villageofriverwoods.mindmixer.com to give us your thoughts. We want to hear from you!
Police Report Emergency Telephone Notification System
By Police Chief Bruce DaynoThe Village of Riverwoods contracts with the
Blackboard Connect service for emergency resident notifications. With this service, the Village is able to send personalized voice messages and email alerts to residents and businesses within minutes with specific information about time-sensitive or common-interest issues such as boil order alerts, missing persons, criminal activity, and road closures.
As a resident or business, you can opt-in to emergency messages, non-emergency messages or both. The information supplied will be sent to the Blackboard Connect system. If you have not been receiving notifications, you are not in our database. If you have only been receiving voice messages, we do not have a valid email address for you. The system will only be used for emergencies and exigent circumstances. We know that your personal information is important; all usage of your personal information will be in compliance with the Village Privacy Policy.
To register, update existing entries, or for more information, go to https://villageofriverwoods.com and click on “Learn More” under Notification System on the lower right corner of the Village homepage. If you don’t have internet access or would like assistance, call the Police Department Records Section at 847-945-1130 between 8:30am and 1:30pm Monday through Friday.
Many of the current entries only contain telephone numbers. If you would like to receive email alerts, please update your current entry, or contact us with your email address.
Building and Zoning Department– That Project May Need a Permit
The Building Department works closely with the Village Plumbing Inspector, Village Engineer, Village Ecologist, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District, and the Deerfield Bannockburn Fire Department in reviewing plans and ensuring code compliance. The Building Department issues permits and inspects for construction projects such as new homes, commercial renovations, room additions, home remodeling, decks, fences, patios and other property amenities.
The Building Department is staffed by two full-time employees; Rob Durning, Director of Community Services/ Building Official and Meghan Cunningham-Richardson, Building Department Coordinator. They are happy to assist you through the permit process.
More information and answers to your questions are available on the village website.
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“soft path”). “Energy Strategy” earned Lovins consulting work from President Jimmy Carter and kick-started his career in environmental advocacy.
In 1982, he and his now ex-wife, Hunter Lovins, founded RMI on 3.5 acres at 7,100 feet in Old Snowmass. They wanted a natural setting and chose to be near Aspen for its beauty—and for the sophistication and deep pockets of its residents and visitors. Twenty-five years later, although many Americans may never have heard of Lovins, economic powerhouses such as the U.K.-based Rio Tinto, the world’s largest mining company, and electronics-giant Texas Instruments have tapped Lovins for his singular expertise.
His success with business leaders has come, in part, because he is not the stereotypical environmentalist. Rather than appealing to people’s consciences, Lovins speaks in simple economic terms: That is, energy efficiency is good for business because it cuts costs. Not surprisingly, RMI’s headquarters illustrates Lovins’ basic thesis. The building has no furnace, which saved him $1,200 during construction, money he used for insulation and design improvements. The “many thousands of dollars” saved in heating and cooling costs since the building’s construction in 1982 have been reinvested into RMI. “Elegant frugality speaks for itself,” Lovins says.
If RMI’s Old Snowmass offices are the heart of the operation, then the larger offices in Boulder are the head. The Boulder office building is, of course, platinum-rated by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program (LEED), and is home to two groups—Built Environment and Energy and Resources—that consult for the nation’s largest utilities, car manufacturers, the U.S. military, and Fortune 500 companies. Currently, RMI is working with Wal-Mart to reduce the retail giant’s carbon footprint by doubling the efficiency of its 6,800 trucks. The payoff for the company: $494 million in gross savings annually by 2020.
N E W E X H I B I T I O N W I L L O P E N J U N E 1
Also launching on June 1 at Brushwood Center is an art exhibition entitled Global Perspectives featuring photography by both Lovinses as well as artwork by Gregory Leon Baird, John Wylie, and poet Ted Hazelgrove. Featured will be exotic images from China, Galápagos, Iceland, Western United States, and other locales.
“The Lovinses’ photography also focuses on extraordinary landscapes, wildlife, and cultures in Antarctica, Borneo, Colombia, Chile, Japan, Scandinavia, South Africa, and elsewhere,” said Chairwoman Sturm.
Judy Hill Lovins ran Aspen’s longest-running gallery for nearly 30 years, and now donates art consulting services to nonprofits. She became a fine-art landscape photographer in 1971 and now does that with Amory.
When asked: What’s keeping you up at night? Lovins relpied: The need to spread
faster an attitude I call "applied hope."
Note: Applied hope, as Lovins captured in his commencement remarks for UC
Berkeley’s Natural Science School in 2011, is a deliberate choice of heart and head:
"We work to make the world better, not from some airy theoretical hope, but in the
pragmatic and grounded conviction that starting with hope and acting out of hope
can cultivate a different kind of world worth being hopeful about, reinforcing itself in
a virtuous spiral. Applied hope is not about some vague, far-off future but is expressed
and created moment by moment through our choices."
Riverwoods Welcomes Amory Lovins; Continued from the front cover
The Symposium, which anticipates some 300 guests this year, memorializes the significant civic legacy of Hermon Dunlap and Ellen Thorne Smith, who donated their land and cabin to help form Ryerson Woods. The event is held in partnership with Lake County Forest Preserves.
The Distinguished Environmental Leadership Award was first presented in 1984 to Roger Tory Peterson, the esteemed American naturalist, ornithologist, artist, and educator. In 2018, recipients included Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars Redford, for their lifelong commitment to land preservation and climate change.
Introducing the award this year will be Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra, also the evening’s masters of ceremonies. During dinner they will join the Lovinses on stage before the audience for a lively discussion of photography, climate change, and the future of energy.
All funds raised from the Symposium will directly benefit Brushwood Center’s nature-inspired art, wellness, and education programs.
To purchase tickets to the Smith Nature Symposium & Benefit, visit www.brushwoodcenter.org.
Portions reprinted from 5280-Denver Mile High Magazine, “Feel
the Lovins”, by Philip Armour.
Photo: Utah Landscape by Judy Hill Lovins. Just one f the images that
will be on exhibit at the Global Perspectives exhibit opening June 1st at
Brushwood Center.
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Riverwoods, an Idea Worth Protecting and Preserving
The Native Americans, the explorers, the settlers, the landowners, and the Ryersons shared this in common: they all came for the river and the woodlands that it ran through.
The Des Plaines River originates at the Wisconsin wetlands. From there it snakes south on a path toward the Kankakee, the Illinois, and the Mississippi Rivers.
The River is a dividing line: it marked the prairie’s edge and halted prairie fires, allowing the forest on the eastern side to thrive.
The Des Plaines River has a story line: two great indian trails, the Deer Trail and the Mukwonago Trail, crossed here, and explorers paddled its waters.
The River also serves as a life line: migratory birds follow its twists and turns, fish and drink from it, and rest near its banks.
The birding legacy here runs deep Scientists, students, naturalists and hobbyists all
head to Ryerson Woods for the bird diversity, especially during spring migration. Ryerson Woods is recognized as an Illinois Important Bird Area–part of the Upper Des Plaines River Corridor. It’s a designation given by the National Audubon Society to those habitats that are vital for birds.
How does Ryerson Woods fit into the national and worldwide picture?
Consider the numbers:10,000 bird species worldwide914 bird species in North America440 bird species in Illinois175 bird species at Ryerson Woods
Although there is no typical bird year at Ryerson
Woods, spring migration is typically fast and furious. Triggered by increased sunlight, birds begin to migrate–and they’re in a hurry, anxious to get the best nesting spots first. Imagine how the large green patch that is Ryerson Woods must look to birds from the air desperate for somewhere to stop, rest, and eat.
The March arrival of bluebirds draws the first wave of birders. Bluebird populations plummeted in the 1960s and 1970s due to non-native starlings and sparrows overrunning nesting cavities. By the mid-1980s there were few bluelirds at Ryerson. Word went out and bluebird houses went up but, still, no bluebirds. In 1986, those houses were predator-proofed and the bluebirds came to nest that spring. In 2012, 43 baby bluebirds were fledged at Ryerson.
May is spectacular for warblers. Why warblers? It’s the double attraction of river and forest. Rivers are important for migrtory birds, including those warblers that prefer bushy areas: they eat the aquatic insects that hatch and cling to the shrubs and brush along the water. Some warblers prefer trees, especially oaks: freshly budding oak leaves attract the insects that those warblers like to eat. Because there is so much habitat diversity– different woodland types, prairie openings, farmland, bottomlands–there is great warbler diversity. Thirty-five warbler species have been recorded at Ryerson.
Today, the 175 bird species, and other rare species, and exceptional natural areas combine to make Ryerson Woods, and Riverwoods, a very special preserve.
The Village of Riverwoods was born out of an idea by Edward Ryerson to offer residents the experience of living in a unique woodland setting. The woodlands in the Village remain a treasured community asset requiring their preservation and management. In the spirit of remaining consistent with Ryerson’s vision, we should all value and preserve our woodlands where the river runs.
“I bought the land from the grandson-in-law of the first permanent settler in Lake County. . . and I would like it to remain the way it was when the indians lived here before he came in 1834.”
Together we can honor Ryerson’s vision by making wise environmentally friendly choices to preserve our properties in order to attract, protect and sustain the wildlife that we all so enjoy.
Bird content taken from: “30 Years of Friends of Ryerson”
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R I V E R W O O D S P R E S E R V A T I O N C O U N C I L
Where Have All of the Fireflies Gone?
Fireflies, or lightning bugs, are a magical sign of summer, but they’re disappearing all over the world. Researchers blame two main factors: development and light pollution. Fireflies are affected adversely and directly by land-use changes, such as loss or fragmentation of habitat areas. And, since fireflies depend on their own light to reproduce, they are sensitive to environmental levels of light. Scientists believe that artificial night lighting can disrupt the flashing lights that fireflies use to signal each other in order to attract mates, warn of danger, or find prey. The harder it is for fireflies to find mates and breed, the fewer the numbers in subsequent generations. Toxic chemicals are also a likely culprit in their disappearance.
H O W Y O U C A N H E L P
• Turn off exterior and garden lights in the summer.• Draw the blinds at night so that interior light
doesn’t brighten the yard.• Let rotten logs and leaf litter accumulate in the
woodland to give firefly larvae a place to winter-over.• Use lots of native plants and allow areas to stay
naturally damp; don’t drain ephemeral ponds.• Use natural lawn fertilizers, rather than chemical
fertilizers, and incorporate some long grasses in your yard, which will attract fireflies.
• Avoid using broad spectrum pesticides that can have a detrimental effect on both firefly larvae and adults.
• Enjoy them in their natural habitat, do not capture them to admire from the confines of a jar.
F I R E F L Y F A C T S
• Fireflies are soft-bodied beetles that produce light from their lower abdomen. Even firefly eggs of some species have been found to glow.
• There are about 2100 species of fireflies in temperate and tropical climates, many in wet, wooded areas where the firefly larvae can find an abundance of food.
• Females lay fertilized eggs on or just below the surface of the ground or under the bark of trees; the eggs hatch in 3 to 4 weeks; the larvae will feed until the end of summer and will hibernate over the winter.
• In the spring, the larvae will feed on other insects, snails and worms; they will pupate (undergo transformation between immature and mature stages) and emerge as adults in early summer.
• Firefly maturation depends on air temperature and rainfall amounts – the warmer, the wetter, the earlier they mature.
• It’s the male lighting bug that performs the light shows that we see on summer evenings. The females perch in or near the ground and will flash a signal to the males.
• Fireflies in the western United States lack the ability to produce light.
• There’s more lighting bug activity on warm, humid evenings.
• Their environment of choice is warm, humid and near standing water, whether a pond, stream, river, or even a shallow depression that temporarily retains water. Scientists believe fireflies eat the smaller insects, grubs and snails that thrive in wet areas.
• Fireflies don’t bite, they don’t carry disease, and they’re not poisonous.
• Two rare chemicals (luciferin and luciferase) found in lightning bugs are being used in scientific research (cancer, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, and heart disease), in food safety testing, and in forensic tests. While synthetic luciferase is available now, some companies still harvest fireflies for this chemical, and this could be contributing to their decline.
• Some adult fireflies are predators, while others feed on plant pollen or nectar and some adults don’t feed at all.
• In some species, the females can’t fly.
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R I V E R W O O D S P R E S E R V A T I O N C O U N C I L
Living With Our Non-Human Neighbors
In so much as human expansion has consumed or fragmented so much natural habitat, we occasionally may find ourselves a little closer to some of our animal neighbors than we might wish. With a few precautions, and some common sense, we can help keep the relationship between humans and wild animals a peaceful one. The following suggestions apply to most of the wildlife that you may encounter in Riverwoods, including deer, coyote, foxes, beavers, raccoons, opossums, woodchucks, rabbits, squirrels, voles, chipmunks, mice, birds, and amphibians.
• With the exception of feeding songbirds, never offer food to wild animals or make it available near your house. This could cause food to be associated with humans –a bad result for both animals and us.
• Avoid the nocturnal scavenging by raccoons and opossums, among others, by putting all food waste inside garbage cans and keeping it indoors or securely fastened until the morning of pickup.
• Never handle a wild animal. Even the cutest young animals may have sharp teeth or harbor serious diseases, like rabies or distemper.
• Don’t assume that an unattended young animal, such as a fawn without its mother, is an orphan. Deer and other creatures often leave their babies in a safe place while they forage for food and then return to the place where they left their offspring. Although your scent will not cause the mother to abandon its newborn, human scent may alert predators.
• Prevent animals from entering your home by using screens on chimneys and vents. Check them regularly for holes. Trim back overhanging branches that lead directly to your roof. Repair any holes in damaged wood or under porches sooner rather than later.
• If you find yourself with an uninvited house guest, such as a raccoon or squirrel that has come down the chimney, or a bird that has flown through a vent, you may be able to avoid a confrontation by simply closing all doors and windows except one, dimming interior lights, and allowing the creature to make its way outside. At night it might be helpful to turn on an outside light.
• If an entire family appears to have made itself comfortable in your attic, shed or eaves, you may find that they leave the same way they came in as soon as the young have been born and become independent. Or try encouraging them to evacuate sooner by making the area uncomfortably bright (lights or flashlight) and noisy (continuously playing a radio). Note that lighting a fire in a fireplace to evict animals nesting in your chimney could result in dead offspring or adults stuck in your chimney.
• Turn lights on or make noise when letting a pet out at night. Never leave a small pet outdoors unsupervised.
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In The Kitchen with Chef Gale Gand
Gale Gand is a pastry chef and was a founder and partner in the
Michelin two star restaurant, Tru, in Chicago. She hosted Food Network’s long
running show “Sweet Dreams” and is the author of 8 cook books and worked with
Julia Child on her book and PBS series, “Baking with Julia”. Gale teaches cooking
classes all over the country and is an artisanal soda pop maker, producing Gale’s
Root Beer which is sold nationally. She has received two James Beard Awards, has
been inducted into Chicago Chefs Hall of Fame and was schooled in Paris at La
Varenne. Gale appears at many food and wine festivals across the country and is a
professional Pie Judge. She is the mother of 3 and plays the ukulele. For more info on
Gale go to: www.galegand.com
Charred Tomato and Spinach Stratta Serves 8
8 cups cubed bread2 cups grated sharp cheddar or other cheese10 eggs4 cups milk1 teaspoon dry mustard1 teaspoon salt1 pint grape tomatoes, charred in 1 tablespoon
olive oil2 cloves garlic, chopped1/2 pound washed spinach
Grease a 9 X 13 baking dish. Place the bread cubes in the dish then top with the grated cheese. In a bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, and mustard, and salt. Pour the mixture over the bread cubes.
To char the tomatoes, heat olive oil in a sauté pan and add the tomatoes. Let cook without stirring till black on one side then toss to char the other side. Add the chopped garlic and cook 30 more seconds, then add to the baking dish. In the same pan, cook the spinach until wilted. Dot the mixture over the bread cubes and fold it in lightly. Cover with foil and chill up to 24 hours.
Uncover the dish and bake at 350 for 60 minutes till set. Tent with foil if the dish is browning too quickly. Serve hot, warm, or room temperature.
Shrimp and Cheesy Grits Makes 4 servings
5 cups chicken stock or water1 cup grits1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar or other cheese1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese1 Tablespoon unsalted butterSalt to taste if needed
In a sauce pan bring the stock or water to a boil. Slowly whisk in the grits and pepper and then reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring occasionally, till thickened and tender about 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the remaining ingredients, stirring to melt the cheeses. Taste for seasoning and add salt if needed. Serve hot in bowls topped with the sautéed shrimp.
Sautéed Shrimp for Shrimp and Grits Serves 4
2 tablespoons bacon fat or olive oil1 pound U-31/40 shrimp, deveined and peeled (tail off)2 cloves garlic, chopped2 scallions, sliced2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce2 Tablespoons lemon juice2 Tablespoons chopped parsleySalt and pepper to taste
In a sauté pan heat the bacon fat. Sauté the shrimp till pink. Add the garlic, scallions, Worcestershire and lemon juice and cook one more minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with parsley and serve over grits.
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Easter in Riverwoods
Mother Nature provided a beautiful day for our Easter egg hunt and for her four-footed friends to join us on Easter Sunday. Once again the bunny was the favorite as the children waited thier turn to hold him. Well over 1,000 eggs had been filled and hidden around the Village grounds for the eager children to discover, and that they did!
Thank you to everyone who came out to volunteer! These events would not happen without you! If you are interested in getting involved in Village events, please step up now by contacting Susie at Village Hall. Your fresh ideas are welcome!
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Village of Riverwoods
300 Portwine Road
Riverwoods, Illinois
60015-3898
847-945-3990
Fax: 847-945-4059
VillageofRiverwoods.com
Summer Reading Adventures Await at our Little Free Libraries
The first Little Free Library was built in 2009 by Todd Bol in Hudson, Wisconsin. He mounted a wooden container designed to look like a one-room schoolhouse on a post on his lawn and filled it with books as a tribute to his mother, who was a book lover and school teacher. Bol shared his idea with his partner, Rick Brooks, and the idea spread rapidly, soon becoming a “global sensation”.
Today, we are fortunate to have our own Little Free Library on the grounds at Village Hall. Thanks to Riverwoods residents Rich and Kathy Koomjian, who designed and built ours. The library offers a varity of subject matter for residents to enjoy. The idea is simple. Borrow a book, return it, or replace with another book, and keep the energy growing. But there is more, a second Little Free Library has existed on the trails deep in Ryerson Woods for quite a few years. Of course the subject matter of those books will be concerned more with conservation, nature, climate, and animals.
The Village encourages you to take advantage of the knowledge and fun that you can tap into for free at these
Little Libraries. The idea is to inspire a love of reading, to build community, and spark creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges. Since its inception this idea has sparked more than 60,000 public bookcases branded as Little Free Libraries around the world.
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