Newsletter_2015-02-0..

Warren News
February 2015
Teen Center member Jose Ramirez shows
off the fish he caught on a Teen Center
field trip last summer. Sign up today for
Park City or Gurnee Teen Center spring
break and summer drop-in programs. See
page 4 for more information.
Warren Township Center
17801 West Washington Street, Gurnee
From preschool to old school, Warren Township has you covered!
SENIORS ON THE MOVE
F
rom gliding across the dance floor
at monthly dances to savoring
meals at local restaurants, from
practicing Tai Chi or yoga to cruising on
Lake Michigan or knocking down the
pins at bowling, Warren seniors are on
the move. And, this year, they are taking
their “moves” to a whole new level.
This June, 47 Warren seniors will
depart for a one-week Alaska cruise on
the Ruby Princess with stops at Seattle,
Joseph and Theresa Schaeffer celebrate their 64th wedding
anniversary on a Senior Center Lake Michigan cruise.
Ketchikan, Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau,
Skagway and Victoria. If you missed the sign-up for this fantastic excursion, no worries.
Senior Services has planned another fabulous getaway for the fall to the Finger Lakes in
New York. See the details on page 3 and get ready to head east.
M o n t h ly D a n c e s
Ann Morgan and
Sheldon Falk
step out at the
Senior Center’s
first monthly
dance in January.
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The waltz, jitterbug, salsa, another dance? Whatever strikes your fancy, the Senior
Center’s new monthly dances at the Town Hall are your ticket to fun. Join your
friends — even those you haven’t met — and bring along your suggestions for our
play-list. See you on the dance floor!
F rid a y s
F e b ru a ry 1 3 a n d M a r c h 2 0
1 – 4 p . m .
S e n i o r S e r v i c e s : 8 4 7 - 2 4 4 - 11 0 1 , e x t e n s io n *5 0 1
Autumn in the Finger Lakes
TOUR BEAUTIFUL FINGER LAKES, NEW YORK
OCTOBER 4 – 8
Tou r h i g h l i g h ts :
• home pickup and return
• 8 meals: 3 deluxe cont. breakfasts, 1 breakfast, 4 dinners
• Lucy Desi Center for Comedy
• Corning Museum of Glass
• Chemung Valley History Museum
• guided tour of “Mark Twain country”
• Captain Bill’s Seneca Lake Cruise
• Glenora Wine Cellar Tour & Tasting
• Belhurst Castle Dinner
• Niagara Adventure Theater
• Maid of the Mist Boat Cruise at Niagara Falls
• no passport needed!
• $25 Fancy-Free Holidays Travel Rewards
Brochures are available at the Senior Center.
Contact Jean Smuda for more information
at 847-244-1101, extension *502.
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Teen Centers open for spring break!
Call or stop by for details.
Gurnee Teen Center
Spring Break Lock-in
G U R N E E T E E N C E N T E R : 8 4 7 - 2 4 4 - 11 0 1 , e x t . * 4 5 9
PA R K C I T Y T E E N C E N T E R : 8 4 7 - 2 4 4 - 11 0 1 , e x t . * 8 0 1
www.warrenteens.com
Thursday – Friday, March 26 – 27
5 p.m. – 10 a.m.
Lock-in includes:
• pizza, popcorn, soda
• movies, board games, PS4 and Xbox
tournaments
• hair, nails and makeovers
• breakfast in the morning
Gurnee Teen Center
Park City Teen Center
17801 W. Washington St.
333 Teske Blvd.
School Year Hours:
School Year Hours:
Monday – Thursday, 2 –7 p.m.
Friday, 2 –5 p.m.
Monday – Thursday, 2 –7 p.m.
Friday, 2 –6 p.m.
Summer Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Summer Hours:
Monday – Friday, 1 – 6 p.m.
Teens go here there and everywhere
Teen Centers Summer Programs
June 15– August 14
Summer programs offer members the opportunity to take fun field trips such as fishing, a
water park, Action Territory, Lake County Fair and a dodge ball tournament. Additional fees
may apply. Trip details and registration forms will be available at the Teen Centers and online
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at www.warrenteens.com beginning Wednesday, April 1.
A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERVISOR
Sexting can cost you big!
E
mployers often utilize social media to evaluate their applicants, along with
an interview, résumé, and application. Are you one of the many people
that documents your life on Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, LinkedIn, or other
social media? Did you post that picture on Facebook of you drunk, half-naked,
and vomiting from the weekend party you attended? Did your friends think it
was hilarious? Guess what? Once posted, it is out there somewhere, forever,
out of your control. Did you really want your potential boss to see it? Too late.
The administrators of Warren Township High School had to deal with a small
group of students that passed around a picture of a naked student. I am sure
the girl that sent the picture never intended for it to be shared, and the boy that
received it didn’t know that the picture qualified as child pornography when he
forwarded it to others. Now, all the teens involved get to deal with the criminal
justice system, stains on their records and never knowing if the picture was
removed from the internet.
Please pay attention to the use and abuse of social media in your household.
Forwarding pictures of a sexual nature without the person’s permission is a
felony, punishable up to three years in jail and a $25,000 fine. The attorney’s
Twice as Nice Mother & Child, a non-profit organization, strives to
fees begin at a $10,000 retainer to defend someone against these charges,
ensure that mothers and children have their most basic needs met. It collects
children included.
and donates gently used items (infant care essentials, children’s clothing,
When you hit the “send” button, those pictures are out of your control. You
maternity clothing, shoes) and provides them to families free of charge. It
could lose a future job over something stupid you posted today. Worse, you
could lose your freedom.
also provides supplies such as diapers, wipes and infant formula. Twice as
Nice assists the Township in helping our residents in need. Please help us
help them by donating items to Twice as Nice. For more information, call the
Warren Township Supervisor Suzanne Simpson
Supervisor’s Office at 847-244-1101, ext. *101 or visit www.twiceasnicemc.org.
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Yo uth and F a m i l y S e r v i c e s
100 South Greenleaf St., Gurnee
847-244-1101, extension *401
Youth and Family Services offers short-term
counseling to families with children in grades
ADULT AND FAMILY WORKSHOPS
I don’t want you, but I need you
The challenge of successfully launching your teenager/young adult
K –12. Young adults ages 18 –21 may be
Open to all parents and teens 16 and older, this workshop addresses the challenges that face young
eligible. Counseling services are family-focused
people dealing with the transition from high school to early adulthood. The workshop focuses on
and, when appropriate, parents and other
depression and anxiety, transitioning to independence, feeling overwhelmed by major life decisions,
family members are directly involved in therapy
risk of suicide and the importance of family support and communication. Participants will learn to
sessions. The first session is free. Additional
increase connections, reduce conflict and improve communication.
sessions are $10 with a sliding scale available.
Tuesday, February 17
7 – 8:30 p.m.
No fee
100 South Greenleaf Street, Gurnee
Understanding Dyslexia
A panel discussion presented by Everyone Reading Illinois
Everyone Reading Illinois presents a free panel discussion featuring a parent, an educational
psychologist, a reading specialist and an adult dyslexic discussing dyslexia from different
perspectives. Presenters will discuss what dyslexia is and how it affects the individual, the family,
education and support networks. Parents and older children are welcome to attend. A question and
answer time will follow the discussion.
Thursday, March 5
7 – 8:30 p.m.
No fee
Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O’Plaine Rd., Gurnee
Sponsored by Warren-Newport Public Library and Warren Township Youth Services
Lunch with a lawyer
Call for legal consultation at no cost. Open only to Warren Township residents.
Wednesdays, March 18 and May 6
6
20 minute sessions
Schedule at 847-244-1101 extention *401
YOUTH GROUP
Coping Skills Group
Learning to manage anxiety
This research-supported group helps children learn effective ways to deal with anxiety
and stress. Education, skills training and practice exercises teach children to:
Recognize emotional/physical responses to anxiety. Develop plans for coping.
Practice and evaluate coping skills. (A pre-interview is required; a therapist will
contact the family.)
Grades: 3 – 5 and 6 – 8
Thursdays, Feburary 26 – April 9 (six weeks)
6 – 7 and 7 – 8 p.m.
Fee: $15
PA R E N T I N G A N D A D U LT P R O G R A M S
Mind–Body Skills Group
Practical skills to deal with life’s stressors
This experiential group gives participants tools for self-care. It deals with
such issues as stress, anxiety, depression, grief or pain management.
Participants learn and practice such skills as mindfulness, meditation and
understanding emotions. The group is intended to be supportive, but it is not
a replacement for therapy. It will be facilitated by Heidi Droessler, LCSW.
Thursday, March 12 – April 23 (six weeks)
7 – 8 p.m.
Registration required
Fee $15
Mind–Body Group for Teens
6 – 7 p .m. Positive Discipline
A practical approach to parenting children 3-13
Positive Discipline is a program designed to teach children to become
responsible, respectful and resourceful members of the family. This
parenting approach is based on the understanding that the best
discipline teaches and the parents are the teachers. Parents will review
such challenges as how to defuse power struggles, build on strengths,
bridge communication and much more. This program will be taught by a
certified instructor and family therapist, Allena Barbato JD, AMFT.
Wednesdays , February 25 – March 18 (four weeks)
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Childcare: 2 – 12
Fee: $15
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YOUTH SPORTS
REGISTRATION
Contact:
Rick Dreyer 847-244-1101, extension *810
Email:
[email protected]
Warren Youth Baseball
Warren Youth Baseball is accepting registrations for the 2015 Spring Season. Registration
is open to all players ages 5 – 14 as of April 30. Players are divided into five age groups.
T-ball:
ages 5 and 6
Mustang League: ages 9 and 10
Pony League:
Rookie League:
ages 7 and 8 (coach pitch)
Bronco League: ages 11 and 12
Warren Flag Football is accepting registrations for the
2015 Fall Season for players entering grades 1 – 8 for
the 2015 – 16 school year. Warren Flag Football is a
coed program and registrations are accepted on a firstcome first-served basis.
ages 13 and 14
Mustangs, Broncos and Pony leagues practice season begins approximately April 1.
Games start approximately May 1 and the season concludes about June 30.
T-Ball and Rookie players begin practicing
approximately May 1, with games beginning
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Flag Football League
Practices and games are scheduled at Warren
Township Park. Traditionally, practices are held Monday
through Thursday evenings. Games are on Saturday
mornings and early afternoons.
about May 20. The season ends approximately
Players are divided into three age groups; grades 1
June 30. Registrations are accepted on a first-
and 2, grades 3 – 5 and grades 6 – 8. A minimum of 40
come first-served basis. Volunteer coaches are
players is needed for each age group; a maximum of
welcomed.
60 players per age group will be accepted.
For more information or to register, please
For additional information and registration please visit
visit www.warrenyouthbaseball.org. You may
our website; www.warrenflagfootball.org. You may also
also contact Youth Sports Director Rick Dreyer
contact Youth Sports Director Rick Dreyer at rickd@
at [email protected] or call h i m
warrentownship.net or call him Monday – Friday from
Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. a t 847-244-1101, extension *810.
a t 847-244-1101, extension *810.
Warren Cheer and Pom
Warren Township Cheer & Pom, NFP (WTCP) is a competitive, recreational
cheer and pom program. We teach the fundamentals of cheerleading
and dance and offer a season full of fun and friendship. WTCP is a proud
member of the IRCA (Illinois Recreational Cheer Association). WTCP sent
11 of our 12 squads to the IRCA State Championship last fall, more than
any surrounding cheer and dance program. The State Championship is a
very exciting event that showcases teams from across the state. It is a true
celebration of all our hard work throughout the season.
Grades K – 8
No cheer or dance experience required
Registration: Current members may register now.
New member lottery will be March 14.
More information: www.warrencheerandpom.org or
Email:
[email protected]
Warren Township Traveling Tackle Football Program
Warren’s tackle, youth football program is leading the charge for a safer game. Each coach is certified by USA Football and the “Heads Up Football”
program. All helmets have a five-star rating, the highest in the industry. Also, specially trained athletic trainers make every medical decision during game
time, further protecting our kids. When it comes to football safety, we strive to set the standard.
Training camp and practices begin in late July and are designed to identify each athlete’s skill level and prepare for the season. The season runs from
approximately Labor Day to late October, followed by up to three weeks of playoffs.
The tackle football program is available for all athletes in grades 1 – 8. Athletes compete in weight, age and talent divisions designed to allow for a safe
and fair environment of play.
Registration: Open nowInformation:
www.warrenyouthfootball.com
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S UMMER FU N I N TH E SU N
WSRA:
i n s p i r i n g p e o p l e w i t h d i sa b i l i t i e s
t h r o u g h m e a n i n g f u l r e c r e at i o n .
S u m m e r D ay C a m p
Interested in Summer Day Camp? Check out WSRA’s Spring Brochure for important
camp registration information. The deadline to sign up for camp is Monday, May 11.
The brochure can be found at www.warrentownship.net or you may call us to be added
to our mailing list.
Now Hiring
Part-time jobs are available seasonally for recreation leaders and program assistants
to work in programs and special events. Having the desire to work with people
with disabilities and work in a team environment is necessary. If you are interested
in working with people who have disabilities, contact WSRA at 847-244-6619 or
download an application at www.warrentownship.net/wsra. WSRA is currently
accepting applications for inclusion aids, after school program assistants, summer day
camp counselors and adult day program assistants.
Warren Special Recreat io n A sso ciat io n
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847- 244- 6619
100 South Greenleaf Street, Gurnee
What’s your property worth?
Quadrennial reassessment will let you know
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A s s e s s o r ’s Offic e : 84 7 -244- 1101, ext ension *201
015 is the quadrennial reassessment year for Lake County. Illinois statute requires
that assessors revalue all properties in their jurisdiction once every four years. Warren
Township Assessor’s staff will study the last three years of sales data to ensure that
Holly Baruffi and Melody Dunn and two of
the field reps conducting the quandrennial
reassessment.
neighborhoods are valued fairly and equitably. We are in the process of evaluating these sales
and doing fieldwork. You may see some of our staff in your neighborhood checking property
characteristics and taking pictures. Assessment notices will be mailed out in August.
Homestead Exemption Recapture
It’s not over yet!
Snow removal tips from the Highway Department
T
he Chief County Assessment Office has the authority
to recapture taxable value in instances where
property owners have received homestead benefits
erroneously. This new law benefits taxpayers because it
The Highway Department’s snow and ice removal is drastically hindered by vehicles
creates a more fairly distributed property tax burden.
parked on Township roads during snow removal. No Parking signs are posted at the
Here are two examples on why a property might be
entrances of subdivisions and are enforced by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.
receiving an exemption erroneously:
Another hindrance occurs when residents blow or shovel snow onto the roads. This
1. Rental Properties: In most cases, rental properties do
creates a potentially hazardous condition for you, your neighbors and the entire
traveling public. When you are facing the street, please pile snow on the right side of
your driveway to help the plow avoid dumping snow back onto your driveway. Also,
remember no garbage cans can be placed in the street. Lastly, if possible, delay the
time you clear your driveway until the snow removal operation has concluded.
For questions or information, call the department at 847-244-1101, ext. *301.
not qualify for homestead exemptions.
2. Multi-Property Owners: If you own multiple properties
that you live in, you are only entitled to receive
homestead exemptions on your primary place of
residence.
For more information, please call the Assessor’s Office at
847-244-1101, extension *201.
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presorted std.
Warren Township Center
US POSTAGE PAID
GURNEE, IL
permit No. 1538
17801 W. Washington Street
Gurnee, Illinois 60031-5311
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Township Officials
Suzanne D. Simpson
Supervisor
George Iler
Clerk
Gerald E. Rudd
Highway Commissioner
Charlie Mullin
Assessor
Donna L. Radke
Trustee
Ken Echtenacher, Jr.
Trustee
ECRWSSEDDM
Residential Customer
Contact u s at 847- 244- 1101 or
f ind us on the web at w w w. warrentow nshi p. net
Bill Gill
Trustee
Mike Semmerling
Trustee
FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS
T
Heather Ridge Umbrella Association donated two
truckloads of necessities to the Food Pantry during
the holiday season.
ownship residents gave generously to the food pantry throughout the holidays. We thank you all, including Church
of the Annunciation, ETA Hand2mind, Eddie Moses of Koenig & Strey for 20 Thanksgiving dinners, Gurnee Rotary
Club, Homeowners of Wildwood, Grandwood Park Park District, Bonnie’s Chic Boutique, Millburn Elementary School,
Marianne and Tom Turnbull, Stoddard Silencers for a monetary donation, Rachita Singh, Anne Hemingway, The Fraternal
Order of Police for a fresh vegetable donation, Ellyn Edmonds, Warren-Newport Library, Michael Muick, Wayne Gavinski,
Sheryll Henderson, Ted Blahunka for Jewel gift cards, Pat and Melanie Anderson, Howard Peterson, the VanErdens, Jubilee
Community Church, Pat Leese, Marianne Gartener, Jackie’s Magic for a monetary and food donation, Warren Township
High School Federation of Teachers, The American Center for Spine & Neurosurgery, Jon Callaghan Memorial Turkey Trot
and the Thelen Family Foundation for a monetary donation. We also thank our dozens of anonymous donors. The Food
Pantry accepts donations Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Supervisor’s Office.