Elgin spruce-up part of international climate event October 18th, 2009
You’ve probably seen bumper stickers that urge folks to “Think globally, act locally.”
Volunteers clear another 200 pounds of garbage from Fox River October 18th, 2009
Elgin firefighters and area residents continued their quest Saturday to clean a stretch of the Fox River in downtown Elgin, removing some 200 pounds of garbage from its banks.
The Friends of the Fox River and Elgin Firefighters Local 439 hope the cleanup becomes an annual fall event.
Jenni Kempf, program coordinator for Friends of the Fox River, said most of the trash was cans and bottles but did include a box spring mattress.
She said the effort is the first step to ensure the river is preserved for future generations.
“As an environmental measure, removing trash and debris is more about stewardship,” said Kempf. “If you care about how an area looks, you’ll take other measures to protect it.”
Friends of the Fox River has hosted cleanup events in a plethora of Fox River communities this year, including Aurora, Algonquin, Carpentersville, Elgin, Montgomery, Oswego and St. Charles.
For more information, call (815) 356-6605 or visit friendsofthefoxriver.org.
Elgin Fire Department Lt. Robert Bedard estimated the team removed about 200 pounds of trash from both sides of the river, south of the Chicago Street bridge to the National Street overpass.
Saturday’s efforts were not as extensive as an effort on Sept. 11, 2008, when fire department divers lugged large pieces of trash from the riverbed.
Bedard said so much was accomplished last year that little was left to clean on the east bank and volunteers this year could focus on the west bank.
“We removed a tremendous amount of garbage from that stretch,” he said. “Every year, it gets a little better.”
Elgin’s downtown windows center of holiday action October 8th, 2009
Daily Herald Report
The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin invites individuals, families, organizations, and businesses to sign up to decorate a window or organize an activity for downtown Elgin’s 11th annual Window Wonderland event. Daylong activities and judging of windows will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.
A solar-powered, $4,000, fully automated … garbage can? October 8th, 2009
Creation of Public Relations Committee October 7th, 2009
We are collecting information for distribution lists pertaining to environmental, conservation, preservation, or other local interest groups. We are also looking for contact information on local church bulletins, newletters, etc.
Please forward this information to info@swan-elgin.com
Thanks – JFS
Elgin to use federal money for 12 homes for the poor September 26th, 2009
In a market flooded with foreclosures, Elgin leaders hope energy-efficient furnaces and appliances, along with tankless water heaters, will tip the balance in their favor.
Elgin updates plans to buy, rehab foreclosed homes September 26th, 2009
ELGIN — The Elgin City Council on Wednesday evening revisited fine-tuning plans to buy foreclosed homes with $2.1 million from the federal government’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
Historic district status on the decline? September 26th, 2009
ELGIN – The house at 155 S. Gifford St. is the former home of Increase Bosworth, one of the city’s early residents.
“It was lovely mansion,” said Bill Briska, Elgin historian and president of the city’s heritage commission. “But then it was turned into a slum, a boarding house with five units.”
Explore how to live sustainably September 21st, 2009
Daily Herald Report
Prairie Fest, a free community conference, will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin to explore the many aspects of living sustainably. The daylong conversation focuses on energy, food, and water. The theme is “Ethical Choices for Sustainable Living.”
Grant ideas! September 19th, 2009
Please submit grant ideas to Mike Curtin.