Sycamore Speedway will host a spectacular fireworks display this Saturday evening after a night of "Big Time Fun in Your Own Backyard". The evening starts at 7:15 for Time Trials and the races begin at 8pm. Saturday night will feature a 35 lap race for Super Late Models on the Big Track. Other races will feature Late Models, Spectators, Powder Puff and Compact. If you've never been to Sycamore Speedway, or it's just been awhile... this Saturday is the perfect time to see both the races and a wonderful fireworks display. Bob-Jo's, as it is commonly called, is on Rt.64, just west of Sycamore. Entrance fee for a full night of fun is $12 for adults and $5 for children 6-13.

The Wonder of Technology

I went to the groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation of Parking Lot #4. It was held at the Hillside Restaurant, across the street from Ground Zero.

The event was well attended.

During the mingling time before the photo shoot I was showing off my cell phone and the technology we now have in our hands. I downloaded the webcam page Baxter and Woodman put up that shows up to the minute photos of the construction on Parking Lot #4.

Wow factor.

I took my cell phone over to Mark Biernacki's table.

"Can you believe the times we are living in and the technology we get to be a part of?" I said to Biernacki, as I showed him my screen.

"Now, let me show you something," replied Biernacki.

He pulled out his cellphone. Loaded on the screen was an almost live satellite image of Iraq. He zoomed in several shots to show an Army base.

"That's where my son was stationed."

Wow factor, my hat. Now that's putting a real human factor to all this technology. The Dad factor.

And a reminder, to me, of the times we are truly living in.

Dist #428 Facilities Planning Committee (FPC) meets July 1

There is an FPC meeting on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 6:30 pm in the Board Room of the Education Center; 901 S. Fourth Street in DeKalb. There is also an advisory committee meeting at 3pm at the Education Center.

On the agenda is an update on the Dresser Road land purchase for the new high school with a report from the architect. Discussion on school enrollment projections is scheduled.

Several members of the FPC have expressed concern on the enrollment projections, which were made during the peak of the new construction boom. Even during the new construction growth period District 428 experienced enrollment growth from older neighborhoods that have a higher percentage of renters. (See chart below)...

Parking Lot 4 Ground Breaking
The beginning of the Public Improvements Phase of the Downtown DeKalb Revitalization Plan starts Monday, June 30, 2008 at ten o’clock in the morning. Parking Lot 4 (SE corner of Second & Locust Streets) will be closed to parking as it undergoes major reconstruction.

Loading and unloading will be allowed in portions of Palmer Court via Third Street. The Second Street entrance will be closed. Parking for customers of Palmer Court businesses is available on Second and Third Streets (2-hr limit).

Overnight and 12 hour parking is available on Lots 3, 5, 7 and 9 -- except during posted times*. * SEE COMMENTS

Safe Passage, DeKalb County's domestic and sexual violence prevention and intervention agency, Safe Passage provides a wide range of services to approximately 300 survivors each month. Those services include crisis intervention and medical advocacy for victims of domestic and sexual violence, a 24-hour hotline, short- and long-term housing for victims and their children, counseling, legal advocacy, children's services, community education, and Latina services.

Safe Passage currently has a great need for non-perishable food. According to Community Resources Director Cynthia Folgate, "We have clients who come in every day for food but our pantry is close to empty. We have enough peanut butter and canned vegetables, but need everything else." Items needed are:

It's summer in Genoa which brings the return of the popular Open Air Markets, sponsored by Sycamore Precision and the National Bank and Trust.

The markets are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of every month May through October.

Fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and baked goods, plus unique items from home-based businesses are offered for buying, swapping and browsing. Volunteers from the Genoa Mainstreet organization staff the grill with meats and lunch items from Ken's Specialty Meats.

More info: CLICK HERE

Directions: SEE MAP

June 27-29: About 70 fast pitch teams will fill the Sycamore Community Park sports complex for three full days of tournament action.

The eighth annual Storm Dayz tournament is among the largest in northern Illinois. While the teams are competing for the right to become ASA Northern National Qualifiers the event provides an excellent venue for family entertainment.

The public is invited. Admission and parking is free and concessions are available. More info: CLICK HERE.

Editor's Note: Due to apparent technical difficulties, the Agenda for the June 23 DeKalb City Council meeting has not been posted on the City of DeKalb website. http://www.cityofdekalb.com

The following is from a staff memo to the Mayor and city council members regarding the budget:

There were a number of changes to the proposed FY2009 Budget requested by City Council. These changes were recommended during the special meeting of the Council and the Financial Advisory Committee on June 10, 2008. An updated Five Year Plan for the General Fund has been included, incorporating all the suggested changes below.

Mobile I-PASS Customer Service Representatives Also Available to Help Drivers Know Before You Go!

June 24: Illinois State Police District 15 and the Illinois Tollway will offer a free child safety seat inspection event at the DeKalb Oasis on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb on Tuesday, June 24. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to check child safety seats and help with proper installation and use. In addition Mobile I-PASS Customer Service Representatives will be available to help customers with account services and provide information about the Illinois Tollway.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for kids and in Illinois 80 percent of child safety seats are not installed correctly. Under Illinois law, children under age 8 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system, which includes booster seats.