Huntley is nearing completion of its Downtown Streetscape Improvements project, a $4.6 million investment made to create a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere in downtown Huntley.

Huntley

Village wrapping up downtown streets improvement project

The village reported that it is nearing completion of its Downtown Streetscape Improvements project, a $4.6 million investment made to create a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere in downtown Huntley. Landscaping work is currently underway in Town Square, including new plantings, brick paver renovations and new benches. A large clock will be located at the west end, and the new Veterans Memorial Project will be installed at the east end. In addition, to improve traffic flow — as well as safety for both pedestrians and motorists — the village has taken steps to limit large truck traffic through the area, allowing downtown businesses to receive necessary deliveries while reducing the flow-through traffic to areas south and east of downtown. For more information, call (847) 515-5200 or visit www.huntley.il.us.

Crystal Lake

City nets financial reporting award for 26th year in row

The city announced that the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded Crystal Lake with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 26th consecutive year. The Certificate of Achievement represents the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and reflects the emphasis the city places on its role as a financial steward. The GFOA — headquartered in Chicago — is a non-profit professional association serving nearly 18,000 appointed and elected local, state and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners. For more information, call (815) 459-2020 or visit www.crystallake.org.

Park Dist. to host doll-themed Mother Daughter Tea event 

The Crystal Lake Park District will host Mother Daughter Tea from 12:30-2 p.m. and from 3-4:30 p.m. April 10 at Colonel Palmer House, 660 E. Terra Cotta Road, Crystal Lake. The event — designed for mothers, daughters and ladies (ages 4 and up) — offers a “sumptuous” luncheon tea, and a special presentation by doll collector Holly Scott, entitled, “Grandma’s Dolls of the 1950s.” Girls are encouraged to bring their favorite doll. Each participant must be registered individually. The fee is $15 (residents) and $10 (residents under age 12); and $12 (non-residents) and $15 (non-residents under age 12). To register, and for more information, call (815) 459-0680 or www.crystallakeparks.org.

Island Lake

Village to hold Dinner Dance Fireworks Fundraiser

The village will host the 2016 Dinner Dance Fireworks Fundraiser from 7-11 p.m. April 2 at Westridge Banquet Hall, 632 E. State Road. The fee is $25 per person (if paid in advance by April 1 at Village Hall, 3720 Greenleaf Ave.) and $30 (at the door) — and includes a buffet dinner with a carving station and a chocolate fountain, one free drink ticket (beer and wine only), a full cash bar, a DJ, a live auction, 50/50 raffles, and more. Children ages 7-10 must be accompanied by an adult. To access a registration form online, visit www.villageofislandlake.com. For more information, call Tina Loos at (847) 526-4851 or Mark Beeson at (847) 650-8410.

Huntley

Zfan Technologies set to open office/warehouse space 

The village reported that Zfan Technologies — a company that designs and supplies fan components to HVAC manufacturers in the United States and partners with factories in Asia to create the parts — plans to complete its move to a 4,265-square-foot office and warehouse space in the Huntley Gateway Commons Business Park, along Oak Creek Parkway (near the Jewel-Osco store), by early spring. Represented by Elk Grove Village-based Brown Commercial Group, Zfan purchased the property in December 2015. The move provides Zfan with its first formal headquarters, which will support the business’s research and development efforts. For more information, call (815) 515-5200 or visit www.huntley.il.us.

Algonquin

Village earns Tree City USA honor for 20th straight year

The village reported that the Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service, has named Algonquin a Tree City USA community for the 20th consecutive year. Algonquin met the four standards necessary to become a Tree City USA community: having a tree board or department; a tree-care ordinance; a community forestry program with annual expenditures of at least $2 per capita; and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. For more information about the Tree City USA program, visit www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA. For information about the village’s urban forestry program, visit www.algonquin.org/publicworks or call (847) 658-2700.

Johnsburg

Village to hold public meeting on proposed Church Street improvement plan

The village invites residents to attend an open house public meeting concerning the proposed improvement plan for Church Street (from Spring Grove Road to east of Johnsburg Road) from 5-7 p.m. March 23 at Johnsburg Community Club, 2315 W. Church Street. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the proposed improvements and the project schedule, and to provide information to residents and businesses in the area. The general scope of work includes reconstruction of Church Street in order to enhance traffic capacity, improve safety, and to ensure pedestrian access to specific points of interest. Exhibits will be displayed, and representatives from the village and its consultant will be on hand to receive input and answer questions. For more information, call (815) 385-6023 or visit www.villageofjohnsburg.org.

Lake in the Hills

Parks & Rec seeks funding for Children’s Garden Project

The Lake in the Hills Parks & Recreation Department has been awarded the opportunity to be profiled on the NRPA (National Recreation and Park Association) Fund Your Park page in order to have the Children’s Garden Project benefit from a crowdfunding platform. If the funding goal of $5,000 is met, the Parks & Recreation Department will be able to build a children’s garden at the Lake in the Hills/Algonquin Interfaith Food Pantry, 1113 Pyott Road, Lake in the Hills. Donations will be accepted from March 29 through April 28 via the NRPA website at www.nrpa.org or by stopping at Village Hall, 600 Harvest Gate, where residents can put their names on a garden wall when making a donation. For more information, call (847) 960-7400 or visit www.lith.org.

–McHenry County News Briefs–