May 15, 2014 - 365Barrington

130. This Week in Barrington Suburban Life

Barrington village plan and architectural review commissioners have approved a one-story amendment to the two-story development project proposed to be the “Village Center” at Hough and Main Streets. This week’s Barrington Suburban Life has all the specific details of what residents can expect if village board members also approve the amendment at their next board meeting May 19.
That’s the cover story for this week’s issue of Barrington Suburban Life, but reporter Tarah Thorne says there are many more great features inside this week’s issue……

129. Horizon Farm’s Future Considered After Purchase by Cook County Forest Preserve

The Barrington Area Conservation Trust released a statement today emphasizing their commitment to monitoring conservation easements after the Cook County Forest Preserve’s recent acquisition of the nearly 400 acre Horizon Farms property at 311 Algonquin Road in Barrington Hills. Just last week, a circuit court judge confirmed the $14.4 million dollar sale, the largest single holding acquired by the Forest Preserves since 1968.
Barrington Area Conservation Trust holds a conservation easement on the property with specific guidelines about how it can and can not be used. The legal documents protecting the farm date back to 2003 and are a result of efforts, in part, by Horizon Farm’s previous owner, photographer and BHS graduate, Robert McGinley. The easement’s purpose is to protect the land from large-scale development and preserve its scenic beauty, wildlife and natural heritage forever.
The McGinley family sold the farm to another party in 2006 and in 2009, foreclosure proceedings began on the property. The Forest Preserve submitted a purchase offer in 2013 and, despite a dispute with and final outstanding appeals from the property’s 2006 buyer, that Forest Preserve sale continues to move forward. Today, Cook County Forest Preserve spokesperson, Don Parker, says they’re preparing to conduct an assessment of the site for a full understanding of the existing ecology and infrastructure……

128. Library Launches “Read To Feed” Campaign to Benefit Local Food Pantries

Summer reading clubs at public libraries are nothing new. Children, teens, and even adults register for the programs, log in the books they read, and earn rewards ranging from a free book or t-shirt to more extravagant prizes like gift cards and e-readers. This summer, the Barrington Area Library is adding a unique twist to its “Read To Feed” summer library club for adults and teens. Through a partnership with a variety of local businesses, participants can eat, shop, and read to feed hungry residents of Barrington and Cuba Townships.

“Read To Feed” will take place from Monday, June 2 through Friday, August 15. How will the business partnership work to help the hungry? First of all, adults and teens who register for “Read To Feed” are being challenged to top the number of books read in last summer’s club. A goal of 1,500-plus books has been set. Adults and teens who register will receive some thank you gifts: a free book, chocolate, and Ravinia lawn tickets, while supplies last. Registrants will also be entered in semi-monthly prize drawings.
While club members are busy reading (e-books and audiobooks also count), any area resident can eat and shop at participating businesses to start generating monetary donations to the Barrington and Cuba Township food pantries. A different business will be featured for one day each week. The businesses have selected a date, specific hours on that date, and the amount of the day’s proceeds they will donate to the food pantries if the library’s reading goal is met.
For example, the first featured business is Jimmy John’s, located at 168 S. Northwest Highway in Barrington. Jimmy John’s has agreed to donate 10% of proceeds from dine-in meals that take place on June 4, from 5 PM to close. Other participating businesses are……