McHenry County Blog

A press release from McHenry County College’s Student Peace Action Network announces the Great Lakes Bioneers McHenry County Speaker Series, with speakers on Jan. 22, Jan. 29, Feb. 5 & Feb. 12:

How do we build a more sustainable world?

Find out by attending the free Great Lakes Beaming Bioneers Speaker Series at 7 p.m. beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 in the Luecht Conference Center at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake. The four-part series continues on Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and Feb. 12, 2013.

McHenry County College’s Conference Center.

Experts in local and global issues facing our planet today will present information about building the local food network, quantifying the value of natural areas, Loyola University’s path to sustainability, and what is on the horizon for fracking in Illinois.

The speaker series is co-sponsored by McHenry County College, Loyola University Retreat Ecology Campus and McHenry County Conservation District.

The first lecture on Jan. 22 will feature “Towards an Economics of Shared Prosperity in a Finite World,” presented by Dr. Jon Erickson, professor of ecological economics and the interim dean of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont.

His presentation will help recognize and understand the direct economic benefits of many of the activities we are already beginning to pursue here in McHenry County. Everything from green building and infrastructure, ecological restoration to conservation easements, provide direct economic benefits that are not currently understood or valued. As we direct the future of McHenry County, it is it is vital that we become more adept at recognizing, understanding and incorporating these benefits into our processes.

The following are seminar topics scheduled through Feb. 12:

• “Engaging In Transformation” January 29, 7 p.m. featuring Dr. Nancy Tuchman, Director of the Institute of Urban Environmental Sustainability (IUES) at Loyola University Chicago
• “Building Bridges With Food” February 5, 7 p.m. featuring Linda Mallers of FarmLogix
• “Fracking 101: What, Where, and WHY?” February 12, 7 p.m. featuring Jack Darin, executive director, Illinois Sierra Club

At each presentation, a national Bioneers Conference DVD will also be featured that evening. These prominent environmental leaders will be speaking about a topic related to the talk that evening. The speakers via DVD will include Bill McKibben of 350.org on Jan. 29; Nikki Henderson of People’s Grocery on Feb. 5; and Sandra Steingraber, author of “Living Downstream”, on Feb. 12.

The speaker series is free and open to the public. For more information, check link at www.mcecoconference.org or contact either Pat Dieckhoff at (815) 479-7817 or Kristine Emrich at (815) 479-7570 or email conferencecenter@mchenry.edu.

A press release from the Student Peace Action Network:

Occupy Movement in McHenry County Saturdays 1-2 PM. Woodstock Walmart

Weekly Vigils Bring the Occupy Movement to McHenry County

Woodstock—McHenry County residents now have a way to participate in and support Occupy Wall Street and the popular movement of protests that has spread around the country. Weekly road side vigils will be held every Saturday from 1-2 PM, including this Saturday December 10th, on the sidewalk along Lake Street outside of the Woodstock Wal-Mart.

Participants are asked to bring signs.

We want to let people tell their own stories about why they are there—unemployment, home foreclosure, lack of health care, small businesses squeezed by big banks, student loan indebtedness, etc.

Another press release from the Student Peace Action Network at McHenry County College:

FORUM AT MCC TO EXAMINE WHAT IS REALLY IN HEALTH CARE REFORM BILLS

CRYSTAL LAKE—The controversial topic of health care reform will be addressed at a public forum this Wednesday evening at 7 PM at McHenry County College Conference Center. A panel of speakers will examine the actual content of proposals before Congress and de-bunk some of the many myths and misconceptions that have been circulating on the subject.

“America’s health care system is a disaster causing vast amounts of suffering and unneeded expense,” according to Molly McQueen of the Student Peace Action Network (SPAN) at the college, the principle sponsor of the program. “Now is the time to work together to correct its’ many flaws, however myths perpetuated by the health industry itself appear to be derailing this process by creating confusion in the public discourse. We have assembled a panel of experts to help sort fact from fiction.”

Jane Hansen who holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BA in economics from Wellesley will begin the evening by presenting an overview of the current health care system to provide a better understanding of the present health care crisis facing our country.

David Borris, proprietor of Hel’s Kitchen Catering, will address the need for reform in the health care industry to assist small business owners.

Dr. Hal Snyder, a volunteer organizer with Health Care for America NOW! has studied the various bills in Congress. He will dispel the many myths circulating throughout our country and tell the truth about the reform legislation.

John Gaudette, Illinois Director of Health Care for America NOW!, will explain what is happening in Congress and how citizens can have a say in the outcome.

The program is part of the Current American Issues series of informational programs co-sponsored by SPAN, McHenry County Pax Christi, and the McHenry County Peace Coalition.

The program is free and open to the public.

The McHenry County Peace Coalition, the Student Peace Action Network and Pax Christi will sponsor a health care forum at McHenry County College on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, at 7 PM.

Speakers will be

• Jane Hansen, Family Nurse Practitioner
• David Borris, Illinois Main Street Alliance
• Hal Snyder, M.D.
• John Gaudette, Illinois Director, HCAN

According to press release,

“The event will include an overview of the current health care system and provide a better understanding of the health care crisis facing Americans. Borris will address the need for reform in the health care industry to assist small business owners, Dr. Snyder, a volunteer organizer with HCAN, has studied the various bills in Congress and he will dispel many myths circulating throughout the country and explain how the reform legislation will impact U.S. residents. Gaudette will explain how the public can have a say in the outcome of this pending legislation in Congress.

“The event is part of SPAN’s Current American Issues Information Seminar Series. SPAN is made up of students promoting peace nationally and locally through action and education. The event is co-sponsored by Pax Christi and the McHenry County Peace Coalition.”

“The college is located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the MCC Student Activities Office at (815) 455-8772.”

The last time a controversial subject was presented at MCC–the Illinois Minutemen’s presentation of Ohio Sheriff Daniel Beck–protesters were relegated to the opposite side of the building.

And, signs and all sorts of other things were not allowed, as you can see from the sign.

Crystal Lake Police were out in force. Protesters were relegated to a parking lot facing Route 14 on the Northwest side of the MCC building complex.

Here’s what is on the poster:

“America’s health care system is a disaster causing vast amounts of suffering and unneeded expense.

“Now is the time to work together to correct its’ many flaws, however myths perpetuated by the health industry itself appear to be derailing this process by creating confusion in the public discourse.

“We have assembled a panel of experts to help sort fact from fiction.

“Jane Hansen who holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BA in economics from Wellesley will begin the evening by presenting an overview of the current health care system. This will provide a better understanding of the present health care crisis facing our country.

“David Borris, proprietor of Hel’s Kitchen Catering, will address the need for reform in the health care industry to assist small business owners.

“Dr. Hal Snyder is a volunteer organizer with Health Care for America Now who has studied the various bills in Congress. He will dispel the many myths circulating throughout our country and tell the truth about the reform legislation and what it will do for us.

“Illinois Director of Health Care for America Now, John Gaudette, will explain what’s happening in Congress and how we can have a say in the outcome.”

“If you have questions regarding the pending legislation in Congress, please join us.”