Cougar Travel Baseball Tryouts - August 15

Tryouts for the 2011 Cougar Travel Baseball Season will be held on August 15 and August 22 (callbacks only) at VHAC fields 1-4. Players will be notified after the August 15 tryout if they need to came to the August 22 tryout. NEW IN 2011 - It is our goal to have two full-time travel teams at each level (Blue and Grey) depending on the number of players at each level. Indoor practices will be from January through March. Outdoor practices and games start in April and will run through July. Please visit www.vhcyaa.org for exact times and to download a registration form.

Sports and Camp Physicals

Parents looking for convenient sports/camp physicals might consider the Walgreens Take Care Clinic ($35 physical; offer ends 9/30/10), CVS Minute Clinic ($35; offer ends 9/19/10), or the Condell Immediate Care Center in Vernon Hills (Reported at $88). We have also received information from Dr. Manfred Man regarding $35 sports physicals. In addition, the Annual Kids 1st Health Fair will be held August 3 at Miguel Juarez Middle School, 201 N. Butrick, Waukegan. (However, due to cutbacks, Lake County does not plan to hold a Health Fair in Mundelein this year.) Note that Hawthorn students interested in participating in the athletic programs available through the middle schools must have an IESA sports physical on file before they can try out or otherwise participate. (Students entering Kindergarten and 6th grade must provide a doctor-signed Illinois Certificate of Child Health Exam; students entering grades K, 2 and 6 must have a signed Dental Exam; and students entering school at Kindergarten or grade 1 must have an Eye Exam Report on file. Medical forms may be provided when school starts in the fall.)

Sales Tax Holiday, August 6-15

Back-to-school shopping should be just a little more pleasant this year, thanks to the state sales tax holiday. School supplies less than $100 (paper, gym shoes, etc.) will not be charged the 5 percent Illinois sales tax between August 6 and 15. County and other sales taxes will still be assessed. For more information, please read the 7/7/10 Press Release or the complete Bill 3658.

Need a Picture ID with a Current Home Address?

Casa Guanajuato Mundelein invites you to apply for and get your Mexican Consular ID and or Mexican Passaport. The mobile Mexican Consulate will be in Mundelein on Wednesday, August 25 through Friday, August 27 from 11 AM to 7 PM and on Saturday, August 28 from 9 AM to 3 PM. The location is St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 10 S. Lake St, Mundelein. Please call 224-636-3631 or view the poster for more information.

YMCA Offers Summer Camps and Year-Round Programming

The Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills offers a variety of Summer Camps, programs, and now a new Special Needs Enrichment opportunity. For information, visit www.ymcalakecounty.org, call 847-367-6797, or visit the facility at 700 Lakeview Parkway in Vernon Hills.

Stevenson Foundation Golf Outing - and Sneak Peak at Next Year

The 15th Annual Stevenson High School Community Foundation Golf Outing and Lunch will be held June 18 at the Arboretum Club in Buffalo Grove. Great day for a great cause - and you might even win a car. Looking ahead to 2010-11, the Stevenson Foundation will present a variety of performing arts opportunities, including Odyssey sensation David Garibaldi, Tom Sadge's Neil Diamond tribute, the New Shanghai Circus, and two children's plays -- Thumbelina and Frog Prince. More information is available on the Foundation webpages.

YMCA Launches New Special Needs Enrichment Program

The YMCA of Central Lake County (located right here in Vernon Hills) is launching a new enrichment program for children with special needs. Activities range from dance to crafts to sports. For more information, please review the Special Needs Enrichment brochure, or contact Kathleen Raupp at kmraupp@gmail.com or 847-367-6797. Information about Central Lake YMCA is also available at www.ymcalakecounty.org.

Jr. Cougar Cheer Clinics - June 21 & August 21

Girls in grades PreK through 8 are invited to attend the VHHS Jr. Cougar Cheer Clinic on June 21. Participants will also march in the Vernon Hills 4th of July Parade. For information, check the registration brochure or contact Shaunna Rivera at 847-932-2800 x8199 or shaunna.rivera@d128.org. You can also plan ahead and sign up for the Jr. Cougar Fall Clinic scheduled for Saturday, August 21.

Check Out the Cook Library Summer Reading Program - Aspen Library to Open July 10!

Announcing the Cook Memorial Library Summer Reading Club 2010 - "Grow With Us!" The library offers summertime reading options to fit every age and interest. Plus there are drop-in family times and lots of special activities, including a July 22 Family Night at the new Aspen Drive Library. Details are available on the Summer Program newsletter. Watch for more information about the new facility, which is expected to open on July 10.

Hawthorn Afterschool Club - Register by June 1 for Savings

The Hawthorn Afterschool Club offers on-site before and after school care, as well as coverage for school breaks, holidays and summer vacation. Register by June 1 to get free registration ($60 savings). Register by August 6 to ensure you're ready for the first week of school. Registration forms are available through Afterschool Club and online at www.afterschoolclub.com or by calling 847-548-2445.

Cook Library Offers Summer Fun for 4th-6th Graders - Including Fun at the New Aspen Library!

Looking for something different to do this summer? Check out the Cook Library Tween Program for kids in grades 4-6. Two of the events will be right in Vernon Hills. On Wednesday, June 30, chill out at the Laschen Center with video games, board games and cool treats. Then on August 4, visit the new Aspen Library for a Tween Treasure Hunt. Both events are from 2 to 3:30 p.m. For more information about the Cook Library Tween Program, check the event descriptions, send an email to Librarian Rob Eckmann at reckmann@cooklibrary.org, or visit the Cook Library website, www.cooklib.org.

Schwaben Soccer Offers Free Skill Clinic/Open House plus Pro Soccer Game - May 21

Kids age 6 to 18 are invited to take part in a free soccer skill clinic and open house from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on May 21. Right after the clinic, you can watch the Chicago Red Stars play the Chicago Red in a pro women's game. Get to the clinic early - free t-shirts for the first 100 kids, plus skill clinic participants get into the pro game for free. The Schwaben fields are located at 301 N. Weiland Road in Buffalo Grove. For information, check the poster or visit www.schwabensoccer.com.

Carmel Catholic Summer Camps

Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein offers a variety of summer camps, including the 5th Annual Summer Dance Camp, hosted by the Carmel Varsity Poms Squad. Girls just finishing grades 2 through 7 are eligible to take part in the event, held June 21 through 25. For information about the Dance Camp or any other Carmel opportunity, visit www.carmelhs.org/experience/sports/register.

VH Cougar Community Soccer Program - Register by June 30 for Discount

Registration is open for the Vernon Hills Community Soccer Fall 2010 Recreational League. Boys and girls from PreK through 4th grade can play soccer right here in town! Sign up by June 30 to receive an early bird discount. Walk-in Registration is set for Saturday, May 15 from noon to 4 at Field 10 of the Vernon Hills Athletic Complex. Details are outlined on the information sheet. For more information, visit www.vhcyaa.org or email vhcommsoccer@gmail.com.

VH Park District Pointers - May 2010

The Vernon Hills Park District's May Park District Pointers offers lots of information about the many Park District summer camp options. Other highlights include self defense classes, table tennis lessons, babysitter training. Summertime special events include June 8 Park Chat, June 12 Kid's Fishing Day, Movies in the Park and more. For details, visit vhparkdistrict.org or call 847-996-6800.

Camp Jorn YMCA Offers a Variety of Summer Experiences

Camp Jorn YMCA is located on beautiful Rest Lake in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin. Opportunities include overnight Resident Camp for ages 8 to 15, Day Camp, Family Camp and more. Camp dates, rates and activities are all listed online at www.campjornymca.org, or call Camp Jorn at 715-543-8808.

Rolling Thunder Volleyball Club Summer Camps

Rolling Thunder Volleyball Club offers skill-specialized instruction through a day camp experience. Camps are held in Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich and Hawthorn Woods, and area available for boys and girls grades 4 through 9 and beyond. For more information, check out the camp brochure and registration form, visit www.rollingthundervbc.com, or send an email to rollingthundervbc@earthlink.net.

CLC Offers So Much! Including Camp XPLORE and Online Youth Courses!

The College of Lake County (CLC) is a tremendous local resource when it comes to youth programs. CLC's Camp Explore is for kids age 6 to 18, and offers 20 recreational or academic classes from which to chose. Sports, LEGO engineering, web design, Battle Bots, digital filmmaking - check out the Camp Xplore flyer for a more complete listing. Or call the Xplore Hotline at 847-543-2759. And while you're at it, check out the selection of convenient online youth classes. Online course details are available at www.ed2go.com/clc or by calling 847-543-2022. For a full listing of Personal Enrichment opportunities for youth, check the CLC Youth Schedule. For assistance on any of these courses, call CLC at 847-543-2022 or visit www.clcillinois.edu/noncredit/programs/youth.asp.

Save the Date: Make Strides Breast Cancer Walk - Oct 17

Mark your calendar for October 17 when the American Cancer Society will hold a "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" run/walk at Independence Grove in Libertyville. Check the event poster for details. For more information or to get involved, contact Doug Adolph at 847-317-0025 or doug.adolph@cancer.org.

Chicago Storm Summer Soccer Camp

Chicago Storm Summer Soccer Camps will be in our area. Half- and full-day camps for ages 4 to 13. Staff includes player/coach Branko Savic as well as past and current players Chris Brisson, Jeff Richey, Matthew Stewart, Victor Garcia, Arturo Alanis and Edgar Rivera. For information, see the Registration Form, call 708-410-1302, or visit www.chicagosportszone.com.