Johnsburg High School seniors and their parents are encouraged to attend a presentation about college financial aid at 7 p.m. Thursday.

A college financing specialist from McHenry County College, Leana Davis, will give the presentation. Davis will address how students can become eligible for grant money, scholarships and loans.

She also will explain how to apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The FAFSA uses income tax information to calculate how much financial assistance students may qualify. Aid typically is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so parents will be advised to complete the form as soon as it becomes available in 2010.

Representatives from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission will be in attendance to walk parents through the FAFSA process. Parents are encouraged to visit www.fafsa.ed.gov before the presentation, so they can bring questions about what information is necessary to complete the form.

Juniors and their parents are invited to a similar presentation at 7 p.m. Monday.

Both presentations will be held in the school auditorium. Johnsburg High School is at 2002 W. Ringwood Road.

For information, call the school at 815-385-9233.

President Obama is scheduled to give a national address to students today. However, the address won't be shown in any Johnsburg schools. Here's a statement from Superintendent Dan Johnson about the video:

Over the past few days we have received numerous inquiries regarding the upcoming presentation by President Obama on Tuesday, Sept. 8, to students across the nation. I wanted to let you know that the District 12 will not be showing the address. Showing this presentation would severely tax our technological resource we have in the district.



However, in order to provide information to our families, we will make available the link to President Obama's presentation on our website. By providing the link, it will offer our families the opportunity to preview the speech if they so wish. This will allow families to each make individual decisions regarding the presentation which best fit their desires. We will be providing the link to the presentation on Tuesday, Sept. 8 when it become available. We hope you find this information helpful.



Sincerely,


Dan Johnson

Enjoy live music, games, food and a wide selection of cars, bikes and tractors on display Sunday at McHenry Township Park.

The seventh annual Johnsburg Car and Bike Show wlil be held at the park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's open to the public and admission is free.

There will be live music, a DJ, and lots of games to play and food to devour. The Johnsburg Lions Club will sponsor a beer tent. There also will be more than 30 raffles, including a 50-50 raffle.

Anyone interested in showing a car, bike or tractor can do so for free, too. Registration for participants will open at 8 a.m. and close at 11 a.m.

Proceeds will benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and the McHenry County Youth Commission. Donations are welcome.

Questions? Call  Vince at 815-482-7184  or e-mail  kmw60089@yahoo.com.
 

One Johnsburg neighborhood was treated to an ice cream block party Saturday, thanks to a resident who won an essay contest.

Nicole Sherman submitted an essay to the Edy’s Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute essay contest, and her neighborhood was treated to enough ice cream to serve 100 people and scoops, tablecloths, nametags, disposable camera and napkins for the tastey event.

Here's her essay an a snapshot from the party:

"I am a full time working mother of five kids, and I love where we live; it’s the only place I would ever want to raise my kids. Our neighborhood is nestled in a small community that still has old fashioned values. We have a wide variety of ages in the families that reside here, some are young couples just starting a family, a huge family that home schools all their kids, others are couples with teenagers, and also retirees with grand children. We don’t have much money, but we all have big hearts, and our neighbors show it on a regular basis.

When our youngest was born last year, I was amazed at how many of our neighbors sent over care packages to our home, hand crocheted blankets, and even homemade rice pudding. When our dog got lost, they helped us search for her. They have been there to lend a helping hand anytime we have needed one. Whenever I have found I am missing an ingredient like an egg for a cake, I know I can always call one of my neighbors. Likewise, they know they can call on me for anything they need.

Many of the people living here have been losing their jobs; some even have lost their cars or homes. It’s heartbreaking to see how our neighbors and friends are struggling through these tough times. Lately there has been no reason to celebrate anything with how dark and uncertain the future seems. I would love to give back to my neighborhood for all the help and happiness that they bring into my life by being here. A party would be a wonderful way to return some of the joy they have brought to my family, and to be able to have a neighborhood ice cream party would be incredible. There’s nothing better than a little ice cream to brighten any day.

Sincerely,

Nicole Sherman"