Possibility of noise worries residents

It's come to my attention that some residents living near Prairie Stone Business Park are a little worried about noise levels once the Prairie Creek Amphitheater opens. The open-air concert venue is scheduled to open in May 2008, but some permits still need board approval.

I received calls two months ago from worried residents who said they've started to assemble a petition objecting to the theater. Planners say the building will be more enclosed than traditional open-air theaters and they've tried to turn the building around so the sound doesn't leak as much toward residences.

Village board members the last two weeks have told me they've received petitions that could have as many as 200 signatures.

Noise complaints aren't new. Residents, many in South Barrington, also voiced their concerns about the old Poplar Creek Music Theater, which closed in 1995. Keep in mind the new theater's seating capacity is half the size of Poplar Creek.

The stew is simmering, but it remains to be seen if anything will splatter. I'll keep you posted.

Tough trustee: Despite enduring a four-hour foot surgery last week, Trustee Anna Newell attended Monday's village board meeting, taking her seat in a wheelchair. That kind of toughness is rarely seen on the village board circuit, let alone on the Monday Night Football game that is usually going on at the same time as the regular meetings. Kudos. Get well soon.

Runway celebration: GiGi's Playhouse, the Down syndrome awareness center in Hoffman Estates, celebrates its four-year anniversary on Oct. 14 with a party from noon to 3 p.m. at the center, 1069 W. Golf Road. Miss Illinois will be on hand to greet models who walk the runway. The models all have Down syndrome. Guests include a politician, a clown and a dog, as Mayor William McLeod, Ronald McDonald and McGruff the Crime Dog will be on hand. A petting zoo, pony rides and other activities also will be available. For more information, call (847) 885-7529 or click on www.gigisplayhouse.org.

Principal for a day: That Rep. Fred Crespo is a busy guy. The former Hoffman Estates trustee will be principal for a day Oct. 25 at Albert Einstein Elementary School in Hanover Park. The school is encouraging politicians to get involved, and Crespo will perform the routine duties of Principal Bob Kaplan.