Posts Tagged ‘Vernon Hiils’

Vernon Hills IL   Sledding and Ice Skating  Nothing beats it for WinterTime Fun!

I have a confession to make.  I really do not like the winter.   I know, this is a very strange thing to hear from a person that has chosen the Chicago Northwest Suburbs to call home, but there it is.  But for as much as I dislike the cold, sleet and wind there is something magical about new fallen snow.  I dare someone to say that they don’t have at least one wonderful memory that includes snow ball fights, snow angels, sledding and ice skating.  Lucky for us, Vernon Hills offers multiple outdoor ice skating parks and sled hills to help bring those memories back and to create new memories for our kids.

If ice skating is your choice, the Vernon Hills Park District offers four different locations.  The first three can be found at:

• Evergreen Lake at Deerpath Park, adjacent to the softball field
• Willow Lake at Deerpath Park, north of the Cherokee Road entrance
• Grosse Pointe Pond, at Grosse Pointe Boulevard and Hunter Court

The fourth location in Vernon Hills also has one of the best sled hills I have ever seen (and if you’re in the mood for a fantastic work-out, the hill is available for running in the summer).  This Vernon Hills  sled hill and ice skating rink are located at Century Park North, with the ice rink located next to the hill on the basketball court near the sled hill. This ice rink will be lighted until 9:00 pm daily.  The  Vernon Hills park district is currently building a warming shelter/concession stand by the Century Park North ice rink and which should be a great addition to the winter fun.

As always, there are a few safetly rules and approporiate times to be on the ice.  Please visit the Vernon Hills Park District website, http://www.vhparkdistrict.org/parks/skating.asp, for information on when the ponds are open for ice skating and a list of all safety rules.  If you are looking for information on indoor ice skating rinks in Vernon Hills, please see my blog posting on the The Glacier Ice Arena at http://www.vernonhills-homes-for-sale.com/vernon-hills-ice-skating.html  As always; stay warm, stay safe and enjoy a great winter day in Vernon Hills with sledding and ice skating for the whole family.

If you would like more information about the Chicago Northwest Suburbs including Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Vernon Hills and Lake Zurich  please do not hesitate to call me at 847-602-5435 or email me at info@buffalogrovehomes.com. 

My websites, www.movetolonggrove.com , www.buffalogroveareahomes.com, and www.vernonhills.homes-for-sale.com  will  provide you all the information regardless as to whether you are a potential buyer or seller!

Roll, Smash and Launch those Halloween Pumpkins at the Vernon Hills Pumpkin Launch.

It’s November 3rd.  The Halloween decorations are put away, the candy is almost eaten and the subsequent dental visits have been planned.  But what to do about all the leftover pumpkins and jack-o-lanters?  Just when I thought my carefully carved jack-o-lanterns would be nothing by landfill by Friday, I stumbled upon information about the Vernon Hills Pumpkin Launch. 

On Saturday, November 6th at 11am, you and your family can take your leftover pumpkins to the Century Park Sled Hill in Vernon Hills and toss, roll and launch your pumpkins for a fun-filled afternoon.  Students from the Vernon Hills High School science department will be there with a catapult to help your little ones launch those leftovers into the atmosphere.  The cost is $3 per person and limited to one pumpkin per participant.

I don’t know about you, but I know my kids will be giggling themselves silly watching those pumpkins fly through the air and our pumpkins will get one more chance to provide joy for the family.  For more information, please call the Vernon Hills Park District at (847) 996-6800.

Judy Greenberg’s websites www.vernonhills-homes-for-sale.com and www.buffalogroveareahomes.com provide all the information regardless as to whether you are a potential buyer or seller.  If you are a first time home buyer trying to determine how much you can afford, or an experienced buyer who is selling your home, Judy can help you with all your real estate needs .  As a seller you benefit from Judy’s savvy internet marketing skills and strong negotiating skills, and as a buyer you benefit from her passion for finding you your perfect home!

Judy can be reached at 847-602-5435 or via email at info@buffalogrovehomes.com. Judy has helped people move in and out of  the Chicago Northwest  Suburbs. including but not limited to , Long Grove, Kildeer, Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire, Vernon Hills, and Hawthorn Woods.

The Vernon Hills Cougars Jumpstart the 2010 High School Football Season with a Bang!

Is there anything better than sitting with your friends and neighbors cheering on the local high school football team?  Not when that football team is the Vernon Hills Cougars and they shut-out Niles West in the first game of the season 45 – 0.  It was rumored at the start of the season that this years team was outstanding and they didn’t fail to deliver.  The Cougars scored on their first seven possessions and led  39-0 lead by halftime.  

If you are a fan of Friday Night Lights, or even a fan of marching bands and exuberant fans, make sure to check out the next Vernon Hills High School football game.  Next up on the roster is Chicago Raby High School visiting Vernon Hills on Friday, September 3rd.  Click here, for a complete listing of Vernon Hills Varsity Football games.  And don’t forget, there are some great games being played by the Vernon Hills freshman football team and Vernon Hills sophomore footbal team as well.  You can find their schedule on the Vernon Hills High School website.

See everyone on September 3rd and make sure to wear your Blue and Silver!

If you would like more information about the Vernon Hills area or Vernon Hills real estate please do not hesitate to call me at 847-602-5435.

My websites, www.movetolonggrove.com , www.buffalogroveareahomes.com, and www.vernonhills-homes-for-sale.com  will  provide you with valuable community and real estate information whether you are interested in buying or selling a home.

Getting to O’Hare International Airport from the Vernon Hills Area

“It must take you forever to get to the airport!”  Back in the day of business travel and care-free, no-kids vacations, I heard many people lament the trip to O’Hare International Airport  from the Chicago Northwest Suburbs on my behalf.  Truth is, it’s neither complicated nor very time consuming to get to O’Hare from the Chicago Northwest Suburbs.  My personal best has been 23 minutes door-to-door (although I will admit to that particular trip starting at 4:30am).  Here are the three, easiest ways I have found to O’Hare plus one bonus:

Metra North Central Service

The Metra North Central Service (which includes service to Vernon Hills and Buffalo Grove) is a commuter service that stops at the O’Hare Transfer Station (located at Remote Parking Lot F).  Once there,  you can connect, via the airport shuttle bus system, to the People Mover.  I have to tell you, this is not my favorite way of getting to the airport, but it is the least expensive.  This is definitely best for those times when you can pack light.  For more information on the Metra North Central Service, click here.

Cab

Taking a cab is definitely my favorite way of getting to O’Hare and I have never been let down by American Taxi.  They have set fares to O’Hare and will pick you up any time, day or night.  Fares from Vernon Hills and Buffalo Grove are about $35 (there may be additional fees based on gas rates, etc.).  Tipping is expected and will increase your price tag from $7 – $10.  The best thing about a cab is the door-to-door service so you don’t have to leave the house earlier just to account for parking time.  One caveat, if you are taking a cab FROM O’Hare to the Chicago Northwest Suburbs, call ahead and schedule the service.  It is next to impossible to find a cab driver at the airport willing to take you that far out to the suburbs without a reservation.  It can also cost nearly $75 for the ride if you do find someone willing to make the drive.

Driving

If you are only traveling overnight, I would suggest driving to O’Hare and parking in the daily parking lot.  Parking runs $30 a day, but this lot is as close to the airport as you can get if you are driving a car.  Lot A, floors 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 offer the best access to the terminals. You can get the best spot if you call ahead and find out which terminal you need to access for your flight and park accordingly.  And if you really want convenience, $45 will get you valet service!  Best route I have found is take I-294 straight to the I-90 O’Hare exit.  Here’s a great website that give you great information about parking at O’Hare.

Park and Fly

Now, I haven’t tried this service myself, but I know people who swear by it.  You get the most bang for your buck with this service if you have an early morning flight and you really don’t want to leave the Northwest Suburbs at 4:00am to catch your flight.  There are participating hotels around O’Hare that offer a room for the night and then parking for your car for the duration of your trip.  For example, the Quality Inn’s package offers one night’s accommodation, 7 days of parking and shuttle service to and from the airport for $89.  Go to the Park Sleep Fly website at www.parksleepfly.com for more information and to make reservations.

As a former business traveler, I know that access to a major airport is on the top of a person’s list when deciding where to call home.  Thanks to Chicago’s and the Northwest Suburb’s investment in public transportation and roadways, you get the best of suburban life with direct access to one of the world’s largest airports.  Now, if only it was that easy to find your luggage once you get to your destination.

The above post, Traveling to O’Hare from Vernon Hills, IL, was written by Tara Arnold and Judy Greenberg of the Judy Greenberg Real Estate team at Coldwell Banker.

If you would like more information about the Chicago Northwest Suburbs,including Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Vernon Hills, and Lake Zurich  please do not hesitate to call me at 847-602-5435 or email me at info@buffalogrovehomes.com

My websites, www.movetolonggrove.com , www.buffalogroveareahomes.com, and www.vernonhills.homes-for-sale.com

will provide you all the information regardless as to whether you are a potential buyer or seller!

Vernon Hills Area Golf Courses

Wednesday was the first day of  Chicago’s Golf season.     The weather was absolutely  beautiful  and many serious golfers in the Vernon Hills area were seen at the links.  Serious golfers in the Buffalo Grove area  were also  playing, Thursday and Friday also.  Why weren’t they at the golf course on Saturday? I’ll tell you why…  It was snowing!    One day the weather was 65 degrees and sunny, the next day 30 degrees and snowing.  Vernon Hills  weather- oh well!

Although  I was busy with an out of town client  and couldn’t play golf this week, I’m really looking forward to hit the links the next time  the weather in Vernon Hills  is above 60 degrees.

Ready to start golfing? Vernon Hills has 2 public golf courses

Golf is the time that I’m able to spend time as close to nature as possible. I can experience lush green grass, beautiful flowers, trees, and wildlife.  While golfing, I have seen everything from herons to  llamas, and coyotes as well as a goose giving birth on the golf course.   Golf is the time I can laugh with my friends, and spend quality time  with my husband.  Golf is  also the time I can be without a phone,  ( at least I try )   Lastly, golf is the time I even get some level of  exercise and have fun doing it.

The game is both challenging and frustrating at the same time.  If you get to know me, you will know that I love challenges.  Just like I enjoy finding the perfect home for each of my clients or selling a home in the shortest amount of time for the highest price, I love the challenge to develop the perfect, consistent swing. Unfortunately I’m far from that level now.

For those of us who live in Vernon Hills, Long Grove or a contiguous suburb, there are so many excellent courses to play golf within a 15 minute drive.     Although  the Vernon Hills area has such a short golf season, its fun while it lasts.  Golfers from Chicago appreciate  every day the sun is shining and the temperature is greater than 62 degrees.

I have a compiled a list of golf courses in the Northwest Suburbs within 15 minutes from Vernon Hills.

Public Golf Clubs in the Vernon Hills, Buffalo Grove, Long Grove area….

The Arboretum Club is located at 401 Half Day Road in Buffalo Grove.  The course is lushly landscaped.  It is approximately 100 acres of rolling fairways, large varieties of trees and wildflowers.  My only advice when you play this course is to bring a lot of balls- there are a lot of water holes.

Arlington Lakes Golf Club is located at 1211 New Wilke Rd. in Arlington Heights.  This course also has a lot of lakes and sand traps.  Their excellent design and manicured greens make for a quality golf course.

Buffalo Grove Golf Club is located at 48 Raupp Blvd in Buffalo Grove is one of the finest municipal facilities in the area.  The course features bent grass greens and bluegrass fairways and tees.

Countryside Golf Course is located at 1 Pine Meadow Lane  in Mundelein.  The Prairie Course, with bent grass tees, wide-open greens and sand bunkers offers golfers a chance to challenge their game. The Traditional Course, with bent grass tees and tree-lined fairways, offers golfers scenic and challenging rounds of play.

Cranes Landing Golf Club is located at 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire in the Marriott Resort.  Cranes Landing features scenic vistas of the Des Plaines River, tree- lined fairways and water challenges on 14 holes.

Nickol Knoll Golf Course is located at 3800 N. Kennicott Ave in Arlington Heights.    If your kids need a place to play or you working on your short game, this is the place to visit in town.  All holes are par 3, but it is one of the most unique par-3 courses you will ever play.

Old Orchard Country Club is located at 700 West Rand Road in Mount Prospect.  It is one of the best-conditioned and challenging courses in the Chicago area. Old Orchard Country Club is a mature and challenging course with narrow fairways. The terrain is slightly rolling, and water hazards come into play on at least nine different occasions.

Pine Meadow Golf Course is located at 1 Pine Meadow Lane in  Mundelein.  Known as a fair test of golf skills for any golfer, Pine Meadow also has such picturesque beauty with its fairways lined with towering blue spruce, pines as well as wild life.

Steeple Chase Golf Course is located at 200 N. Lavista in Mundelein.   Steeple Chase is a wonderful Ken Killian design in a beautiful setting amid natural hills, lakes, woods, and wetlands. Scenic beauty, outstanding course conditions, and challenging greens will keep you coming back.

Vernon Hills has a sporty 9 hole public course and a challenging 18 hole public golf course

Vernon Hills Golf Course is located  at 291 Evergreen Drive  in Vernon Hills .  This golf course has been ranked as one of the Top Ten Best nine whole courses in the Chicago land area. The golf course features narrow fairways and small greens. The terrain is rolling with a creek that meanders into play on seven holes.

White Deer Run is located at 250 W. Gregg’s Parkway  in Vernon Hills.   Built on the famed Cuneo Estate in Vernon Hills, White Deer Run Golf Club offers the essential ingredients to an enjoyable day on the golf course. With 240 acres of rolling terrain and picturesque lakes, the golf course offers a fair challenge for any skill level. White Deer Run has generous landing areas off the tee, and immaculately groomed bent grass greens and fairways, perfect for your round of golf!

Private Golf Courses

Hawthorn Woods Country Club This private country club is located at Four Turnbury Court in Hawthorn Woods carved along Lake County’s rolling countryside.   This 7,100-yard championship golf course incorporates bent grass fairways and greens with enhanced wetlands, meandering streams and towering pine and elm trees.

Hillcrest Country Club is located at 3217 R. F. D.  in Long Grove,  Sixty-three strategic bunkers, out-of-bounds on every hole, water in-play on eight holes and thousands of mature trees assure you’ll have to work for a low score.  Yet, the golf course has a magical, almost mystical power to bring about a state of peaceful tranquility, no matter how a well or poorly one’s round is progressing.  Since I am a member here, if you buy or sell a home with me, I will invite you for a wonderful day at this very challenging course!

Kemper Lakes Golf Club is located at 24000 N. Old McHenry Road in Kildeer.   It has been recognized as one of the finest pure private golf facilities in the country.  Kemper Lakes has played host to some of golf’s greatest players and most prestigious events, including the 1989 PGA Championship, six Senior PGA Tour events, four Grand Slam of Golf events and the USGA Women’s Amateur Championship.

Ivanhoe Golf Club is located at 28846 N Thorngate Dr. in Mundelein.   Ivanhoe is unique in the Midwest featuring a rare 27-hole course made up of three separate 9-hole environments — Forest, Marsh, and Prairie. Each 9-hole course’s distinguishing surroundings and personality provide a new experience every time you play.

Royal Melbourne is located at 4700 Royal Melbourne Drive in Long Grove.   With an 18-hole parin course carved into the surrounding wetlands, ponds, prairies and trees, Royal Melbourne combines the beauty of sport with the beauty of nature. Members not only get to experience the challenge of the game the way it was meant to be played, but they get to do so in a lushly landscaped world inhabited by deer, swans, hawks and other local wildlife.

Twin Orchard Country Club is located at 22353 Old McHenry Rd in Long Grove.    This club has two 18-hole golf courses with rolling fairways boasting magnificent views of Northern Lake County from some of the highest tees and greens in the area. In addition, an ongoing multi-million dollar golf course renovation program including the installation of a state of the art irrigation system was undertaken to ensure both courses maintain excellent playability, pleasing design and appropriate level of challenge for both men and lady golfers of varying handicaps

If you would like more information (real estate or golf courses) about the Chicago Northwest Suburbs, including Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Buffalo Grove, and Lake Zurich  please do not hesitate to call me at 847-602-5435 or email me at info@buffalogrovehomes.com.

My websites, www.vernonhills-homes-for-sale.com and www.buffalogroveareahomes.comand my blog www.judygreenberg.com.com will provide you all the information regardless as to whether you are a potential buyer or seller!