MCC offers a sneak peek of its new Foglia CATI center

Economic development officials get tour of new MCC Foglia Center

McHenry County College rolled out the red carpet to give a tour of its new Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation to economic development officials from across Chicagoland.

The Foglia CATI, as it is called, is expected to open to classes in the coming days. The state-of-the-art center is outfitted with the latest in equipment and technology to train future generations of engineers and skilled tradespeople.

The college hosted a strategy meeting for the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership, which brings the seven counties of Chicagoland and the City of Chicago together to pool their resources to drive mutual economic development, research and innovation.

Rise Up Music Festival to rock McHenry for a good cause

Three days of rock and country music are coming to Petersen Park in McHenry – and the profits go into community improvement projects.

The Rise Up Music Festival takes place from Sept. 12 to Sept. 14. Rock the Lake, featuring rock music, takes place the first night, with Splash into Country featuring country artists the following two evenings.

McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett and his wife Amber created the Rise Up Foundation to fund city projects that enhance the quality of life. This year, the foundation hopes to raise more than $400,000 to revitalize the children’s play area at Veteran’s Park to include ADA accessibility for its toys.

Event tickets and a full concert schedule can be found at riseupmchenry.com.

Mental Health Board holding first-ever loneliness summit

The McHenry County Mental Health Board hopes to raise awareness of the impact of loneliness on mental heath through is upcoming Community Connections Summit.

The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 13 at the McHenry County College Luecht Auditorium, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.

This inaugural summit is designed to inspire, connect and empower, and includes an inspiring keynote speaker and multiple breakout sessions with various local agencies.

Click here to register, and click here for a schedule and a list of breakout sessions. Attendees can collect 4.5 continuing education unit credits.

Event to raise overdose awareness and honor the lost

The event, taking place from 5 to 7 p.m. this Saturday, remembers those who have lost their lives to substance abuse, honors those in recovery, and raises awareness about the national opioid and overdose epidemics and the fight against them.

Besides food trucks, bracelet making, live music and other entertainment, the event will include guest speakers, resource tables, training on how to administer Narcan to reverse an overdose, and more.

The McHenry County Department of Health has reported an increase in suspected overdose deaths and non-fatal opioid overdoses over the past three weeks. Also in recent weeks, the Coroner’s Office has installed a drug disposal bin at the County Government Center in Woodstock; learn more by clicking here.

Upcoming Talk and Tour presentation focuses on trees

The next presentation of the ongoing McHenry County Talk and Tour best management practices series will focus on the importance of trees in urban and suburban planning.

“The Value of Trees in Our Communities” will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 13 at Trout Valley Lodge, 1 Howard’s Way. The presentation will include a tour of Trout Valley’s oak woodlands, and showcase the village’s Tree Protection Ordinance.

To learn more and register in advance for the free presentation, click here.

Each Talk and Tour event showcases the environmental and economic benefits of innovative best management practices that have been successfully implemented in our region.

Local breweries serve up Oktoberfest fun

Oktoberfest is coming , and McHenry County’s award-winning craft breweries are gearing up to help you celebrate in style.

If a trip to Germany isn’t in your plans, you can’t go wrong celebrating Oktoberfest right here in McHenry County, with some truly outstanding beer.

If you’re looking to celebrate this highest of beer lovers’ holidays, visit the Events Calendar for Naturally McHenry County for a lost of local Oktoberfest events – and check out their list of local brewpubs by clicking here.

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McH Thrive is a collaborative initiative being implemented by McHenry County and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) in partnership with the McHenry County community, including cities and villages, businesses and residents.