Five Things You Need to Know for Monday, Oct. 1

"Five Things you Need to Know" is a Patch column that provides readers with information at a glance on the upcoming day. 

Happy Monday Algonquin and Lake in the Hills Patch readers! Can you believe it's October, already?
Halloween is right around the corner and here at Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Patch, we will be compiling a list (and a map) of area houses that have the best, the most elaborate and the downright spookiest decorations. 
We will highlight some area residents who go so far as opening up their haunted yards to the public come October to showcase their decorations. We want to make sure we don't miss anyone and our hope is to give readers a reference so they can check out some of the coolest decorations in our area. Feel free to shoot editor Amie Schaenzer an e-mail at amie.schaenzer@patch.com if you think a home should be included on our list. 

It's looking like a gorgeous week for weather here in Algonquin and Lake in the Hills. Monday, a high of 73 degrees and mostly sunny skies is predicted. Here is how the rest of the week is looking: Tuesday, mostly clear with a high of 75 degrees; Wednesday, mostly clear with a high of 80 degrees; and Thursday, mostly sunny with a high of 72 degrees. 

Towne Park in Algonquin will close Monday and will remained closed through summer 2014 as part of the Western Bypass construction project. You can read more about the Towne Park closure and changes that will be made to the park in this Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Patch article. 

A free property tax appeal presentation will be held Monday evening at American Community Bank, 10101 N. Route II 47 in Huntley, for those hoping to get more information on how the property assessment process works. McHenry County Assessor Robert Ross will give the presentation, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. You can pre-register by calling the Grafton township offices at 847-669-3328. 

While homecoming weekend is over for Jacobs High School students, there is still time to share your photos from the dance, the big game and from homecoming week on Patch. You can post your photos in our community gallery here. 

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What else is happening in the community today and this weekend? Tell us in the comments' section below.