Lake County briefs
A natural scholarship:The Friends of Volo Bog are offering two scholarships of $1,000 each to high school students interested in pursuing an environmental career. Applicants must live and attend high school in Lake, McHenry, Kane, Cook, DuPage, Kendall or Will counties, have a minimum B average for the first three years, and plan to attend an accredited college or university. The applicant should be planning to enter a career directly related to preserving the environment. Applications are due by the fourth Friday in February. Application packets are available at Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside, and online at friendsofvolobog.org.See your future:Fresh Start of Illinois, a not-for-profit employment center, is presenting a free seminar for job hunters from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at its office, 1512 Artaius Parkway, Libertyville. Participants will learn to experience a positive, permanent shift in the quality of your life; redefine the nature of what's possible; and to create a future of your own design. Call (847) 366-7972 or visit freshstartofillinois.org. Fresh Start is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Drop-ins have access to computers, Internet, telephones, printers and one-on-one assistance.Century Park improvements:The Vernon Hills Park District has been awarded a $400,000 state open space grant for the extensive renovations of the north end of Century Park. Improvements scheduled to begin this summer include a winter warming and activities building with bathrooms; a new sand volleyball court; three half-court basketball courts; a teen fitness playground; permanent fishing pier; large picnic shelter; two fishing overlooks; interpretive trails with educational signs on the existing island; bird houses and osprey nesting platforms; a pedestrian bridge to access the island; a new cricket pitch for practice and play; and a new lighted walking/jogging path with connections to existing pedestrian trails within the village.