Briefs: Lake Barrington woman withs Red Cross award

Woman wins first place

Stacie McManus of Lake Barrington, who last month was named one of 38 regional winners of the American Red Cross' Women of Spirit award, will be honored today as the sole national winner in Washington, D.C. McManus received both the regional and national awards for her efforts to improve the lives of autistic children and their families as well as raising awareness of the neurological disorder. Morton's Steakhouse is also involved with the award and hosted the regional dinner for McManus at its Schaumburg location. About 250 dignitaries are expected at Monday evening's event in Washington.

Alcott Center dedicated

The Buffalo Grove Park District will hold an open house and dedication ceremony for the Alcott Center at 6 p.m. today. The district has been working on renovating the center. The district will dedicate the lobby, playground and preschool room to Jan Mahoney, who was a preschool director and teacher from 1970 to 2006. The Alcott Center is at 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove. For details, call (847) 850-2104.

Our suburbs go for gold

The park districts of Hoffman Estates and Arlington Heights are finalists for the Gold Medal award, presented by the National Recreation and Parks Association. The award will be announced at the association's conference this week in Indianapolis. Bolingbrook and Bloomington, Ind. are also finalists. The award honors communities that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program and professional development and agency recognition.

Fundraiser to help family

Ram Restaurant and Brewery in Wheeling and Schaumburg will hold a fund raiser for Israel Hernandez's family on Oct. 1. Five-year-old Hernandez died Aug. 29 after he was burned by a fryer at his Wheeling home four days earlier. The two restaurants will give 10 percent of the meal total toward the family on that day. Ram is at 700 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling and at 1901 McConnor Parkway in Schaumburg. The restaurant also worked with Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 to raise funds for the family, selling 150 coupon books for $20 each.

'Netwalking' event planned

More than 10 shops at the Lynn Plaza Merchants Association in Wheeling are hosting a Wheeling/Prospect Heights Chamber of Commerce & Industry "netwalking" event from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at the plaza, Dundee and McHenry roads. The free event will include food and beverages at Market Square Restaurant from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. It starts at the Carnicerias Jimenez entrance, where guests will pick up a card and begin circulating the shops from 5 to 6 p.m. Upon exiting each shop, the card will be stamped and ultimately placed in a raffle held at the restaurant. For details, call (847) 541-0170.