Briefs: Hersey to dedicate pavilion
John Hersey High School will dedicate the Robert J. Hannon Activities Pavilion at 1 p.m. today. Hannon, the school's assistant principal for student activities, died in 2003. He spent 31 years at the school as a teacher, counselor and administrator. He received Arlington Heights' 2003 Educator Heart of Gold Award, and had been a recipient of the Illinois School Board of Education's Those Who Excel Award of Merit and District 214's Principal's Award. Following music and speeches, a reception will be held at Atlantis Banquets, 1273 E. Rand, across the street from the school.
Motorcyclist arrested
Bartlett police have arrested and charged a Spring Grove man with aggravated driving under the influence and aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer, both felonies. Reports say an officer saw Geffrey Jones, 34, erratically driving a 2007 Harley-Davidson motorcycle near South Bartlett and Stearns roads. When the officer tried to pull him over, Jones fled northbound on South Bartlett at a high rate of speed, authorities say. Jones lost control and crashed at a curve near Lamont Parkway. He was taken to St. Alexius Hospital in Hoffman Estates, treated for minor injuries and released. Jones was also charged with misdemeanor DUI and driving while license revoked.
Piano performances:
The 14th annual Festival of Pianos will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Randhurst Shopping Center in Mount Prospect. More than 400 students, parents and teachers will perform duets throughout the day on six Yamaha grand pianos. The conductor is Marilyn Crosland from Buffalo Grove. Students from all over the Northwest suburbs, of all ages and levels of abilities, will be performing. This is a free concert, sponsored by the Northwest Suburban Music Teachers Association.
Water park reopens today
After an extensive, three-month renovation, The Water Works indoor water park will reopen at noon today at the Schaumburg Park District's Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg. Changes to the 12-year-old facility include a new spray ground with lots of ropes and squirts, deck resurfacing and tropical-themed decorative work. A ribbon-cutting and grand reopening ceremony attended by the park district board will begin promptly at noon. Those who arrive between noon and 2 p.m. will be admitted free.
Dist. 211 heart walk set
The 12th annual Palatine-Schaumburg High District 211 Heart Walk, which involves students at all District 211 high schools and raises money for the American Heart Association, takes place Sunday. The event starts with warm-ups at 8 a.m. at Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts. The district has raised more than $144,000 over the last 11 years and is looking for more volunteers to raise money. The event will close with the annual pancake breakfast at Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, sponsored by the teachers union and the board of education. Those wishing to donate can make drop-offs at the district administration center, 1750 S. Roselle Road in Palatine.
Meet with Bean Sunday
Constituents of U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean's 8th Congressional District will have a chance to voice any concerns or input to her one-on-one on Sunday when she appears at Jewel stores around her district as part of the Congress @ Your Corner program. She's scheduled to appear at 8 a.m. Sunday at 4222 W. Elm St. in McHenry; 9 a.m. at 150 Main St. in Barrington; and 11 a.m. at 1069 N. Roselle Road in Hoffman Estates. Bean is a Democrat from Barrington. Her district runs from the Wisconsin state line south through parts of Lake, McHenry and northwestern Cook counties.