Retiring police dog Swojy takes his final bite out of crime

Twenty of his canine colleagues howled for Elk Grove Village's retiring police dog this week during a special ceremony.

Swojy worked on the Elk Grove Village force for seven years.

At Tuesday's village board meeting, police dogs from around the suburbs filled the council chambers to pay tribute to Swojy.

Swojy will enjoy retirement at the home of his partner, Officer John Bazukas.

Swojy logged nearly 300 arrests during his career, including one on his last day on the job. Swojy on Oct. 15 helped nab a robbery suspect.

Also on Tuesday, residents met the police department's newest police dog. Tyson is a 17-month-old Belgian Malinois.

Alzheimer's from the inside: Dr. Richard Taylor will give a presentation on Alzheimer's disease on Nov. 13 at the Des Plaines Public Library. He will speak at 11 a.m. at the library, 1501 Ellinwood Ave.

He will discuss his personal experiences of living with the disease. Early stage patients, their families and caregivers are encouraged to attend.

Taylor, a retired psychologist, has Alzheimer's.

For more information or to register, please call (847) 376-2787.

Register online at www.dppl.org. Click on events and follow the instructions.

Let there be aid: With Cook County finally netting the federal disaster designation, homeowners and businesses hit hard by August's storms have options for aid.

There are limits.

Cash grants are available for up to $28,500 for households; loans are capped at $1.5 million for businesses and $200,000 for individual real estate repairs.

Here are some things to know before applying for federal aid:

• Check with your insurance company first to make sure you know what will be covered. You cannot be reimbursed twice for the same damages.

• Have photos of the damages, if possible.

• Keep receipts of any repairs that you've already paid for.

• Assistance largely will be doled out for essential needs, though officials encourage everyone to at least apply.

Check out www.fema.gov for more information.

Halloween hoopla: Des Plaines is getting into the spirit of Halloween on Saturday. The chamber, park district, historical society and library have partnered to create a day of activities fun for the whole family.

A costume parade will be held at 10 a.m. in Metropolitan Square in the downtown.

Then, the children can trick-or-treat at area businesses.

The Des Plaines History Center will host a Day of the Dead event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 781 Pearson St.

Pick up candy, visit an indoor "graveyard" decorated for the holiday, decorate Mexican sugar skulls and drink Mexican-style hot chocolate. This event will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, too.

At the library, a magician will be on hand from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday. The library is at 1501 Ellinwood Ave.

Park district officials invite people to ride the Magical Halloween Express, which is at the downtown train station, on Saturday.