Waukegan attorney opens 15th annual gift drive

When you are out shopping today, you may want to stop by Waukegan and pick up a couple of ornaments.

Waukegan attorney Elliot Pinsel has launched his 15th annual gift drive to aid the less fortunate at Christmas.

This year, Pinsel has more than 500 paper "ornaments" with gift suggestions and the first name of the designated recipient written on them.

Donors take the ornaments, buy the gifts, wrap them and take them to the offices of Daniels, Long and Pinsel at 19 N. County St. by Dec. 18.

Then Pinsel and his band of elves deliver the gifts to residents of the Ann Kiley Center and Staben House and Center in Waukegan, Arden Shore in Lake Villa and the Department of Children and Family Services.

Cash donations also are welcome.

For more information, call Pinsel at (847) 623-5900.

New practice formed: The law firm of Swanson, Martin and Bell has formed a family law practice in its Libertyville office.

The new group consists of attorneys with experience in family law and handles a wide range of matrimonial and custody issues.

The group consists of Steven Klein, currently the president of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Michone Riewer and Kelly Collins.

For more information, call (847) 949-0025.

Toys needed: Mundelein police are joining up with the U.S. Marines to collect Christmas toys for needy children.

The police station at 221 N. Lake St. is a drop-off point for the Marines Toys for Tots program this year.

Anyone can deposit a new, unwrapped toy in the station's lobby between now and Dec. 21.