'Grease' cast won't say a word about holiday surprise tonight

Members of the cast of "Grease" seem to have something up the sleeves of their leather jackets for tonight's tree-lighting ceremony in Des Plaines. But exactly what is under wraps.

All organizers will say is that The Des Plaines Park District's Footlighter Theater Company cast of "Grease" will help set the stage for Mayor Tony Arredia's arrival at Metropolitan Square for the tree lighting.

Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. at Metropolitan Square, downtown Des Plaines.

The Maine West High School Marching Warrior Band will perform.

As has become a tradition, the Des Plaines Optimist Club provided the holiday trees for school children to decorate.

The student-decorated trees will surround a 25-foot tree decorated by the city's public works department.

Tonight's ceremony kicks off the holiday traditions in town.

The Des Plaines Historical Society's Winter Holiday Gala will run from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at the history Center, 781-789 Pearson St.

Next weekend marks the annual Des Plaines Park District's Lake Wonderland Winter Festival. It will be from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 8-9 at Lake Park.

Tour continues: Elk Grove Village officials this week announced big plans for next year's Tour of Elk Grove. It will wind through Schaumburg and will last three days (Aug. 1-3) instead of two. Also, the overall prize money will be $225,000, up from $200,000. So, start training.

Holiday crafts aplenty: Elk Grove Village's senior center will host its annual Holiday Bazaar today and Saturday.

Hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. both days.

The event features homemade jewelry, quilts, ceramics, needlepoint and much more. Proceeds will benefit the Sheila Ray Adult Center.

The adult center is located at 225 E. Elk Grove Blvd.

For more information call (847) 364-7224

Jingle Bell Express: A holiday musical revue is coming to the Des Plaines Public Library.

American Eagle Productions will perform its "Jingle Bell Express" show at 2 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the library, 1501 Ellinwood Ave.

The show is a parody of "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

For more information on the show, visit the youth services desk on the library's second floor, or call (847) 376-2839.

Thanks, Hector: The Des Plaines Public Library's computer guru has left the building. Hector Marino left his post as coordinator of computer and technical services to start his own consulting business.

I want to thank him for all his help, especially for all the great information he provided on the library's Mexican sister library. That was just one of Marino's accomplishments during his time in Des Plaines.