Briefs: United flights canceled
United Airlines is pre-emptively canceling flights and waiving certain change fees ahead of what's expected to be nasty storms across the Midwest. United spokesman Jeff Kovick says only a handful of today's flights have been canceled. He says the airline is encouraging customers traveling to, from and through three cities to take advantage of the fee waiver to change their afternoon and evening travel to earlier in the day, before the storm is expected to hit. Those three cities are: Chicago, Lincoln, Neb., Omaha, Neb. and Kansas City, Mo.
Atheist ends radio show
Atheist activist Rob Sherman retired from the radio business Friday. Sherman, of Buffalo Grove, left his morning talk show on WJJG 1530-AM Chicago. The show ran from 7 to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday. Sherman said he was feeling too tired after having to get up at 3:30 a.m. for the daily show. Sherman said he will focus on other things he has been working on, such as a series of concerts, his travel agency and his advocacy. His latest work in the advocacy department has been filing a lawsuit with his daughter against Northwest Suburban High School District 214 challenging the state-mandated moment of silence. For more information, visit www.robsherman.com.
Smoke, but no danger
Did you smell smoke Friday coming from Busse Woods? Don't worry, Cook County Forest Preserve spokesman Steve Mayberry said; "It's just routine." The prescribed burning is done by a contractor a handful of times a year, he said. Friday's finished about dusk, when the forest preserve closed, he said.
St. Mary's fundraiser today:
St. Mary's School in Buffalo Grove will hold its 2007 Jingle Jubilee fundraiser today at Independence Grove in Libertyville. The event will feature dinner, live auction and entertainment. The money will go toward the school as well as the Religious Education and Youth Ministry programs. Independence Grove is at 1600 W. Buckley Road. The event begins at 6:30 p.m., with dinner at 8 p.m. For information or tickets, at $75 each, call Bill and Kelly Zadell at (847) 247-0644.
WINGS store opens today
Women in Need Growing Stronger is hosting a grand opening today of its new location at 855 W. Higgins Road, Schaumburg. Activities today will include photos with Santa, a re-upholstering demonstration, arts and crafts and refreshments. WINGS serves women and children who are victims of domestic violence and operates resale stores in Niles, Palatine and Schaumburg.
Blood drive will be today
The village of Buffalo Grove and Lifesource will be hosting a community blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive. For more information, call (847) 459-2530 or the Alcott Center at (847) 850-2100.
Decode youth culture
There's still time to register for a program that takes place Tuesday called "Decoding the RenGen: Understanding Current Youth Culture." The presentation features Patricia Martin, a national expert on youth culture and author of "RenGen: Renaissance Generation," which looks at how the ideals of American youths are transforming our culture, communities and societal values. The workshop, sponsored by Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital and the Kenneth Young Center's Positive Youth Development program, is intended for substance abuse prevention specialists and treatment providers, social service workers, health care and mental health professionals, law enforcement officials, educators and parents. Cost is $55 and registration must be made by 4 p.m. Monday. To register, call Katie McDougall at (847) 524-8800, ext. 160. The workshop runs from 8:30 to noon Tuesday at Poplar Creek Country Club in Hoffman Estates.