Briefs: Weather-spotting class

Lake Zurich Emergency Management Agency is offering a class on the basics of severe weather spotting 7 to 8:45 p.m., Monday, at the Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Jim Allsopp from the Chicago office of the National Weather Service will discuss weather, including forecasting, radar tracking and reporting. The class is recommended for fire, police, public works and parks and recreation personnel as well as volunteers, coaches, teachers, bus drivers, Citizen Corps, CERT and the general public. The program is co-sponsored with the Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Department. It is funded by a state grant. To register, call the Lake Zurich Fire Department at (847) 540-5070 or email ingrid.skidmore@volz.org. Sign up for the free class by calling the library's information desk at (847) 438-3433, via the Library's Web site at www.eapl.org or by sending an e-mail to infodesk@eapl.org. Pre-registration is required as class size is limited.

ComEd says turn off lights

Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik is supporting participation in an effort called Earth Hour Chicago. ComEd, a co-sponsor of Earth Hour with the city of Chicago and Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, wants area residents to turn off nonessential lighting in homes March 29. ComEd said the effort will be a "positive impact" on global warming. "This is a good step," Kovarik said at Monday night's Gurnee village board session. "All of these little things together do add up." Trustee Jeanne Balmes quipped that televisions can be left on during the lights-out effort because ComEd isn't suggesting that all power be switched off.

Spring pottery sale

Original pottery created by artists from the College of Lake County Ceramic Art Club will be available for purchase April 8 and 9 at the Grayslake campus, 19351 W. Washington St. The sale will be in the Library Atrium from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hundreds of unique, handmade porcelain and stoneware pieces will be on display during the two-day sale. Artists will be on hand to answer questions about their work, from conception to finished piece. For examples of the work that will be sold, visit http://homepage.mac.com/dwbqmp/ceramics/PhotoAlbum92.html. Proceeds will defray the cost of workshops and presentations by visiting ceramic artists and to purchase new equipment for CLC's ceramics studio. Call David Bolton, ceramics instructor, at (847) 543-2437

Volunteers needed

The Vernon Hills parade committee is looking for volunteers to assist in the planning, set-up and coordination of the Fourth of July parade. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. July 4. Volunteers are needed to assist in the staging area set up, directing participants to their positions and monitor parade activities. Interested persons, should call (847) 918-3562.