The briefs

Parents can learn about kindergarten

Westbrook School, 103 S. Busse Road, Mount Prospect, will host an ABCs of kindergarten from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the school gym. The event is an orientation for parents of children entering District 57 kindergarten for the 2008-2009 school year and is open to adults only. An information session will be followed by a tour of the school and time will be spent in a kindergarten classroom. Call (847) 394-7340.

Postal carriers conduct food drive

The Self-Help Closet and Pantry of Des Plaines and the Des Plaines branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers will conduct their annual food drive Saturday. Residents are asked to leave nonperishable food items outside their door for local letter carriers and other volunteers to collect. The food will benefit Des Plaines residents who are in need.

Volunteers are also needed to sort food at the pantry, 600 E. Algonquin St., Des Plaines, and to assist the carriers by canvassing the neighborhoods and bringing food to the Des Plaines Post Office Donations may also be delivered to Midway Kia on Rand Road; Prairie Lakes Community Center and Des Plaines city hall today through Saturday. Call (847) 337-1443.

Recycle tires, oil Tuesday

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Lake County Farm Bureau and the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County are coordinating a tire and oil recycling event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, at Lake County Fairgrounds, Route 45 entrance, Grayslake.

The event is free and is open to all Illinois residents, but they may participate in this program one time only. Names will be checked against a list from previous events. Those who have more than 200 tires or would like more information, should call the Lake County Farm Bureau at (847) 223-6506.

No tire dealers, commercial trucking/busing companies are allowed and no large industrial tires will be accepted. Tires may be on or off rims.

Ramp closed through June 25

The Des Plaines Engineering Department has received notification that the westbound Dempster Street entrance ramp to southbound I-294 will be closed through June 25, for reconstruction work.

Motorists are advised to detour the ramp closure by turning left onto Rand Road (at the intersection of Northwest Highway) after driving past the closed ramp and utilizing the southbound I-294 entrance ramp off Rand Road. River Road to the Touhy Avenue Ramp can also be used as a detour.

Band performs final season concert

The Wind Symphony and the Symphonic Band of Wheeling High School, will perform their final concert of the school year at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, in the school's Robert E. Sang Theater. The community is invited and admission is free, but donations to support the band are accepted. (847) 718-7111.