Northwest suburbs in 60 seconds
Fitness center remodeled
The Wheeling Park District Fitness Center, 333 W. Dundee Road, will be closed today through Aug. 4 for remodeling, including new equipment, carpeting and other upgrades. A grand reopening will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 4. The park district partnered with LifeFitness to replace treadmills, ellipticals and exercise bicycles. The new equipment offers technological enhancements like individual iPod linkup capabilities and LCD televisions that allow users to watch personal programming or iPod videos. Specially designed USB ports digitally save and file workouts to track performance and results. The reopening will feature hors d'oeuvres and special membership offers. For details, call (847) 465-3333 or visit www.wheelingparks.org.
School going green
The Alexander Graham Bell Montessori School will hold a ribbon-cutting Aug. 17 for its new facility at 9300 Capitol Drive in Wheeling, which it says is the first green building in Wheeling. For details, call (847) 850-5490.
District 62 contract approved
A five-year contract between the Des Plaines Teacher Assistants Association and the Des Plaines Elementary District 62 board was approved last week. The contract, which ends in 2013, provides market adjustments similar to entry level positions in surrounding districts the first year, a 4 percent increase in year two and from years three to five an annual increase of 3.5 percent. Last year, approximately 76 teacher assistants worked in District 62. Teacher assistants provide instructional and clerical support for classroom teachers, allowing teachers more time for lesson planning and teaching. Many teacher assistants work with special education students.
Vendors sought for Celetastity
The Fox Valley Park District and the Greater Aurora Area Chamber of Commerce are accepting applications from food vendors for Celetastity, which will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Aug. 30, at Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora. The event features entertainment and activities for all ages. Applications are available at www.celetastity.com, www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org, www.aurorachamber.com or by calling (630) 897-0516.