Briefs: Santas wanted

Catholic Charities Lake County Services is looking for volunteers to play Santa to families, foster children and disabled adults through the annual Christmas Gift program. The program has requests for more than 12,000 gifts for families in need. This year, client signups have been stopped because of a drop in the number of corporate, school and church sponsors with a corresponding increase in request. About 8,500 needy residents have been matched with donors, but about 3,500 remain to be matched. If you would like to adopt a family, child, senior, developmentally disabled adult or foster child, call Jim Wogan at (847) 782-4126. Individuals, schools, churches and corporate employees are welcome to participate.

Grayslake high to join lions food drive

Grayslake North and Grayslake Central high schools are working with the Grayslake Lions Club to host their annual food drive that runs through Dec. 6. Students and teachers will deliver fliers and empty bags to area residents Nov. 12. Students will return to collect donations between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 22. Once students help sort and box donations, they will assist Lions Club members in distributing donations to families in District 127 and to the Avon Food Pantry. For information, call (847) 968-3400.

Brookfield Zoo curator give talk

Tim Snyder, curator of Brookfield Zoo's Bird and Reptile House, is the featured speaker for the Lake County Audubon Society meeting, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 3, at Libertyville village hall, 118 W. Cook Ave. Snyder will discuss the species of birds that can be seen at the zoo's bird facility, as well as the changes in the program, including the reintroduction of the trumpeter swan. Bird specimens will also be on display for attendees to identify. The program is free and open to the public. Children accompanied by adults are welcome. Contact Chris Geiselhart (847) 362-5134.

Judges recommended

The Illinois State Bar Association has recommended Circuit Judges James Booras and Christopher Starck be retained in Tuesday's election. Booras, a former judge in the felony division currently serving as chief judge, has been a judge since 1991. Starck, the immediate past chief judge of the 19th judicial circuit, is currently assigned to the civil division and has been on the bench since 1989.

Portrait deadline nears

All Mundelein High School seniors who wish to be pictured in the senior section of the yearbook must have their photos taken by today. The pictures must be taken at Prestige Portraits in Buffalo Grove. There is no charge for the yearbook photo, but a number of packages are also available. To schedule an appointment, call (847) 279-8400.