Briefs: Collecting, distributing toys
The Buffalo Grove police department will collect donations for Toy for Tots through Dec. 15. Donations can be dropped off at the station, 46 Raupp Blvd. Anyone who wants to sign up to receive a toy or knows a family in need can call Staff Sgt. Jack Tackett at (847) 688-7129, x. 313, or visit toysfortots.org.
Kids will shop with cops
The Hoffman Estates Police Benevolent Fund will sponsor its ninth annual "Shop with a Cop" on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Target and Buffalo Wild Wings in Hoffman Estates. Thirty-five needy children get a $125 allowance to buy gifts and are paired with police officers to shop. After shopping, the cops and kids will have lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings, where Santa, the cheer squads from the Chicago Shamrox lacrosse team and the Chicago Slaughter indoor football team, along with players from the Chicago Rush Arena football team, will greet them. Santa will give each child a gift and a stocking full of goodies, thanks to the support of many Hoffman Estates businesses. The public can help by sending donations to: HEPBF, P.O. Box 95611, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169-0611.
Lollipop Lane opens
Lollipop Lane, sponsored by the Wheeling Historical Society, will start today at the Chamber Community Center, 251 N. Wolf Road, Wheeling. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will arrive by sleigh today, and the parade will start at 1 p.m. on Dundee Road and Route 83, proceeding east down Dundee Road to Wolf Road and ending at Chamber Park. Lollipop Lane will run through 5 p.m. Dec. 14. Its hours are from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, contact Elaine Simpson at (847) 541-8692.
Local school make list
While no Illinois schools made US News and World Report's 2008 ranking of the 100 best high schools in the country, many in the Northwest suburbs were among the 71 in Illinois that got silver or bronze ratings. Those receiving silver ratings included Barrington High School, Buffalo Grove High School, Fremd High School, Hersey High School, Maine East High School, Palatine High School, Prospect High School, Rolling Meadows High School, Stevenson High School and Wheeling High School.