Briefs: New board member named
Tamara Neumann has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the Antioch Elementary District 34 school board. Neumann was chosen during a special meeting Tuesday from a field of 10 applicants, officials said. She replaces longtime member Mike Nielsen, who retired before his term was complete.
Rescue groups seek to find homes for cats
Rescue groups Alliance for Humane Action of Lake County, Animal Outreach Society of McHenry County, Helping Paws of McHenry County and Petropolis of Round Lake hope to help 13 cats recently found at a foreclosed property in McHenry County. The friendly but undernourished cats were delivered by animal control authorities to a vacant veterinary clinic where volunteers from the organizations bathed, fed and provided medication to the animals. The groups are working to get the cats adopted. All the cats have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated and were checked by a licensed veterinarian. A special adoption event is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Crystal Court Shopping Center on Route 14 and Main Street in Crystal Lake. For information, call Rebecca Adler of AHA! at (708) 721-3973 or Animal Outreach Society at (815) 385-0005.
Giggles 'n Bits to make debut tonight, Friday
Giggles 'n Bits, a new student comedy troupe at Warren Township High School will debut their first solo performance called "Giggles 'n Bits Sketch Comedy Hour" at 7 p.m. today and Friday in the school's Block Box Theatre at the Almond Campus, 34090 Almond Road, Gurnee. The group, made up of juniors and seniors, uses sketches, standup and improvisation. Tickets cost $3 at the door. Proceeds will support materials used by the troupe and also will support a local charity.
Donate food to help area pets
The Libertyville High School LEAF, Latin Club, English literature classes and music department are collecting canned and dry dog and cat food through Dec. 18 to benefit Save-a-Pet, a no-kill shelter in Grayslake and Underdog, an animal rescue organization in Antioch as part of its annual fundraiser Feasts for Beasts. Collection boxes are in the high school's main office and through the building. All money collected will be divided between Save-A-Pet and the Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Barrington. This is the 14th year the school has joined this project.
Literary fund honors teacher
A fund to promote literacy in children has been set up in memory of Eleanor "Elly" Taheny, who spent nearly 40 years as a teacher and reading specialist in Palatine Township Elementary District 15. Taheny, a Lake Zurich resident, died of cancer Nov. 25. District 15 literacy director Maria McClurkin said Taheny "had such a heart for children who didn't necessarily have access to books because of poverty." Donations can be sent to Elly's Literacy Fund, c/o American Chartered Bank, 459 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047. For more on Taheny and the fund, contact District 15 Assistant Superintendent Mary Zarr at (847) 963-3106.