Briefs: Arts grants awarded
The Illinois Arts Council has awarded more than $40,000 in grants to eight local groups. Northwest Suburban High School District 214 received a $3,820 grant for the annual Fiesta Cultural, celebrating Latino culture and tradition. Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Arlington Heights, received $11,430 for general operating support and outreach programs. Northwest Symphony Orchestra Association, Mount Prospect, got $2,980 for soloists and other purposes. Two Des Plaines groups got funds; the Paul Lindblad Choristers got $750 to teach children to sing the classics, and Sociedad Civica Mexico Americana was awarded $530 for general operating support. Three Park Ridge groups got money: Brickton Art Center received $10,880; the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra got $7,620 and the Park Ridge Cultural Arts Council received $2,200. Checks were presented by state Sen. Dan Kotowski, a Park Ridge Democrat, in a ceremony at the Metropolis.
Man robbed at gunpoint
Two men pulled handguns and robbed a 29-year-old man at his apartment on the 1400 block of Williamsburg Drive in Schaumburg around 8 p.m. Dec. 12. Police said a third robber, known to the victim, phoned and asked if he could download music from his computer. He brought the other robbers with him and they forced the victim to lie down on the floor. Police said they stole cash, a semi-automatic handgun, his wallet and two cell phones, altogether worth about $1,520.
Clearbrook extends light show
Clearbrook's fourth annual Wonderland of Lights show at the Arlington Park Racecourse has been extended into the new year. The 1.6-mile drive-through light show will now be open 5:30-9 p.m. Jan. 2, 3 and 4. This year's show features over 300 displays and more than 1 million lights, including the world's largest light tunnel made from 150,000 lights. Wonderland of Lights is now open nightly, including holidays. Admission is $10 per car during the week and $12 per car Friday-Sunday. Special rates apply for commercial vans and buses. A $2 off coupon for cars only is available at clearbrook.org. Proceeds benefit Clearbrook, a center for children and adults with developmental disabilities. (847) 577-HOHO or clearbrook.org.
Streets scheduled for work
The Buffalo Grove village board will take bids for the 2009 street maintenance program, which upgrades different streets on an annual basis so that there is consistent upkeep. Streets scheduled for 2009 are Sandalwood Road, Sandalwood Court, Raintree Road, Raintree Court, Bayberry Drive, Scottish Pine Court, White Oak Court, Blue Ash Drive, Chestnut Terrace, Chestnut Court East, Chestnut Court West, Crabapple Terrace, Acorn Place, Timberhill Road, Windsor Drive, Whitehall Drive, Whitehall Court, Country Lane, Fabish Drive, Fabish Court, Hilldale Lane, Canterbury Drive, Cumberland Lane and Cumberland Court.
Honored for flood control
The Stormwater Management Commission of Lake County picked Buffalo Grove as its Community of the Year at its annual awards ceremony earlier this month. The village was picked for several of its programs to control stormwater, including a drainage study of highly-flooded areas and other programs that improved drainage and flood control.