Briefs: Soldier returns home

The village of Wauconda welcomes home Army Specialist Brendan Cook on Saturday. Cook is returning from a tour of duty in Baghdad, Iraq. It's the first time in three years Cook and his two brothers, Joe and Bob Jr., will be home together for Christmas. All three have been deployed in Iraq at different times. Officials will gather at 5:30 p.m. at the Wauconda American Legion. Cook will be escorted home by the American Legion Riders, Wauconda Police, Wauconda public works, and the Wauconda Fire District along with several other groups and residents. The parade will stretch to Cook's home in the Oak Grove subdivision and then back to the American Legion.

Village plans street repairs

The Buffalo Grove village board will take bids for the 2009 street maintenance program, which upgrades various streets on an annual basis so 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.

Fun for kids at museum

Come celebrate New Year's traditions from around the world on Monday, Dec. 29, and Tuesday, Dec. 30, at the Lake County Discovery Museum near Wauconda. Activities run from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. The music, games and crafts are open for families with kids ages 3 to 12. Participation is free with paid museum admission. Registration is not required. For more information or to download discount admission coupons, visit lakecountydiscoverymuseum.org or call (847) 968-3400.