Lake County in 60 seconds

Come listen to a New Year's lesson

Come celebrate New Year's traditions from around the world from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 30 at the Lake County Discovery Museum on Route 176 west of Fairfield Road near Wauconda. The Ring in the New Year Celebration, for families with children ages 3 to 12, will include music, games and crafts. Kids will learn how the New Year is celebrated around the world and make party favors to take home. The celebration is free with museum admission, and no registration is required. For information, visit the Web site LakeCountyDiscoveryMuseum.org or call (847) 968-3400.

Contest for local artists

Northwest Suburban High School District 214 is seeking entries from residents for its annual Arts Unlimited Community Writing and Art Contest. One entry per person will be accepted in the categories of poetry, prose and visual art. Prose entries are limited to 1,500 words. Visual art entries must be in two dimensions, in color or grayscale, and submitted as a photograph or copy. Two copies of each entry are required, with the entrant's name, address and telephone number and the title of work on the back of one copy, with only the title on the other copy. Entries will not be returned. Submit entries to Liz Schrenk, Arts Unlimited 214, Elk Grove High School, 500 W. Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. Deadline is Feb. 15. An awards presentation and reception will be held April 15.