Lake County in 60 seconds

Poetry contest to start

To celebrate April's National Library Week and National Poetry Month, the Vernon Area Public Library District in Lincolnshire will hold a poetry contest, March 2-31. The contest is open to anyone. Winners will be announced at a ceremony April 14. The winning poetry will be on display at the library during National Library Week, April 13-18. Complete rules will be available at the patron services desk at the library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, beginning Monday, March 2. All poems should be submitted by 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 31.

Route 45 meeting

A town-hall meeting regarding planned improvements on Route 45 from Route 137 to Route 120 is scheduled at 6 p.m. March 9 at the Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. The meeting is organized by state Sen. Michael Bond of Grayslake, who announced the $11 million project in December. The work would add two lanes in each direction and a turn lane at various intersections. A raised barrier median and updated traffic signals also are part of the project. As originally announced, the project will begin in fall and be finished in 2010.

"Working" tickets available

Tickets are available for "Working," the debut performance by Liberty Town Productions, a Libertyville not-for-profit group. The musical is based on the Studs Terkel book and the compositions of Stephen Schwartz ("Wicked," "Pippin," "Godspell") and others. Presented in partnership with the Libertyville Wildcats Fine Arts Association, the play will be performed evenings March 5-8 at Libertyville High School, 708 W. Park Ave., Libertyville. Tickets are $15 and are available by cash or check at Caribou Coffee, 725 N. Milwaukee, Libertyville; Pampered Pupz, 1068 E. Park Ave., Libertyville; and Libertyville Music, 401 S. Milwaukee Ave.,; or by credit card at (847) 833-6797.