Cook County briefs
Rec centers free at Earth Hour:
In honor of Earth Hour, the Schaumburg Park District will offer the Meineke Recreation Center and Community Recreation Center for free use to park district residents from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. today. Earth Hour will take place from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. and is the World Wildlife Fund's annual event that asks households and businesses to turn off their nonessential lights and electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness of the need to take action on climate change. "With lights and electricity off at your house, the park district is opening its doors," said Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Vince Kennedy. "We encourage families to use the gym, track and weight rooms." Meineke Recreation Center is at 220 E. Weathersfield Way and Community Recreation Center is at 505 N. Springinsguth Road. For more on Earth Hour, visit earthhour.org.
Hoffman candidates night:
The Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce and Hoffman Estates Community Bank will host a candidates night Monday, March 30, featuring at least 38 candidates in the April 7 election. The meet-and-greet goes from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Hoffman Estates Village Hall, 1900 Hassell Road. Several candidates for Hoffman Estates village and park boards; Hanover, Schaumburg and Palatine township boards; Palatine Township Elementary District 15 board; and the Schaumburg Township and Palatine library boards are scheduled to appear. They will make short presentations.
Des Plaines road closures:
The Illinois State Tollway Authority announced it will close Touhy Avenue at the I-294 underpass, just east of the Touhy Avenue-River Road intersection, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, March 30, through Wednesday, April 1, and again on Tuesday, April 7 through Friday, April 10. The northbound I-294 to westbound Touhy Avenue ramp also will be closed overnight. Detour routes will be Talcott, Dee an Des Plaines River roads and Devon Avenue. Des Plaines River Road at the I-294 underpass, just south of the Touhy Avenue-River Road intersection, will be closed from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, April 6 and again from Monday, April 13, through Wednesday, April 15. Detour routes will be Touhy Avenue, Talcott and Dee roads and Devon Avenue. All road closures are the result of partial bridge demolition work related to the I-294 widening. Detour signs will be posted.
Ice cream fundraiser:
The Indian Trails Public Library District Foundation and KaleidoScoops ice cream parlor in Buffalo Grove will jointly host a two-day fundraiser from noon to 8:30 p.m. today and Sunday, March 29, at KaleidoScoops, 1036 Weiland Road. KaleidoScoops will donate 20 cents of every $1 spent to the foundation. For information, call the library at (847) 459-4100 or visit indiantrailslibrary.org.