Cook County briefs
Poppy Days today, Saturday:
The annual Veterans Poppy Days fundraiser will be today and Saturday, May 23. Members of American Legion Post 208 will be seeking donations at numerous locations in Arlington Heights. Throughout the year, the poppy fund supports needy local veterans and disabled veterans at area veterans hospitals. It also helps to purchase medical equipment, not funded because of federal budget limitations, for local VA hospitals.
Addams quiet despite threat:
Addams Junior High in Schaumburg was open and uneventful Thursday despite another "vague and nonspecific threat" found written on a bathroom stall. The school day ended without incident, Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 spokeswoman Terri McHugh said. The threat made reference to something happening at school Thursday, but a police investigation determined it was likely a hoax, so school officials decided to keep school open, Principal Steve Pearce said in a letter to parents. A nearly identical situation occurred just last week at Addams. The school remained open but about 350 students - about half of Addams' enrollment - stayed home. Thursday, only about 100 students were absent, McHugh said. There are no classes scheduled for today or Monday in District 54.
Raffle benefits Relay for Life:
Ascot Prime Meats, 5 N. Wolf Road, Prospect Heights, will hold a charity raffle Saturday, May 23, for a barbecue meat packaged worth more than $250. All proceeds benefit the Mount Prospect Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society. The raffle is part of the store's Taste of Ascot Meats, opening at 10 a.m. Call (847) 297-6651 for details on the raffle or (847) 368-1172 for details on Relay For Life.
Nature area to honor Wojcik:
The Schaumburg Park District will dedicate the Kay Wojcik Conservation Area at Oak Hollow to honor former state senator and state representative Kay Wojcik of Schaumburg at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23. The dedication ceremony will be held at a tent on the Oak Hollow entrance path between 233 and 301 Samoset Lane. Take Andrew Lane south from Schaumburg Drive, then turn east onto Cedarcrest Drive and south onto Samoset Lane. Wojcik has described Oak Hollow, which she and her husband Norb found in the 1960s, as a "restful haven in the middle of a cornfield." The conservation area is located south of Schaumburg Road, north of Weathersfield Way and east of Salem Drive.
Governor to kick off run:
Illinois Gov. Patrick Quinn is scheduled to join Arlington Heights Village President Arlene Mulder and Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz at 7:45 a.m. Saturday at South Middle School, 400 E. Highland, Arlington Heights, to kick off the 6th Annual Salute Inc. 5K/10K Run & Walk. The event runs from 8 a.m. to noon and raises money for a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness and support of issues facing active military personnel, veterans and their families. It costs $30 to register. More information is available at saluteinc.org.