Cook County briefs
Towns react to OTB proposal:
Riverwoods village officials this week approved a resolution opposing the operation of an off-track betting facility in Buffalo Grove, and Wheeling village board is expected to discuss the matter at a Tuesday meeting. However, Wheeling Village Manager Mark Rooney said this week the item is informational and the board will not be taking a position for or against off-track betting facilities in neighboring communities. Riverwoods' position is that such a gambling facility would hurt the health, safety and welfare of its residents and other neighboring communities. The Buffalo Grove village board on June 1 will hear Melrose Park-based Inter-Track Partners LLC's proposal for an off-track betting facility at Adam's Rib and Ale House, 301 Milwaukee Ave. That village already has amended its zoning ordinance to allow off-track betting as a special use.
Mah-jongg tournament:
The deadline is Sunday, May 24, to make payment and reservations for the annual mah-jongg tournament Sunday, May 31, sponsored by the Sisterhood of Temple Chai of Long Grove. The event is 11:30 p.m.-4 p.m. May 31 at Temple Chai, 1670 Checker Road, Long Grove. It includes lunch raffles, prizes. Foursomes can come together or the committee can put players in a group. Each foursome must provide one mah-jongg set, a card table and two snack tables. The fee is $36 for Sisterhood members; $42 for nonmembers. Email sisterhood@templechai.org, attention Sharon or Arlene, or call (847) 537-1771.
School receives third threat:
Schaumburg's Addams Junior High School has received its third vague, unspecific threat scrawled on the wall of a bathroom stall this month. The latest message Friday suggests an incident will occur on Tuesday, May 26. Schaumburg Township District 54 officials said the school will be open Tuesday and all after-school activities will be held as normal. Nothing arose from either of the similar threats targeted for this week and last. School Principal Steve Pearce sent a letter to parents Friday telling them that there will be a police presence at the school Tuesday and asking for their cooperation in planning for a normal day of classes.
Club to host Bears Care event:
The Midtown Athletic Club Palatine will mark the reopening of its outdoor pool today with several activities open to the public. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the club will host Bear-A-Thon, a charity swim benefiting Bears Care. To participate, member swimmers donate $1 per lap and nonmembers make a minimum $20 donation. The Palatine Fire Department will provide water rescue and safety demonstrations and bring a fire engine on-site. Three palm trees measuring 30-feet-tall will also be planted along the pool deck. The club is located at 1760 N. Hicks Road in Palatine. For details, call Robyn Kove at (847) 991-4646.
Chess champion falls short:
Barrington resident Yury Shulman was unable to repeat his U.S. Chess Championship of 2008, finishing sixth at the recent national tournament in St. Louis. Shulman won three matches, lost two and played to a draw in four of the matches in the nine-round tournament. He finished with five points, two behind the winning total of Hikaru Nakamura of New York City. Shulman is a Belarus native who moved to the United States in 1999. He won the 2006 U.S. Open Championship and tied for first at the 2001 World Open, in addition to his 2008 title.