Northwest suburban briefs
Hoffman Est. to consider TIF:
The Hoffman Estates Village Board is expected to vote today on a proposal that could reimburse the owner of Barrington Square Mall for money spent to improve the strip mall. The Dutch company that owns the mall wants to spend $7 million on improvements, including demolishing the now-vacant former Menard's building. A tax-increment financing district has been proposed to use property taxes from mall to help pay for the work. The developer has struggled to find new businesses to move into the shopping center near Barrington and Higgins roads but nonetheless wants to move quickly to start renovations. The item before trustees would bind the village to pay back part of the money the developer wants to spend on construction if the board later establishes a TIF, preferably when a business is ready to commit to moving into the mall. The board is also to consider an eligibility study for a TIF. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at village hall, 1900 Hassell Road.
School awarded defibrillator:
Winston Campus Junior High in Palatine is among 100 schools nationwide to receive an automated external defibrillator through a Cintas First Aid and Safety grant. School nurse Cherie Ferraris wrote the application, explaining the school's educational program on how to perform CPR and utilize the defibrillator. All Palatine Township Elementary District 15 schools have one device, and the district is working on getting additional devices at each building. Winston Campus was the only Northwest suburban school chosen. A Cintas spokesman said about one case of sudden cardiac arrest occurs every three days in organized youth sports.
Buffalo Grove art festival:
The 8th Annual Buffalo Grove Fine Art Festival featuring approximately 150 artists takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, at the Buffalo Grove Town Center at Lake-Cook Road and Route 83. Painting, sculpture, wood, ceramics, photography, jewelry, glass, fine crafts and other media will be featured and available for sale. The festival also will offer a chance for artists aged 9 to 18 years of age to showcase their work. Entertainment will include Cirrus Falcon, Michelet and Pacific Coast. In addition, the Betty Haag Suzuki Academy will perform at 4 p.m. Saturday and Limelight on Stage at 4 p.m. Sunday. Families can create art in the Family Art Tent, and Sunshine Craft will offer activities for purchase for $5-$12, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Children's Memorial Hospital. Festival admission and many activities offered are free.
Palatine to host dog carnival:
The Palatine Park District will put on a Canine Carnival from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at the Palatine's Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 262 E. Palatine Road. The event will feature games, raffles, dog body-painting, a fun house and photo opportunities. Dog handlers must be 16 or older. Cost is $5 per dog and handler, and $1 for each additional friend and family member. To participate, dogs must be wearing a current rabies tag and be kept on a leash at all times. For further details, call (847) 991-0333.
Senior health fairs planned:
Two health fairs to provide free screenings and information for seniors are planned this week and next in Schaumburg and Bartlett, respectively. The first is 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, June 18, at the Schaumburg Park District Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road. Offerings include blood pressure, spinal, hearing and vision screenings; feet scans; chair and table massages; and a rules-of-the-road class at 10 a.m. A second fair will take place 9 a.m. to noon Monday, June 22, at Bartlett Community Center, 700 S. Bartlett Road. Offerings there include blood pressure, spinal and hearing screenings; body-fat analysis and chair massages. At both events, information on Medicare and numerous other programs, services and senior issues will be available. The fairs are hosted by state Sen. John Millner of Carol Stream. For information, call his Bloomingdale district office at (630) 351-9340.