Lake County briefs

Ex-mayor food pantry volunteer:

Former Round Lake Mayor Bill Gentes is volunteering about 20 hours a week at the Avon Township food pantry. "It's a worthy cause," Gentes said of the unpaid job he recently took on at the township's Round Lake Park headquarters. He said he became a volunteer at the request of new Avon Township Supervisor Sam Yingling. James Dietz topped Gentes in the April election. Avon Township includes all or part of Grayslake, Hainesville, Third Lake and the Round Lake area.

Summerfest starts today:

Grandwood Park's Summerfest kicks off today on a ball field off Hutchins Road just north of Grand Avenue, in an unincorporated area just outside of Gurnee. Today's highlights include a disc jockey and karaoke from 6 to 10 p.m. There also will be family games beginning at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, July 18, a fishing derby at Grandwood Park's lake near Hutchins Road is slated from 9 to 11 a.m. Vinyl Highway will be the featured musical act from 8 to 11 p.m. Fireworks are set to blast off at dusk. For more information, visit grandwoodpark.net.

Motorcycle ride helps Kids Hope:

Join Kids Hope United for the 2nd annual Motorcycle Ride on July 25 and raise money to combat child abuse. Registration is at 9:30 a.m. The ride starts at 11 a.m. at the Richardson House, on the Lake Villa campus of Kids Hope United, 215 N. Milwaukee Ave. This is an alcohol-free ride. At the end of the 65-mile ride, there will be a barbecue, music and an appearance by popular Elvis impersonator, J.D. Elvis. Proceeds benefit the programs and services of Kids Hope United Norther Region. Register online at kidshopeunited.org. Registration fee is $15 a person or $20 a couple. For more details call (847) 245-6500.