Cook County briefs
Recycle electronics for charity:
First Congregational United Church of Christ of Des Plaines will host two electronics recycling drop-off events to help offset the cost of sending several church members to New Orleans this fall to aid Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts. The community is encouraged to drop off unwanted electronics at the church, 766 Graceland Ave., from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 29 and Saturday, Sept. 5. The minimum recycling donation is $10. Accepted items include personal computer systems, keyboards, mice, power cords, monitors, speakers, printers and scanners. TVs made by Sony, LG, Goldstar and Zenith also will be accepted. A group of church volunteers will spend one week in New Orleans in September, based at St. Paul United Church of Christ in the city's Garden District. The Des Plaines group will travel with other volunteers from the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ. For further information contact Rev. Francois "Co" DuToit at (847) 299-5561.
Take tour of Deer Grove East:
Cook County Forest Preserve District Chief Ecologist Wayne Vanderploeg will lead a free tour of Deer Grove East Forest Preserve from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Aug. 30. The forest preserve is slated to undergo a 150-acre, five-year restoration project, and Vanderploeg will discuss the history, significance and wildlife of the site and the restoration work planned. The tour group will meet near the flying field off the main parking lot. Take the main entrance, north of Dundee Road about one-quarter mile west of Hicks Road, and take a right when the drive forks. Those interested should should contact Vanderploeg at wvander@cookcountygov.com or (708) 431-7406. Comments on the Deer Grove East restoration to retain groundwater and reduce flooding can be sent to Openlands Project Managers Linda Masters at lmasters@openlands.org and Joe Roth at jroth@openlands.org, or mailed to 25 E Washington, Suite 1650, Chicago, IL 60602.
Feet Fest takes place Sunday:
The Sixth Annual Feet Fest 3K Family Fun Run/Walk takes place at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 30. The Palatine Park District event kicks off at Towne Square, Slade and Smith streets. Race day registration, which starts at 8:30 a.m., costs $15 for residents; $20 for nonresidents. For information, call (847) 991-0333.