Northwest suburbs briefs

Send care packages to troops:

The Yellow Ribbon Support Group is looking for people to mail care packages to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The not-for-profit group will bring 700 boxes ready for distribution to Schaumburg's Septemberfest, which runs Saturday, Sept. 5, to Monday, Sept. 7. Yellow Ribbon will then bring another 200 boxes to the We-Do-Care Freedom Festival in Barrington on Saturday, Sept. 12. Attendees take the boxes to the post office and pay for postage. For more details, go to yellowribbonsg.org.

Speeders targeted again:

Arlington Heights police are cracking down on speeders through Sept. 19, targeting Arlington Heights Road at Central Road, Palatine Road at Rand Road, Arlington Heights at Palatine and Arlington Heights at Euclid Avenue. The program is the sixth and final one this year under a Speed Enforcement Program Grant from IDOT. It's intended to reduce the incidence of speeding related motor vehicle crashes. In the last campaign, 289 citations were issued. All told, 1,493 citations have been issued for speeding violations. Enforcement will be primarily during rush hour.

Buffalo Grove chamber collects food:

The Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce is asking residents to help the Vernon Township Food Pantry during the Buffalo Grove Days Parade on Sunday, Sept. 6. The parade steps off at 1 p.m. along Bernard Drive with marching bands, floats, local organizations, politicians and fun. Alongside the chamber float, chamber members will push grocery carts that residents will fill with nonperishable foods to be donated to the Vernon Township Food Pantry. Food donations will also be accepted at the chamber office during normal business hours. Call the chamber at (847) 541-7799.

Ryg office to remain open:

State Rep. Kathy Ryg, a Vernon Hills Democrat, will resign Aug. 31 but constituents of the 59th District will not be left without services as her Vernon Hills office will remain open through September. Residents who have questions about state issues or need assistance with state programs can call (847) 680-5909. The office is at 50 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 114, Vernon Hills. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The district includes all or parts of Buffalo Grove, Long Grove, Wheeling and several Lake County communities.