Lake County briefs

Birds get new platforms:The great blue herons that nest at the Almond Marsh Forest Preserve near Grayslake have 11 new nesting platforms. The 30-foot-high platforms, installed this week by Lake County Forest Preserve District staff and volunteers, join one that already had been installed. Similar nesting structures could be added to other sites if these prove popular with birds.Profiles in excellence:African-American veterans will be honored from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, during the 27th Profiles in Excellence program at the Lake County Forest Preserve District's Greenbelt Cultural Center near North Chicago. Speakers include: Retired Admiral Mack Gaston, who served as commander at Great Lakes Naval Training Center; World War II Navy veteran Lee Arthur Dunlap; and, Iraq war veteran Master Sgt. Shawn Gibson. Entertainment includes the Blue Jacket Memorial Navy Choir, the Voices of Inner Peace Choir and the North Chicago High School Drill Team and the Angel Drill Team. Greenbelt is at 1215 Green Bay Road (Route 131), just south of Belvidere Road (Route 120) near North Chicago. The event is free. Call (847) 968-3477 or visit online www.LCFPD.org.Looking for singers in Antioch:The Antioch Community Chorus is looking for singers to join them in singing John Stainer's "Crucifxion." All vocal parts are needed. Rehearsals will be held Feb. 14, 21, 28, March 7 and 14 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 848 Main St., Antioch. Dress rehearsal will be March 21 and the performance is at 7:30 p.m. that evening. For details call (847) 395-1333 or (847) 265-3152.Glacier Ice agreement:Vernon Hills officials have agreed to allow Glacier Ventures LLC, operator of the Glacier Ice Arena, 670 Lakeview Parkway, to skip a $50,000 payment that was due Sept. 1, 2009. In return, the entity would make a $55,000 payment Sept. 1, 2012, which represents a 3.25 percent interest charge. Scheduled payments of $50,000 due Sept. 1, 2010 and Sept. 1, 2011 would continue as normal. Village officials said economic downturn has made the 2009 payment a hardship. The payments are required as part of a donation agreement struck in 1999 when the village helped assemble property for the arena.Flu clinic scheduled:The Lake County Health Department will offer a walk-in H1N1 flu vaccine clinic next week in Waukegan. The clinic will operate from Tuesday, Feb. 9, to Friday, Feb. 12, at the Belvidere Discount Mall, 2107 Belvidere Road. It will be open from noon to 5 p.m. each day. The vaccine will be free.