Northbrook in 60 seconds
Bald heroism
A group of sixth-graders from Wood Oaks Junior High, 1250 Sanders Road, lost a lot of hair for a good cause on April 11.
Collectively known as the "Wood Oaks Shavers," with printed T-shirts and everything, the eight boys for a second straight year have had their heads shaved to raise money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation.
Based in California, since 2000 the St. Baldrick's Foundation has raised money to go to childhood cancer research. Since 2005, according to the foundation website, its worldwide volunteers have contributed $306 million in research grant funding.
The Wood Oaks Shavers set out a goal of $5,000, and on Sunday they exceeded it with donations of $6,025. Six of them participated in-person, socially distant and masked, while two others joined in virtually in an event they livestreamed. Wood Oaks Shavers team captain Thomas raked in $2,342.
Overall, St. Baldrick's April 11 "Virtual Head-Shave Party" raised $115,020, far outdistancing its stated goal of $20,000. The Wood Oaks Shavers ranked fourth out of 28 groups nationally in the team portion of the April 11 event. One team, "The El Balderinos," raised more than $27,000.
Ode to joy
Northbrook School District 28 was among 14 Illinois districts and 686 schools or school districts nationwide to receive a Best Communities for Music Education award by the NAMM Foundation, a supporting organization of the National Association of Music Merchants.
"This is a direct reflection of the values of our families in District 28," band director Greg Scapillato stated in a news release.
It's the fifth time District 28 has earned the NAMM citation.
General music education is offered an hour a week for District 28 students in kindergarten through fifth grade, and is offered as an elective in junior high. The district has four concert bands and five orchestras, a districtwide choir for third- through fifth-grade students and several choral groups for sixth- through eighth-graders.
More than 700 students are involved in some form of musical performance in District 28.
"It's good for our children's brains, and it's good for their souls," said District 28 Superintendent Dr. Larry Hewitt in the release.
Healthy Kids Day 5K
The North Suburban YMCA will present its fourth Healthy Kids Day 5K Walk/Run to benefit the Y. The race starts at 8 a.m. April 24, beginning with a 7:30 a.m. warmup, and it starts at the North Suburban YMCA, 2705 Techny Road. There will be last-minute registration at 7 a.m.
There are three levels of sponsorship opportunities starting as low as $50 and volunteer opportunities, too. The deadline for sponsorships is April 19. There are several price points to participate in the race/walk, and there also are a couple virtual options as well. Unfortunately, the deadline for a T-shirt for the race passed on April 12.
For the full rundown of the event and to register, visit www.nsymca.org.
Little Louie's dine-out
The Maple School parent-teacher organization is holding a dine-out day at Little Louie's, 1342 Shermer Road, from 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. April 22.
The Northbrook staple will donate 15% of all sales back to the Maple School PTO provided people mention Maple School when they order.
Little Louie's is open for in-store dining and carryout. Call (847) 498-1033.
Congratulations
The board of directors of The Children's Heart Foundation, based at 5 Revere Drive in Northbrook, announced on April 12 the hiring of Gail Roddie-Hamlin as president and chief executive officer after a nationwide search.
Roddie-Hamlin has much leadership experience at large foundations. Most recently, she was national vice president of community engagement for the Alzheimer's Association, and before that she was president, CEO and regional leader of the association's Greater Pennsylvania Chapter.
She also held executive roles, including regional executive vice president and CEO of the American Cancer Society. She has been recognized by Black Health magazine as one of the 25 most influential Black leaders in health care.
The Children's Heart Foundation funds promising research to advance diagnosis, treatment and prevention of congenital heart defects. According to the foundation, these are the most common birth defects in America, affecting some 40,000 babies a year.
Fore-shadowing
The Northbrook Chamber of Commerce & Industry's 2021 golf outing and dinner is June 11. It appears there are still slots available - visit northbrookchamber.org - and there also is a raffle that is seeking donations.
Donations of prizes worth $50 or more will be recognized in the event materials; the chamber can also provide restaurant gift cards to purchase and donate.
To get in on this, contact Katie Walter at (847) 513-6003.
All aboard
As more people return to work, on April 12 Metra added service to three of its lines, the BNSF, Milwaukee District North and the North Central Service. On the Milwaukee District North Line, four trains will be added and two outbound train schedules will be adjusted.
For details, visit www.metrarail.com/node/8235.
Ask the expert
As part of its "Ask the Expert" series, the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce & Industry will host employment law attorney Susan Troester of LaPointe Law for a virtual discussion about "COVID Policies for the Workplace."
Shown on the Zoom platform, the event will be held from 3:30-4:30 p.m. April 21. It's complementary for chamber members, $20 for guests.
Troester will address best practices for maintaining a safe work environment while respecting worker privacy. Namely, she'll review employers' rights and responsibilities regarding aspects of employee vaccinations. Troester also will take questions after her presentation.
To register for this "Ask the Expert," visit northbrookchamber.org.