Cook County briefs

Des Plaines River dropping

With the area having escaped heavy rain overnight Tuesday, Des Plaines River water levels have peaked and begun to fall. The river peaked Tuesday afternoon at 6.65 feet and by midafternoon Wednesday had fallen to 6.51 feet. The river is expected to drop below the 5-foot flood stage at 7 a.m. Saturday, March 14, according to the National Weather Service. Flooding doesn't cause major problems until the river gets above 8 feet.

Job fair at the track

Arlington Park racetrack is looking to fill several hundred seasonal jobs at a fair that will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14. Positions include security officers, bartenders, cooks, servers, housekeeping and guest services representatives. Interviews will be conducted on site. Bring a resume and list of references.

Sears Centre asks for changes

Although the Sears Centre arena didn't hold any outdoor events last year in its parking lots, operators are asking Hoffman Estates officials to make it easier for the venue to hold them in the future. A proposal should go to the village board Monday, March 16, changing village policy so the arena's officials would no longer need approval from the village's planning, building and zoning committee to hold an outdoor event. Outdoor events would remain subject to a special-use permit approval from the village board. This is the same policy the village offers for park district events and others. Sears Centre officials reason this would make it easier to book events at the arena, which was built with taxpayers money. The Sears Centre also wants to extend the weekday curfew from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. These changes would last 10 years after village board approval.

Want to work in rock?

A group of Harper College alumni who work in the rock music business will offer advice about getting into the industry at a panel discussion at the Palatine campus today that's free and open to the public. "So You Want to Be a Rock Star?" takes place at 12:15 p.m. in Building P, Room P205 at the main campus at Algonquin Road and Euclid Avenue. The panel includes Bruce Gaitsch, a guitarist and songwriter who works have been performed by Madonna, Chicago and Celine Dion; folk rock singer Jacky Dustin; Enuff Z'Nuff vocalist and guitarist Johnny Monaco; and Mike Walsh, guitarist with bands Sage and Hess. Information is available at (847) 925-6100 or harpercollege.edu/boxoffice.