Northwest suburban briefs

Palatine annexes station site

The Palatine Village Council has approved annexing two parcels of land in unincorporated Cook County that make up the intended site of a future fire station. The land, about 2.5 acres, is at the northeast corner of Quentin Road and Echo Lane. The village has already purchased the property. Construction on the $3 million, 8,500-square-foot station is scheduled to begin in March.

Street Fest kicks off Aug. 28

The 10th annual Downtown Palatine Street Fest kicks off Friday, Aug. 28, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 30. The event, expected to draw 45,000 visitors, will feature nearly 20 restaurants and 15 musical acts including Sister Hazel. Hours of operation are 5 p.m. to midnight Friday; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Street Fest takes place in the Towne Square area near Smith Street and Palatine Road. Admission is free.

Register for Freedom Run

Register now for the 9.11-mile Freedom Run, to be held in Barrington Sept. 12 in conjunction with the 2009 Family Freedom Fest. U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay will run the Freedom Run simultaneously with the Barrington event. Local veterans will award medals to each participant. Register at we-do-care.org. All active duty, ROTC members and wounded servicemen and women are free; veterans and family members run at a discount. For details, e-mail Bobby@we-do-care.org or call (847) 381-7797. Barrington's Fitness Together is offering free race training and coaching; meet at Fitness Together, 168 S. Northwest Hwy., at 6:45 a.m. every Saturday.

Schaumburg receives grant

The village of Schaumburg has received an $8,800 grant from the Illinois Liquor Control Commission to maintain its program addressing minimum-age tobacco laws. The commission annually awards $1 million in grants to communities willing to implement its Tobacco Enforcement Program, which provide all tobacco retailers with a kit containing training guides and required signs. In addition, each retailer gets three unannounced compliance checks by code enforcement inspectors from the community. Tobacco retailers within the entire program currently average over 90 percent compliance. Illinois is ranked seventh nationwide in tobacco retailer compliance.

Free self-defense class

A women's self-defense seminar takes place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Hanover Park village hall, 2121 W. Lake St. State Rep. Fred Crespo and Illinois State Police are hosting the free event, which features information designed to teach women of all ages practical situational awareness skills. There will be little to no strenuous activity and women of all ages are encouraged to attend. Call Crespo's office at (630) 372-3340.