Briefs: Records offices to close

The vital records and tax extension departments in the Lake County clerk's office will be closed for walk-in customer service and non-election telephone calls on Feb. 5 for the General Primary Election. Due to the limited full-time staff and the increasing number of voters served, staff members are needed for election support. All departments will re-open for regular hours at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 6. Those with emergency needs on Tuesday regarding vital records or tax matters should call (847) 377-2000.

Keyes to speak at event

Former U.S. Senate candidate Alan Keyes will speak at the Republican Assembly of Lake County's fifth annual Reagan Day Dinner, set for Saturday in Vernon Hills. The event will be staged at White Deer Run Country Club, 250 West Greggs Parkway. A cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will begin at 7 p.m. Keyes unsuccessfully ran against Democrat Barack Obama in 2004. He is among the many Republicans seeking the GOP presidential nomination this year. Tickets are $50 per person. For reservations, call Doreen True at (847) 367-5231, send a fax to (847)367-5497 or send an e-mail to raymon8844@aol.com.

Trail presentation planned

Jim and Judy Otis of Arlington Heights will do a presentation 8 p.m. today on the origins of Route 12 for the Wheeling Historical Society. The Otises, who travel and explore American history, live near Route 12 and researched the origins of the highway a few years back. They also made a trip on the road in 2001 and will present photographs of the 2,491-mile route, also known as Yellowstone Trail. The presentation will be at the church in Chamber Park, 251 N. Wolf Road, Wheeling.

BP school grants available

Area teachers are invited to apply for BP grants of up to $10,000. The A + for Energy program is available to any preschool through high school classroom teacher in an accredited or licensed public or private school within Kane, DuPage, Kendall, Cook, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. Winners are recognized for developing creative and student-focused classrooms, after-school, extracurricular or summer programs. While these programs must be centered on energy or energy conservation, they can move beyond science to incorporate reading, math, history, geography and the arts. Interested teachers can find out more about the program by going online to www.aplusforenergy.org. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online by March 7.