Briefs: Pastor emeritus mourned

The Rev. Richard Ehrens, pastor emeritus of Our Lady of the Wayside parish in Arlington Heights, died Thursday of natural causes at age 76, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced Friday. Born on Christmas in 1931, Ehrens was ordained in 1958. Over the years he served in many Chicago-area parishes, was a professor at Quigley South Preparatory Seminary during the 1960s and was archdiocesan vicar for Catholic education from 1978 to 1983. In 1983, he was named pastor of Our Lady of the Wayside, a post he held until 1989. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday at Addolorata Villa, 555 McHenry Road in Wheeling and from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday at Our Lady of the Wayside, 450 S. Mitchell Ave. in Arlington Heights. Cardinal Edward Egan, archbishop of New York and a seminary classmate of Ehrens, will be the main celebrant and homilist at Ehrens' funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of the Wayside.

Lake Barrington honored

The village and residents of Lake Barrington will be recognized Thursday for preserving open space. The village and its residents are winners of the William H. Miller Conservation Award, which will be handed out 7 p.m. Thursday at the Barrington Area Library. The honor, presented by Citizens for Conservation, recognizes outstanding contributions for Barrington-area conservation. After last year's advisory referendum regarding preserving open space, Lake Barrington trustees issued $5.5 million in bonds and bought 26 acres of open land for $2.1 million as its first step toward safeguarding the village's wildlife. This is the first time a municipality and a group of individuals have earned the honor in the same year.

Prairie Creek vote delayed

The Hoffman Estates village board won't take action Monday on the Prairie Creek Amphitheater. Discussion has been delayed until the Feb. 18 board meeting, Mayor William McLeod said. The board was supposed to vote on the matter Monday, but one of the petitioners requested additional time to prepare. The theater could open in 2009 and host outdoor concerts, seating about 10,000 people. Nearby residents have lodged complaints, concerned about noise. The facility would be managed by Jam Productions.

FEMA helps Schaumburg

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded the Schaumburg Fire Department a $236,960 grant that will be used to buy replacement breathing apparatuses. Self-contained breathing apparatuses are worn by firefighters to prevent respiratory injuries caused by smoke and toxic gases present at most fires and hazardous materials incidents. Since 2004, FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grants have provided almost $3.1 billion to fire departments and other first responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and to sponsor fire prevention activities.

Relay for Life kickoff event

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Bartlett, Hanover Park and Streamwood will host a kickoff event at 7 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Bartlett Fire Barn, 220 S. Main St. Organizers will unveil highlights planned for this year's event, which takes place June 13-14. Anyone interested in getting involved and learning about fundraising ideas is encouraged to attend. Guests will hear from this year's honorary chairperson and cancer survivor. For more information, call Doug Adolph at (847) 368-1166 or visit relayforlifebhps.com.