Briefs: Vet help honored

The Lake County Sheriff's Office, Vernon Hills Police Department and Jim and Helen Heier will be honored today at the Lake County board meeting with the Seven Seals award for those who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The sheriff's office has maintained contact with two deputies during their deployment. The county ensures those who are deployed receive full benefits and pays a differential between the military and county salary. Vernon Hills police provided winter coats that were distributed to veterans in need. For the past 25 years, the Heiers have chaired a combined Vernon Hills and Libertyville VFW committee that hosts an annual fishing derby and luncheon.

Forest preserve bonds:

A public hearing on the proposed sale of up to $65 million in bonds to acquire and develop land will be held at 1 p.m. today by the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board. Because older bonds are being paid off the new bonds would not cause an increase in property taxes, district officials say. About $35 million of the proceeds will be used for land purchases approved by the board in January. The remainder will be used for future purchases and improvements. The meeting is at the 10th floor board room at the county building in Waukegan.

Sales help leader dogs

All the sales today from the T.G.I. Friday's in Wheeling will be donated to Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit that enhances the lives of children and adults with disabilities by providing assistance dogs. Laura Greenberg and her family will be at Friday's. Greenberg and her dog were asked to leave the restaurant Dec. 1 by a restaurant manager. After the family complained, the restaurant volunteered to make donations to the charity and to the Laura Greenberg Foundation, which was set up after Greenberg's brain injury in 1997. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. at 1500 Lake-Cook Road, Wheeling.

Health fair tonight:

Northwest Community Hospital will host a "Heart & Soul Health Fair" from 4 to 8 tonight at the Arlington Park racetrack, 2200 W. Euclid Ave. in Arlington Heights. The fair will offer free screenings for heart problems, diabetes and other health issues. There will also be chair and hand massages, cooking demonstrations, yoga, tai chi, flower arranging The community health fair is a free event, but registration is required for the screenings. To register call (847) 618-4968, or register online at www.nch.org/heartandsoul.