Buffalo Grove toughens its smoking ban
Buffalo Grove has tweaked its smoking ban a bit to match up with the state's recently passed one, and it means stiffer fines for those who smoke illegally in town.
The village had previously set a fine of $50 for those who smoked in a public, indoor area of town, but the state has that set at $100.
The village board also voted on some other minor changes, such as the definition for a sports arena, and also prohibited smoking in all government-owned vehicles. The board also now requires ashtrays to be removed from all areas where smoking is prohibited.
The village enacted its ban Oct. 1 of last year. The state's ban goes into effect Jan. 1 of next year.
Raising the stakes: Not wanting to be left behind on the hard work the police and fire departments have been putting in to fund raise for Special Olympics and research for muscular dystrophy, the Buffalo Grove Chamber of Commerce recently agreed to a $1,000 donation.
Half of the money will go toward the fire department boot drive, which will be going on Friday at Buffalo Grove and Lake-Cook roads.
The other half will go to the Special Olympics.
Party in the park: The Aptakisic-Tripp Elementary District 102 PTO will be holding its annual Fall Family Fest Party in the Park from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 7.
The event will be at Meridian Middle School, 2195 Brandywyn, Buffalo Grove. It will help raise money for the PTO'S CODE program, which teaches children how to say no to drugs and alcohol.
The evening will include dinner booths, carnival games, a bingo tent and dodgeball tournaments. It's open to all family and friends of District 102 students.
For more information, contact Patti Goelz at (847) 520-5531 or Debbie Mills at (847) 459-9289.
Medicare explained: The Platinum Adventures Club at the Buffalo Grove Bank and Trust will host a free Medicare education seminar at 10 a.m. Aug. 29 at the bank, 200 N. Buffalo Grove Road.
The event is designed to present Medicare in a way that makes sense to everyday consumers.
For more information or to RSVP for the event, call (847) 784-1354.
A taste of the law: Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a police officer?
Buffalo Grove residents can get a taste of life in a blue uniform during the Citizen's Police Academy, which will begin Sept. 25.
The program is only open to Buffalo Grove residents and workers 21 and over. Those in the academy will find out what it's like to stop a car for a traffic violation, respond to a fight in progress and search a building for an armed suspect.
Applications are available at www.vbg.org or at the front desk of the police department, 46 Raupp Blvd. The deadline to apply is Sept. 17. The free classes will run from 7 to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays through Nov. 13.
For more information, call the department at (847) 459-2560 or e-mail police@vbg.org.