Briefs: Got old shoes?

The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County is sponsoring its fourth annual "Reuse-A-Shoe" program. Schools, community groups, Scout troops, corporate offices and others groups from throughout the county are collecting athletic footwear for recycling to divert them from landfills. The agency is partnering with Waste Management Recycle America on the program developed by Nike. Shoes collected will be delivered to Waste Management's recycling facility, loaded onto a truck and shipped off to Nike to be processed into a material called Nike Grind used to create sports surfaces, including running tracks, soccer fields, and playgrounds. For information on where to donate gently worn shoes, visit www.swalco.org. Last year, Lake County collected more than 20,000 shoes for recycling and many gently worn shoes were donated to charities. Drop-off locations for donated shoes include: Ela Area, Grayslake Area, Vernon Area and Warren-Newport public libraries, Lake County Farm Bureau, Mundelein Park and Recreation District, state Rep. Kathy Ryg's office, Vernon Hills Park District and Vernon Hills Public Works. For more information, call (847) 336-9340, ext. 4.

Garbage pickup price up

Hainesville residents will pay more for garbage service following a new five-year agreement with Veolia, the village's provider of residential collection and disposal services. Effective March 1, garbage rates increase from $17 to $19 per month for residential and from $14.85 to $16 for seniors. The fee for yard waste tags also will rise, from $1.75 to $2.50. The village also announced the Lake County Board has passed an ordinance amending rates for sewer systems. The rate increase is effective March 1 for the next two years. The new rates will be reflected on April utility bills. For residents in the Deer Point and Misty Hill subdivisions, the increase will be $0.31 per 1,000 gallons. There will be no rate increase for residents in the Cranberry Lake area and Ryland homes.

Dance show at Libertyville

Dancers from Libertyville High School will take to the stage Friday and Saturday for the annual Orchesis show. This year's theme is "Metamorphosis." The show will feature a variety of dance styles, including jazz, ballet, modern, hip hop and tap. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. each day. Tickets are $4 for adults or $3 for students. Libertyville High student activity pass holders get in free. Tickets are available by calling (847) 327-7058.

Head shaving for a cause

Firefighters and other willing individuals from across Lake County can participate in "Taking It All Off For Cancer Research" by shaving their heads from 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday at Little Big Horn, 2061 W. Maple St., Mundelein. Money will go to the St. Baldrick's Foundation, a nonprofit group dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research. Plans call for the organization to hold 600 events and shave 25,000 heads this year. The Mundelein evening will feature, Irish dancers and beer, live music, silent auction items and a corned beef-and-cabbage dinner. A donation of $10 per person will be collected at the door and includes the entertainment. The dinners will run $7, with the beer and other drinks available for purchase. Co-chairs Gregory Koeppen and Mike Higgins said they need volunteer "shavees," barbers and raffle/auction prizes. The men said they hope at least $50,000 is raised in Lake County. To register for a shearing or for more information, contact Koeppen and Higgins via e-mail at stbaldricks@mail.com or call (847) 231-4577.