The briefs
Speak your peace on Willow Park
The Des Plaines Park District will host a forum regarding the renovation of Willow Park from 6 to 8 p.m. April 11 in Friends Room B of the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St., Des Plaines. Residents will have the opportunity to review conceptual plans for the renovation and ask questions of park district staff. The public is encouraged to come and provide input. This project, which is slated to begin in August, involves the renovation of the existing playground, the tennis courts and basketball courts. Landscaping and the addition of fences are also included in the plans. Willow Park is at 1325 Willow Ave., between Graceland and Laurel avenues. Call (847) 391-5700.
Gem, rock show at Leisure Center
The Des Plaines Valley Geological Society will present its 43rd annual gem, jewelry, fossil, rock and mineral show from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Des Plaines Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St., Des Plaines. The show features educational exhibits, members demonstrating their skills in the jewelry-making arts, vendors, door prizes and raffles. Admission is $3 for adults; $2 for seniors and students, ages 12-18, with school ID; and free for children under age 12 who are accompanied by an adult. Call (773) 774-2054, e-mail jaynine9@aol.com or call (847) 298-4653.
MacArthur alumni can get scholarship
The William P. Caputo Scholarship Fund will award a $1,000 scholarship to a District 23 graduate this June.
High School seniors who graduated from MacArthur Middle School in Prospect Heights and are going on to a university, college, vocational, technical or training school are invited to apply for the scholarship. Applications are available at the college placement offices of Hersey, Wheeling and Saint Viator high schools and online at www.d23.org. Submit applications by April 15.
The scholarship recipient will be selected based on academic performance or improvement during high school. No minimum grade point average is required. District 23 serves students in Prospect Heights and areas of Wheeling, Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect.