Lake County in 60 seconds

Cubs salute champ Bears

The Illinois High School Association 7A state football champion Lake Zurich High School Bears and coaches will receive special recognition Wednesday during the Cubs-Brewers baseball game at Wrigley Field. Selected players and coaches will step onto the field between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m., where announcers will share with the fans the feat of this year's championship team. During the seventh-inning stretch, head coach Bryan Stortz and others will lead the fans in the traditional song "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" from Wrigley Field's TV booth.

Deerfield Parkway to close

Deerfield Parkway from Weiland Road to Route 45/21 in Buffalo Grove will close for six days beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday . The closing will allow the Canadian National railroad to remove the existing concrete crossing, upgrade the rails and reinstall the crossing. The detour will be Weiland Road to Aptakisic to Route 45. Deerfield Parkway is scheduled to reopen at 6 a.m. May 6.

'Pajama Game' on stage

The curtain will rise on Mundelein High School's production of "The Pajama Game" at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the school auditorium, 1350 W. Hawley St. Additional performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. There is no Friday performance. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Buy them at the school box office, just inside the main entrance, on Tuesday or Wednesday between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The box office will open 45 minutes before each performance for walk-up sales. Or, reserve tickets at (847) 949-2200, ext. 1407.

Funds sought for extension

The Lake County Extension Foundation has started a fundraising campaign to help temper proposed cuts in local service. The group, which since 1981 has been assisting the extension with funds, is making a countywide appeal for money from corporations, foundations and private citizens. The state has announced it will not release $18 million in grants already budgeted for this year for extension offices throughout the state. That could translate to a 44 percent reduction at the local Grayslake office, which offers programs such as 4H, master gardeners, and food and nutrition. Visit www.lcextf.org.

Thinking of lawn fertilizing?

The Lake County Health Department is encouraging homeowners to only use phosphorus-free lawn and garden fertilizer. Phosphorus is the primary nutrient that turns lakes green with algae. Lake County is home to more than 200 inland lakes. The village of Third Lake recently joined Antioch in passing an ordinance that bans fertilizer containing phosphorus. Storm water drains throughout municipalities and unincorporated areas drain into these lakes and Lake Michigan. Homeowners purchasing bags of fertilizer should look for three numbers on the bag. The middle number indicates phosphorus content and should read "0." Homeowners who use a lawn care service should request phosphorus-free fertilizers. Phosphorus is commonly found in fertilizer but is generally only necessary for establishing new lawns. Phosphorus makes roots grow, but it doesn't make the grass green. A list of vendors that carry phosphorus-free fertilizers is available at: www.co.lake.il.us/health/ehs/lakes.asp. Vendors who carry phosphorus-free fertilizer and want to be added to the list should call (847) 377-8030.