Briefs: Go ahead -- have dessert

If you celebrate Mother's Day at Famous Dave's this weekend, don't skip dessert. All proceeds from dessert orders Sunday at the restaurant, 1631 W. Lake St., Addison, will benefit Susan G. Komen For the Cure, a not-for-profit organization that supports breast cancer research. For details, call the restaurant at (630) 261-0100. For information about Susan G. Komen For the Cure, visit ww3.komen.org.

Fire damages home

A fire caused more than $100,000 damage to a house in Lombard, officials said Friday. The blaze started Thursday night in or around the dryer in the utility room of a two-story house on North Martha Street, according to investigators from the Lombard Fire Department. When crews arrived at the scene at 7:35 p.m., they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the home. The fire had spread to the kitchen. No one was home at the time the fire started. Two dogs were guided to safety by firefighters and put in a neighbor's yard. Firefighters brought the blaze under control within minutes. The kitchen and utility room were completely destroyed, and there was heavy smoke damage to the entire first and second floors, officials said.

Railway at chamber

A high-ranking official from the Canadian National Railway Company will speak May 16 to members of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce on the proposed acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern rail line. Jim Foote, executive vice president of sales and marketing, will provide a business briefing at 7:30 a.m. at the Hilton Lisle/Naperville near Naperville and Warrenville roads. The cost of the program is $25 and you can register online at www.naperville.net or by calling (630) 355-4141, ext. 0.

Metea construction starts

Indian Prairie Unit District 204 President Mark Metzger confirmed Friday that bulldozers had officially begun moving dirt on the site of the new Metea Valley High School at the intersection of Eola and Molitor roads. Wet mud from previous rains prevented the work from beginning Wednesday and Thursday.