Brief: Leaf-burning talk tonight
A proposed but controversial ban on leaf-burning is to be discussed tonight during a North Barrington village board meeting set for 7:30 p.m. at village hall, 111 Old Barrington Road. Many other area communities, including Barrington and South Barrington, already have bans on leaf-burning. It became a central issue in last spring's local elections, which saw three incumbent trustees in North Barrington lose their seats. Currently, leaves and other landscape waste may be burned only on Thursdays and Sundays, May through August. The rest of the year, burning is permitted every day. Proponents of a ban cite health problems associated with breathing smoke from burning leaves, particularly for people with some underlying lung problems. Opponents have pointed to property rights. A 2006 community survey on a possible ban in North Barrington showed virtually a 50-50 split among those who responded.
Substance abuse meeting
More than 550 prevention specialists, community advocates, health workers, substance abuse specialists and educators are expected to attend to the 4th annual Stronger Roots, Stronger Branches multicultural conference Thursday and Friday at the Wyndham Hotel-O'Hare in Rosemont. The conference highlights different perspectives and approaches to prevent drug and alcohol abuse within multicultural communities. The event, which costs $90 to attend, is sponsored by Prevention First, a nonprofit Chicago-based group dedicated to the prevention of substance abuse. More information is at www.prevention.org.
New deputy for Barrington
The Barrington-Inverness Police Department has a new deputy chief. Jerry Libit, a 26-year veteran of the department, was sworn in Monday. Libit joined the force in 1981 and has served as patrol officer, accreditation officer, court officer and administrative sergeant. He replaces John Edwards, who retired earlier this year after more than 30 years. Also Monday, Marc Reznick, a Buffalo Grove native, was sworn in as the Barrington-Inverness department's newest officer.
Beauty school fundraiser
Empire Beauty School at 264 W. Rand Road in Arlington Heights is joining other Empire schools nationwide in an Oct. 13 fundraiser for Kids Peace, a 125-year-old organization dedicated to helping children cope with disaster, abuse, neglect and depression. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the school will donate 100 percent of its profits to the charity. Nationwide, Empire schools are trying to raise $100,000 for Kids Peace. Clients can make appointments, but walk-ins that day also are accepted. The school also is selling coupons for $5 haircuts that can be redeemed on that day only. Call (847) 394-8359 for details.
Traffic control plan OK'd
The Long Grove village board on Tuesday approved the neighborhood traffic management program after multiple discussions at prior meetings. The program gives the board an outline on how to handle neighborhoods that may want traffic calming devices to deal with speeding and cut-through traffic. The board is looking at those devices in one community but wanted to set standards for other areas. The program would include requests from those in the neighborhood and various studies. The final decision would come down to the board, but the neighborhood would also be surveyed to find how many in that area want the traffic calming devices.