Northwest suburbs in 60 seconds
School supplies drive on
The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago is asking residents to help provide backpacks and school supplies for children who live in the backstretch at Arlington Park. The "Backpacks for The Backstretch" campaign is working to provide school supplies for 250 children ages 3-13, who live on the backstretch because their parents work for the track. To help donate supplies, contact Lyn, Jackie or Jean at the Volunteer Center, who will put donors in touch with the list of materials needed. Call (847) 228-1320.
Nature walk in Flint Creek
Citizens for Conservation are inviting residents to see Flint Creek Savanna in full bloom. The nature group is hosting a tour of the savanna between 8 and 9 a.m. July 19. Those who attend can check out the floating islands, while also seeing what types of plants and animals are making the savanna home this summer. Binoculars are recommended. The tour will start at the Citizens for Conservation's main office at 459 W. Route 22 in Lake Barrington. For details or to RSVP, call 847-382-SAVE (7283).
Voter registration drive
The League of Women Voters of Arlington Heights/Mount Prospect/Buffalo Grove area will register new voters from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and July 20 at the Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Festival at the Buffalo Grove Town Center, 124 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. To register, applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by election day and reside in their precincts for at least 30 days before the election. Two pieces of identification are required; at least one piece must have the current address. Details are at www.voterinfonet.com. Current voters can make address and name changes.
Corey Diamond fundraiser
The first Corey Diamond Memorial Fund FUNdraiser will be 6:30 to 11 p.m. Aug. 8 at Arlington Bowling Lanes, 3435 N. Kennicott Ave., Arlington Heights. The event includes dinner, dessert, open bowling, Baggo and other games, raffles and prizes. The fund was created in memory of Corey Diamond, a 16-year-old Buffalo Grove High School student who was killed July 23, 2006, while traveling as a passenger in a car that was hit by a U-Haul truck that ran a red light while being pursued by police. The fund promotes and supports music, arts and community service programs, like buying instruments for kids who can't afford them, scholarships for graduating band students, support for Boy Scout Troop 140's service projects and environmental programs at Buffalo Creek, among others.