Briefs: B2 pilot attended Elk Grove

U.S. Air Force Captain William Free, a 1995 graduate of Elk Grove High School, is scheduled to fly the B2 Stealth Bomber today as part of the Chicago Air & Water Show, high school officials said. He is a 1999 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs where he played football all four years. He coached football at the academy's prep school for one year before entering pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, Miss. He flies out of Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Knoster, Mo.

Chessie's changing name

A longtime Barrington staple is getting a bit of a makeover. Chessie's Restaurant, located in the Ice House Mall for more than 20 years, has been sold to new owners. On Thursday, a restaurant representative said that in the next few weeks, the restaurant will be changing names to 111 Grill but is keeping about 90 percent of Chessie's menu. No exact date on when the change will happen was given. The restaurant is located at 200 Applebee St. For more information, contact the restaurant at (847) 382-5020.

Mount Prospect fast-pitch

Softball tryouts continue Saturday and Sunday at the Prospect High School softball field at Kensington and Forest in Mount Prospect. Tryouts are open to ages 12 and under; 14 and under; 16 and under; and 18 and under. For age specific times call (847) 577-5282.

Street Fest deadlines

Saturday is the deadline for folks to enter the Palatine Street Fest chili cook-off and Sweet Pea Pet Parade, both happening Aug. 24 during the three-day festival. Registration forms, which are available online at palatine.il.us/streetfest, should be postmarked by Saturday. Online registration is available for the pet parade. Advance registration is necessary to win prizes in the pet parade; unregistered pets may still march in the parade.

Park district installs island

The Buffalo Grove Park District is installing a floating island at Green Lake Park this weekend in a conservation effort. The lake is not open to swimming or boating. The district is sharing the $4,200 cost with the Rotary Club. Dale Ducommun, superintendent of parks, said the islands can help water quality and act as a habitat for ducks and turtles. The island will also be home to wildflowers, which will add to the aesthetics of the park at 1101 N. Green Knolls Drive. The island will be installed between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. For more information, visit www.floatingislandinternational.com.

School opens its doors

Alexander Graham Bell Montessori School will be having its ribbon cutting ceremony and open house at 3 p.m. Sunday. The building is the first environmentally-friendly one in Wheeling, with rain barrels and a white roof, among other initiatives. The school recently moved from Mount Prospect to the larger space in Wheeling. The school is located at 9300 Capitol Drive. For more information, call (847) 850-5490.