Briefs: Fire department receives award

The Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Department received the 2007 Life Safety Achievement Award from the Residential Fire Safety Institute. Lake Zurich is among 745 fire departments nationwide to receive the 2007 award. For 15 years, the award has recognized local fire prevention activities that have contributed to reducing deaths in residential fires. Lake Zurich has qualified for the award every year since its inception because of zero house fire-related deaths each year. Residential fires account for 20 percent of all fires in the United States, but result in 80 percent of all fire deaths.

Judge gets a promotion

Lake County Associate Judge Diane Winter will receive a promotion starting Dec. 1. Winter will become a Lake County circuit judge, filling the spot vacated by the retiring Jane Drew Waller. Winter's term will run to Dec. 6, 2010. Winter was appointed associate judge in July 2000, beginning her tenure handling traffic and ordinance violation cases in the Lakehurst and Grayslake branch courts. She's been handling divorce hearings, child custody cases and other issues in the family division since July 2004. Winter's husband, Bryan, is the Gurnee village attorney.

Open house at fire department

Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District will host an open house from noon to 4 p.m. today. All activities are at the main firehouse at 409 Nippersink Road, just south of Cedar Lake Road and Route 143 in Round Lake. Tours of the station, equipment demonstrations and a children's safety smokehouse will be part of the action. Children will even get to dress in firefighters' gear and slide down an old-fashioned pole. The fire department will offer a free hot dog to the first 500 visitors.

Peek at new Lindenhurst hospital proposal

Vista Surgery Center in Lindenhurst hosts an open house and fall family health exposition from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The stand-alone center at 1050 Red Oak Lane, located off Grand Avenue, is part of the Vista Health System. Attendees also will get a peek at plans for the proposed new Lindenhurst Vista Health System hospital. The surgery center, which opened in 1999, provides same-day surgery, outpatient imaging and laboratory services, outpatient physical rehabilitation services, cardiac and pulmonary phase II rehabilitation, "Healthy Heart" exercise program, massage therapy, and a sleep disorder center. The open house will include a cookout with brats, hot dogs, and apple cider, a teddy bear clinic/bandaging workshop, and giveaways and games. Visitors will be able to participate in other activities including, "Meet the Doctor," department tours, health screenings, and fire safety.