Writer records Chicago history

A Buffalo Grove resident known for his books on Chicago has written another one about the city's downtown.

Neil Samors collaborated with Eric Bronsky on his ninth book, "Downtown Chicago in Transition."

Samors said his first book was on Rogers Park, where he grew up before moving to Buffalo Grove.

"This book really goes from right after the Chicago Fire after 1871 to the present," Samors said.

He said the book came from talks about changes in the city, such as the Macy's acquisition of Marshall Field's.

Samors and Bronsky talked to people who have seen the changes in Chicago and told their story with the help of historical photographs.

"I've always been interested in why Chicago has changed over the years, why the city developed, why the suburbs developed," he said.

The book was released in October, and since then, Samors has been doing book tours.

For more information, visit www.chicagosbooks.com.

Awarding safety: The Buffalo Grove police department recently gave out a series of awards relating to traffic safety.

The department gave out $50 savings bonds to four winners of the Thanksgiving coloring contest.

Those awards went to kindergartner Mia Shiakallis of Longfellow School, first-grader Ariella Ensinger of Ivy Hall School, second-grader Leah Gomberg of Kilmer School and third-grader Alex Sirota of Tripp Elementary School.

The department also gave out Saved by the Belt awards to those whose lives were saved in a traffic accident because they were wearing seat belts.

One award went to the Bennett family, including dad Joseph, son Alex and daughter Bryanna. The Buffalo Grove family was involved in a crash Sept. 14 when a car struck theirs on Deerfield Parkway.

Another set of awards was given to the Granskog family, including mother Bonnie and son George. The Itasca family was in an accident Aug. 24 when another car ran a stop sign on Dundee Road.

The final two awards went to the Letellier family of Buffalo Grove. Mother Carla and son Gregory were involved in an accident Aug. 23 when a car hit theirs at Buffalo Grove and Old McHenry roads.

Helping out: The village of Wheeling recently gave a boost to the Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 Community Partnership coat drive.

At a board meeting, the village gave a $1,000 check toward the drive.

Donations are still being accepted through December.

Any questions can be directed to Staci Allan at (847) 769-9993 or Dana Vaselany at (847) 459-9262.