Lake County briefs
Police helping veterans:Vernon Hills police are asking the community to provide 125 to 150 winter coats and pairs of winter gloves for veterans. The department is assisting the Waukegan-based Veteran's Assistance Commission, which serves indigent vets. Donations of new gloves and/or a new or gently used coat are being sought. These items will be presented on Oct. 19 during a stand down in Waukegan in which vets in need receive dental exams, hair cuts, counseling and other services. Vernon Hills police will buy VA Canteen books, so that lunch can be provided to veterans who are waiting for their medical care. Donations can be dropped off at the police department, 740 Lakeview Parkway until Oct. 17. Call (847) 247-4889.Gurnee Mills has jobless event:Gurnee Mills will host a special event to assist those who are unemployed, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today, Saturday at Nieman Marcus Last Call near Entrance B. New or gently worn clothing will be accepted to benefit Bridge to Success, a charity that provides clothes to unemployed men and women for job interviews. Shoppers who donate clothing will receive a coupon for 15 percent off any one item Saturday at Neiman Marcus Last Call. Call Gurnee Mills guest services, (847) 263-7500.Truck and tractor event:Kids can get a look at tractors, a dump truck, a fire engine, a police car and more at the Truck and Tractor event from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29 at the Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. The event also features a face painter, balloon artist, crafts and other activities. (847) 634-3650.Watch yourself on I-94:The Illinois State Police will be on the lookout for unsafe drivers, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Saturday. Police will be parked on westbound I-94 at the exit ramp to the Lake Forest Oasis. Officers will watch for drivers who are operating unsafe motorcycles, driving with a suspended, revoked driver's license, or driving out of classification. Seventy one percent of fatal motorcycle crashes occur from May through September, with July and August having the most fatalities, police said. Twenty six percent of motorcycles ride without the proper classification and those caught without it can lose driving privileges for three months.Brainerd wine, beer, cigar fest:The North Shore Wine, Beer, Cigar and Food festival to benefit the Brainerd Community Center in Libertyville is being held 2 to 8 p.m. today, Saturday, Aug. 28 at the facility, Route 176 (Park Avenue) and Brainerd Avenue. The event features fine wines, beers, foods and cigars, as well as live music. Admission includes a souvenir glass and 10 tastes. Tickets are $35 at the door, and $10 for designated drivers. Senior citizens get two-for-one tickets. Advance tickets are $25 from Morgan's Bar and Grill, 532 N. Milwaukee, SS Wine and Spirit Warehouse, 830 S. Milwaukee Ave., Parkview Gourmet 121 E. Cook Ave, Cigars More, 314 S. Milwaukee Ave., and 545 North Bar Grill, 545 N. Milwaukee Ave. (847) 722-8517, or email brainerd.center@yahoo.com.What do you think?Residents who want to chime in on the debate over the golf course proposals for the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve near Highland Park, have until Sept. 10. The plans can be viewed at lcpfd.org/fort. E-mail comments to the Lake County Forest Preserve District at fort@lcfpd.org. An advisory committee studying the matter next meets Sept. 15 and could recommend a plan then.