Briefs: Meals for flood victims
Knowing that many of the flood victims and relief volunteers have been working around the clock, Des Plaines Bible Church, 946 E. Thacker St., is providing dinner from 6:30 to 8 p.m. tonight, Sept. 18, and Friday, Sept. 19, for flood victims or workers. You can just show up for a free hot meal. If you have questions, call (847) 297-2525.
Fire strikes office
Buffalo Grove fire officials said a sprinkler system contained a fire in an office building at 1400 Busch Parkway Tuesday night. Officials said smoke was coming from the second floor of AmerisourceBergen when firefighters arrived at about 8:53 p.m. Officials said seven employees were in the building, but all managed to get out. No one was injured. The fire reportedly started in a cubicle and the cause remains under investigation. Long Grove, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods and Deerfield fire departments assisted, while Barrington, Rolling Meadows, Wauconda and Palatine Rural fire protection districts manned stations in Buffalo Grove during the fire.
Suicide prevention
The Barrington Area chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is hosting a program "Questioning-Persuasial-Referral" from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight, Sept. 18, at Barrington Village Hall, 200 S. Hough Street. The program is led by Jim Christian from Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Center. Topics of the presentation include recognizing the signs of someone who is suicidal and suicide prevention. The program is free. No registration is required. For more information, visit namibarringtonarea.org.
Mexican celebration Saturday
A talent-packed entertainment bill, Mexican culinary fare and children's crafts and games will headline Des Plaines' Saturday celebration of Mexico's independence from Spain, which was postponed a week due to heavy rain. The 13th annual Festival! in recognition of Mexican Independence Day is set for 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, in the Lake Park Memorial Pavilion, Touhy Avenue and Lee Street. A Des Plaines-based dance troupe, Ballet Sol Azteca, will be followed by performances from Grupo Nueva Generacion, Ballet Folklorico Raices Mexicanas and Banda Tierra Nueva, among others. Admission to the festival is free; the only cost to visitors is the purchase of food. Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.
School, district receive award
The Illinois Association of Park Districts recently awarded the Wheeling Park District and Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 with the Intergovernmental Cooperation Award for its family learning program. The program provides educational life skills to Spanish-speaking parents of District 21 while their children participate in recreation programs at the park district. Parents take classes on English, personal finances and computer skills while their kids take karate, art classes and other programs. The award was given Sept. 12 at the IAPD Best of the Best Awards Gala.