Lake County briefs

Sullivan collecting phonesYou can donate used cellular phones for troops overseas by dropping them off at state Rep. Ed Sullivan Jr.'s office in Mundelein. Sullivan is teaming with a group called Cell Phones for Soldiers; the nonprofit group will send the phones to another organization that will add one hour of talk time to each device. Donations will be accepted at 700 N. Lake St., Suite 101, Mundelein. (847) 566-5115 or e-mail ilhouse51@sbcglobal.net.Lake County Audubon meetsMark Pfister, an aquatic biologist and associate director of environmental and population health service with the Lake County Health Department, will discuss the county's surface water resources and the flora and flora within them at the Lake County Audubon Society, 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 1 at the Libertyville village hall, 118 W. Cook St. The presentation will highlight several state threatened and endangered aquatic species and their habitat and water quality requirements. Pfister also will discuss threats to our water resources, such as invasive aquatic species and human pollutants such as road salt. The 90-minute program is free. (847) 362-5134.BG fire academy wants youThe Buffalo Grove Fire Department is inviting residents to join the Citizens Fire Academy, to make them familiar with the services of the department, increase fire and life safety awareness, and promote a positive image of the department to the community. The next class begins March 10. It is open to anyone 18 and older who live or work in Buffalo Grove. The class meets one night a week for 11 weeks, and each night participants learn about a different aspect of the fire department, ranging from emergency medical services to hiring and training firefighters to special rescue operations. CFA participants will spend time at the station and ride on the engines to emergency calls. (847) 520-1522 for an application or information.