A community tree lighting is a great way to kick off the holidays. Here’s where they are happening around the suburbs.

“The Exes of Christmas Past,” a holiday rom-com with scenes filmed in April in Libertyville, debuted Sunday, Nov. 16, on Tubi.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, members of The Garden Club of Lake Zurich along with several of the Hawthorn Woods Village Board and Parks and Recreation Department gathered at the Community Park to celebrate the planting and dedication of two swamp white oak trees donated to the village.

The first day of filing for Lake County elected offices Monday was quiet. Although the majority of incumbent filers likely won’t face a primary opponent, there are some wrinkles.

Halloween is on Friday, Oct. 31, and many communities have set trick-or-treating hours. Some towns also are hosting downtown trick-or-treating events.

Make plans now for Nightmare on Chicago Street in Elgin, Wheeling’s Taste of the Town, the last weekend of Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns, Penn and Teller at the Chicago Theatre, Halloween events and trick-or-treating throughout the suburbs and more.

In 2023, suicide was the second-leading cause of death of those between ages 10 and 34 in America. Larry and Mary Jo Butz of Hawthorn Woods know personally the impact of that statistic. Now, through Megan Butz Legacy of Hope and Elyssa’s Mission, they are working with schools to educate and identify at-risk students.