It's been a momentous year for our rich suburban mosaic of diverse communities, not the least of which was weathering Year Two of an unrelenting pandemic together. In the past year, I've attempted to showcase ways in which people from racial, cultur...

Freddy the fox's drain pipe gets thinner A fox continues to captivate Bartlett residents after a plastic drain pipe got stuck around its neck, and only a thin band of the pipe remains. Nicknamed Freddy by Bartlett residents keeping a...

Wednesday, Dec. 8, and ongoing Festival of Lights and Tree Sale: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through Thursday, Dec. 30, at Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. See thousands of twinkling lights, plus a selection of Christmas trees, wreaths, green...

Northwest Suburban High School District 214 and the League of Women Voters of Arlington Heights and surrounding areas are partnering to host a talk about race on Dec. 15. Audra Wilson, president and CEO of the Shriver Center on Poverty Law in Chica...

Ongoing Festival of Lights and Tree Sale: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through Thursday, Dec. 30, at Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. The zoo will be transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights; a selection of Chris...

Ongoing events Winter Arts & Craft Expo: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Dec. 20, at the Evanston Art Center, 1717 Central St., Evanston. Includes original, handmade works of jewelry, ce...

On the hunt for a unique holiday gift? Artisans and vendors will be selling their wares at various craft fairs and bazaars throughout the area now through December. Nov. 14 Artisan Craft and Food Fair: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, at Her...

• Jennifer Weiss, a licensed physical therapist with 15 years of leadership experience, was named CEO of the future Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute of Libertyville. The 60-bed hospital, under construction at 1201 American Way, is expected ...

This weekend Cosley Zoo Pumpkin Fest: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, Oct. 31, at Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. See thousands of pumpkins while visiting the animals. Children's rides, plus apples, gourds, pumpkins, cider, corns...

This week Sunflower Fest: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, Aug. 25-29, at Richardson Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. Explore a sunflower maze, plus food trucks, a beer and wine tent, outdoor games, a carousel and more. ...