The Village of South Holland’s MLK Tribute: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 13, 2018 at Christ Community Church, 1151 E. 170th St. (Photo courtesy of the United States Library of Congress)

Wheeling

Library to host digital music program for teens

The Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 Schoenbeck Road, will host DIY Lab: GarageBand Jam Session, a special High School Services program (for grades 9-12) from 2-3:30 p.m. Dec. 30. Participants will join together in the Launch Pad for an afternoon of music creation, using digital instruments, loops and vocals to craft original songs with GarageBand software technology. No musical experience is necessary. Registration is required. To sign up, and for more information, call (847) 459-4100, Ext. 312 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Evanston

Cultural Fund Grant program to aid local artists

The city announced that it is inviting local artists and arts organizations to apply for Evanston’s Cultural Fund Grant program. The program supports artistic excellence throughout the community by providing financial assistance to not-for-profit organizations and projects. The fund is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. The city’s Arts Council will be awarding approximately $30,000 in three categories: Grants to Organizations (awards up to $4,000); Special Programs and Projects (up to $4,000); and Individual Artists Projects (up to $2,000). Applicants may only apply for one of the grant categories. All projects must take place in Evanston in order to successfully qualify for a grant. Applications must be submitted online at www.cityofevanston.org/culturalfund by 5 p.m. Feb. 9, 2018. Those who would like to have their work reviewed and receive suggestions prior to the final submission date should submit applications by the early review submission deadline of Jan. 19. All applicants are encouraged to attend one of two free Cultural Grant Fund workshops, scheduled for 2 p.m. Jan. 4 and 6 p.m. Jan. 8 at Morton Civic Center, (Room 2404), 2100 Ridge Ave. For more information, call (847) 448-4311 or visit www.cityofevanston.org.

Skokie

Lindley named village’s Humans Services Director

The village announced that Beth Lindley has been appointed Human Services Director for the Village of Skokie. Lindley, a licensed clinical social worker, began her tenure as lead social worker for the village’s Human Services Division in 2007. Under Lindley’s leadership, the Commission on Family Services began the popular Boomers and Beyond Resource Fair that draws hundreds of individuals from Skokie and surrounding communities seeking information on services for the aging population. Lindley was also instrumental in helping the Public Works Department and other community partners develop the Fresh Produce Initiative, a program in which Skokie Farmers’ Market vendors donate thousands of pounds of surplus produce to the Niles Township Food Pantry each summer and fall. Prior to joining the village’s staff, Lindley held social work positions focused on advocacy, senior services and long-term care residents’ rights. For more information, call (847) 673-0500 or visit www.skokie.org.

Schaumburg

Village announces finish of two major road projects

The village announced that two major road improvement projects that are part of Schaumburg’s 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Plan — realignment of Bethel Lane and improvements on Wise Road — were recently completed. Bethel Lane, reopened to traffic on Nov. 17, was temporarily closed so the roadway between Pleasant Drive and Roselle Road could be relocated to improve traffic flow and promote safety for motorists and pedestrians near Bethel Baptist Church and Schaumburg Christian School. Crews will return in spring 2018 to install a new traffic signal at Roselle Road and Bethel Lane, the last component of the project designed to enhance safety. Following the reopening of Bethel Lane, contractors finished applying final striping to newly paved Wise Road. Improvements on Wise Road (from Roselle Road to Irving Park Road) include concrete patching, new asphalt and medians. Final landscaping of the medians will be performed in the spring. The project was a joint venture with the Cook County Transportation and Highway Department (CCTHD). For more information, call (847) 895-4500 or visit www.villageofschaumburg.com.

Hoffman Estates

Village offers recycling options for holiday greenery

The village is offering two options for residents to recycle live Christmas trees and holiday wreaths: curbside pick-up (on regular service days during the first two weeks of January 2018); and drop-off sites (through Jan. 5). For curbside pick-up, all lights, ornaments, garland and artificial decorations must be removed from the tree, and one disposal sticker must be visibly wrapped around the tree trunk or branch. Flocked trees are acceptable, and wreaths and garland made of pine boughs or other organic materials will also be accepted (with wiring and plastic removed). These items should be placed in a Kraft yard waste bag with a disposal sticker attached. Leftover yard waste and bags of leaves will be accepted as well. Christmas trees and greenery also can be dropped off (at no charge) at the Public Works Vehicle Maintenance Facility, 2405 Pembroke Ave.; the field next to Fire Station 23, 1300 Westbury Drive; and the field next to Fire Station 24, 5775 Beacon Pointe Drive. For more information, call (847) 490-6800 or visit www.hoffmanestates.org.   

South Holland

MLK Tribute to be held at Christ Community Church

The Village of South Holland’s MLK Tribute: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 13, 2018 at Christ Community Church, 1151 E. 170th St. Speakers include Dr. Jeanne Porter King, Pastor Ozzie Smith, Jr. and Pastor Freddie De Anda. The event also features the South Holland Master Chorale, Trustee Prince Reed & Christ Community Church Choir, the African Drum Ensemble and the Christ Community Church African Dancers. For more information, call (708) 210-2900 or visit www.southholland.org. 

–Cook County News Briefs–