The Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club, 800 Oak Brook Road, recently was selected as a winner in The Knot Best of Weddings 2018.

Cook County

Dist. 214 to launch new aviation career program

Township High School District 214 has launched an Aviation and Aircraft Maintenance pathway in partnership with Lewis University, in Romeoville, allowing students to begin earning an associate degree and aviation maintenance certificate while still in high school. The partnership, set to officially begin in the 2018-19 academic year, will give students an opportunity to complete their associate degree within 18 months of high school graduation. The intention of the the new pathway is to create a pipeline of skilled aircraft maintenance technicians. With several airports in the region, individuals possessing an aviation maintenance certificate — considered the gold standard by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) — are in high demand. A 2016 study by Boeing found that nearly 700,000 new maintenance technicians will be needed to maintain the world fleet over the next 20 years. District 214 includes Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove, Hersey (Arlington Heights), Prospect (Mount Prospect), Rolling Meadows and Wheeling high schools, and Forest View Educational Center (Arlington Heights). For more information, call (847) 718-7700 or visit www.ce.d214.org.

Chicago

Marriott gift aids new Roosevelt U. scholarship program

Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Ave., recently received a $250,000 gift from the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation that will help undergraduate students studying hospitality and tourism management. The gift, which kick-starts the new Marriott Scholar Program, will provide Roosevelt hospitality and tourism majors — many of whom come from low-income households and under-represented communities — with scholarships, as well as an opportunity to receive internships and mentoring from leaders in the Chicago area hospitality industry. Roosevelt will begin offering scholarships in the Marriott Scholar Program for the fall 2018 semester. For more information, call (312) 341-3500 or visit www.roosevelt.edu.

Oak Brook

Bath & Tennis Club ranked among top wedding spots

The Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club, 800 Oak Brook Road, recently was selected as a winner in The Knot Best of Weddings 2018, an award that recognizes the highest-rated wedding professionals as reviewed by couples, their families and wedding guests on The Knot, a leading online wedding brand and app. The Knot Best of Weddings is an annual “by couples/for couples” guide to the top wedding professionals across the country. To determine the winner, The Knot assessed nearly 3.6 million reviews across various vendor categories, including venues, musicians, florists, photographers, caterers and more. In 2018, only 3 percent of the approximately 300,000 local wedding professionals listed on www.theknot.com received the accolade. For more information, call (630) 368-6420 or visit www.oak-brook.org.

South Holland

Sand Ridge Nature Center offers ‘Welcome’ events

The village announced that the Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Ave., will host the second of three Forest Preserves Welcome events from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 3. The events, sponsored by the Forest Preserves of Cook County, feature an introduction to Sand Ridge Nature Center and Camp Shabbona Woods, including information about ongoing exhibits, events and programs, hiking trails, pioneer cabins, live animals and more. Admission and parking are both free. The third Forest Preserves Welcome event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon March 22. For more information, call (708) 868-0606 or visit www.fpdcc.com. 

Mount Prospect

Annual chocolate raffle to aid Library Foundation

The Mount Prospect Public Library Foundation is holding its annual Unbelievable Chocolate Raffle through Feb. 11 at the library, located at 10 S. Emerson St.. The event takes place in the lobby of the library and features several “sumptuous” baskets designed for chocolate lovers. Raffle tickets are $2 each (or six for $5) and can be purchased from a Library Foundation volunteer — or inquire at the Registration Desk. The drawing will be held at 3 p.m. Feb. 11. Winners need not be present. All proceeds from the Unbelievable Chocolate Raffle benefit the Mount Prospect Public Library Foundation, which raises funds for special programming and events at the library that otherwise would not be available through public funding. For more information, call (847) 253-5675 or visit www.mppl.org.

Palatine

Police Dept. begins sign-up for Citizen Police Academy

The village announced that the Palatine Police Department is now accepting applications for the spring session of its Citizen Police Academy, set to run from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesdays, Feb. 21 through April 25. The goal of the Citizen Police Academy is to educate citizens about the law enforcement profession, and to strive to work cooperatively with Palatine residents in order to ensure that the community is a safe place to live and work. Various members of the Palatine Police Department will serve as instructors during the eight-week program. Topics include crime scene investigation, crime prevention, use of force, vehicle stops, neighborhood-based policing, SWAT operations, gangs, K-9 units and more. Applicants must be at least age 25 and reside in Palatine. Class size is limited. To access and application, visit www.palatine.il.us. Completed applications should be sent by mail to: Palatine Police Department, 595 N. Hicks Road (Attn: Commander L. Canada), Palatine, Ill. 60067. For more information, call (847) 359-9009.

Deerfield

Library to host Valentine’s Day cooking program

The Deerfield Public Library, 920 Waukegan Road, will host Chocolate Desserts with Chef Susan Maddox, a special Valentine’s Day cooking program, from 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 7. Maddox will demonstrate three chocolate dessert treats for Valentine’s Day: Bittersweet Chocolate & Raspberry Pot au Creme, Orange Milk Chocolate & Caramel Tart and Chocolate Almond Biscotti. Samples and recipes will be provided. To register, and for more information, call (847) 945-3311 or visit www.deerfieldlibrary.org.

–Cook County News Briefs–