LAUNCHING PAD
Cook County Commissioner Peter N. Silvestri joins forest preserve superintendent Randall local officials and residents at the ribbon cutting of the new canoe and kayak launch at Thatcher Woods Maywood Grove on April 14.

Barrington

Ninth Annual Barrington Art Festival on tap

The 9th Annual Barrington Art Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 26 and 27 on the streets of downtown Barrington. The festival will offer the work of 120 juried artists from around the world in a variety of media, including ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, photography, watercolors, wood and more. The event also includes art demonstrations, live music, food and beverage options, and kids activities. Festival admission and public parking are free. For more information, contact Amdur Productions at 847-926-4300 or visit www.amdurproductions.com.

Deerfield

Historical Society to host Jubilee Celebration

The village announced that the Lake Forest Area Historical Society will begin celebrating its 50th anniversary with a Jubilee Celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 20 at Deerfield Historic Village, 517 Deerfield Road. The event will feature tours of the Historic Village, antiques appraisals, historic games and activities, live music from School District 109 bands and food service. All funds raised will go toward repairs and improvements to the site’s historic structures, including the oldest building in Lake County, the Caspar Ott log house, built in 1837. As a non-profit organization, all of the Historical Society’s services, including maintenance of the Historic Village, are made possible by membership dues and donations. For more information, contact David Fitzgerald at 847-719-7400 or via email at dfitzgerald@deerfield.il.us.

Palatine

Pair of Harper leaders awarded Fellowship status

Harper College announced that two administrators — Michele Smith, Vice President of Workforce Solutions/Associate Provost for Curriculum; and Brian Knetl, Associate Provost — have been awarded the prestigious Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence, a leadership program aimed at preparing the next generation of community college presidents. Smith and Knetl are among 40 Fellows from across the country — and the only recipients from Illinois — selected by the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program, a Washington, D.C.-based educational and policy studies organization. The two Harper administrators were selected based on their ability to take strategic risks, lead strong teams, cultivate partnerships and focus on results-oriented improvements in student success and access. Smith, a 16-year Harper College veteran, currently serves as the executive lead for the Harper College Promise Scholarship program, which provides high school students an opportunity to earn two years of free tuition. She also recently co-authored the book, “Inclusive Directions: The Role of the Chief Diversity Officer in Community College Leadership.” Knetl provides leadership in the college’s Academy for Teaching Excellence, and is co-leader of the Achieving the Dream initiative. He previously served as Dean of Liberal Arts and founding Associate Dean of the Center for Adjunct Faculty Engagement at Harper. For more information, call 847-925-6000 or visit www.harpercollege.edu.

Tinley Park

Chamber, Legion to host Veterans Spring Carnival

The village announced that the Tinley Park Veterans Spring Carnival will be held from 5-10 p.m. May 18, 1-10 p.m. May 19 and 1-6 p.m. May 20 at the Metra Train Station parking lot, located at 179th Street and 80th Avenue. The event, sponsored by the Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce and American Legion Post 615, includes an Armed Forces Ceremony at 1 p.m. May 19 (near American Legion Post 615, 17423 67th Court). Unlimited ride specials are available for $25 per person, per session (5-9 p.m. May 18, and 1-5 p.m. May 19 and 20). For more information, call 708-444-5000 or visit www.tinleypark.org. 

Skokie

Burman, Griffin couples named Humanitarians of the Year

The village announced that Skokie residents Alyse and Jeffrey Burman, and Gene and Karen Griffin, have been selected as 2018 Humanitarians of the Year. Both couples have lived in Skokie for decades, and provide volunteer leadership and dedication to the community. Alyse Burman serves on the boards of the Niles Township Food Pantry, the Oakton Community College Educational Foundation and the Education Foundation that serves District 12 and all Niles Township schools, leading the fundraising efforts for each board. Jeffrey Burman serves on the Plan Commission and as the chairman of the Education Foundation. Gene Griffin serves on the Skokie Library Board of Trustees and currently serves as chair of the Skokie Community Foundation, an initiative he co-founded with his wife, Karen, in 2010 as the Skokie Community Fund. Since that time, the fund has grown and now holds an annual grant cycle that provides $5,000 grants to various Skokie non-profit organizations. For more information, call 847-673-0500 or visit www.skokie.org.

Evanston

City’s Fleet Operations Unit makes ‘Best 100’ list

The city announced that its Fleet Operations Unit has been named one of “The Best 100 Fleets” in the annual Best Fleets in the Americas program, which recognizes and rewards peak performing fleet operations in North America. Evanston, one of only six Illinois fleets to be recognized, ranked 83rd on the list. Fleet Operations is part of the city’s Facilities and Fleet Division within the Administrative Services Department. The Fleet Operations staff maintains repair services for the city’s approximately 350 pieces of equipment, including police vehicles, fire apparatuses, public works and forestry trucks and equipment, utility vehicles and more. Criteria for “The 100 Best Fleets” award includes technology, performance, collaboration, service turnaround time and accountability. Evanston’s Fleet operations was recognized for its collaborative teamwork and training, advanced fleet management information system, responsible waste stream (including its recycling of oil, anti-freeze, metal and batteries, and its use of the newest technology and alternative fuels. For more information, call or text 847-448-4311 or visit www.cityofevanston.org.    

–Cook County News Briefs–