The Melrose Park Police Department recently signed a one-year contract with Animal Care League, a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter and spay/neuter clinic located at 1011 Garfield Street, Oak Park.

Cook County

Oakton nets scholarship grant from Niles Township

The Oakton Community College Educational Foundation recently received a donation of $42,500 from Niles Township to support college scholarships. The recent gift, along with nearly $46,000 received by the Educational Foundation in 2017, will allow Oakton to offer 25 scholarships to graduates of Niles West or Niles West high schools, or Evanston Township High School graduates who reside in Skokie. Each scholarship is valued at $3,538 and will be offered for the 2018-19 academic year. Both first-year and second-year Oakton students are eligible for the Niles Township scholarships, as long as they have a minimum grade-point average of 2.5 and are enrolled full-time. Oakton Community College operates campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie. For more information, call 847-635-1600 or visit www.oakton.edu.

Dist. 214 administrator Paul earns statewide award

High School District 214 announced that Krista Paul, assistant director of Career and Technical Education, was named the recipient of the IACTE (Illinois Association for Career and Technical Education) Career Guidance Award during the recent IACTE annual conference, in Springfield. The award recognizes guidance counselors and career development professionals who have made significant contributions to advocate, educate and communicate the value of career and technical education. Since 2008, Paul has worked with colleagues across the district to effectively market and promote career experiences in District 214’s Career Pathways program, designed to ensure that every student graduates with an authentic workplace experience completed. Paul also is the founding leader of the district’s Center for Career Discovery. District 214 includes Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove, John Hersey, Prospect, Rolling Meadows and Wheeling high schools, and the Forest View Educational Center, in Arlington Heights. For more information, call or visit www.ce.d214.org.

Melrose Park

Police Dept. partners with area animal shelter

The Melrose Park Police Department recently signed a one-year contract with Animal Care League, a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter and spay/neuter clinic located at 1011 Garfield Street, Oak Park. Under terms of the contract, animals lost or found in Melrose Park will be taken to Animal Care League for shelter and care while the owners are being located. After the stray hold period expires, animals not reunited with their owners will be evaluated and placed for adoption through the shelter’s adoption program. Since the contract began, 12 Melrose Park animals have been brought to Animal Care League, resulting in five being reunited with their families and the other seven either adopted or currently waiting to find “forever” homes. Once the initial contract expires, a longer-term partnership will be discussed. Residents who have lost or found a pet in Melrose Park can call Animal Care’s Lost Pet Line at 708-848-0172. Residents who need to report an animal issue can call the village’s nonemergency number at 708-344-8409. For more information, visit www.animalcareleague.org or www.melrosepark.org.    

Tinley Park

Village earns major financial reporting award

The village announced that the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) recently awarded Tinley Park with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual report (CAFR). The award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The village’s CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users to read the CAFR. This marks the 26th consecutive year Tinley Park has earned the distinction. For more information, call 708-444-5000 or visit www.tinleypark.org.

Park Ridge

Application process underway for Garden Club contest

The city announced that applications are now available for the 27th Annual Garden Club Beautification Awards Contest. The contest, co-sponsored by the city and the Park Ridge Garden Club, recognizes residents who have made their homes and their landscaping the most attractive in Park Ridge. The following standards for evaluating the landscape design will be used: Year-round overall appearance; design; lawn condition; trees/shrubs; and flowers and other annual plantings. Judging will be conducted by landscape design consultants from the Garden Clubs of Illinois. Winners will receive $100 from the Garden Club, a lawn sign from the city and gift certificates from the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce. Previous winners are not eligible. To obtain an application, visit the city’s website at www.parkridge.us or pick one up in the foyer at City Hall, 505 Butler Place. Completed applications must be returned to the city by June 29. For more information, call 847-318-5200 or visit www.parkridge.us.

Mount Prospect

Library to host coin collecting appraisal event

The Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson Street, will host Coin Collecting and Appraisals, part of the ongoing Afternoon Encore Series, at 1 p.m. May 31. Coin collector Dave Ekstrom will give a brief presentation about old coins and gold items based on their scrap metal value, followed by an opportunity to have coins or gold items appraised for free. The program is intended as an educational presentation and will include no buying or selling. Each audience member will be given a three- to five-minute time slot for an appraisal on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is required; space is limited. Individual time slots will be assigned no earlier than 12:45 p.m. To sign up, and for more information, call 847-253-5675 or visit www.mppl.org.

Winnetka

Volunteer Center to host volunteer management workshop for nonprofits

Looking for help attracting and keeping volunteers that will not only help you achieve your mission but will have a lasting impact on your organization? Join your fellow nonprofit representatives on the North Shore on Wednesday, May 30 for The Volunteer Center of N.E. Metro Chicago will hold a Volunteer Management Workshop from 12:30-2:30 p.m. May 30 at The Winnetka Community House Garden Rooms for lunch and the program. Learn techniques for recruiting and retaining volunteers for your organization. Gain tangible insights so you can provide a rewarding experience for those valuable volunteers who not only support you with extra hands but also provide valuable PR impact in the community. Suggestions for developing effective volunteer positions, training and managing your volunteers and a discussion about the powerful positive outcomes of utilizing individuals with disabilities. Registration required by May 29 at www.VolunteerCenterHelps.org

This interactive discussion will be presented by Volunteer Center Executive Director Barbara Tubekis, Tricia Luzadder, Ventures Program Manager for Search, Inc., and Ann Healing, Director of Volunteer and Church Engagement for Breakthrough.

–Cook County News Briefs–