In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Des Plaines History Center, 781 Pearson Street, will host a Coffee Talk, entitled, “The History of Railroad Boxcar Communities in Chicago and The Midwest,” from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Sept. 8.

Oak Park

Village to host recycling event and Great Paint Exchange

The village announced that it will host a free recycling event from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 10 at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd. The event offers document shredding, with each household limited to two bags or small boxes of personal documents. Acceptable items include canceled checks, and documents containing credit card numbers social security numbers and medical information. Paper materials that can be placed in recycling carts or bins — such as newspapers, magazines, chipboard or junk mail — will not be accepted. In addition, the Public Works Department has partnered with the Epilepsy Foundation to collect clothing and apparel of all types (in any condition) during the recycling event. Items — including shoes, belts, hats, bags, linens and towels — will be sent to developing nations for repurposing. The village also will host its Great Paint Exchange from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at the same location. Participants can safely dispose of unwanted-but-still-usable latex paint, and get free paint as well. Half-to-full cans of latex paint will be accepted for collection from 9-11 a.m., and anyone in need of paint may then choose from the collection between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. For more information, call (708) 383-6400 or visit www.oak-park.us.       

Evanston

City launches signage program to promote bike safety

As part of a continued effort to encourage safe roadway usage by bicyclists, motorists and pedestrians, the city has launched a Bicycle Signage Pilot Program. The pilot program, designed to promote the use of hand signals by bicyclists and to educate all road users on the signals’ meanings, was developed in collaboration with a team of Northwestern University students participating in the school’s Design for America (DFA) program. Founded at Northwestern, DFA is a national network of 36 campus studios using design innovation for positive social impact. Evanston’s Bicycle Signage Program includes the recent installation of two signs at each of four locations: Chicago Avenue and Clark Street; Hinman Avenue and Main Street; Foster Street at Sherman Avenue; and Greenleaf Street at Dodge Avenue. The signs are designed to clearly communicate the proper hand signals for left turn, right turn and stop. City staff collected pre-installation data at each location by measuring the use of hand signals by bicyclists, and will return to the sites later this fall to collect post-installation data to gauge the signs’ effectiveness. For more information about the program, call or text (847) 448-4311 or visit www.cityofevanston.org.

Palos Heights

Woman’s Club to host blood drive at two locations

The city announced that the Palos Heights Woman’s Club is sponsoring a blood drive, entitled, “Decision 2016: Elect (to) Phillip A. Pint,” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Palos Heights Fire Department, 12300 S. Harlem Ave., and at Diane’s Place, 12306 S. Harlem Ave. The blood drive will be conducted by Heartland Blood Centers, the sole provider of blood products to more than 70 medical centers in the greater Chicago area, including Palos Community Hospital. All donors (photo ID required) will receive a free T-shirt and a free ice cream cone from Diane’s Place. To schedule an appointment, and for more information, call (708) 769-5724 or (708) 347-3512, or visit www.heartlandbc.org.

Des Plaines

Program on Mexican railroad workers offered at History Center

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Des Plaines History Center, 781 Pearson Street, will host a Coffee Talk, entitled, “The History of Railroad Boxcar Communities in Chicago and The Midwest,” from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Sept. 8. The program, sponsored by the Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau, features presenter Dr. Antonio Delgado, who will discuss the history of Mexicans who worked for Chicago-area railroads and lived in railroad boxcars. Admission is a suggested donation of $3. To RSVP, and for more information, call (847) 391-5399 or visit www.desplaineshistorycenter.org.

Orland Park

Aquatic Center earns pair of 5-star safety ratings

The village reported that Orland Park’s Centennial Park Aquatic Center (CPAC), 15600 West Ave., earned two 5-star safety ratings for the 2016 season. CPAC received the 5-star ratings following unannounced, risk-management audits conducted by Starfish Aquatics Institute, one of the largest lifeguard, swim instruction and pool operator certifying agencies in the United States. During the surprise audits, held on July 25 and again on Aug. 13, an auditor evaluated and graded lifeguards’ performances while the guards were on duty supervising the pool from their chairs, and also rated the facility in several key areas. The agency’s 5-star rating represents the highest possible rating to be awarded. For more information, call (708) 403-7275 or visit www.orlandpark.org.

–Cook County News Briefs–