ROYAL PERFORMANCE
The Royal Airs Drum and Bugle Corps under the direction of Rhonda Schock, were the only drum and bugle corps to be invited to perform in the London New Year’s Day Parade (LNYDP), where they took first place in the Westminster District. The parade was viewed by approximately 380 million people. James Erlenbaugh from Lombard is the oldest member in the group at age 81. On this trip of a lifetime, Dec. 27 to Jan. 3, the group toured all over London and Westminster, putting on several concerts besides marching in the parade. The corps, which is composed of members from all over Chicagoland, ranging in age from 14 to 8, is presently accepting new members. For more information, www.theroyalairs.org.

Barrington Hills 

Village to lower property taxes for third year in row

The village reported that the Barrington Hills Board of Trustees recently voted to lower the property tax levy for the third year in a row. The village will request $5.3 million in property taxes in 2017, down from $6.1 million received in 2016. The 2017 village budget is $7.5 million, down from $7.9 million the previous year. As recently as 2013, the village was faced with a budget of $8.4 million. The levy reduction in 2017 is due, in part, to administrative and departmental restructurings and consolidation of emergency dispatch services. For more information, call (847) 551-3000 or visit www.barringtonhills-il.gov.

Orland Park

Annual Chef’s Auction to benefit Bridge Teen Center

The 17th Annual Chef’s Auction will be held from 6-10 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Orland Chateau, 14500 S. LaGrange Road. The annual event serves as a fundraiser for a chosen beneficiary. This year’s proceeds will benefit The Bridge Teen Center, a non-profit community center that provides free programs after school and during unsupervised hours for students in seventh grade through high school. The Chef’s Auction will feature chefs from area restaurants donating their time to prepare signature entrees for attendees to sample, and includes fine wines, craft beer and live musical entertainment. The event also includes a silent auction and a live auction featuring packages donated by the participating eateries. Tickets are $50 per person, and are available at Recreation Administration, 14650 S. Ravinia Ave., and Sportsplex, 11351 W. 159th St. For more information, call (708) 403-7275 or visit www.orland-park.il.us. 

Burr Ridge

United Church of Christ to hold Annual Chili Cookoff

Burr Ridge United Church of Christ, 15w100 Plainfield Road, will hold its Annual Chili Cookoff, beginning at 11 a.m. Feb. 19. This year’s event features a Western theme, and includes traditional, vegetable and specialty chili recipes as well as a variety of fixings and desserts. Attendees can bring beverages of choice, and are encouraged to wear Western attire (optional). Admission is free. Meal tickets are $8 (adults) and $5 (children), and will be available at the door. For more information, call (630) 654-4544 or visit www.burr-ridge.gov.

Schaumburg

Rec. Center earns IPRA Outstanding Park & Facility Award

The Schaumburg Park District’s Community Recreation Center (CRC), 505 N. Springinsguth Road, has won the Illinois Park & Recreation Association’s (IPRA) Outstanding Park & Facility Award. The award is presented to public agencies for exceptional and unique achievements in design and development. In 2015, the Park District embarked on a major renovation of the CRC, resulting in the following improvements: approximately 22,000 square feet of new and renovated program and fitness space, a new multi-purpose aerobic studio, renovated fitness center, a new visual arts room, energy-efficient LED lighting in all new rooms, additional restrooms, increased program offerings and ADA improvements. The Park District received the award from IPRA on Jan. 20. For more information, call (847) 985-2115 or visit www.parkfun.com.

Elk Grove Village

Second annual Carnival of Exceptional Character on tap

The Community Character Coalition of Elk Grove (CCC) will hold its second annual Carnival of Exceptional Character from 5-7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Elk Grove Park District Pavilion (Main Field House Gym), 1000 Wellington Ave. The family-oriented event includes free food (while supplies last), and booths with carnival-style games and activities, including ring toss, bocce ball, Bozo Buckets, Strike-A-Light, Pop-A-Shot, a bounce house and a photo booth. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the village’s various community service groups. Admission is free. For more information, call (847) 439-3900 or visit www.cceg.org.

Winnetka

Martella named to new economic development post

The village announced that Michael Martella has been hired as Winnetka’s first full-time Economic Development Coordinator. Martella previously served as Marketing & Business Development Administrator for the Village of Bensenville. In his new role, Martella will be tasked with developing and administering the village’s economic development and business relations programs. He also is expected to play an important role in the implementation of Winnetka’s Downtown Master Plan. For more information, call (847) 501-6000 or visit www.villageofwinnetka.org.

Niles

Village to purchase Lake Michigan water from Evanston

The Niles Village Board recently approved an agreement with the City of Evanston to allow Niles and Morton Grove to purchase Lake Michigan water from Evanston for 40 years, beginning in 2019. Niles currently purchases water from the City of Chicago. Since 2008, the water rate charged by Chicago has risen 114 percent. In 2013, Niles and Morton Grove began working together to evaluate alternative water supply options. The 40-year agreement with Evanston includes an option for two 10-year extensions. Water rates will be calculated based on a fixed formula. The initial 2019 Evanston water rate is expected to be $.81 per 1,000 gallons. After adding the necessary infrastructure construction and operation costs associated with the project, the total Evanston rate is projected to be $3.47 in 2019 — 15 percent less than the projected Chicago rate. For more information, call (847) 588-8000 or visit www.vniles.com.

Tinley Park

ComEd conducting vegetation management work in area

The village reported that ComEd currently is conducting vegetation management activities on distribution circuits in the Tinley Park area. Vegetation management is a key component of ComEd’s maintenance program to ensure system electrical reliability, as vegetation contact with ComEd’s equipment is a leading cause of outages. Qualified line-clearance workers contracted by ComEd are performing the work, under the supervision of ComEd general foremen. To view a vegetation management map, visit www.tinleypark.org. For additional information, call ComEd at (800) 334-7661.

Palatine

Winter Reading Challenge nets donations to help homeless

In partnership with the Palatine Public Library’s Winter Reading Challenge, Palatine Bank & Trust and Warehouse Direct each donated $1,000 to JOURNEYS/The Road Home. Participants read a total of 7,014 books throughout the duration of the program (Dec. 26, 2016 to Jan. 31), exceeding the total of 5,000 required to secure the donations. JOURNEYS/The Road Home, 1140 E. Northwest Highway, provides shelter, social services and housing to the homeless and others at risk in the north and northwest suburbs of Cook County. For more information, call (847) 963-9163 or visit www.journeystheroadhome.com.

–Cook County News Briefs–