Rolling to title Italian Stallions team members (from left) Frank Macchione, Mike Ryzdon, Mike Marino, Marty Eagen, Joe LaRose and Mike Marino Jr. hoist the trophy after winning the Elmwood Park Bocce League championship last week.

Cook County

Dist. 214 hosting pair of Career Nights

As part of its Career Nights: Life and Career Planning series, High School District 214 will host “Careers in Health & Natural Resources” on Oct. 28 at Prospect High School, 801W. Kensington Road, Mount Prospect, and “Careers in Engineering/Industrial Technology/Business & Computers” on Nov. 11 at Wheeling High School, 900 S. Elmhurst Road, Wheeling. On-site registration for each program begins at 6 p.m., and each will conclude at 8:30 p.m. The programs will feature a student panel, two break-out sessions, and a networking session — and presenters will provide students and parents with an opportunity to learn about various careers and real-life work experiences. For more information, send an email to scott.gustafson@d214.org, visit www.d214.org/academics/career-nights/, or call the District 214 office at (847) 718-7600.

Franklin Park

Career fair coming to East Leyden

Leyden High School District 212 and the Franklin Park Chamber of Commerce will host a career Fair and Business Expo from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at East Leyden High School, 3400 Rose Street. The fair is free, and open to students, parents, community members and businesses. It will feature local business and current business partners offering information on seasonal, part-time and full-time employment, and job seekers can meet with company representatives. For more information, including how to reserve booth space, call (847) 451-3031, send an email to fbrady@leyden212.org or visit www.vfranklinpark.org.

Cicero

Morton College announces plans for new addition

Morton College, 3801 S. Central Ave., recently announced that it will build a two-story addition to its campus, the first since the college opened in 1975. The approximately 15,000 square-foot facility will consist of five Learning Studios, an Allied Health classroom, two Adult Education classrooms, a student lounge, and a conference space. The addition is being funded largely through a grant from the Illinois Jobs Now! program, and via donations from Morton College alumni and supporters, and is part of a campaign to update the campus with the latest technology and learning tools available for higher education. The addition is scheduled to be opened in time for the 2016 fall semester.

Des Plaines

City Council approves zoning variances for housing project

A report stated that the Des Plaines City Council approved two zoning variances for a proposed apartment complex — for people with disabilities — at a property located at 751 Graceland Ave., in conjunction with Over the Rainbow Association, an Evanston-based nonprofit organization. Plans for the project include a four-story building with 33 one-bedroom units, 31 parking spaces and additional landscaping. The project is expected to cost in the neighborhood of $11 million, and will be primarily funded through low-income housing credits.

Evanston

Animal shelter to hold fundraising walkathon

The Evanston Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, 2310 Oakton St., will hold its Trick or Treat Trot for Tails Walkathon fundraising event, beginning at 10 a.m. on Oct. 31, at Centennial Park, located on Sheridan Road (at Clark Street). Registration and donation forms are available at evanstonanimalshelter.net/event-calendar. For more information, including adoptions and any shelter-related inquiries, call (847) 866-5082 or send an email to EASadpotions@gmail.com.

Elmwood Park

Halloween party set for rec center

The Elmwood Park Parks and Recreation Department will present its Halloween Party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Elmwood Park Recreation Center, 2 Conti Parkway. The event will feature games, candy, pumpkin decorating, crafts, a bounce house, a haunted house, and more. For more information, call 708-452-3935 or visit www.elmwoodpark.org.

South Holland

Annual Harvest Fest to be held at Community Center

The South Holland Department of Recreational Services will host its annual Harvest Fest from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the South Holland Community Center, 501 E. 170th Street. The free event is open to all village residents, and will feature a costume judging contest, candy bags (while supplies last), games for children (ages 3-12), a craft project and pumpkin decorating. An adult must accompany eligible children, and there will be no registration taken on the day of the event. To register, and for more information, call (708) 331-2940 or visit www.southholland.org.

Palos Heights

Recreation dept. to host Halloween event

The Palos Heights Parks and Recreation Department will host Touch-A-Truck & Treat from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 in the parking lot at Palos Pool, 7607 W. College Drive (directly south of City Hall). Attendees are encouraged to dress in Halloween costumes, and will have the opportunity to explore the department’s trucks, tractors, heavy equipment, emergency vehicles, and more. Children can sit in the driver’s seats, and climb aboard the variety of vehicles. In addition, each child will receive a Halloween treat. The event is free, and open to the public. For more information, call (708) 361-1807 or visit www.palosheightsrec.org.

Niles

Village purchases property for flood detention site

A report stated that village officials have closed on the purchase of a property at 9101 N. Greenwood Ave., near the Golf Mill Shopping Center, to be used for flood detention, and possibly as a festival site, at a cost of $2.6 million. Officials said that the property, which formerly housed a bank, would have the capability to store 13-acre-feet of water. In addition, erecting a stormwater detention facility on the property reportedly would save nearly $100,000 from the initial estimated cost of $7.1 million for the project if another site had been chosen. Officials also said that the bank building would need to be razed prior to implementing the detention plan.

Arlington Heights

Our Lady of the Wayside earns National Blue Ribbon honors

Our Lady of the Wayside School, a pre-K through eighth-grade Catholic school at 432 S. Mitchell Street, was named a National Blue Ribbon School for the second time in 18 years. The school earned the award, presented by the United States Department of Education, in the Exemplary High Performing Schools category after meeting the requirement that its students score in the top 15 percent on state and national assessment tests. Each year, the National Blue Ribbon program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools throughout the country. Our Lady of the Wayside also earned National Blue Ribbon honors in 1997.

Calumet City

Halloween bash to be held at Memorial Park Field House

The Calumet Memorial Park District will host a Halloween Party (for ages 2-10) from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Memorial Park Field House, located at the intersection of Wentworth Ave. and Memorial Drive. The event will feature “frightful fun” as well as games for candy and prizes. The cost is $2 per person, and all participants must wear a costume. For more information, call (708) 862-6443 or visit www.mycmpd.com.

Western Springs

Halloween Hoopla on tap at rec center

The Western Springs Business Association will present Halloween Hoopla from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Western Springs Recreation Center, located at 1500 Walker. The event will feature Halloween games (with small prizes for winners), a Haunted Room, face painting, and an interactive magic show. Admission is free with a costume, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call (708) 246-9070 or visit www.wsprings.com.

–Cook County News Briefs–