South Holland’s Winter Wonderland festivities will be held from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 2 and 9 at Veterans Memorial Park, located at 160th Place and South Park Avenue.

Elk Grove Village

Village to hold open house on Zoning Code updates

The village announced that it will hold a Zoning Code Update Open House from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 7 at Village Hall (Room E), 901 Wellington Ave. The village is undertaking an update of its Zoning Code in order to modernize regulations to meet community needs and perspectives. More than 20 years have passed since any significant changes have been made to the Zoning Code, with many sections dating to the 1970s. The village stated that since that time, there have been many changes in the way businesses operate, and how residents live and work as well. The Open House presents an opportunity for residents and businesses to provide input on the initiative, including comments and insights into how the Zoning Code impacts their daily lives and business operations. For more information, call (847) 439-3900 or visit www.elkgrove.org.

Alsip

Village to host Christmas tree lighting, Holiday on Pulaski events

The village announced that the 2016 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Village Hall, 4500 W. 123rd Street. The event will include a visit from Santa Claus, carols sung by local Girl Scouts and light refreshments. In addition, the village will host its 4th Annual Holiday on Pulaski from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 9 between 115th and 120th streets on Pulaski Avenue. The event includes a tree lighting ceremony (dedicated to military veterans and local police and firemen) at Veterans Plaza, 11801 Pulaski Ave., as well as 40 craft vendors, kids activities, horse and carriage rides, a laser light show, Police Department and Fire Department activities, giveaways and coupons from area businesses and restaurants, and more. Admission is free. For more information, call (708) 385-6902 or visit www.villageofalsip.org.

Hinsdale

Giannelli named to replace retiring Ronovsky as Fire Chief

The village reported that John Giannelli recently was appointed as the Hinsdale Fire Department’s new Fire Chief. He replaces retiring Fire Chief Richard Ronovsky, whose final day in the position was Nov. 25. Giannelli, who celebrated his 25th anniversary with the Fire Department in May, was promoted to Lieutenant in 2006 and Captain in 2012. He also serves as the department’s Training Officer, and recently completed the certification process as a Chief Fire Officer. Giannelli holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science Management  from Southern Illinois University. In addition, the Fire Department announced that Lieutenant Jon Carlson has been promoted to the rank of Captain, and that Firefighter/Paramedic Andy Ziemer has been promoted to Lieutenant.

South Holland

Village announces slew of Winter Wonderland activities

South Holland’s Winter Wonderland festivities will be held from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 2 and 9 at Veterans Memorial Park, located at 160th Place and South Park Avenue. The event will begin with the Tree Lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Dec. 2, followed by visits with Santa Claus (6:15-8:30 p.m.; check-in opens at 5:15 p.m.) and trolley rides (6:30-9 p.m.). The event also includes kids train rides, face painting and balloons, live reindeer, live music, refreshments and the village’s display of holiday lights. Winter Wonderland activities continue with Chocolate Night on Dec. 9, featuring a variety of area vendors offering chocolate treats, candy apples and more available for purchase — as well as pictures and visits with Santa, holiday carolers, kids train rides, the holiday lights display, refreshments and more. Admission is free. For more information, call (708) 210-2900 or visit www.southholland.org.

Mount Prospect

Fire Dept. seeks donations for Toys for Kids program

The village announced that the Mount Prospect Fire Department’s 20th annual Toys for Kids program is underway. The program offers residents and businesses an opportunity to make a direct impact on hundreds of local families in need via donations of new, unwrapped toys at Mount Prospect Fire Station 12, 1601 W. Golf Road; Fire Station 13, 112 E. Northwest Highway; and Fire Station 14, 200 E. Kensington Road, through Dec. 9. In addition to toys, the donations of gift cards to major department stores is encouraged for older children (up to age 17). Families that qualify for the program, determined by the Mount Prospect Human Services staff, will be invited to pick up their toys and visit with Santa Claus on Dec. 17 at Fire Station 14. In 2015, the program assisted 318 children from 128 families. For more information, call (847) 870-5660 or visit www.mountprospect.org.

Lincolnwood

Village names Engelmann as new Assistant Village Manager

The village announced that current Public Works Director Ashley Engelmann has accepted the position of Assistant Village Manager. She will replace Douglas Petroshius, who resigned to accept the position of Village Administrator of Lake in the Hills. Engelmann began her career with the Village of Lincolnwood in 2008 as the Public Works Management Analyst, and was promoted to the position of Public Works Director in 2014. Engelmann holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology degree and a Master of Public Administration degree from Northern Illinois University. She will officially begin serving as Assistant Village Manager on Dec. 12.

Deerfield

Village’s Winter Celebration features host of activities

The village announced that its 2016 Winter Celebration will be held from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 2 at Village Hall, 850 Waukegan Road, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at The Shops at Deerfield Square’s Forrest Plaza, 740 N. Waukegan Road. Activities on Dec. 2 include horse-drawn carriage rides, a two-hour, live ice sculpting show and chestnut roasting on the Village Hall front lawn, followed by live holiday performances by the Deerfield High School Choraliers, The Caroling Party Quartet and The Hurricane Saxophone Quartet in the Village Hall lobby. Hot cider, hot chocolate, cookies and other treats will be available. Activities on Dec. 3 include a petting zoo, pony rides, a hot cocoa tent and horse-drawn carriage rides to Village Centre Plaza, located at the southeast corner of Waukegan Road and Deerfield Road, for photos with Those Funny Little People (holiday-costumed mascots) and a performance by the Agape Ringers Quartet bell ensemble. Other Winter Celebration events will be held at a wide variety of businesses, restaurants and other locations throughout the community. For more information, call (847) 719-7404 or visit www.deerfield.il.us.

–Cook County News Briefs–