Here & Now

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Updated: September 17, 2010 8:18PM

DEERFIELD

Community Day: Local governmental and nonprofit agencies will come together for the annual Community Services Day, a free, areawide event for residents of all ages from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Brickyards Park/Patty Turner Center. The purpose of this event is to promote services available to community residents. Other events will include Passenger/Child Safety Seat Checkpoint from 9 to 11 a.m.; SWALCO electronics recycling/collection activity from 9 a.m. to noon near the Public Works building; a pet vaccination and microchip clinic from 9 a.m. to noon. The American Legion Post 738 will post the colors at 1 p.m., followed by a special presentation to honor emergency responders, as this year's event falls on 9/11. The Deerfield Lions Club will again bring their huge inflatable mascot Leo the Lion, and Deerfield Park Foundation will sponsor balloon twisters and other entertainment and run a helicopter ball drop at approximately 3 p.m. Live entertainment will be on stage throughout the afternoon. Public parking for this event is at the 155 Pfingsten office building parking lot (across from Brickyards Park). Details, (847) 945-0650.

Fox Lake

Fund-raiser: The Hermes Family of Fox Lake invites all area residents to attend its fund-raiser from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at Famous Freddie's, 510 S. Park Ave. Mike and Patty Hink Hermes lost their son, Michael R. Hermes, 19, when he died June 23, 2010, in an automobile accident on Wilson Road in Round Lake. Today, his family is experiencing the financial strain of burial costs and student loans taken out on Michael's behalf so that he could attend Universal Technical Institute, where he was studying to become a mechanic. Tickets are $20 including entertainment and two raffle tickets; or $30 including entertainment, two raffle tickets, two drinks and food. Three bands will perform in the evening including Durty Looks, Empty Pockets and Bellevue Suite. Acoustic talent Katie Lafond will perform as the opening act. The event also includes a silent auction. Those interested in more information can visit www.mikesfamilyfundraiser.com. Donations can be made to The Michael R. Hermes Memorial Fund at State Bank of Lakes, Antioch.

GRAYSLAKE

Benefit Concert: Nashville recording artist Barry Michael will perform at a benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St. Donations will be accepted at the door (cash or check only) and will support the Veterans Affairs Veterans Suicide Prevention Awareness Program and the CLC Willow Lake Veterans Memorial. Michael will perform songs from his Stockbridge Records album released in 2009 called "Ripped Blue Jeans & ATV's." With concerts all over the country in 2009, Michael entertained university students, military personnel, government officials, public school students and others with his high energy show and inspirational lyrics. He is an Armed Forces Entertainer who has gained international fame with the USA Armed Forces and government for his latest hit, written specifically for veterans called "Heroes and Angels." Tickets are $7-26. In addition, Sones de México will make free special appearances at CLC's two other campuses: from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Southlake Campus, 1120 S. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills; and at 12:15 p.m. Thursday as part of the food, fun and festivities at Latino Day on the Mall, held outside at the Lakeshore Campus Courtyard in downtown Waukegan. Details, (847) 543-2300 or www.clcillinois.edu/vets.

HIGHLAND PARK

Auditions: Improv Playhouse is now offering performing arts programming for adults and youth at The Karger Center, 1850 Green Bay Road. The North Shore Traveling Troupe, an ensemble of premiere fourth- through ninth-grade actors, will hold musical theater auditions from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Appointments required by Tuesday. Details, (847) 968-4529 or visit www.improvplayhouse.com.

LIBERTYVILLE

Auditions: Dancenter North is seeking performers to fill specialty roles in their production of "The Magic of the Nutcracker," to be performed at Libertyville High School and the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan in December. Boys ages 8-15 as well as both male and female gymnasts are needed. Those auditioning must not be taller than 5 feet. Their audition date is at 4 p.m. Sept. 19 at Dancenter North, 540 N. Milwaukee Ave. Boys who are athletic and have strong stage presence are sought for the "Party Scene" and their audition is at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at Dancenter North. They are asked to dress comfortably and do not need to have any formal training. All auditionees are asked to bring a current photo. Details, (847) 367-7970.

MUNDELEIN

Fund-raiser: The motorcycle Poker Run for Old #1 will be held Sunday. The event is the Village of Mundelein Centennial Committee's final fund-raiser for the restoration of Old #1, the 1925 Stoughton fire truck donated to the village by George Cardinal Mundelein 85 years ago. It is a tour through and around the village of Mundelein, with stops at five area restaurants: The Crossroads of Ivanhoe, Wa-Pa-Ghetti's Pizza, Bill's Pizza & Pub, Emil's Sports Bar and Jake Moran's Pub. Entry fee is $25. Registration is the day of the event at the Mundelein Metra Station, 205 N. Archer St. Cars are welcome if you don't have a bike. Starting times are between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Prizes, ranging from $50 gift certificates to $400 cash, will be awarded at 4 p.m. There will be music, and fun at the finish line plus discounts at the Park Street Restaurant. Details, (847) 949-3223.

NORTH CHICAGO

Celebration: Fiestas Patrias Celebration will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 Green Bay Road. Celebrate Mexican and Central American independence with live music, moonwalks, dance, re-enactments, karaoke, jalapeno eating contests, and authentic Hispanic food. Featured musical entertainment will include Bagabun2 de Tierra Caliente, Mariachi Tequila with Francisco Martinez, the Tierra de Marimba band, Interculture Band, DJ Luis from Flanagans and DJ Daniel from Sonido Artillero. Aztec dancers, Erandi Folkloric dancers, Sagrado Corazon de Jesus Folkloric dancers and Guarifuna Belizean dancers will also perform. A salsa dance demonstration also will be offered. The popular Pequitas the Clown show will be on stage at 2 p.m. Additional children's programs and games include face painting, petting zoo, pick-up soccer games with trophies and great nature activities. Fiestas Patrias commemorates Father Miguel Hidalgo's cry for independence from Spain on Sept. 16, 1810, and is celebrated in Mexico like the Fourth of July is celebrated in the United States. The Greenbelt festival also celebrates the battle for independence from European powers by Honduras and other Central American nations. Details, (847) 968-3477.

WAUKEGAN

Air Show: An extraordinary display of world-class aircraft and daring performers will darken the skies over northern Illinois as the Waukegan Air Show remembers the ninth anniversary of 9/11 with the largest family event in northern Illinois from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Waukegan Regional Airport, near the intersections of Green Bay and Yorkhouse roads. There will be pilots and aircraft of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy in high-flying military maneuvers, coupled with aircraft displays on the ground. The military tactical demonstrations will feature Navy F-18 fighter jets and Air Force A-10s performing heart-pounding, high and low maneuvers over Waukegan. There will be aerobatics, wing-walkers, sky-divers and stunt planes high in the sky. There will be dozens of vintage warbirds, antique planes and displays on the ground to give attendees an up-close experience. Gates open at 10 a.m. and parking is free. Admission is $10, and free for kids 12 and under. Free airplane rides for kids ages 8 to 17 will start at 8:30 a.m. Details, visit www.waukeganairshow.com or call (847) 244-0055.

Concert: Petra Van Nuis will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Joplin's Java and Ragtime Cafe, 114 S. Genesee St. Details, (847) 775-1988.