Community Digest

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Updated: March 17, 2012 10:02AM

Barrington

Lecture: Lisa Didier will discuss “The Italian Renaissance: Plots, Poison and Power!” Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. at The Garlands of Barrington, 1000 Garlands Lane. She will reveal the people, the power, the plots and the murders that fueled the dark side of the magnificent Renaissance. Cost is $15. Reservations required. For more information, call (847) 304-1996.

Gurnee

Nominations: The Gurnee Days Corp. is seeking nominations for the Gurnee Days honoree(s). The person or couple selected will be honored at a testimonial dinner Aug. 9. In addition, the individual(s) will serve as grand marshal(s) of the Gurnee Days parade Aug. 12. To qualify for the nomination, the person or couple must have provided a meaningful contribution to the village for 10 years or more. The nomination deadline is March 26. Nomination forms may be picked up at the Village Hall, Gurnee Park District or Warren-Newport Public Library. For more information or a form, write the Gurnee Days Corp. at P.O. Box 111, Gurnee, IL 60031.

Lake County

Food Drive: North Shore United Way has combined efforts with local businesses and volunteers to coordinate its fourth annual food drive across the region through Feb. 18 to support local food pantries in Deerfield, Lake Forest, Evanston, Highland Park, among many others. Local pantries have requested unopened and unexpired cans and boxes of food (no glass, please) to benefit the needs of the families they serve. Requested items include canned fruits and vegetables, soup and pasta. Paper goods and personal care products, including diapers, bathroom tissue and toothpaste are welcome as well. For a list of items, call (847) 674-2668 or visit LIVEUNITEDchicago.org/northshorefooddrive.

Home buyers: Habitat for Humanity Lake County will offer three meetings in February for families interested in applying to purchase a Habitat house. The two-hour meetings will be at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 320 Grand Ave., Waukegan. English meetings are Feb. 18 at 9:30 a.m. and Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. The Spanish meeting is Feb. 18 at noon. The church is wheelchair accessible. Attendees will learn eligibility requirements, must be on time and stay for the full two hours to receive an application form. Participants are asked to not bring children. Applicants must be residents of Lake County and legal U.S. residents whose current housing is substandard, overcrowded or otherwise seriously inadequate. A yearly income between $26,200 and $52,800 (depending on family size) is required. Applicants must be willing to partner with Habitat by completing 500 hours of “sweat equity” on the construction of their house or other Habitat needs. Habitat expects to build and rehabilitate homes in Waukegan, North Chicago and Zion. Buyers purchase homes from Habitat at no profit with a 30-year interest-free mortgage which results in manageable mortgage payments for lower income families. For more information, call (847) 623-1020 weekdays or visit www.habitatlc.org.

Lincolnshire

Library trustee: The Vernon Area Library Board invites residents of the district interested in serving as a library trustee to submit an application by Feb. 27. The Board is seeking to fill a vacancy created this month by the resignation of Akrom Hossain of Buffalo Grove. The vacancy will be filled by appointment, in accordance with Illinois statute and the library’s bylaws. To qualify to serve, an applicant must reside within the Library District and be registered to vote. A Petition for Nomination is not required for this appointment. The successful candidate will fill an unexpired six-year term ending in May 2017. Prospective candidates should complete an Application for Trustee Appointment, available at http://www.vapld.info or at the Patron Services Desk in the library. Applicants should submit completed packets to the attention of Board President George Goldstein at the library. Those interested in applying are invited to attend an informal “Meet and Greet” with current library trustees Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 300 Olde Half Day Road. Meet current trustees, pose questions about the position and appointment process, and, if desired, attend the board meeting to observe. The Board will schedule interviews with applicants after Feb. 27 and hope to make a formal appointment at their regularly scheduled meeting in March 2012. For more information, call (847) 634-3650.