Benefit at River Grove Moose Lodge helps ease family’s burden

RIVER GROVE — Parents are supposed to be the ones passing along their wisdom to their children.

But sometimes, it works the other way.

“No matter what happens, my daughter always has a smile on her face,” June Fontana said Sunday, referring to Jennie Addis. …

Metra train strikes, kills pedestrian in Prospect Heights

A Metra train struck and killed a pedestrian Tuesday, May 21, in Prospect Heights.

3 Brookfield Zoo dolphins expecting

Chicago Zoological Society officials say three Brookfield Zoo bottlenose dolphins are pregnant. Officials say Allie, 26, Tapeko, 31, and Spree, 10, are due to give birth this summer and fall.

Elmwood Park school bids farewell to two longtime administrators

ELMWOOD PARK — A tree planted outside John Mills Elementary School will be a lasting symbol of the 30 years of combined service two people gave the school.

Students, parents, residents and village officials gathered outside the school, 2824 N. 76th Ave., on May 17 …

River Grove volunteers help beautify village on annual Planting Day

RIVER GROVE — Volunteers were getting their hands dirty Saturday morning but something pleasing to the eye was the end result.

River Grove had its annual Planting Day in the village, taking topsoil and different kinds of flowers to decorate and beautify areas around village …

Elmwood Park High School sends graduates into world

Matthew Hilker quoted Doctor Who and proudly embraced his inner nerd in the speech he delivered as valedictorian of Elmwood Park High School on Sunday.

The school’s Class of 2013 — 251 students in all — was feted in the school gymnasium.

Hilker used a …

New Hallmark store opens in River Grove

RIVER GROVE — Walking into the Kirlin’s Hallmark Store in River Grove is all about feeling good.

The store is one of many Hallmark stores owned by the Kirlin Family. Cathy Arntzen manages the store at 3155 Thatcher Ave.

This particular store had been near …

Elmwood Park bartender learns about life on the job

ELMWOOD PARK — When Julie Bramhall was looking for work 11 years ago, little did she know she’d grow to love her first real job.

She was only 21 at the time and knocked on many doors in Elmwood Park, and elsewhere in the Chicago …

St. Celestine youth ministry fundraiser May 17 at school

ELMWOOD PARK — Teaching young people leadership skills — and showing them how to serve others — is a great way to serve the community.

That’s what Kim McMillan, young ministry coordinator at St. Celestine Church believes, and it’s a key motivator behind a fundraiser …

Triton College planetarium and star-gazing shows May 18

River Grove

The next Monthly Skywatch willl begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Cernan Earth and Space Center of Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove.

The Monthly Skywatch consists of two parts — an indoor planetarium program and an outdoor telescope observing …

Franklin Park pasta company dishes up gluten-free options

FRANKLIN PARK — A manufacturer of gluten-free pasta has opened in Franklin Park after two years of kitchen experimentation. The company, Leo’s Gluten Free, is a family affair. Its roots are in Perfect Pasta, an Addison-based company started by brothers Luigi and Leo Bucaro, both born in Italy.

Elmwood Park business fair brings in a crowd

ELMWOOD PARK — Al Biancalana, owner of Elmcrest Banquets was able to drum up some potential business at Saturday’s business fair.

Flipping for pancakes at River Grove School

To help keep students singing — or playing — the pancakes were selling like hotcakes last weekend at River Grove School. The River Grove Music Association, which raises money for River Grove Elementary School’s bands and choirs, had their annual pancake breakfast May 11.

Elmwood Park beauty salon owner offers style and substance

ELMWOOD PARK — A person just coming in to get their hair done at Charo’s Hair Design and Spa probably will get more than they bargained for.

Human trafficking presentation May 23 at St. Celestine in Elmwood Park

ELMWOOD PARK — A free presentation on human trafficking is being offered by the St. Celestine Women’s Club at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 23.

Frank Massolini, director of Anne’s House, will talk about the problem of human trafficking.

Anne’s House, operated by the Salvation …