North Shore notes: Disability awareness for businesses; Northbrook District 28 building improvements

The Village of Northbrook Special Needs Inclusion Commission is partnering with the Northbrook Public Library, Northbrook Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and JJ's List on a disability awareness training event for business owners and employees.

JJ's List's motto is: "Where businesses and people with disabilities connect."

The free event features interactive training led by JJ's List's "Disability Awareness Players," a team of experts in disability. They provide workshops to help businesses build comfort and communicate appropriately when interacting with people who have disabilities. The players offer training to help create confidence relating to customers, co-workers or potential hires who have disabilities.

The event includes a meet-and-greet, where businesses can connect with special needs organizations with employment programs in Northbrook, and also learn about the benefits of employing people with disabilities.

The disability awareness training event will be held from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Northbrook Public Library Auditorium, 1201 Cedar Lane.

It is free to attend, but registration is required by 9 a.m. Sept. 9. Visit northbrookchamber.org and search the calendar under the "Events" pull-down menu.

Northbrook District 28 provided an update to building and grounds improvements performed over the summer at its schools.

The Greenbriar School auditorium got a new air conditioning unit.

Meadowbrook School had a key card access installed.

Northbrook Junior High also got key card access. It was among several improvements to the junior high.

Northbrook Junior High replaced its elevator, got new lighting and wall graphics in the gymnasium, and had a terrazzo floor repaired.

All four district schools, including Westmoor School, received a lighting upgrade with LED kits. That was due to a $420,000 grant by ComEd, and is expected to save the district about $38,000 annually.

Still on tap are a new divider for the Northbrook Junior High gym, and fencing around the Westmoor playground. Those jobs should happen this fall.

The Glenview Farmers Market continues on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-noon through Oct. 21 at Historic Wagner Farm, 1510 Wagner Road.

This Saturday, representatives of the Northfield Community Church will be at the market's "Community Table." The musical performer will be Bach to Rock.

Upcoming participants of the Community Table include the Wagner Farm Community Garden and performer Nancy Kabat (Sept. 9) and the Glenview Public Library and performer Steven Kohler (Sept. 16).

For information on the Glenview Farmers Market, call (847) 657-1506.

The North Shore Senior Center will offer an educational presentation, "Applying DEI in the Workplace."

Delivered by Tobias Spears, senior director and assistant dean for diversity and inclusion within the University of Chicago's Biological Sciences department, the discussion will take place from 10:30 a.m.-noon at the North Shore Senior Center, 161 Northfield Road, Northfield.

Spears' discussion will include the terminology and concepts surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion, address cultural responsiveness and how people connect with older adults in the workplace, and creating a sense of belonging to colleagues.

There is a $10 registration fee. To register, call (847) 784-6030 or visit nssc.org.

Beginning Sept. 1, drivers can take advantage of the "Skip-the-Line" program at Illinois drivers services facilities.

For titles, registrations and license plate renewals, people do not need appointments.

Suburban residents do require appointments for the Real ID, driver's licenses, state identification cards. and driving tests. Schedule appointments at ilsos.gov or by calling (844) 817-4649.

For Glenview residents, the closest secretary of state facility is either the Deerfield Park Plaza or at 1470 Lee St., Des Plaines. For Northbrook residents, the Deerfield facility is 1.7 miles away.