The end of summer might be approaching, but there’s still plenty of hustle and bustle in and around our communities. Come together from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, to hear the Beatles tribute band, The High Strung, at the Bloomingdale Public Library, 101 Fairfield Way. The concert is free. Stop by for a listen.

Garden club celebration
The Bloomingdale Garden Club has invited Bloomingdale Mayor Bob Iden to present the club’s 45-year anniversary proclamation. The ceremony will occur during the club meeting at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Village Hall, 201 S. Bloomingdale Road.
“We’ve also invited the mayor to join us as we celebrate the birthdays of members who have reached the age of 80,” club member Helen Price said. “We hope to have several of our founding members in attendance.”
For more information, call (630) 529-9833.

Christmas in August
Plans are under way for the 2008 production of the Von Heidecke Chicago Festival Ballet’s Christmas classic, “The Nutcracker.” In case you’re unaware, Kenneth Von Heidecke is a local talent. He graduated from Resurrection Catholic Grade School in Elmhurst. In 1975, he danced George Balanchine’s Orfeo ed Euridice at Chicago’s Lyric Opera Ballet. His trainer, Maria Tallchief, was prima ballerina. After 15 years of dancing, Von Heidecke started his own dance company in Naperville. Young dancers can audition for him Saturday, Aug. 23.
For more information, call (630) 527-1052.

Military honors
On Friday, Aug. 1, members of Bloomingdale VFW Post No. 7539 served as color guard for a memorial ceremony at the Roselle Public Library for Army Staff Sgt. Paul M. Latourney, 28, of Roselle. Latourney died in Baghdad on March 2, 2007. He was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while on combat patrol.
Among the dignitaries at the ceremony were Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn and Roselle Mayor Gayle Smolinski.
“The lieutenant governor gave a very nice remembrance,” said Bill Bahr, a VFW member from Bloomingdale. “And Sgt. Latourney’s mother also gave a short but powerfully touching farewell.”
Another type of military honor is being planned by members of Roselle’s American Legion Auxiliary No. 1084. On Sunday, Aug. 17, the auxiliary will host its seventh annual Barbeque-Bingo Lunch at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital. Local organizations have volunteered to help the auxiliary provide a festive afternoon for the hospitalized vets.
If you can add to the celebration, please consider donating any of the following items: paperback novels, videotapes, DVDs, crossword puzzle magazines, T-shirts or baseball caps. Items can be dropped off at the American Legion, 344 Maple Ave., Roselle. For more information, call (630) 894-8524.