Northbrook’s 4th of July Duties Switch Hands

The Fourth of July Association is dissolving after discovering it was operating without insurance.

After more than 40 years of organizing Fourth of July events, a Northbrook nonprofit is dissolving for after discovering it was operating without insurance, Northbrook Star reported.  Assistant Village Manager Philip A. Kiraly told Northbrook Star that the Northbrook Fourth of July Association was finding it difficult to sustain itself financially and harder to secure the manpower necessary to plan and execute the events. With $24,000 remaining to fund this year’s event, the village and park district plans to collaborate on presenting the 2013 Fourth of July Event.  Related Coverage

• Photos (2)

North Shore Fashion

PHOTOS: Fourth of July Fashions

Parade guests in Glenview, Northbrook show off their reds, whites, and blues.

This Fourth of July was one of the hottest on record and parade guests in Glenview and Northbrook struggled to keep cool while still managing to display their patriotic pride.  Guests had fun coordinating their outfits and finding whimsical ways to incorporate the colors into their attire. Above, have a look at some of Indepedence Day fashions we found. Have your own 4th Fashions you'd like to share? Add them to our gallery by clicking the green 'add a photo' button.

• Photos (8)

Photo Gallery: Politicians Parade on July 4th

Incumbents, challengers and open-seat aspirants greet the crowds on the Fourth of July.

Along with marching bands, floats and civic organizations, elected officials and those who aspire to be public servants flock to participate on Fourth of July parades throughout the area. Deerfield’s parade was no exception. Rep. Robert Dold (R-Kenilworth) walked with a large group of supporters a number of spaces behind his challenger for the 10th District Seat, Brad Schneider of Deerfield. Dold needed a spot toward the end of Deerfield’s noontime event because he was coming from Glenview, which started its parade at 11:30 a.m., before heading to Northbrook, as did Schneider, at 2 p.m. In addition to Deerfield and Northbrook, Schneider and Dold crossed paths in Vernon Hills. Dold also walked in Lake Bluff and Des Plaines while Schneider …

•  8 Comments
• Photos (13)

Make This Red, White & Blue Flag Cake

You'll need white frosting, strawberries, blueberries and a few tips to make this festive Independence Day dessert.

If you want to make your Fourth of July a little more festive, or make something to bring to a barbecue, try this Red, White and Blueberry Flag cake. Ingredients: Coat a 13" x 9" pan thoroughly with cooking spray. Pour in batter and bake according to package or recipe directions. After removing from oven, allow to cool. Using a pancake turner or similar utensil, loosen the cake from the pan at the sides and on the bottom. Take a platter larger than the cake, hold it over the cake pan and flip over so that the cake is sitting in the center of the platter. This will give you a level surface for your flag decoration. Frost the cake with the white frosting, taking care not to rough up the crumbs and mix them into the frosting.  Rinse and dry …

• Photos (1)

Mostly Dry Weekend, Isolated Thunderstorms Possible July 4th

Are you prepared to have holiday festivities indoors?

While it will still be rather hot this weekend, there will be lake breezes along the North Shore providing some relief from the heat for a few days with the highest temperatures expected over the west and southwest suburbs. A frontal boundary will provide just a slight chance of showers/t-storms this weekend with the best chances to our south and away from the lake influence. Overall, the majority of the weekend will remain on the dry side. Saturday: Partly cloudy with a 25 percent chance of isolated showers/t-storms from 4 p.m. to midnight.       Rain Amounts late at night: 0.05 to 0.25 inches       Low temp: 68 degrees Fahrenheit.        High temp: 89 degrees Fahrenheit.       Wind: Southeast at 6-13 mph Sunday: Partly cloudy with a 30 …

• Photos (1)

5 Ideas for Fourth of July Fun

Plan some fun activities for the family on your day off.

This year the Fourth of July falls on a Wednesday and it's messing with everyone's schedule. Do you celebrate this weekend? Next weekend? Which days do you get off of work? The fun doesn't end with the parade and the fireworks. However and whenever you decide to take some time to be with your family, here are 5 creative ideas to have fun on or around the Fourth of July. If you have friends or relatives coming over for the Holiday, you'll be sure to have a blast with these ideas. 1. Create a Backyard Golf Course. Take a look around your yard and envision a course where you, the kids, and some friends can have fun putting and chipping around obstacles. Give prizes out for closest to the cup, hole in one, ball still on the grass, etc. Here's …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Northbrook, in Pictures

PHOTOS: 4th of July Parade Includes Dancers, Floats, U.S. Rep. Kirk and Local Pols

Community comes together to celebrate holiday with floats and local music groups.

Northbrook's main streets were overrun with marching bands, drill teams, creative floats, politicians, Shriners and other local groups on Monday afternoon. The annual Fourth of July parade strolled down Cherry Lane from Western Avenue before turning onto Shermer Road and ending at the Village Green. The parade is put on by the Northbrook 4th of July Association, an all volunteer organization that has managed the event since the late '60s. The parade does not receive funds from the Village or the Park District, although both entities help out. "It's always a nice time," said Robert A. Brown, who has lived in Northbrook his entire life and attended the parades for as long as he can remember. "Lots of people, lots of floats. It's fun."

• Photos (35)

Fire Top Police in Annual Fourth of July Softball Game

The fire department won 16-11, but the police took home the bigger trophy.

Since the '70s, the Northbrook Police Department and the Northbrook Fire Department have fielded softball teams to settle a friendly rivalry at the Village Green on the Fourth of July. This year’s version of the game took place in the morning, while many community members listened to music and partook of the Pancakes in the Park breakfast. The firemen won 16-11, their seventh straight victory over the police. Police Officer Roger Atkins has played in the annual softball game each of his 24 years on the force. “It’s an annual event, it’s something fun,” Atkins said. “The community comes out.” The game is played in a mostly casual atmosphere, but every now and again that competitive streak becomes visible. Everyone wants to win. Since the …

• Photos (6)