The barns are full, the food is cooking, the midway lights are flashing and the gates to the 2008 Lake County Fair are open.

Folks came out to shop, eat, enjoy some music and shop some more in Libertyville on July 18.

Taking a page from the "Harry Potter" series, the Cook Memorial Public Library had families step into the positions of pawns, rooks and knights.

Raising the alarm to meet summer blood shortages, Lake County fire department chiefs joined together to issue a "Fire Department Blood Challenge," raising awareness of blood shortages through friendly competition. The Mundelein Fire Department opened its big garage doors July 3 for the latest blood drive, which also hosted the fire departments of Libertyville and Countryside.

Countryside Fire District provided a CPR and AED inservice training to the Hawthorn Woods Aquatic Center lifeguard staff early morning June 27, 2008. The lifeguards review techniques and procedures during the training and are required to pass the practical evaluation. "It's important the lifeguards review lifesaving skills regularly during the summer to maintain a high level of awareness," said Tony Rodkey, Public Education Coordinator for Countryside Fire District. Rodkey provided the training and will revisit the aquatic center again this summer.