Community news [Edition 2]

Drefach Clive Green 61 Heol Cwmmawr, Drefach 01269 841071 Granthelp At the most recent meeting of Gorslas Community Council therewere 27 requests for financial assistance from a range oforganisations. After discussion it was agreed that threeorganisations be supported this year. Accordingly, Air AmbulanceWales, YFC Carmarthenshire and Llangollen International Eisteddfodhave been awarded Pounds 100 each.

Neuadd y Gwendraeth This hall has a capacity of 511 and the mostmodern sound and lighting facilities. It is located on the easternend of the Ysgol y Gwendraeth site. All bookings for communityevents between now and December 31 will attract a 10 per centdiscount …

Canada Mints World's Biggest Gold Coin

OTTAWA - Got change for a million? Canada does: the world's biggest pure gold coin at 200 pounds. Already, three buyers have shelled out for one of the 1 million Canadian dollar coins introduced last week.

The Royal Canadian mint made the coins - 20 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick - mostly to seize the bragging rights from Austria, which had the record with a 70-pound, 15-inch wide coin.

"They're not doing this because there is huge demand for 100-kilo gold coins," Bret Evans, editor of Canadian Coin News said Saturday. "They're doing it because it gives them some bragging rights in having the largest purest gold coin in the world."

"They'll kick the …

Letter defends US reporter jailed in Iran

An Iranian filmmaker, who said he is engaged to the American journalist jailed in Iran for allegedly spying for the U.S., defended his fiancee as innocent in an open letter and begged Iranian authorities to release her.

The letter by Bahman Ghobadi, circulated by an Iranian human rights group, described 31-year-old Roxana Saberi as an intelligent, hardworking reporter who spent virtually all her time doing research. He also said she had long wanted to leave Iran, but stayed for him.

Saberi's father, who lives in Fargo but is in Iran to seek her release, said he could not confirm that Ghobadi was Saberi's fiance. Reza Saberi would not elaborate, and it was …

Deborah C. Stone

SHE IS New executive director of the Metropolitan Planning Council,220 S. State. It's a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 57-year-old civicorganization. WHAT COUNCIL DOES "We study urban issues and work for change in theChicago area. We try to improve everything from housing andtransportation to health care services - and just the livability anddesign of the city. Our job is to have the big picture." JeanAllard is new MPC president. HER PHILOSOPHY "I've decided everything is 10 times as hard as youthink it's going to be, but that's a good reason to start now ratherthan give up." SOUTH LOOPER Married to Tim Pitzer, an expert in findingout-of-print books for Kroch's and Brentano's customers. …

Royal couple mark first official engagement

LONDON (AP) — Prince William and his new wife are attending their first official engagement as a married couple.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as the couple is officially known, are the guests of honor at a charity gala dinner on the grounds of Kensington Palace.

Guests clamored to snap photos on their smartphones of the former Kate Middleton, who cut a …

WORLD at 0400 GMT

NEW THIS DIGEST:

US-ELECTIONS: Clinton, Obama debate on NAFTA, health care, Iraq war and negative campaign tactics.

BRITAIN-QUAKE. Earthquake felt across large parts of Britain.

UN-MIDEAST: UN envoys see no Mideast progress toward Bush "roadmap" for peace settlement.

BRAZIL-BANK HEIST. Brazil arrests alleged leader of gang in US$70 million bank robbery.

VENEZUELA-COLOMBIA-HOSTAGES. Red Cross: Venezuelan helicopters fly to Colombia to pick up hostages.

MALAYSIA-SURVIVING SCANDALS. Malaysia's government dodges scandals.

US-CZECH REPUBLIC: Czech prime minister hopes to conclude missile defense …

Food, atmosphere just ducky at Grill 21

Grill 21

*1/2

1580 S. Milwaukee Ave.

(in the Hilltop Executive Building complex)

Libertyville

(847) 549-9100

3-COURSE DINNER: about $25 before tax and tip

HOURS: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday

WHEELS: free lot

TRY: fried calamari, Asian grilled chicken salad, steakburger,wood-roasted pork chop, Lake County Brownie

TIPS: The lunch crowd appears to be mostly those people working atnearby businesses. At dinner, the worker bees give way to familydining. Not a bad mix to have for a restaurant. Translation: highnoise level at lunch, hardly a peep at dinner. Service is excellent.Good for children. …