Fox Valley briefs

Kick-off for running event:A kickoff party for Elgin resident Bruce W. Johnson, who plans to run 3,000 miles across the United States to raise money for the Elgin Community Crisis Center, will be held beginning at 5 p.m. tonight at the Douglas Street Bar and Grill, 231 Douglas Ave., Elgin. The cover charge is $5 and will go toward the center. The event will have free appetizers and live music. Johnson ran across the country in 2005 and will depart from Florida on Jan. 15. To donate, visit crisiscenter.org/run or unitedstatesrun.com or call (847) 742-4088.Meet with the senator:State Sen. Michael Noland of Elgin will continue hissatellite office hours "Meet with Mike," from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 9, at Elgin's Gail Borden Public Library and on Saturday Jan. 23, atStreamwood's Poplar Creek Public Library. He will be available to listen to residents' concerns andanswer questions regarding community issues, pending legislation and his 2010 legislative agenda. For details, contact Rich Jacobs at (847) 214-8864 or richj@noland.org.Quit smoking:The McHenry County Department of Health is holding a seven-week adult smoking cessation class that starts Tuesday, Jan. 12. It will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. at McHenry County College. The $20 enrollment fee is refundable, if you attend every session. To register, call (815) 334-4931.McHenry County makes flu treatment available:The McHenry County Department of Health is making the flu medicines Tamiflu and Relenza available to primary care physicians and pharmacies as treatment of H1N1 symptoms in high-risk people. The department received two shipments of the antivirals as part of the Centers for Disease and Prevention Control's Strategic National Stockpile. The medicines are free to those who are not able to afford them otherwise. The CDC remains cautious of a third wave of H1N1 in the spring, coupled with seasonal flu. Those exhibiting H1N1 symptoms should check with their health care provider for antiviral availability. For more flu tips, visit mcdh.info or call the department's H1N1 hotline at (815) 334-2800.Elgin candidates forum:The Elgin Area League of Women Voters will hold a candidates forum for at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin. Contested Kane County office candidates have been invited to speak as well as 16th Circuit judge candidates. The public is invited and will have an opportunity to submit questions to the candidates.