You can join Huntley’s citizen police academy

Want to get a better understanding of how Huntley police officers enforce the law?

If so, its police department is now accepting applications for its Citizen Police Academy.

The 10-week program starts March 7 and meets every Wednesday night through May 9 at the Huntley Police Department. The free academy gives participants the opportunity to understand the ins and outs of law enforcement in Huntley.

The program includes classes and discussions that illustrate different types of law enforcement. To participate, you must be 18 or older, either live or work in Huntley and submit to a background check.

Advanced registration is required and seating is rather limited. The registration deadline is Feb. 29.

If you would like a program application, you can pick one up at the police department or download one from the village of Huntley Police Department website, http://huntley.il.us/depts/police.asp.

For more information on this program, call (847) 515-5409.

Playtime at Spring Hill Mall:Take your kids to Spring Hill Mall on Saturday for the mall#146;s opening of its new, 1,300 square-foot indoor play area. If you get there by 11 a.m., you can catch Clifford the Big Red Dog officially opening the new area. The ceremony also includes a ribbon cutting, balloon twisting, crafts and goody bags for the first 300 kids. Mall officials ask that you bring new toys for infants or toddlers that they will then donate to the Community Crisis Center in Elgin. Billed as a place where kids are happy campers, the area features play equipment with an outdoors theme. For example, there#146;s a tree for pretend forest play, a bridge to cross over and a stream for wading and boating. Besides the bright, child-sized play equipment, there are cubbies for kids to stash their shoes while they play. Parents and caregivers can supervise from benches on the inside perimeter of the play area. #147;We are excited for the new play area to be finished so our youngest visitors have a spot all to themselves,#148; Amy Prew, general manager of Spring Hill Mall, said in a statement. #147;The new play area is brimming with items to spark imaginative play.#148; For information about the play area and opening ceremony, call (847) 428-2200 or visit springhillmall.com.Show tunes galore: Celebrate old Hollywood glamour with the Dundee Township Public Library#146;s nod to the golden age of cinema.As part of #147;Golden Songs of the Silver Screen,#148; musician Steve Askins will use his guitar to perform show tunes from Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Irving Berlin and others. The free program will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, inside the library at 555 Barrington Ave., East Dundee. Registration is recommended. Visit dundeelibrary.info and go to the events and registration page. You can also call (847) 428-3661 ext. 308 or stop by the library#146;s information services desk on the main level. Lenore Adkins covers Carpentersville, Huntley, the Dundees, Hampshire and Sleepy Hollow. To reach her, send an email to ladkins@dailyherald.com or call her at (847) 608-2725.