Briefs: Deactivate your sprinklers

Huntley officials have asked homeowners and businesses to deactivate their irrigation systems for the next two weeks. Combined with recent heavy rains, overwatering could cause drainage problems in the village and damage landscaping and lawns. Huntley's water restrictions are still at yellow status, which means watering is permitting on alternate days between 6 and 9 a.m. and 6 and 9 p.m. Call (847) 515-5200.

Adopt a rubber duck

Sign up now for the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin's 9th annual rubber duck race. More than 15,000 rubber ducks are expected to float down the Fox River at 2 p.m. Sept. 8. You can "adopt" a duck every Saturday and Sunday in August at Jewel stores in Elgin and West Dundee. You can also order them online at www.elginducks.com. Each duck is $5. Duck race participants could win $1 million, a Chevy Aveo and other prizes.

Tax bills due Saturday

Don't forget, the second installment of property taxes is due Saturday. If you need a copy of your tax bill, contact the Kane County treasurer's office at (630) 232-3565. To check the payment status of your property taxes, or to print off your tax bill, visit www.co.kane.il.us/treasurer. If you're mailing your payment, the envelope must be postmarked by Saturday. You can also pay by credit card over the Internet, or use the 24-hour drop box behind Building A of the Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva.

Youths to picket clinic

Local teens plan to picket the Planned Parenthood clinic on Aurora's east side from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. The Youth for Truth rally will be held at 3051 E. New York St., with Chicago's Pro-Life Action League spokesman Eric Scheidler addressing the crowd. The clinic is scheduled to open Sept. 18.