Briefs: Free CO detectors
Free carbon monoxide detectors are available to people 65 and older who live in Batavia, Batavia Township or the Batavia Park District. There is no charge for the detectors or the installation. The Batavia Fire Department will replace the batteries when needed. To receive a CO detector, call the Batavia Retired Senior Volunteer Project office, (630) 406-9993, weekdays between 9:30 and 11:30 a. m. This program is co-sponsored by the Batavia Fire Department and RSVP to help older citizens conform with the Illinois law, enacted in January, which requires all buildings that use fossil fuel and have sleeping rooms or have an attached garage have an approved, operating carbon monoxide detector installed within 15 feet of any sleeping area.
Acting classes for kids
Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles, has acting classes for children. The first six-week session begins Monday with sessions on Mondays or Fridays. Classes are divided by age: those 5 to 7 meet at 4 p.m., 8 to 10 meet at 5:15 p.m. and 11 to 13 meet at 6:30 p.m. Improvisational comedy training for junior high students is at 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, and for high schoolers at 1:45 p.m. Saturdays. Tuition is $95. To register, call (630) 587-8521.
Brush pickup in Batavia
Brush pickup in Batavia is limited to limbs of 12 feet or 10 inches in diameter, and should not be put in bags or tied. The next pickup date for the east side is Monday and Sept. 17 for the west side.
Learn about Civil War
The Geneva History Center will start its annual Brown Bag Lecture Series with a talk about the recent discovery of a Civil War veteran's grave in the Fox River Valley. Linda Eder of the Kane County Genealogical Society will present "Finding Clark Smith: An Urban Research Project" at noon Tuesday at the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St. Bring your lunch; beverage and cookies provided. Admission is $3 for non-members and $2 for members. Call (630) 232-4951.
Small Business contest
The St. Charles Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its fifth annual Small Business of the Year Awards. Nominations in three categories should be submitted by Sept. 14. Winners will be announced at the annual membership breakfast Nov. 8. The award categories are business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and charitable, fraternal, social or religious. Nominees must be chamber members, privately held, have fewer than 75 employees, in existence for at least four years, and have annual sales of $100,000 or more. Call (630) 584-8384 or go online to www.stcharleschamber.com.