Briefs: Casino voted No. 1 again
The Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin has been named the Chicago area's "Best Casino" for the second year in a row by readers of Strictly Slots magazine. The magazine conducts an annual "Best of Slots" poll. Other first place awards in the poll include "Best Reel Slots," "Best Progressive Slots," "Best Video Poker," "Best Dollar Slots," "Best Quarter Slots," "Best Slot Host/Attendants," and "Best Steakhouse." The casino has more than 1,100 slot machines, in addition to a variety of table games.
Two more West Nile victims
Two more Kane County residents, a 54-year-old Elgin woman and a 31-year-old St. Charles man, have been infected with the West Nile virus, the Kane County Health Department announced Friday. That brings to five the number of human cases in the county this year. Also, a Batavia mosquito pool tested positive for the virus, bringing the county's total number of positive mosquito pools to nine. Positive pools have been found in Geneva (four locations), Batavia (three locations), South Elgin and Hampshire. Heavy rains in August offered excellent breeding grounds for the Culex species, the mosquito that most commonly carries the potentially fatal virus. Last year there were four human cases of West Nile, down from 17 in 2005. West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird.
Overnight flea market
The Kane County Flea Market will hold its sixth annual A Night Under the Moon sale from 4 p.m. today to 2 a.m. Sunday at the county fairgrounds on Randall Road in St. Charles. Vendors will sell antiques, jewelry and collectibles, among other items, throughout the night. Market goers are encouraged to bring flashlights. Admission is $3 for adults and free for kids under 12. Call (630) 377-2252.
Storm pickup times set
The city of Elgin has set up a special collection for tree limbs and branches damaged during Tuesday afternoon's storm. Elgin public works employees and contract crews will collect storm debris today through Oct. 5 in a designated collection area bounded by Wing Street to the north, McLean Boulevard to the west, Route 20 to the south and Route 31 to the east. Branches and limbs do not need to be broken down or bundled for the special collection. If you have storm-related branches to dispose of and your home is not located in the collection area, please contact the public works department at (847) 697-3160. Information is also available on the city's Web site at www.cityofelgin.org.
Kids to run against cancer
Algonquin's Eastview Elementary School invites entrants of all ages to participate in the 13th annual Run for the Bear on Sunday to benefit the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation. This year's race will be in the memory of Mia Edge of Crystal Lake, who passed away this spring after a long battle with a soft tissue cancer. Runners and walkers of all ages can join in a one mile run, a 5K walk/run, or a 10K run. After the race, participants can enjoy a free pancake breakfast. Registration and check in begin at 7:30 a.m. The one mile run starts at 8:45 a.m., with runners and walkers in the 5K and 10K distances taking off at 9 a.m. Call (312) 836-2327 or register on the day of the race.
Dist. 300 dedicates school
Community Unit District 300 invites the community to join in the Gilberts Elementary School dedication ceremony and open house at 2 p.m. Sunday. The school is at 729 Paperbark Lane in Gilberts. Visit www.d300.org.
Tennis courts dedicated
The Dundee Township Park District will dedicate the newly constructed three-court tennis complex at noon on Sunday in Huffman Park in West Dundee, 811 Tartans Drive. The courts will be dedicated to former park district commission Barb Lachel. A lifelong resident of Dundee Township, Lachel was the principal of Summit School when she died in February.
Day of play at the park
The Lake in the Hills Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a Worldwide Day of Play event from 10 a.m. to noon today at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road. Event activities will include relay races, skateboard demonstrations, a musical jam session, nutrition seminars and mural painting. Worldwide Day of Play focuses on eliminating childhood obesity.