The briefs

Village to host its chili cook off

The village of Glendale Heights Parks, Recreation and Facilities is holding a Bags Tournament and Chili Cook Off beginning with team cooking at 9 a.m. Saturday at Camera Park, Fullerton Avenue and President Street, Glendale Heights.

Awards for first through third place will be given for best Traditional, Non-traditional and Vegetarian chili, as well as People's Choice and Showmanship booth awards.

The bags tournament begins at 10 a.m. A public sampling of the chili begins at 11 a.m., with a chili pepper eating contest at noon.

For details or to register, call Gabe Castillo at (630) 260-6060.

Author to sign book at Cantigny Oct. 18

Author James Campbell will sign copies of his book, "The Ghost Mountain Boys," from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 18 at the First Division Museum at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton.

The book recounts the epic march and battle of Midwestern soldiers during World War II in New Guinea, a turning point of the war.

For details or reservations, call (630) 668-5161 or visit www.cantignypark.com.

Post 76 to host its bingo extravaganza

The Wheaton/Carol Stream American Legion Post 76 will hold its fourth Bingo Style Extravaganza at 1 p.m. Oct. 21 at the post, 570 S. Gary Ave., Carol Stream. Doors open at 11 a.m. and a light lunch will be available.

Proceeds will benefit veterans and veterans' affairs. The fee is $50 per person and includes play cards. The event includes 15 games, each paying $500 to the winner. The event is limited to 200.

For details, call Karen Galas at (630) 682-0076.

Dinner, auction to benefit child

The Glendale Heights Junior Woman's Club will hold its 24th annual fall extravaganza auction and craft fair at 6:15 p.m. Oct. 26 at Glendale Lakes Golf Club, 1550 President St., Glendale Heights.

Dinner will be at 7 and the live auction at 7:30 p.m. The auction will benefit Timothy Jacob "T.J." Skipper, 2, who was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a form of childhood eye cancer, which led to his right eye being removed.

Proceeds also will benefit the Homeless Sandwich Project, a program run by F. James and Virginia Proffitt of Glendale Heights to feed more than 800 people in the streets of Chicago per week.

Tickets are $25 and include dinner. For tickets, visit www.ghjwc.org or call Becki Tybor at (630) 660-0935.

Glen Ellyn group to honor residents

The 2006-07 Recognition of Glen Ellyn Persons of Character will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Glen Ellyn Civic Center, 535 Duane St., Glen Ellyn.

This year's honorees include Ronnie Pecover, Ron Leonard, Ray and Jeanna Essick, William Leensvart, Marion McKinney, Cleo Burtis, Karen Click and Debbie Rearick.

To join the Character Coalition or attend the event, call Dawn Bussen at (630) 469-0879.

St. Francis to hold its Spartan 5K run

St. Francis High School's Spartan Athletic Association will hold its second annual SAA 5K Fun Run and Walk Oct. 28 at Danada Forest Preserve, 3S501 Naperville Road, Wheaton.

The adult 5K begins at 9 a.m. and the youth mile for ages 12 and younger at 8:50 a.m. Race packets and T-shirts can be picked up from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 27 or prior to the race.

Awards will be given to the overall male and female winners, top achievers by age group and teams. Student teams can also compete for most creative costumes.

For details, call Paul Linden at (630) 668-5800, ext. 134.