The briefs

Hydrant tests on Foxfield

St. Charles residents and businesses on or around the 2800 block of Foxfield Road might experience rust-colored water from 8 to 10 a.m. today while hydrants are tested. Discolored water is safe to drink, officials said, but could damage laundry. For a rust-removal kit, call (630) 377-4405.

Calling young musicians

Friday is the deadline to register to audition for the Northern Illinois University Community School of the Arts sinfonia concerto competition. The competition is open to instrumentalists and vocalists 18 and younger who live within 45 miles of DeKalb. Auditions are Dec. 9 at the NIU Music Building. The music must be one movement of a standard solo concerto or a one-movement composition. The piece must be memorized and played with an accompanist. Each audition is eight minutes. The winner receives $100 and performs with the NIU sinfonia in May. Register at www.niu.edu/extprograms. Call (815) 753-1450.

Post 5036 honors veterans

St. Charles Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 5036 will have a Veterans Day ceremony at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at the Freedom Shrine, just north of the police department, 2 State Ave. The public is invited.

Livestock ID needed

A premises identification number will be required to exhibit livestock and exhibit or race horses at state, county, 4-H and Future Farmers of America fairs beginning in 2008, the Illinois Department of Agriculture has announced. Premises registration is the first step toward the establishment of a National Animal Identification System, which is intended to contain disease outbreaks by knowing the location of every livestock operation in the state. Registration is free and online at www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid. Producers who register online will receive a premises ID number immediately. The application also can be completed and returned by mail. Call (866) 299-9256.

Math teacher to be honored

Keriann Obrochta, an eighth-grade math teacher at Benjamin Middle School near West Chicago, will be honored during the school district's Monday board meeting. Obrochta received two grants designed to enhance the personal financial literacy skills of eighth-graders. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Benjamin Elementary District 25 offices, 28W250 St. Charles Road.

Septic system seminar

Learn how well and septic systems work at 6 p.m. Nov. 13 in a workshop presented by the Kane County Health Department at the University of Illinois Extension office, 535 S. Randall Road. St. Charles. A free water sample test kit will be given to participants. Call (847) 608-2850.