The briefs
Wauconda to send gifts to troops
Do you know a Wauconda resident serving in a combat zone in the military? Wauconda Trustee Jean Mayo is heading up a village effort to put together holiday packages for all Wauconda soldiers serving in combat zones. Anyone who has the name and address of soldiers from the village fighting or serving overseas should e-mail Mayor Sal Saccomanno at ssaccomanno@wauconda-il.gov to get them included on the list.
Holiday art sale on tap at CLC
The College of Lake County's annual holiday art sale will be held from Saturday to Nov. 20, a bit earlier than usual.
The juried sale will feature original work from 30 different Illinois artists. Items include handmade jewelry, wearable art, ceramics, wood and glass sculptures, gourds, wood bowls, vessels and platters, handmade soaps and candles and other items.
This year, the show includes a new group of artists who are in treatment and recovery programs at the Northern Illinois Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse. They'll be hand-crafting jewelry using Kazuri beads from Kenya, which are made by African women who most often are the sole providers for their families.
The sale is from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 17; 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 18; and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 19 and 20.
It will be held in the atrium outside the Wright community gallery of art at the Grayslake campus. Visitors should enter through C Wing.
For more information, call (847) 543-2405 or e-mail crasmussen@clcillinois.edu.
Expert talks about autism on Nov. 29
What is autism? How is it diagnosed? Is there a cure?
A report by the Centers for Disease Control says one in every 150 children in the U.S. has autism or a closely related disorder.
Linda Hoeck, autism coordinator of the Northwest Suburban Special Education Association, will discuss various aspects of the disorder from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire.
Card tournament to help scholars
The Village of Round Lake Heights will hold a Texas Hold 'Em Tournament to support its Dollars for Scholars program on Saturday.
A $150 buy-in will begin at 6 p.m., and a $75 buy-in will begin at 9 p.m. The tournament will take place at the village hall, 619 W. Pontiac Court, Round Lake Heights.
Food and a cash bar will be available. For tournament rules and more information, call the village hall at (847) 546-1206.
Check out birds at the Volo Bog
McHenry County Audubon members lead bird walks in December at Volo Bog State Natural Area.
Birders of all skill levels work together to search for and identify waterfowl, raptors and songbirds.
Participants should dress for the weather and bring binoculars.
Reservations are required by visiting the Web site at dnr.volobog@illinois.gov or by calling (815) 344-1294.
The walks begin from the main parking lot at 8 a.m. Dec. 1 and 8.
Volo Bog is on Brandenburg Road, west of Route 12 between Routes 120 and 134, Ingleside.