The briefs
Daily Herald, ABC7 report
From far-flung suburbs to the heart of Chicago, a monthslong investigation by the Daily Herald and ABC7 I-Team reveals how the watchdogs may not be catching some shoddy home construction. Many municipal inspectors are being stretched thin, increasing the chance that unsafe conditions in new homes will slip through the cracks, the research shows. How can you protect yourself? Read the special two-day series starting Thursday in the Daily Herald and watch it at 10 p.m. Wednesday on ABC7 Chicago.
Geneva man wins climb
Eric Leninger, 24, of Geneva won the Go Vertical Chicago stair climb Sunday at the Sears Tower. He posted the best time of all 2,000 climbers, going from the lobby up 2,109 steps and 1,353 vertical feet to the Skydeck on the 103rd floor in just 13 minutes and 42 seconds. In its sixth year, Go Vertical Chicago is expected to have raised $350,000 for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.
Kids sought for auditions:
Rising Star Theatreworks will have auditions Thursday and Friday for "Mulan" at Christ Community Church, 37100 Bolcum Road, St. Charles. The Geneva-based group is seeking about 40 children for the cast. Auditions for children in fourth through sixth grades will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Children in grades seven through nine will audition from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Those planning to audition should be prepared to sing and dance. Performances of "Mulan" will be Jan 25-27 at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles. Call (630) 584-5277 or visit www.risingstartheatre.org.
Order a local turkey
The Kane County Farm Bureau is offering fresh (not frozen) locally raised turkeys for $2.49 per pound. Place your order by 4 p.m. Friday by calling the bureau at (630) 584-8660. The turkeys will be available for pickup Nov. 21.
N. Aurora turkey raffle
The North Aurora Firefighters Association will hold its annual two-night turkey raffle from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday in the apparatus storage and maintenance building just north of Station 1, 2 N. Monroe St. Firefighters will raffle off turkeys, hams, steaks and pork chops. Food and beverages will be sold, and a disc jockey will play music. There are progressive cash drawings each night, and a grand prize cash drawing Saturday. Proceeds go to organizations and events such as Operation Christmas, the North Aurora Pet Parade, North Aurora Mothers Club, North Aurora Lions Club, North Aurora Baseball Association, public education programs, scholarships and some fire equipment purchases.
Barbecue fundraiser
Montessori Academy has a drive-through fundraising barbecue, catered by 5-Bs, from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at 585 S. River St., Batavia. Pork chop, chicken and combination dinners are available for $9 in advance, $10 that day. Call (630) 879-2586 for tickets.
'Rumors' at West Aurora
West Aurora High School will perform Neil Simon's comic play "Rumors" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in West's auditorium, 1201 W. New York St. Tickets are $8 and all seats are reserved. Call (630) 301-5600.
Comedy fundraiser
A comedic holiday production Friday in St. Charles will raise money for the Literacy Volunteers of the Fox Valley. The fundraising performance of "Every Christmas Story Ever Told!!" is set for 8 p.m. at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St. Tickets are valued at $27 and available in exchange for a donation to the Literacy Volunteers. Dinner packages also are available. Call (630) 584-4428.