Briefs: Drop a coin in the kettle

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns will start the St. Charles Salvation Army's Red Kettle charity collection from noon to 1 p.m. today at Starbucks, State and Third streets, Geneva. Burns is the honorary chairman of the bell-ringing campaign.

Soccer clinic for kids

Strikers Fox Valley Traveling Soccer Club will host free clinics Saturday for 5- to 10-year-olds at its indoor facility, 1000 S. Kirk Road, Geneva. It will show what Fox Valley First Touch classes, offered in January, would entail. Clinics are at 8:30 and 9:45 a.m.

Batavia street closure

Utility work near North River and Wilson streets in Batavia might close access to North River from Wilson from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Saturday. Additional closures of this nature might also be necessary next week. You can access River from the north via State Street.

Holiday ornaments for sale:

The 17th annual edition of Christmas in St. Charles collectible ornaments are now available. The 3-inch glass ornaments are silver with blue lettering and feature an image of the old Mount St. Mary's Academy, known later as Valley Lutheran High School. They are available for $10 each at several local businesses, including the St. Charles History Museum Gift Shop, 215 E. Main St. Ornaments from years past also are available for $15 each or $125 for a complete set. All proceeds benefit the St. Charles Heritage Center, which runs the history museum. Call (630) 584-6967.

East High yearbook orders

St. Charles East High School is accepting orders for yearbooks from the last 10 years. The average price is $45. The yearbooks will be available through the 2007-08 school year. Call (630) 513-8516.

Holiday concert planned:

The Fox Valley Concert Band will perform two free holiday concerts Dec. 1 at Baker Community Center, 101 S. Second St., St. Charles. The performances are set for 4 and 7:30 p.m. under the direction of Colin Holman. Reservations are required. Call (847) 695-7096 or go to www.fvcb.org.

LEAP Award nominations

The St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Women's Business Council is accepting nominations for its 2007 LEAP Award. Established in 1995, the annual award recognizes a woman who "goes above and beyond the call of duty" in helping other business women in their community. The nomination deadline is Dec. 3. Call (630) 584-8384.