The briefs

Seniors can make free holiday calls

Merrill Lynch will open its Barrington office Saturday for area seniors to make holiday phone calls. Seniors will be allowed use Merrill Lynch phones to make calls to family and friends anywhere in the world. They can make as many phone calls as they like during their one-hour time slot. The office, at 18 E. Dundee Road will be open from 9 a.m. to noon. Includes refreshments and gifts. Call the Barrington Area Council on Aging at (847) 381-5030 to sign up. Transportation available.

Low-vision support group to meet

The Barrington Area Council on Aging's Low Vision Education and Support Group will meet from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday at Lake Barrington Woods, 22320 Classic Court in Lake Barrington. The group will share home-baked goods, read favorite short stories and visit. The group meets on the second Thursday of each month. Open to all ages; transportation available via Pace. Call BACOA at (847) 381-5030.

Support Home of the Sparrow

From 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Ice House Mall, 200 Applebee St., Barrington, participating merchants will donate 20 percent of total purchases when shoppers mention Home of the Sparrow. Shoppers also will receive a $10 holiday shopping coupon. Some restrictions may apply. Home of the Sparrow provides transitional housing, counseling and job skills training to Northwest suburban women in crisis. For more information, visit online at h-o-s.org.