Briefs: Storm help deadline

If you sustained damage in the August storms, you have until the end of business Thursday to apply for a federal disaster loan. The U.S. Small Business Administration is urging storm victims to visit one of their Disaster Loan Outreach Centers to complete an application to receive financial help. Homeowners can get up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate and up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses and private nonprivate groups may borrow up to $1.5 million to repair or replace real estate, machinery, equipment and other assets damaged or destroyed in the storms. The outreach center for this region is located at the McHenry County Government Center, Emergency Management office, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock. It is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also call (800) 659-2955 for assistance between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Caputos' recalls giardiniera

Following a consumer report, the McHenry County Department of Health and Joe Caputo & Sons market have issued a product recall for its 8-ounce and 16-ounce jars of giardiniera (labeled as Homemade Hot Giardiniera) which is prepared onsite. Located in Algonquin at 100 S. Randall Road, Caputo & Sons is working in cooperation with the health department and has removed the product from its shelves. You should not eat this product; return it to the store of purchase for a full refund. No illnesses have been reported. This recall is not associated with any commercially prepared or packaged products of giardiniera. If you have questions, call the health department at (815) 334-4585 or Joe Caputo & Sons Market in Algonquin at (847) 458-9100.

Pick your favorite window

Don't forget to vote for your favorite design during Elgin's Window Wonderland competition. You have until New Year's Eve to cast your vote for the business you think created the most interesting window display. You can drop your ballots off at the following locations: the Downtown Neighborhood Association, 2 Douglas Ave.; the Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave.; Al's Café and Creamery, 43 DuPage Court; Elgin city hall, 150 Dexter Court; the Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way; and Elgin Jewelers, 11 N. State St. Call the Downtown Neighborhood Association at (847) 488-1456.

Public's opinion sought

Community Unit District 300 has scheduled three public hearings where you can learn about the boundary proposals for the district's middle and high schools and offer feedback on the options. Your comments will be recorded and made available to the school board, which is set to vote on the options by the end of January. The hearings will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Dundee-Crown High School, from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at Hampshire Middle School and from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 12 at Jacobs High School. You can review the options at www.d300.org or in person at the district's middle and high schools. Call (847) 426-1300 ext. 310.

Volunteers to be lauded

The village of East Dundee will recognize residents dedicated to community service at the regular board meeting Monday. The following community members will be recognized for their service and commitment: Julie O'Leary, for her dedication to the community events committee and her volunteer work; John and Kathy Cichowski for their volunteer work with the Wine and Art Festival; officer Louis Kloepper for his dedication to Shop with a Cop program; Erin and Josh Peterson for their work with the 5K and 10k Race for Special Olympics.