Briefs: Calling all tuba players
Tuba and euphonium players are invited to join Naperville's 25th annual Merry Tuba Christmas performances Saturday. Musicians should meet at 9 a.m. at the Naperville Community Concert Center in Central Park, Benton and Court streets, where rehearsal starts at 9:30 a.m. Performances are at 10:30 a.m. at Washington Street and Jefferson Avenue and at 12:30 p.m. at Westfield Fox Valley Shoppingtown Mall, Route 59 and New York Avenue in Aurora. Costs are $5 registration, $12 for music, $12 optional holiday hat. For details, call (630) 961-0908.
Bensenville safety checks
The Bensenville Police Department will conduct roadside safety checks this weekend near George and John streets. Motorists will be directed to a checkpoint area and asked to provide their driver's license and proof of insurance. Police will be checking for a variety of vehicle and motorist violations. This will be the sixth roadside safety check conduced by Bensenville this year.
Lasorda to pay visit
Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda will make appearances this weekend in Naperville and Schaumburg. He will be at Borders, 1540 Golf Road, across from Woodfield Shopping Center in Schaumburg at 2 p.m. Saturday to sign copies of his new book, "I Live for This! Baseball's Last True Believer." The 80-year-old Hall of Famer, who managed the Dodgers for 20 years, will also appear at Anderson's Bookstore, 123 W. Jefferson Ave. in Naperville, at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Buckle up in West Chicago
West Chicago police will begin a new seat belt enforcement crackdown Monday. The special focus will continue through Jan. 1. The effort is designed to make roadways safer by enforcing seat belt violations and educating the public on seat belt safety and awareness. It follows a similar campaign that ran from Nov. 12 to Nov. 25, which resulted in 220 citations. The effort is funded by a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation that allows the city to rehire officers to provide traffic enforcement. For more information about the program or seat belt safety, contact the West Chicago Police Department at: (630) 293-2222.
Gift Mart lets parents shop
Parents of children in the Brady and Bardwell elementary schools in Aurora will be about to buy donated toys for $2 at the Gift Mart from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Bardwell Elementary School, 550 S. Lincoln Ave., Aurora. Sponsored by Community Christian Church and Family & Faith Christian Center, the event also will include live entertainment, free gift wrapping and holiday celebration activities for children. Nearly 500 volunteers help with the Gift Mart. For details, call (630) 388-5140.