Briefs: Church helping family

Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Elgin has established a fund for the four members of the Head family who lost their Campton Township home in a fire Wednesday. Firefighters were able to rescue the family's Christmas presents and three dogs. If you'd like to make a cash donation, drop it off at: Cornerstone United Methodist Church, 41W170 Russell Road, Elgin, IL 60124.

Buy state fair Mega Pass

Today is the last day to take advantage of the Illinois State Fair's holiday special and purchase a 2008 Mega Pass for $45, a $15 discount. The Mega Pass is a ticket to the more than 100 carnival, midway and Adventure Village rides at the Illinois State Fair on Aug. 8-17. To order, call (217) 785-3482 or (217) 782-6661 and charge the pass to your Visa or MasterCard. Mega Passes are not valid for admission to the fairgrounds or rides on the Skyglider and Giant Slide.

East, West game on TV

Saturday's East Aurora-West Aurora boys basketball game will be aired live over cable television for the first time, as well as on the Internet. The pre-game show is at 7:15 p.m. on ACTV Channel 10 and FVTV Channel 17. Game time is 7:30 p.m. For the Webcast, visit http://tv.sd129.org. The game will also be broadcast live on radio station WBIG 1280 AM.

Sindoor powder recalled

The Kane County Health Department is warning consumers not to use 3.5-oz. packages of Swad-brand sindoor, an orange or red powder used in some traditional South Asian Pacific ceremonies that is applied to the face or scalp, imported by Raja Foods LLC of Skokie, because the product contains high levels of lead. Although the product was not intended to be sold for food use, its labeling is confusing and implies that it may be used as food. The Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed two cases of lead poisoning in consumers who used the product as an ingredient in home-cooked meals. Other uses of the product, including as a cosmetic, also can be dangerous due to the high lead levels.