The briefs

Fremd musicians to play at state fest

Ten students from Fremd High School have earned the chance to perform at the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Music Festival from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 in Peoria.

The fest brings the best high school musicians together, and students have to audition. Participating students are Kate Besenjak, Rhoh Shinohara, Brendan Jacobi, Jon Samuel, Taylor Lehotan, Patrick Kennedy, Mindy Park, Rachel Bomba, Sarah Finegan and Colin Fleming.

Seeking former softball players

Palatine Youth Baseball and Softball is looking for volunteers to assist their coaches for the 2008 season. Volunteers would help young girls, ages 7 to 12, learn the fundamentals of softball.

Those who played softball in high school or college and would like the chance to develop talented young players should apply.

For information, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Robin at PYB.com or e-mail at boisvert3967@comcast.net. Palatine Youth Baseball and Softball is an affiliate of the Palatine Park District.

Caregiver class at the Garlands

The Barrington Area Council on Aging will begin its next six-week "Powerful Tools for Caregivers" class from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Council's office in the Prairieview Building at The Garlands of Barrington, 6000 Garlands Lane, Suite 100.

The course is designed for the nonprofessional caregiver who is helping to care for a parent, spouse, or friend who lives at home, in a nursing home, or across the country. This program helps family caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate their feelings, balance their life, and enhance their ability to make tough decisions and to locate helpful resources.

The course, which will run through March 20, consists of six weekly sessions and is conducted on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Suggested donation is $30 per person to cover the cost of materials and instruction, but no one is turned away due to inability to pay.

For information or to register, call BACOA at (847) 381-5030.

Board postpones towing decision

A measure that would allow Illinois authorities to regulate some towing operations came under fire from some McHenry County Board members and a local business owner as an unnecessary government intrusion.

But supporters of the plan, which would put the Illinois Commerce Commission in position to oversee companies that remove and store vehicles improperly parked on private property, say it's needed to prevent towing "predators" from charging vehicle owners hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to get their vehicle returned.

The split led the board to postpone a scheduled vote on the proposal Tuesday night until at least Feb. 19 to give its members more time to review the plan and its consequences.