Briefs: Legislative update

State Sen. Susan Garrett of Lake Forest and state Rep. Karen May of Highland Park will host three town hall meetings March 1. The Democratic legislators will give an update of bills under consideration during the spring legislative session and invite input from residents on local and state issues. The meetings are from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. at the Northbrook public library, 1201 Cedar Lane; 11:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Highland Park police station, 1677 Old Deerfield Road; and, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Lake Bluff Library, 123 E. Scranton Ave. Call (847) 433-2002 or (847) 433-9100 for details.

Genetics conference

Lake Zurich High School's science department will conduct a regional genetics conference from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday in the school's Performing Arts Center, 300 Church St. The one-day conference is for the honors biology and Advanced Placement biology and chemistry students from area high schools including: Fremd, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Conant, Crystal Lake Central, Stevenson, Highland Park, St. Edward, Prairie Ridge, Libertyville, Marian Central Catholic, Johnsburg and Carmel Catholic. It is designed to teach students the latest in genetic advances, identify hot research areas and explore career opportunities. Some of the topics to be discussed include embryonic and adult stem cells, correcting genetic disease, mad cow disease, DNA and RNA. For more information, call the high school at (847) 540-4101.

Dollars for Scholars

The village of Round Lake Heights will hold a Texas Hold 'Em tournament to benefits its Dollars for Scholars program Sunday at Sharky's, 601 Railroad Ave., Round Lake. The $150 tournament will begin at 1 p.m., and the $75 tournament will start at 4 p.m. Players must present a photo ID when arriving. There also will be a cash bar and food. For information, visit village hall, 619 W. Pontiac Court or call (847) 546-1206.

Jungle insights at library

Roger Kuhns will perform a 90-minute monologue called "Jungle Gold" at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Hwy., Barrington. The humorous monologue is about Kuhns' experience in a South American jungle where he worked as a geologist trying to find gold and other precious minerals. Kuhns' performance is filled with comic and serious insights about the struggle to protect fragile rainforests versus with the need to mine metals. Register online at barringtonarealibrary.org.