The briefs

Friends, neighbors and cancer survivors are coming together for an energizing celebration to kick off the American Cancer Society's first "Walk & Roll" event in the Fox Valley.

The kick-off celebration for "Walk & Roll Elgin" will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Grand Victoria Casino, 205 S. Grove, Elgin.

An appetizer buffet will be served. Anyone that would like more information about the event is encouraged to attend.

"Walk & Roll Elgin" is a 5-mile walk, 10-mile in-line skate, or 15-mile bike ride where individuals and teams of local businesses, schools, churches, community groups and families raise funds to fight cancer.

This year's "Walk & Roll Elgin" will be held on May 10 at Festival Park in downtown Elgin.

"Walk and Roll" events in Chicago and Skokie last year raised more than $1 million for cancer research, education, advocacy and services for patients and their families. This is the first year a "Walk and Roll" event will be held in the Fox Valley.

For more information, contact Keri Nelson at (630) 879-9009 or online at www.walkroll.org/elgin.

Join remembrance at noon Wednesday

A remembrance marking the fifth year of the war in Iraq, "5 Minutes of Action for 5 Years Too Many," will be held in the sanctuary from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, co-sponsored by Fox Valley Citizens for Peace and Justice.

Drop in on your lunch hour for an informal time of remembrance of all those killed in the conflict.

The event will offer the opportunity to pledge to spend 5 minutes in thoughtful reflection for 5 years of sacrifice by many, meditate and pray for peace, join with more than 4,000 events planned for the same day across the country, view the costs of the war in terms of lives and resources, reflect on ways to make peace possible, confess the wages of war as evil, or move through a stations of the cross.

For information, call Tana Durnbaugh at (847) 697-0633. If you can't attend in person but still want to take part, contribute your name and your concern for Iraq by placing a letter of concern. E-mail it to office@hacob.org or tanadurnbaugh@yahoo.com.

Mail your letter to Tana Durnbaugh, c/o Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin, IL 60123-5358. Letters of concern will be posted for viewing at the remembrance.