Kittens saved in Elgin fire now up for adoption
David Key, the east side Elgin man who took four injured kittens for treatment to the Animal House Shelter in Huntley, left a message for me last week saying he'd seen their mother.
In case you missed it, the antique garage behind Key's house caught fire in March, singeing the kittens and a 1957 Chevrolet.
I happen to live next door to the house in the Elgin Historic District and saw everything.
After checking to see that nobody was injured in the blaze, I went outside and asked cops and firefighters if the kittens were OK.
Key told me he has been feeding and looking after those cats and dozens of others for 15 years.
Almost every time I go home, I see at least one. The other day a cat was lying in front of the main door, as if to welcome me home.
Anyway, Key told me the mother cat looked sick.
Moreover, there are about 12 stray cats in the area and he needs help finding a good place for them to live, whether it's a foster home or something permanent.
If you know of anyone who could help him out, please call me or send an e-mail. My contact information is at the end of this column.
By the way, if you're interested in adopting Hope, Will, Faith or Chance, the kittens who have since healed from the fire, they'll be at the shelter's puppy and kitten shower from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday in the town square at the American Legion, 11712 Coral St., Huntley.
Cards for the chief: As of this writing, Algonquin Police Chief Russell Laine, 57, is still fighting double pneumonia from the intensive care unit at Sherman Hospital.
On Tuesday, he will have been there a month.
If you'd like to cheer up the 23-year chief with well wishes or a card, send them to the following address: Algonquin Police Department Chief of Police Russell Laine, 2200 Harnish Drive, Algonquin, IL 60102.
Algonquin Artisans: Looking for a local place to buy glass, paintings, photographs and other wares?
The 2008 Algonquin Fine Art Show will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 31 at Riverfront Park in the downtown.
The Algonquin Public Arts Commission has been holding the event since 2005. This year, village of Algonquin officials are also involved in organizing it.
The award-winning event typically shows about 30 pieces on loan from local, regional and national artists. Works exhibited include sculptures and drawings.
For details, call Ben Mason at (847) 658-4184.
Cruising with MCC: You're invited to join McHenry County College on an 11-day Panama and south Caribbean cruise Jan. 28 to Feb. 7.
Travelers will fly from Chicago-O'Hare to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to begin the cruise's first leg.
Ports of call include Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; Colon, Panama; and the Panama Canal.
Rooms start at $2,836 and the fee includes port charges, fuel and cancellation insurance. For details, call (815) 455œ8782.