Briefs: 'American Girl' star in town
Eleven-year-old Madison Davenport, who plays alongside Abigail Breslin in the new movie "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl" will meet with fans from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. today and Thursday at the Hollywood Boulevard Cinema, 1001 W. 75th St., Woodridge. Call (630) 427-1880.
Pool DJ Nights are back
DJ Nights at Pottawatomie Pool in St. Charles returns Tuesday for the season. The family program takes place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday in July, with various themes. There also will be contests and prizes for children. The pool is at 8 North Ave. Call (630) 584-3314.
Field trip to garden
The University of Illinois Extension offers a field trip July 9 to Rotary Gardens in Janesville, Wis. Rotary Gardens covers 20 acres of themed plantings including gardens in the styles of Japanese, Scottish, French, formal, rose, Italian and English cottage. The bus will also stop at The Flower Factory in Stoughton, Wis., a nursery. The trip includes a guided tour at Rotary Gardens, lunch, an afternoon beverage, and transportation leaving from the University of Illinois Extension office, 535 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. The price is $75. To register, call (630) 584-6166 and ask for Rosa or visit http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/kane and click on "Discover Rotary Garden" under "Program Registration" in the right-hand column.
Cruise nights in Batavia
The Batavia Jaycees will have its "Cars Under the Stars" events from 6 to 9 p.m. July 11 and 25, Aug. 8 and 22 and Sept. 5 on the Riverwalk on Houston Street. Each night's festivities will include prizes and music, and all vehicles are welcome. For more information, visit www.bataviajaycees.org.
Boy Scout fundraiser
Batavia Boy Scout Troop 43 will hold its annual All-You-Can-Eat Corn and Brat dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. July 11 at the Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S. Batavia Ave. Tickets are $7 in advance or $8 at the door. For advance tickets, call Liz Carson at (630) 587-8773.
Free deck workshop
A free workshop on beautifying and restoring decks is planned for 9 a.m. July 12 in Aurora. The how-to workshop will be presented by Nu-Again, a St. Charles deck restoration and cleaning company, at 2140 Baker St. Call (866) 597-3325.
Junior golf tournament
The 2008 St. Charles Junior Golf Tournament is July 16 and 17 at Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave. The 36-hole competition, sponsored by Klinkey Heating and Sheet Metal, is open to those 12 to 17 who have a St. Charles mailing address, live in the St. Charles Park District or have a season park pass. The deadline to register is 8 p.m. July 12. The entry fee is $26. Call (630) 584-8356.
Fireworks in Pingree Grove
Pingree Grove will hold its first fireworks show on Saturday. The 25-minute show will start at dusk and will be held outside the Cambridge Lakes Community Center, just off Wester Boulevard. Call village hall at (847) 464-5533.
Sign up for Elgin Open
Want to show off those great groundstrokes? Applications are being accepted for the Elgin Open singles and doubles tennis tournaments. The singles matches run July 12 to 13 while the doubles tournament is the following weekend. Spots are open for men and women singles players, as well as men's, women's and mixed doubles teams. Separate divisions are available for boys and girls. Nonresidents are welcome. For a registration form, call (847) 531-7008. The tournaments will be held at Elgin High School.