Poker run kicks off today in Huntley
The Third Annual Poker Run and Benefit Party for Matthew Minjares kicks off today at 11 a.m. at Parkside, 11721 Main Street, Huntley.
Even if you don't take part in the poker run, live music will entertain folks at Hammerheads Billiards, 107 W. Main Street, West Dundee, from 2 to 11 p.m.
Matthew Minjares is a 16-year-old from Ingleside who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at two-and-a-half. By age 7, Matthew was put into leg braces and now relies on a motorized wheelchair to get around.
Benefits from the poker run, which costs $10 per hand, will benefit Matthew and help his family pay for medical care.
The poker run will make stops at Brett's Bar and Grill in Gilberts, The Outpost in Pingree Grove and The Varsity Pub in Kingston. Cars are welcome.
Doggone good: The dog days of summer are in full swing and Pet Pals Natural Pet Market in West Dundee has just the cure to cool things down for your four-legged friends. The store at 115 W. Main Street is hosting an ice cream social from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.
The event if free and will feature frozen organic treats for all four-legged attendees and family, goody bags for the first 30 customers, fun doggy games and contests, wholesome dog treats and giveaways. The store has a great selection of pet food and accessories, so be sure to check it out.
Students step in: It's always good to hear that students are reading the newspaper. It's even better to hear that students are taking a stance in their community. After reading several stories and columns about the food shortage at the FISH Pantry in Carpentersville, a group of students from Pingree Grove stepped in to do their part by organizing a community food drive in their local community. The students will drop off their collection to the food drive this Wednesday.
Hot stuff: Calling all firefighters who think their chili is hotter than some of those fierce blazes they douse.
During the village of West Dundee's 11th annual Heritage Fest, set for Sept. 12 to 14, the village and the Rotary Club of Dundee Township are joining forces and pitting local fire department against local fire department in the 1st Annual Smokin' Hot Chili Cook-Off.
The hot competition will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 14 at Grafelman Park. Firefighters will vie for cash and prizes in Best Smokin' Hot Champion Chili, Smokin' Hot Booth/Best Showmanship, and Five Alarm Chili. Entry fee is $20 per team.
All entries must be submitted by Thursday to guarantee a place in the cook-off.
If you think your village's firefighters have what it takes to take home the travelling trophy, contact Village Clerk Barb Haines at (847) 551-3800 or go to www.wdundee.org for the official rules and entry forms.
Welcome home: Natalie Himmel, the soon-to-be-eighth-grader at St Mary's School in Elgin recently selected to participate as a member of the People to People Sports Ambassador Program to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Natalie returned to US soil and sent me an e-mail about her travels. As expected, she loved Sydney. She called the largest city in Australia her "favorite place by far."