The briefs

Fun for kids at charity event

Kids Day America charity event will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Thomas Middle School, 1430 N. Belmont Ave., Arlington Heights. This is a way to help children with medically related hair loss. Wigs 4 Kids CFO Maggie Varney will share her experiences in helping hundreds of children receive high quality wigs at no cost. Events include appearances by Batman in the original vintage 1960s jet powered Batmobile at noon and saber rattling with Jack Sparrow around 2 p.m. Hair donations will be taken on site and no appointment is necessary. Volunteers will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, and should call (847) 253-2112 to find out how to help. For details, call (847) 391-5392.

Police host citizen police academy

The Des Plaines Police Department will be offering the fall session of the Citizen Police Academy at 7 p.m., Mondays, Sept. 29 through Nov. 24 at the Des Plaines Park District Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St.

The academy is free. Subjects include job requirements for police officers, how the SWAT team handles hostage and barricaded subject situations, methods detectives use to solve a crime and a comparison of evidence technicians' techniques with those seen on television. There will be classroom and hands-on training, multimedia presentations, and a ride along with a police officer. Attendees must be 21 years of age, with no prior criminal background. Contact Chris Terrazzino at (847) 391-6122.

Learn emergency response techniques

Starting Sept. 24, the Arlington Heights Fire Department is offering the Community Emergency Response Team training program, held at the Fire Department Headquarters, 1150 N. Arlington Heights Road.

Participation in the training will cost $20 and will be held at the Fire Headquarters every Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 24 to Oct. 22. There will also be a Saturday class, from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 25. The course teaches participants how to apply basic response and organizational skills to situations when the community's professional response may be delayed. The program is open to all area residents. To enroll, call (847) 368-5450.