Briefs: Irish seeking queen

Members of West Suburban Irish are seeking their 2008 queen in a contest open to high school students who are upperclassmen. The winner will be chosen based on her Irish ancestry and high school and community involvement. The queen will be part of many activities that include serving as hostess for the Emerald Dinner on Feb. 28, participating in the St. Patrick's Day Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Naperville, and riding in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Naperville and presenting awards to float winners afterward. Visit wsirish.org for an application and return it by mail no later than Jan. 15.

Blood drive in Villa Park

You can donate blood from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Islamic Foundation, 300 W. Highridge Road, Villa Park. For details, call (630) 782-6562.

Dist. 100 board vacancy

The Fenton Community High School District 100 school board is seeking candidates for a board post following the resignation of one of its members. The board will fill the vacancy at its Jan. 26 meeting in the district office, 1000 W. Green St., Bensenville. The term will expire in April 2010. Applicants should submit a letter of interest to the board by Jan. 7. Candidates must be 18, a resident of the district for one year before the appointment and a registered voter. For details, call (630) 860-6257.

Church service in Lombard

York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard will hold its "Longest Night of the Year" service at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at the church, 1S071 Luther Ave., Lombard. The Rev. Christy Waltersdorff said the winter solstice service "acknowledges that Christmas isn't always a happy time for people, especially those who have suffered a death in the family or are struggling in this economy." The service includes singing, silence and prayer and explores the promise bought by the birth of Jesus, she said.