Tri-Cities briefs
Special needs program:
Cheer Alliance offers the Wild Cats program for special needs children. Classes in the basics of cheerleading will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday and Jan. 10, 24, 31 and Feb. 7 and 14 at 1500 Foundry, Unit 3, St. Charles. There is no cost to children who are mentally challenged. Each child will be coached by a certified instructor and will receive a uniform. There is competition March 1 in Chicago. Call (630) 587-2075 or e-mail annettep@cheer-alliance.com. Also, visit cheer-alliance.com.
Arts club to meet
The Fox Valley Community Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago will host a lecture and dinner Jan. 11 at the Pumphouse in the Herrington Inn, 15 S. River Lane, Geneva. The lecture is at 5 p.m. and dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Katharyn Hanson, a graduate student at the University of Chicago, will present "Stealing Culture: The Looting of Iraq's Past." Call (630) 208-0441 by Monday for reservations. Guests are invited. Cost for the dinner and lecture is $60.
Give blood, get $100 gas card
Heartland Blood Centers will be raffling $100 gas cards every day this month to those who donate blood at a center or mobile drive. The raffle is in celebration of National Blood donor Month in January. Donors must be at least 17 (16 with written parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. To find out how to donate, call Heartland at (800) 786-4483.
Batavia, Geneva tree disposal
Batavia residents can get rid of their natural Christmas trees for free the weeks of Jan. 5 and 12. Remove all decorations, and put them out at the curb. They will be picked up on your regular garbage day. After Jan. 16, you will need to put a yard waste or refuse sticker on the tree to dispose of it. In Geneva, trees will be picked up for free the weeks of Jan. 12 and 19.
ECC class on green construction
Renewable Energy and Technology, a new spring class at Elgin Community College, will have students build their own working solar air heater. The three-credit class begins Jan. 24 and is held over a period of eight Saturdays through May 2. Classes meet from 8 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. at ECC's Industry Training Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Cost is $313. Contact Andy Erbach at (847) 214-7287 or aerbach@elgin.edu.