Tri-Cities briefs

Read to Succeed

Defenseman Scott Lehman of the Chicago Wolves hockey team will promote the Read to Succeed program at 4:30 this afternoon at the Sugar Grove Public Library, 54 Snow St. Lehman will discuss how reading was important to him as well as dress a child in hockey equipment. Call (630) 466-4686.

Old shoes, jeans sought

Used jeans and athletic shoes are being collected through Jan. 16 for a recycling program at Jewel Middle School in North Aurora. Shoes will be used to provide new surfaces for playgrounds, and jeans will be recycled into cloth shopping bags. Donations can be dropped off at 1501 Waterford Road. The effort is a project of the school's Leos Club and Peer Mediators. For more information, call (630) 301-5010.

Chili cook-off scheduled

The Association for Individual Development is having a chili cook-off at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at Mott's Lounge in Burlington, at 1 p.m. Jan. 25 at Mary's Corner Tap in South Elgin and at 1 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Maple Park Pub in Maple Park. The top three winners from each contests will face off during AID's 10th annual telethon Feb. 28 and have the chance to win a $500 cash first prize. Preregistration is required. Call (847) 931-2294 or visit the-association.org.

High school prep

Geneva High School has its eighth-grade Parents Night at 7 p.m. Jan. 29 in Viking Commons at the school, 416 McKinley Ave. It will provide information about the departments and progression of courses, and services provided by the counseling department. For details, call assistant principal Scott McPeak at (630) 463-3800.

Senior tax deferral

Applications are being accepted until March 1 for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program. The program allows qualifying seniors, ages 65 and older, to defer their property taxes until they sell their home. To qualify, an applicant's annual household income cannot exceed $50,000 and the property must be exclusively residential. The deferral is treated as a loan and accrues 6 percent interest until paid. For an application, call (630) 407-5900 or visit dupageco.org/treasurer.