Fox Valley briefs

District 158 hosts showcase

The District 158 Education Foundation will host its second annual variety showcase at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, in the Huntley High School Performing Arts Center, 13719 Harmony Road. The showcase will feature more than 100 performers from the district, including the Sun City Sun-Tones and the Sun City Strutters. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $8 for children 12 and younger. The price of admission includes ice cream at intermission. The first 75 ticketholders get a $5 gift certificate to Niko's Grill and Pub in Huntley. Ticket sales benefit the foundation. Call (815) 923-8810.

Elgin forum on tap

The Associaton For Legal Americans will sponsor a candidate forum for the six people running in the February primary for the 2-year Elgin City Council seat at 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at the American Legion Hall, 820 N. Liberty St., Elgin. The hopefuls - Charlene Sligting, Mike Robins, Al Fernandez, Mike Warren, Emi Morales and Brenda Rogers - will be narrowed down to four candidates after the Feb. 24 primary. The general election is April 7.

ECC closed for MLK

Elgin Community College will close its facilities on the Main and Fountain Square campuses Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. College offices reopen at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20. Spring 16-week daytime and evening classes start Tuesday, Jan. 20. Twelve-week classes start Tuesday, Feb. 17. Eight-week classes begin Monday, March 16.

Help celebrate Abe's 200th birthday

Organizers are looking for volunteers and contributors for a series of events next month to honor the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. Planned events include a period themed birthday party at the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake, a Lincoln portrait contest, re-enactments of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and public recitations of Lincoln's speeches. For more information or to get involved, contact Lincoln Birthday Committee Chairman Tina Hill at (815) 347-4222.