Fox Valley briefs

Church holds inaugural ball tonight

The public is invited to attend an inaugural ball celebrating the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the St. James AME Church, 1100 Summit St., Elgin. Tickets are $25 for adults, $40 for couples and $10 for children younger than 10. For details, call Dr. W.E. Scott at (847) 652-2995.

Time's almost up if you want to run

Filing starts next week for those who want to run for local offices. Community Unit District 300 has three of seven seats up for election: board Vice President Karen Roeckner, board Secretary Anne Miller and Mary Warren. Petitions are available between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the district's administration building, 300 Cleveland Ave., Carpentersville. Petitions must be filed between Tuesday, Jan. 20, and Monday, Jan. 26, at the administration building. Call (847) 551-8344.

Two days left

Groot Recycling and Waste Services, the refuse hauler for the village of Cary, will collect Christmas trees at no extra charge. The trees will be collected on Thursdays through Jan. 29. Please make sure you put the trees on the curb before 6:30 a.m. on the designated day. They must be free of all decorations, including tinsel. Groot will chip the trees and recycle them for future use. For details, call (847) 639-0003.