Public service
Events where participation would benefit the public, such as volunteer events, social service clubs, call for donations to military, blood drives, bone marrow drives, food pantry drive, people who are giving away food, etc. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.
Jan. 28
Book Donation: 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Jan. 28, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. The Friends of the Vernon Area Public Library is in need of DVDs, hard cover fiction and paperback books. For information or to register, call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.
Boys socialization group: 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesdays from Jan. 28 through March 4, Schaumburg's Spectrum Youth and Family Services, 1 Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates. For elementary school boys ages, 10-12. Free, to register, (847) 884-6212.
Maine Township Town Hall Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, Maine East High School auditorium, 2601 Dempster St., Park Ridge. The Cook County Sheriff's office will provide expert information and advice on gang activities in Maine Township; drug awareness and business and residential security. For information, call (847) 470-7458.
Jan. 29
US Census Bureau employment testing: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, Barrington Park District, Hickory room, 235 Lions Drive, Barrington. Nonsupervisory testing session for part-time employment with the US Census Bureau. Bring ID, passport or driver's license and original social security card or birth certificate.
Jan. 31
Food for Fines: Through Saturday, Jan. 31, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. For each can of food (unopened and not expired) donated, the library will waive $1 of fines (no fees or lost materials). For information, call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.
Recycle small electronics: Through Jan. 31; Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton, is collecting small electronic items to recycle. All donated items are tax deductible, and forms will be available on the bins. Items accepted are cell phones, DVDs, DVD games/consoles, MP3 players, print cartridges, digital cameras, digital video recorders, and laptops/notebooks. Items not accepted are computer monitors, printers, toner cartridges, and personal computers. The library is working with Recycling Avenue, a nonprofit company run by a group of physically challenged young adults who want to help the environment. Call (847) 506-2618.
Feb. 2
Rules of the Road class: 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, Village of Hoffman Estates Village Hall, 1900 Hassell Road. Hosted by the Commission for Senior Citizens. Register at (847) 781-26606.
Feb. 5
District 54 Board of Education meets: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, 524 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Sherry, (847) 357-5038.
Feb. 10
Des Plaines Neighborhood Watch meeting: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, Rosemary S. Argus Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Des Plaines Police Department's Community Action Team host discussion of personal safety, traffic issues and self-defense. (847) 391-5410 or (847) 391-5312.
Feb. 11
Des Plaines Neighborhood Watch meeting: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, Des Plaines Park District Administrative and Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St. Des Plaines Police Department's Community Action Team host discussion of personal safety, traffic issues and self-defense. (847) 391-5410 or (847) 391-5312.
Mayor Arredia's State of the City address: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, Frisbie Senior Center, Cumberland Commons, 52 E. Northwest Highway, Des Plaines. Mayor Anthony Arredia's final State of the City address. Community invited, to register, call (847) 768-5944.
Schaumburg Township Disability Services: 1:30-3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1 Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates. Diabetes Support Group hosts diabetes educator and nutritionist Donna George. Reservations to Bonnie, (847) 884-0030, ext. 2022.
Feb. 12
Des Plaines Neighborhood Watch meeting: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, Des Plaines City Hall, in room 102, 1420 Miner St. Des Plaines Police Department's Community Action Team host discussion of personal safety, traffic issues and self-defense. (847) 391-5410 or (847) 391-5312.
Community symposium: 6 p.m. door open; 7 p.m. presentation, Thursday, Feb. 12, Prairie Lakes Theater, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. "Protecting Your Children From the Danger of Electronic Technology" Hosted by the Des Plaines Park District and Maryville Academy. To register, call (847) 391-5711 or (847) 294-1983.
Feb. 28
Computer recycling event: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 28, Des Plaines Public Works Garage, 1111 Joseph J. Schwab Road. Recycle computer components including central processing units, monitors, keyboards, printers, batteries and Sony, Goldstar, Zenith or LG TV's. Hosted by the city of Des Plaines Deep Green committee in partnership with Public Works and PC Rebuilders and Recyclers. RCRR refurbishes retired equipment and makes it available to school and other nonprofits. All hard drives are wiped to NIST standard. Computers that meet requirements are refurbished and unusable equipment is recycled responsibly. For information, (847) 391-5650.
March 12
U-46 community meeting: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, March 12, Elgin High School, 1200 Maroon Drive, Elgin. Dr. Jose M. Torres, U-46 school superintendent, hosts an open session to meet with U-46 community members preceding the Citizens' Advisory Council meeting. www.u-46.org.
April 25
Recycle your electronics: noon-4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, Bartlett Nature Center, 2054 W. Stearns Road, Bartlett. Accepting computers, peripherals, video equipment, TVs, calculators, phones, hand-held devices, copiers, fax machines, audio/video equipment, date center equipment, test equipment and more. No appliances or loose batteries accepted. For information, (847) 608-3100.
May 7
U-46 community meeting: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, Elgin High School, 1200 Maroon Drive, Elgin. Dr. Jose M. Torres, U-46 school superintendent, hosts an open session to meet with U-46 community members preceding the Citizens' Advisory Council meeting. www.u-46.org.
Ongoing
Eli Skinner Chapter, NSDAR: The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is seeking volunteers to make wool caps for the troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and South Korea. Wool head covering which can be worn under the Kevlar helmet provides warmth to the head and neck, but does not restrict vision. Patterns are available at www.geocities.com/helmetliner. For details, contact helmetliner@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 236, Auburn, IL 62615.