The briefs

Police, fire cook-off benefits community

The Palatine Police & Fire Benevolent Association, supported by the Palatine Jaycees, is hosting a Chili Cook Off between the fire and police departments from 1 to 4 p.m. March 8 at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., downtown Palatine.

Tickets are $5 at the door and include all-you-can-eat chili. A cash bar, shirt sales and 50/50 raffle are also on the program, said co-chair Kristin Bureta.

All proceeds will go to the benevolent association, founded two years ago to assist citizens of Palatine and the greater Palatine area in time of need. In the past two years, the association has donated more than $25,000 to families living with life-threatening illnesses and those who have been relocated after a devastating fire.

"The benevolent association is working closely with many community-based organizations to foster relations between the community, law enforcement and firefighters," said Sgt. Mike Vargas, co-chair of the benefit.

Rotary Club seeks worthy beneficiaries

Community groups in the Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg area are encouraged to apply for funding of local projects through the Schaumburg Hoffman Estates Rotary Club. Applicant groups must be designated 501(c).

Funding is limited to projects that are to be completed in Schaumburg or Hoffman Estates, or for organizations that service these communities as part of their project.

Applications are at www.schaumburgrotary.com (click on Project Selection on the left side) or by contacting Jodie Benjamin at Jodeen.benjamin@nationalcity.com. Applications must be received by March 20.

Black teen summit at Harper on Friday

Harper College will host several hundred black high school students Friday, Feb. 27, at an all-day event motivating them to stay in school and piquing their interest in higher education.

At the annual Black Teen Summit, students will hear from a panel of black professionals and interact with officials and black students from several colleges. They'll get information and advice on financial aid, grades and careers, as well as social issues like discrimination.

According to National Center for Education statistics, nearly 11 percent of blacks ages 16 to 24 were high school dropouts in 2006, the most recent year available, compared with about 6 percent of whites in the same age bracket.

The Teen Summit runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will host students from high schools across the Northwest suburbs, including Hoffman Estates, Maine West, Palatine, Prospect and Wheeling.