Fox Valley briefs

Elgin book fair celebrates written word:

The Center City Book Fair, part of Elgin's celebration of Preservation Month, will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St. The mission of the book fair is to promote reading, encourage writing, and heighten an awareness of literacy and the literary arts in Elgin. It's free and open to the public. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served. For details, log on to cantmisspress.com or call (847) 902-3664. Among the featured authors will be Rick Kogan, with Charles Osgood, Don DeGrazia, Donald G. Evans, Kathy Wolter, D.C. Brod and Beckie Butcher.

Help for fibromyalgia sufferers:

State Rep. Keith Farnham and the Arthritis Foundation of Greater Chicago will host an Exercise, Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Forum for local residents at 10 a.m. Monday, May 4, in the Heritage Ballroom of The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way. It's open to the general public and is free of charge. Attendees will learn about the signs, symptoms and treatment options for chronic pain disorders from Dr. Shaiba Ansari-Ali, a rheumatologist who practices in Geneva. A physical therapist from AthletiCo will discuss daily activities that can relieve the stresses associated with both fibromyalgia and arthritis, and an Arthritis Foundation exercise leader will demonstrate the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program. Pre-registration is required. To register online, please go to www.arthritis.org keyword Chicago or call (800) 735-0096.

Muzikowski to speak at Judson's annual Prayer Breakfast:

Bob Muzikowski, founder of the Chicago Hope Academy, a college preparatory school for underprivileged youth, will serve as the keynote speaker at Judson University's annual Prayer Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. May 5 in the campus' Lindner Fitness Center, 1151 N. State St., Elgin. Other program participants will be Alistair Brown, president of Northern Theological Seminary; Jose Torres, superintendent of Elgin Area School District U-46; and Elgin Community College President David Sam. This year, Judson is partnering with U-46 to provide reading materials for students at Century Oaks Elementary School in Elgin. Attendees are invited to bring new or gently read books for pre-school and grade-school age children. Tickets are $16 each and table sponsorship is available for area businesses and community groups for $350. To order tickets, visit www.JudsonU.edu/prayerbreakfast.aspx or call (847) 628-2514.