Fox Valley briefs
New Rakow branch opens Saturday
The community is invited to the opening of the new west side "green" Rakow Branch library, 2751 W. Bowes Road, from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15. The ribbon-cutting and the opening ceremony will be at 1 p.m. Tours of the branch will begin at 1:30 p.m. and will commence every half-hour until 4:30 p.m. There will be ice cream and entertainment for the day will include juggler Andy Head, magician Ken Mate and the Fox Valley Men of Harmony. Because large crowds are expected for the open house, pick up tickets for tour times. The free tickets are available at the Greeter Desk and Second Floor Information Desk at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. The open house will also feature entertainment, light refreshments and information about "A Green Story, The Fox River Mural." For information, visit gailborden.info.
Join the fun at pet adoption event
On Saturday, Aug. 15, Fur Keeps Animal Rescue and No Splitting Hares Rabbit Rescue will feature food and drink vendors, 50/50 raffle, DJ, silent auction and face painting at the adoption event from noon to 5 p.m. at 2192 Cary Road in Algonquin. Donations of supplies to fill a large animal crate are encouraged. For details, call Rena (847) 742-4836 or e-mail gingerbreadqueen@msn.com.
Pioneer Center hosts annual ride
Pioneer Center for Human Services will host its third annual motorcycle ride at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. The 100-mile ride will begin in Wonder Lake and end at Pier West Restaurant in Twin Lakes in Wisconsin. Cost to ride is $25 for a single rider; $30 for a rider with passenger. To register by phone or e-mail, contact Tracy at (815) 759-7112 or tchampio@pioneercenter.org.
Pet adoption offered in East Dundee
On Saturday, Aug. 15, Al Piemonte's, 770 Dundee Ave. in East Dundee, is hosting a "Dog Days of Summer" event in association with the Anderson Animal Shelter in South Elgin. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., people can come in and adopt a pet and children will receive a free backpack for school.
Join walking tour of Elgin's downtown
The Elgin Area Historical Society offers a "Walking Tour of Elgin." Join Elgin historian Mary Hill on Saturday, Aug. 15 for a tour of Elgin's skyline. Experience downtown Elgin from the bottom up and top down. See places you've never seen before. Enjoy Elgin's best-kept secrets, architecture and stories. Wear comfortable shoes for this 3-hour tour that starts at 1 p.m. in the city parking lot at the corner of Highland and Douglas Avenues. Tour fee is $5 per person, free for Elgin Historical Society members and children under age 10. The historical society's Old Main Museum, 360 Park St. in Elgin, is open noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday. For information, call (847) 742-4248 or visit www.elginhistory.org.
Big tomato contest set on Saturday
The Dundee Township Visitor's Center, 319 N. River St. in East Dundee, is once again hosting a Largest Tomato Contest Saturday, Aug. 15. This is the 12th year for the contest, a special event held each year during the Old Dundee Farmers Market. Tomatoes may be entered between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.; judging will commence at noon for first- to third-place prizes. The contest is sponsored by the Dundee Township Visitor's Center, and there is no fee to enter. Tomatoes will be judged by weight and may be red, green or any variation of ripeness in between, although contest organizers noted that red tomatoes tend to weigh more due to their added moisture content. The Old Dundee Farmers Market is Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the depot grounds. New vendors are always welcome. For information, call (847) 426-2255.
Stop by adoption jamboree Saturday
The McHenry County Animal Welfare Coalition presents the "Dog Days of Summer" Adoption Jamboree from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 at Crystal Lake Plaza, 5593 Route 14. Participating coalition members who are licensed animal rescue groups include Animal Outreach, Assisi Animal Foundation, On Angels Wings, McHenry County Animal Control, Pets in Need, Animal House Shelter and Helping Paws. Information on an upcoming microchip and rabies vaccination at McHenry County Animal Control also will be available. MCAC will bring several of its cats and dogs to the jamboree who are waiting for the new home. Adoption fees are $80 and include all vaccinations, spay/neuter, FELV and FIV testing, microchip, deworming, collar and kennel tag, free first veterinarian visit, discounted grooming, and a free bag of food. For information, call coalition at (815) 459-6222.
'True Accounts' play staged in Elgin
Nothing Special Productions will present "True Accounts of Maddening Fiction" by Nick Cardiff at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 and Saturday, Aug. 15 at the Elgin Art Showcase, eighth floor, 164 Division St., Elgin. Tickets are $15, $10 for students or seniors, and $5 for kids. This show will benefit the Laura Twirls Suicide Prevention Foundation. For information, to reserve tickets, or to find out ways to donate to this worthy cause, contact John Scheflow at nothingspecialproductions@gmail.com or visit www.nothingspecialproductions.com and www.cngmpictures.com. Warning, the show contains strong language, sexuality and exploding heads. For information, visit www.nothingspecialproductions.com.