Tri-Cities briefs
U-46 'brown bags' back:
Open question and answer sessions with Elgin Area School District U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres will start this week. The first will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Elgin High School Library, 1200 Maroon Drive. In addition to nighttime meetings, once-a-month noon "brown bag lunches" are open to community members. For the full schedule, check out the district's Web site, u-46.org.
Farm rentals available:
Fox Valley Park District's Blackberry Farm will be available for after-hour rentals from 5 to 7 p.m. weekends and selected week nights beginning Friday. Located at 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora, the farm offers train rides, a hay wagon and carousel, fishing in Lake Gregory, picnic tables and more. Groups of all sizes can use the grounds for parties, picnics, family reunions and Scout outings. Rentals are available through Oct. 31. For details, call (630) 892-1550.
Outdoor soccer registration:
The Tri-Cities Soccer Association is accepting registrations for its fall season. Games are played outdoors on Saturdays starting this week through Nov. 7. The league is open to those 5 to 19. Fees are $75 per player for the fall season or $120 for annual prepay (fall and spring). Register online at tcsa.net or call (630) 377-1101 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Disaster preparedness:
West Chicago is offering a Community Emergency Response Training Course for residents to provide basic training in disaster preparedness. The seven-week class meets 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays starting Sept. 15. Participants must be 18 or older and live or work in West Chicago or the West Chicago Fire Protection District. The course is free and includes a disaster preparedness kit. Classes are at the fire protection district headquarters, 200 Fremont St. To enroll, call (630) 231-2123.
Some knead, some give:
Panera Bread customers who donate a 12-ounce or more box of cereal will receive a free breakfast sandwich from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 18 to 20 at Chicago area bakery-cafe locations. The goal of the "Cereal Drive to Help Fight Hunger" is to collect 5,000 boxes to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Northern Illinois Food Bank and Northwest Indiana Food Bank.