Tri-Cities briefs

Fire extinguisher class:

The St. Charles Countryside Fire Protection District will have a free fire extinguisher training class at 9 a.m. Saturday at the district's property at 40W387 Burlington Road. The class for ages 8 and older will include hands-on experience. Space is limited. Call (630) 377-4458 to reserve a spot.

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. today through Sunday at 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.

Help with gas bill:

Applications for Nicor's Reconnect Assistance program are due today. Residential customers whose natural-gas service was disconnected because of nonpayment of bills can have their service restored for the cost of 50 percent of their outstanding balance, and pay the remainder in 12 monthly installments. To sign up, call (877) 444-2947.

Art studio opens:

The Batavia Artists Association has a grand opening from 6 to 9 tonight for Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water St. The studio, classroom, and gallery space will be shown, and you can meet local artists.

Audubon fundraiser:

A bird seminar Saturday in Campton Hills will raise money for the Kane County Audubon Society. The event, featuring society member Jerry Hope, is planned for 8:30 a.m. at Wasco Nursery & Garden Center, 41W781 Route 64, and will include a walk through nursery fields to identify different species of birds. Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars. Admission is $5. To register, call (630) 584-4424.

AARP driver program:

AARP Driver Safety Program is being offered in Batavia in conjunction with Green Light Driving School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 6 and 7. Participants who successfully complete the program may be eligible for a discount from their insurance companies. Visit AARP.org to sign up, or call (630) 605-4900.

Wasco Diamonds golf outing:

The 7th Annual Wasco Diamonds golf outing is Sept. 25 at Tanna Farms Golf Club in Geneva. Lunch is at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon. Dinner is at 5 p.m. Cost is $150 per golfer. Hole sponsorships are available for $100. Contact Joe Garbarski at (630) 363-9775 or garbarski@wascodiamonds.com.