Tri-Cities briefs

Playground vandalized

The St. Charles Park District announced a $500 reward Wednesday for information leading to the conviction of the vandal or vandals who burned a hole in a slide at Mount St. Mary Park. The damage was discovered Monday at the park's playground along Route 31 at Prairie Street, officials said. "It's the park board's intent to send a clear message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated," parks director Jim Breen said. Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to call (630) 584-1885.

AAUW hosts player

The Tri-Cities branch of the American Association of University Women hosts "Tea with Terry" at 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at Tea Infusion, 205 W. State St., Geneva. Terry Donahue was a member of the original All American Girls Professional Baseball League. Her team inspired the 1992 movie, "A League of Their Own." Tickets are $25 and need to be purchased no later than Friday. Send a check made out to AAUW to Diane Jangelis, 304 Mooseheart Road, North Aurora, Ill., 60542.

Seeking haunted houses

If your house has ghoulish decorations it has what it takes to be entered in the second annual Halloween Decorating Contest. Winners will be selected in two categories: scariest and most original. The contest is open to park district residents who live in Aurora, North Aurora and Montgomery. The entry fee is $10. Judging takes place between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Monday through Oct. 22. Each household that enters receives free admission to Halloween Family Night Oct. 30 in the Prisco Community Center, where the winners will be announced. Winning households will receive gift certificates from local businesses. Registration forms can be picked up at Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora, or at Eola Community Center, 555 S. Eola Road, Aurora. Call (630) 859-8606.

Halloween fun fair on tap

Sherman Health will host its 23rd annual Halloween Family Fun Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin. The event will feature a variety of activities, including a costume contest from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a book sale and free health screenings. Kane County SafeKids also will host a car seat clinic. Call (800) 397-9000 or visit shermanhealth.com.

Action on climate change

Residents of DuPage and Kane counties interested in climate change can join in a day of action at 1 p.m. Oct. 24 at Hawthorn Grove in Blackwell Forest Preserve along Butterfield Road in Warrenville. Target 350, an event taking place simultaneously worldwide, stands for the 350 parts per million of CO2 that scientists have determined is safe for the planet. Participants will form the numeral 350, a picture of which will be sent to world leaders as well as local legislators. For details, contact Lonnie Morris at herbndove@comcast.net.

Ghostly pub-crawl

The Geneva History Center offers the "Spirits of Geneva" fundraiser from 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 24. It features a dozen Geneva pubs and restaurants with actors telling local ghost stories at each stop. Advance tickets are $25 for center members, $35 for nonmembers. Add $5 for day-of tickets. Check-in is at the center, 113 S. Third St. Call (630) 232-4951 or send e-mail to Exec_Dir@genevahistorycenter.org.