Tri-Cities briefs

Agency opens fitness center:

The Elgin-based Association for Individual Development will open its new fitness room today at the AID Elgin Area Services Building, 1135 Bowes Road, Elgin. The Sherman Health Foundation and Activate Elgin provided grants to start up the room, which contains a treadmill, rowing machine and several stationary bikes. Exercise balls, hand weights, pedometers and other items will be added soon. AID serves more than 5,100 people a year that have disabilities, mental illness and special needs to help them achieve independence and inclusion.

Aurora looks for nominees:

Aurora will accept nominations through Friday for the 2010 Outstanding African-American Award by the city's African-American Heritage Advisory Board. Agencies, organizations and community members are invited to nominate residents who exhibit leadership, volunteerism and service to the African-American community. The recipient will be honored Feb. 4, 2010. For nominations, call (630) 844-4731 or visit aurora-il.org.

Turkey and hoops:

Win a turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner at the Geneva Park District Turkey Shoot Basketball Tournament Sunday at the Stephen D. Persinger Recreation Center. Participants whose team can make the most basketballs from four spots on the court will win. Teams will consist of one child and one parent or guardian. Children must be ages 8 to 13 to participate, and the cost is $10 per team. Register at genevaparks.org, fill out a registration form and fax it to (630) 232-4569, or register in person at Geneva Community Center, 710 Western Ave., or SPRC, 3507 Kaneville Road. Call (630) 232-4542.

Food for fines in West Chicago:

Have an overdue book at West Chicago Public Library? Now might be the time to return it. Through Dec. 1 patrons can take advantage of the library's "Food for Fines" program by bringing in a nonperishable food item in payment for overdue fines. All donations will go to the DuPage Walk-In Ministry, a Northern Illinois Food Bank collection site in West Chicago. Call (630) 231-1552, Ext. 2.