The briefs

Oak Crest hosts community dinner

Oak Crest Residence and Atrium Apartments will host a community dinner at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, in the Cellar Pub, 204 S. State St. (Route 31), Elgin. Dinner will feature creamy tomato soup, mixed greens with fresh pears and pecans served with homemade honey sesame dressing, olive assortment and cheese and cracker tray; baked ham carvery accompanied by fresh baked sweet potatoes served with your choice of butter, cinnamon, brown sugar or chopped pecans; chicken a la king with buttery egg noodles; seasoned peas and carrots. Dessert will be peppermint stick ice cream. Donation of $12.50 per dinner. Make your reservations with Mary Lou at (847) 742-2255. Parking is available in the rear parking lot. For details, visit www.oakcrestatrium.org.

U.S. Census will be taking applications

Applications and test sessions for U.S. Census 2010 jobs will be offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, Dec. 21-30 at the historic Algonquin village hall, 2 S. Main St. in Algonquin.

Applicants should bring current U.S. passport or valid driver's license with Social Security card or birth certificate. Veterans should bring DD-214. A 30-minute basic skills test will be administered. For details, call (847) 628-9820.

Tuesday is last day for Mitten Tree

The children's department of the Dundee Township Public Library have some special events planned to keep kids warm, happy, and full of spirit in December.

Through Tuesday, Dec. 22, the library's annual Mitten Tree will be up, decorated, and ready to receive donations of new infant, children's and adult mittens and outerwear accessories. All items will be donated to the FISH Food Pantry and the Elgin Community Crisis Center. Drop off items at the children's information desk during regular library hours.

The library is at 555 Barrington Ave. in East Dundee. For information, contact the library at (847) 428-3661 or dundeelibrary.info.

Vaccine clinic offered Tuesday

McHenry County Department of Health has scheduled its December clinics for distribution of the H1N1 vaccine to priority groups, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccination is free.

For age 10 or older, there will be two clinics from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22 at McHenry County Health Department, Annex A, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock; and 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29 at Marian Central Catholic High School, 1001 McHenry Ave., Woodstock.

Priority groups for the injectable and nasal vaccine include individuals, 6 months to 24 years old; caregivers of infants less than 6 months of age; those age 25-64 with chronic health conditions; health care workers; and first responders younger than 50 years of age. Pregnant women should call for an appointment. Appointments can be made online at mcdh.info or by calling the hotline at (815) 334-2800. Cancellations do occur so residents are encouraged to visit the Web site for the most up-to-date information.