Fish Fry Fridays start this week

We are just days away from the beginning of Lent.

Tomorrow marks Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Paczki Day, Shrove Tuesday or whatever you want to call it. It's a time to celebrate.

But once the indulgence is over, what are you voluntarily surrendering for 40 days? Lenten sacrifices in the newsroom range from giving up meat to refraining from purchasing unnecessary items.

For those giving up meat like my co-worker, the West Dundee VFW Post at 117 S. First St. is once again offering its Friday Fish Fry. The fish fry runs from 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday.

The dinners include beer batter fish fry, baked fish, beer batter dipped whole catfish, scallops, fried jumbo shrimp and a seafood platter. A fish sandwich is also offered. Side items included are fries, coleslaw, roll and butter. Through Lent, which ends Good Friday, April 2, lobster tails will be offered as a special. The 10-ounce tail comes with a piece of beer battered fish, roll, salad and baked potato.

Extras include clam chowder by the bowl or cup, onion rings, fried mushrooms, mozzarella sticks and fries.

For those not giving up meat, hamburgers and hot dogs are available, as well as chicken fingers. Items are available for carryout for an additional 25 cents.

Call (847) 428-9006 for more information or to make a carryout order.

Benefit concert: Another worthy cause is the concert organized to help the people of Haiti after last month's devastating earthquake. ONE (Our Neighborhoods Empowered) and OOTBox (Out of the Box) Band in conjunction with Raw Productions are gearing up for a Haiti benefit concert on Sunday, Feb. 28 at the Clearwater Theater in West Dundee. Doors open at 3 p.m. and all proceeds benefit the Red Cross Helps Haiti Fund. Cost is $10. The eight-band lineup includes rock, blues, country, acoustic, Latin, steel percussion and a DJ. The Clearwater Theater is located at 96 W. Main St., West Dundee.

Get involved: If you've ever wanted to get involved in local politics, Carpentersville is still accepting applications for members of the village's business development commission.

The commission will serve in an advisory capacity to the village board and the economic development coordinator relating to the following objectives, goals and duties: review proposals and recommend programs for revitalizing existing business and attracting new business in the commercial and industrial zoning districts; review and recommend commercial site selection information; review and make recommendations concerning attracting new business development; assist the Economic Development Coordinator in facilitating activities that encourage business retention, expansion and development; review and recommend standards for use in evaluating the economic impact of new or expanding business; and to cooperate with and assist existing business associations.

Persons who wish to be considered for appointment to the BDC should submit a letter of interest to Ed Ritter, Village President, Village of Carpentersville, 1200 L.W. Besinger Drive, Carpentersville, Illinois 60110, no later than February 22, 2010.

Questions may be directed to Craig G. Anderson, village manager, (847) 551-3475.

• Larissa Chinwah covers Carpentersville and East and West Dundee. E-mail her at lchinwah@dailyherald.com.