Tri-Cities briefs

Ash Wednesday serviceBaker Memorial United Methodist Church, Third and Cedar avenues, St. Charles, offers an Ash Wednesday service, with imposition of ashes, at 7:30 tonight to start the Christian season of Lent. Holy Communion will be offered.Batavia Arts group to meetThe Batavia Arts Volunteer Wine and Dessert Event is at 7:30 tonight at Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water St. Help is being sought for Art In Your Eye and other Batavia arts events. Those not able to attend can visit artinyoureye.com for more information or call Batavia MainStreet at (630) 761-3528.Citizens Police AcademyThe North Aurora Police Department offers Citizens Police Academy at 7 p.m. Thursdays, starting this week through April 22. It will cover hiring procedures, traffic law, patrol procedures, gang intervention, crime scene processing, simulated firearms training and more. Residents 18 and older are eligible. Pick up an application at the police department, 25 E. State St., or contact Officer Stecklein at (630) 897-8705.Kindergarten readinessBatavia public schools will have kindergarten screening Feb. 24 and 25. Students who expect to enter kindergarten in the fall will participate in group activities, while being observed by teachers, to see their fine motor, cognitive, speech and language skills. To find out what school to attend, call the district office at (630) 937-8800.Help for parentsHalcyon Counseling Center, a private practice at 825 W. State St., Geneva offers free classes and discussion groups for parents of adolescents from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Each group is led by Lark Syrris, a licensed clinical professional counselor, and each group is limited to eight people. Call (224) 587-3893 to sign up.