Fox Valley briefs

Free tax help:United Way of Elgin's Income Impact Council is offering free income tax preparation to families who made $50,000 or less in 2009 or individuals who made $25,000 or less. IRS-certified volunteers will be available to help from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. The program runs through April 15. No appointments are necessary; it's first come, first served. For details, call United Way of Elgin at (847) 741-2259 or visit the Center for Economic Progress Web site: economicprogress.org.Fish fry in LITH:The Lake in the Hills American Legion Post 1231 is holding a fish fry from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday. The all-you-can-eat meal costs $9.95 for adults and $6.95 for children younger than 12. I is open to the public and includes dollar draughts. For details, e-mail Jan Jung at jungor@sbcglobal.net.Parks advice needed:The Carpentersville Park Commission is looking for a village resident to fill a vacancy on the advisory panel. The primary purpose of the commission is to recommend policies for the parks that are owned and operated by the village. The commission meets monthly and composed of seven members appointed by the village president with the advice and consent of the board of trustees. Terms for members are two years. Non-trustee members are electors who have lived in the village for at least one year. Interested parties are asked to send a letter of interest to Village President Ed Ritter, Village of Carpentersville, 1200 LW Besinger Drive, Carpentersville, 60110, no later than Friday, April 9.