Fox Valley briefs

Firefighter memorial on tap:The annual Elgin Area Firefighter Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. today at the Elgin and the George Van De Voorde Firefighters Memorial Park, Elgin Fire Barn No. 5, 533 St. Charles St., Elgin. After the service, tours of the barn will be offered. Call (847) 849-0457.Touch a truck in Algonquin:The Algonquin Police Department and the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District will host a "Touch a Truck" event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Algonquin Commons. Other participating agencies include the Bartlett, East Dundee, Hoffman Estates and Huntley fire departments, plus the Elgin Police Department, Kane County Emergency Management and the Kane County Sheriff's Department. Also on display will be a Flight for Life helicopter, fire trucks, a fire safety house, a pizza truck from Connie's Pizza, squad cars and ambulances.Maplewood hosts open house:Maplewood School in Cary is hosting an open house to celebrate its more than 60 years of history. The school is closing at the end of this school year because of declining enrollment and budgetary concerns. The event will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today at the school. The open house features food, prizes and Maplewood memorabilia. Call (847) 639-2152.Arlington 500 rides Sunday:A bicycle ride in Lake County will begin anytime between 7 and 10 a.m. Sunday at Barrington High School, 616 W. Main St., Barrington. The Arlington Heights Bicycle Club sponsors the 31st annual Arlington 500 bicycle ride for recreational cyclists. Riders can choose one of four routes, with 30, 44, 54 or 68 miles. Those taking the longest two rides are expected to start before 9 a.m., and the others must start before 10 a.m. Fee is $15. For more, e-mail 500@cyclearlington.com.Geneva benefit run:The 3rd Annual Feets of Strength 5K Run/Walk for child abuse awareness is at 9 a.m. Sunday beginning and ending at the Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva. Registration is $25 for the run or walk, $10 for the Youth race, and $5 for the Little Feets Dash. For more information or to register go to signmeupsports.com or e-mail feetsofstrength@att.net. All proceeds will benefit Royal Family Kids Camp for abused and neglected children.Book exchange in DeKalb:Readers of all ages are invited to participate in a book exchange from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary Catholic School, 210 Gurler Road, DeKalb. Admission is $5 and there is no limit on the number of books that can be traded in. The book exchange will take place in the school's cafeteria where books will be accepted, sorted, and placed on tables according to genre. Call (815) 895-0540.