Fox Valley briefs

Public works day in Elgin:Elgin officials will cap off Public Works Week on Saturday, May 22, with an open house at the city's public works facility, 1900 Holmes Road. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the open house will include a "Touch A Truck" program, displays, facility tours, equipment rides and bicycle registration. For details about this free event, call (847) 697-3160 or visit cityofelgin.org.Volunteers needed in Carpentersville:Organizers of the Healing Field in Carpentersville are looking for volunteers to help assemble about 1,750 flags for the event. The flags will be assembled beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 23, in the parking lot of 2 E. Main St., Carpentersville. The Healing Field event, in remembrance of the veterans determined missing in action or prisoners of war, is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend. Those interested can call Jerry Christopherson at (630) 730-0558 for more information.Huntley hosts fishing derby:The Huntley Jaycees and the Huntley Park District are hosting a kids' fishing derby at Deicke Park from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday. The event is for children ages 3 through 12, and awards will be given based on age group. It costs $5 per child; the entry fee buys you a can of worms. All fish that are caught will be released. Register in advance at the REC Center, 12015 Mill St., Huntley. Call (847) 669-3180.Education 'Run/Walk':The Northern Kane Educational Corp. "Spring 5k Run/Walk" will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 22. The NKEC runs Cambridge Lakes Charter School in Pingree Grove. Registration for the all-ages race or walk begins at 7 a.m. and continues until 7:45 a.m. at the school, 900 Wester Blvd. in Pingree Grove. For information or registation, contact Drew Smith at (847) 464-0350 or DrewSmith@CambridgeLakesCharterSchool.org. Cost is $15. All proceeds help raise funds for the Cambridge Lakes Charter School volleyball court. Participants will receive a free T-shirt.Got an old computer?:McHenry County residents may bring obsolete, broken, or unwanted electronics to McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Highway 14 in Crystal Lake, for recycling from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 22. The event is free for county residents, though there is a limit of 10 items per person. Electronics accepted include TVs, computer monitors and components, phones, fax machines, radios, stereos, VCR/DVD players, digital cameras and various power cords and cables. In addition to electronics, there will also be a collection of clothes, shoes and eyeglasses. For a complete list of accepted items, visit www.mchenry.edu/recycling. Christmas lights will not be accepted. Items will be recycled, not refurbished or reused. For details, call Kristy Hecke, solid waste manager, McHenry County Department of Health Environmental Health Division at (815) 334-4585 or e-mail KLHecke@co.mchenry.il.us.'Chili for Charity':Zylstra Harley Davidson, 131 S. Randall Road, St. Charles, will host a "Cooking Chili for Charity" tasting at 1 p.m. Saturday. More than 40 award-winning chili recipes will be available for tasting for $5 per person. The event is a Chili Appreciation Society International-sanctioned cook-off. It will feature the Illinois Ladies State Open Championship, which will benefit LivingWell Cancer Resource Center in Geneva. The Men's State Open Championship portion of the cook-off will benefit Children's Club Courageous. People can also register to cook the day of the event. You must be 18 or older, there is a $20 entry fee and a cook's meeting at 8 a.m. Call Pam Ward at (630) 687-2381 for details on cooking. Judging will be based on aroma, consistency, red color, taste and aftertaste. For other details on the event, call Gloria Molitor (630) 584-2816.