Fox Valley in 60 seconds

ECC Poetry Slam

Elgin Community College will hold its 7th annual Poetry Slam from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 15. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be in the Advanced Technology Center Auditorium on the college's main campus, at 1700 Spartan Drive in Elgin. The slam offers college and high school students, as well as community poets, an opportunity to sign up for three-minute reading slots. Hosting the event is Marc Smith, the founder of the competitive art of performance poetry. Smith, co-author of "The Spoken Word Revolution" and author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Slam Poetry," will also perform some of his own poetry during the slam. For details, call the Office of Student Life at (847) 214-7370 or visit student life at elgin.edu.

Sherman fundraiser on tap

The Sherman Hospital Auxiliary will hold its third annual "Upscale Garage Sale" from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 17 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 18 at the former D.C. Cook Publishing Co. building, 850 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. For sale will be clothing, furniture, children's toys and games, antiques, books and more. In addition to the garage sale, a bake sale will also be held. Admission is $3, but no strollers are allowed. All proceeds will go toward the auxiliary's 5-year, $1 million pledge toward the hospital's new birthing center, which will open on Dec. 15. For details, call (847) 429-8720.

Torres to hold open sessions

U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres, who has conducted several daytime and evening sessions to meet with community members, will hold his final "brown bag lunch" with the public from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at district headquarters, 355 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The evening session will take place at 6 p.m. May 7 at the Elgin High School library, preceding the monthly Citizens' Advisory Council meeting.