Join hands in Kane County against child abuse, neglect

Help draw attention to the issue of child abuse and neglect in Kane County. CASA Kane County is celebrating National Child Abuse Prevention Month by hosting its fifth annual "Hands Around the Courthouse" event at noon Thursday, April 9, inside the Kane County Courthouse located at 100 S. Third St. in Geneva.

Guest speakers include 16th Circuit Court Chief Judge Keith Brown, Juvenile Court Judge Susan Clancy Boles, and Kane County Sheriff Pat Perez. Participants will hold onto blue ribbons and encircle the courthouse for a moment of silence acknowledging local victims of child abuse and neglect. Free T-shirts will be distributed, courtesy of CASA Kane County and the Tri-Cities Exchange Club, and refreshments will be served.

Hands Around the Courthouse is sponsored by CASA Kane County and the Family Violence Coordinating Council of the 16th Judicial Circuit.

To report suspected abuse or neglect, call (800) 252-2873.

Dance into spring at fashion show

Wesley and Epworth United Methodist churches will host their third annual fashion show and entertainment from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 18 at Wesley UMC, 1070 South St., Elgin.

This year's theme is "Dancing Into Spring." Dessert buffet with fashion show from Christopher & Banks at Spring Hill Mall will be followed by a musical program, featuring Aleksander Krukowski with classical piano solos; Beth Bonasera, Scripture reading with interpretive ballet dance; and Rise Jones, soloist accompanied by Murna Hansemann.

There will be a freewill offering for Methodist missions. Tables of eight may be reserved by the church office at (847) 742-7256 before Tuesday, April 14.

World series champs host opening day

The community is invited to the Wasco Diamonds Opening Day on Saturday, April 11. The festivities will include recognition of the 2008 11-U World Series Champions team followed by our feature game, the 12U Wasco Diamonds vs. 14U Homer Hawks (Purple). The game is scheduled for noon after the recognition of the 2008 World Series win.

Wasco Diamonds home fields are located at Anderson Park on Brown Road in Wasco. For directions or additional information, contact Pam Waslawski at (847) 717-4705.

Tickets available for Voices in Harmony

Voices in Harmony and guest artist harpist Mary Keppeler will present "Voices of Earth and Heaven" at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St. in downtown Crystal Lake.

Selections will celebrate the grandeur of the world and the hope of heaven. The sound of the harp will enhance several works on this program of works for choir, both traditional and new. Voices in Harmony is a community choir now in its 22nd season of performing quality choral works. Tickets may be purchased at the Raue box office at (815) 356-9212 or visit www.rauecenter.org. Ticket prices are $18 and $15.