Tri-Cities briefs

Library open house

The new Sugar Grove Public Library and the Janice Katherine Rich Technology Learning Center will have an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 125 S. Municipal Drive. Visitors will be able to take self-guided tours and meet the library board and staff.

Mercenary army talk

"Mercenaries In Our Midst" will be presented from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. It is sponsored by Clearwater, a group working for legislation that would restrict the operation of private armies, including the company formerly known as Blackwater, in Illinois. For more information, call (847) 742-1406.

Deadline extended

Children in first through eighth grade have until Sunday to submit a photo entry reflecting the theme "My Favorite Things" for West Chicago's Galley 200's "Picture This" kids photo contest. An entry form must accompany submissions. Photos will be displayed at the Gallery during August; a reception and award ceremony will be Aug. 7. Call (630) 293-9550 or visit westchicago.org.

Easter Seals receives grant

Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region has received a grant from the Grace Bersted Foundation to help children with motor, speech, visual, hearing and learning disabilities access computers to communicate, read, play, and socialize with families and friends. The grant includes an upgraded computer laboratory with 21 new laptops, a wireless printer and various software applications. Assistive technology therapists will use the new computer laboratory to evaluate and treat children with disabilities and to train professionals and caregivers on software use that help children communicate. For details, visit eastersealsdfvr.org or call (630) 620-4433.

U-46 retains certification

Elgin Area School District U-46 learned last week that it has retained its ISO 9001:2008 certification, a designation that recognizes the district as a quality management system. U-46 is one of a small number of school districts across the nation, and the only known Illinois school district, to be ISO 9001:2008 certified. Certification is valid through June 2011. It was developed for use in the business sector, but in recent years it has become popular among school districts and in the government sector as a method of promoting continuous improvement.