The briefs

Sign up now for NISRA programs

Residents with disabilities are encouraged to register now for a great lineup of recreation activities with the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association. Programs begin Monday, Oct. 5 in public facilities throughout NISRA's 13 member communities. About 100 programs offer fun, friendship-making and skill development for people of all ages and ability levels. Log on to nisra.org to view the fall brochure for a complete list of programs and registration information. The registration deadline is Thursday, Sept. 17. NISRA provides year round recreation activities and local Special Olympics for residents with disabilities in McHenry County and parts of Cook, Lake and Kane counties. Call (815) 459-0737 for information or visit nisra.org.

Dementia support meets Tuesday

Oak Crest Hope Cottage Memory Center, 204 S. State St. in Elgin, will host the monthly Alzheimer's and Dementia Family Support Group at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15. Oak Crest Residence, in affiliation with the Greater Illinois Alzheimer's Association, offers a support group for family members of persons with memory loss from Alzheimer's disease and related dementias on the third Tuesday of every month. Individuals with memory loss are invited to socialize with our members while their family attends the support group. Call Marlene at (847) 429-9709 to reserve your space. Oak Crest Hope Cottage Memory Center offers respite to caregivers through its daily visiting program for family members with memory loss from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

St. James hosts rummage sale

St. James Episcopal Church, 516 Washington St. in West Dundee, will hold a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19. Featured items will include clothing, housewares, sporting goods, plants, craft items, toys, furniture and books. The bag sale begins at noon Saturday when all clothing items will be sold for $3 a bag. Proceeds will benefit the ministries of St. James. For details, call (847) 426-5612.

American Legion offers bingo special

The Huntley American Legion, 11712 W. Coral St., will feature $1 Bingo Night for seniors on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Play for only $1 a game. Sessions are held at 7 p.m. every Wednesday. Also featured are two $1,000 games on Sept. 16 and 30. For details, call (847) 669-8485.

Nominations due for Elgin DNA awards

Now there is more time to nominate your favorite Downtown Elgin business or volunteer for the Downtown Neighborhood Association awards in Downtown Elgin Revitalization. The new deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15. There are four categories to nominate businesses/people for: Remarkable Renovation, Extraordinary Volunteer, Outstanding Member/Partner, and Excellence in Business. Award forms can be picked up at the office at 2 Douglas Ave. or downloaded at downtownelgin.com. For details, call Jennifer Benson at (847) 488-1456 or e-mail jbenson@elginil.org.

Genealogists get tips on Heritage Quest

The Elgin Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, in the first-floor meeting room of the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin. Kristen Newton Smith will present "Getting the Most Out of Heritage Quest." Visitors are welcome. Visit elginroots.com for details.

Ladies group hosts annual beef dinner

The Ladies of St. John's annual beef dinner will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at St. John's Lutheran Church's Activity Center, 300 Jefferson St. Tickets are $9 or $4 for kids, age 5 to 12. Children, age 4 and younger, get in free. For tickets, call (847) 658-7097.

Garage sale to benefit Four Paws

Four Paws Animal Foundation will hold a garage sale/bake sale fund-raiser to benefit its rescue/adoption efforts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19, at 215 N. Crest Ave. in Bartlett. Good bargains can be had on various household items, pet related items, small furniture, tools, books, etc. Call (630) 289-0478 for information.

Fashion show at Animal House

Animal House Shelter will host "Rescues & Runways Fashion Show" from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at the shelter, 13005 Ernesti Road, Huntley. Maurices in Algonquin will offer fall fashions and adoptable animals. It is free and open to the public. Donations are gratefully accepted at the event. Donations for AHS brought to Maurices, Algonquin, during this month will receive a coupon for 20 percent off one regular priced item. For information, e-mail info@animalhouseshelter.com or call (847) 961-5541.

HR group offers tips for encouraging staff

The Illinois Fox Valley Society of Human Resource Management presents "Creating an Environment for Success" Thursday, Sept. 17. Karla Dobbeck, founded Human Resource Techniques Inc. in 1997. She is the current chapter president. She is currently a member of the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, The Tooling and Manufacturing Association and is recently certified by the Better Business Bureau. In this session you will learn how to encourage self-motivated employees to stay energized; the importance of the selection process; setting expectations; rewarding good performance; and what to do with problem employees. The meeting will be held at Hennessy, 2300 Bushwood Drive, Elgin. Registration begins at 11:15 a.m. Lunch is 11:30 a.m. to noon and the program from noon to 1 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling (847) 289-7170. The cost is $20, $25 for member's guest and $40 for nonmembers.