The briefs

Benefit night for Habitat Tuesday

Dine at Garibaldi's from 5-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept 29, and mention the fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity/New Hope Partnership. New Hope partnership will receive 20 percent of purchases for the evening whether dining in or carryout. No coupons are needed. If you dine in, there will be giveaway items offered in a raffle from Habitat and Garibaldi's. The restaurant is 2258 Randall Road, Carpentersville.

Catholics Returning Home offered

Have you drifted away from the Catholic Church? Perhaps it is time to look at the issues again with the hope of healing past hurts. St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 111 S. Hubbard St., Algonquin, invites you to its "Catholics Returning Home" program at 7:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Oct. 13. No reservation is required. For details, call (847) 658-7625.

Crafters can sign up for bazaar

Sign up now for the Gingerbread Bazaar and Rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin. Tables cost $25. This is an annual holiday bazaar joined with a rummage sale of more than 500 square feet and more than 50 families. Sign up for your table reservation at epworthumcelgin.org. Call (847) 931-5400 or e-mail office@epworthumcelgin.org.

Symphony League meets Wednesday

The first Elgin Symphony League meeting this year will be at noon Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Elgin Community College's Business Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. The League is a nonprofit group that supports the symphony, and the meetings typically have speakers who are connected to the ESO, often musicians. Randall Swiggum, who puts together and conducts the children's concerts, will be the speaker at this meeting. Swiggum also conducts the Elgin Youth Symphony. The League welcomes new members.

Get tickets now for fish boil, rib fest

On Sunday, Nov. 1, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main St., West Dundee, will host its annual Fish Boil and Rib Fest. The cost is $15 for fish only; $18 for fish and ribs; or $10 for children 12 and younger. After Thursday, Oct. 1, the cost is $17 for fish only; $18 for fish and ribs; or $10 for children 12 and younger. Tickets can be purchased through any outreach member or by calling the church office at (847) 426-7133 and speak to Jan from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also there will be a silent auction.

Chocolate festival at Holy Trinity

"Chocolate! The Festival" will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division St., Elgin. The festival includes handmade chocolates for sale by the piece along with a bakery of chocolate desserts. Red Bar Winery & Bistro will hold a wine tasting and sale. An art show with demonstrations and workshops and a rummage sale will be part of the event. A lunch of chocolate chili and hot dogs will be available. Admission is free. The festival is open to the public. For details, call (847) 742-2025 or visit holytrinityelgin.org.

Preschool hosts fall fundraiser

Light of Christ Preschool will hold a Fall Festival fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4. There will be games, face painting and food. Tickets are $1 per activity/item. Pumpkins and mums will be available for purchase. The church is at 100 Hanson Road, Algonquin.

Oktoberfest to benefit agency

Options & Advocacy of McHenry County will host an Oktoberfest Fundraiser from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at the Onion Pub & Brewery, 22221 Pepper Road, Lake Barrington. There will beer tasting, silent auction, raffles, food and music by the Spectacles. Tickets are $75. For tickets, call (815) 477-4720, ext. 222 or visit optionsandadvocacy.org.