Tri-Cities briefs

Batavia's farmers market:

The Wilson Street Market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at 229 E. Wilson St., Batavia. This farmers market will feature local farmers and vendors every Sunday throughout the year except holidays. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a local charity. Call Craig Foltos at (630) 879-5253 with any questions or if you would like to reserve a space in the new market.

Marklund seeks donations:

Donations for Marklund's annual Giving Tree drive can be dropped off through Dec. 11 at two locations: Marklund Hyde Center, 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva, or Marklund Philip Center for Children, 164 S. Prairie, Bloomingdale. Marklund is a nonprofit network of services for infants, children and adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities. Giving Tree cards are created for each resident with a brief bio and three gift suggestions. Donors take a card and purchase one or more wish items and return them, wrapped, to Marklund. New this year, donors also can support day-to-day expenses, such as electric, gas and water bills. Donors also may give items from Marklund's general wish list, located at marklund.org. For details, call Cathy Nikrandt at (630) 593-5468 or Stevie Armbruster at (630) 593-5473.

Helping those in need:

Fox Valley United Way is seeking partners to help provide holiday gifts for area children and families in need. Businesses, community groups, families and individuals can adopt an individual or family. Send checks payable to Fox Valley United Way to 40 W. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60506. People can also purchase a gift card from a local grocery store to help provide a holiday meal, or drop off an unwrapped gift at the United Way office by Dec. 10. Call (630) 896-4636.

Cantigny photo contest:

Amateur photographers of all ages have until Dec. 15 to enter their best images in the Cantigny in Focus annual photo contest. Entries must be images from the grounds of Cantigny, the 500-acre former estate of Robert R. McCormick at 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Judges will select the best photo from each of 10 categories that include events, gardens, concerts, statues, children's activities and wildlife. An additional 10 winners will be chosen from all images submitted. The top 20 entries will be displayed starting Feb. 5, 2010, at the Cantigny Visitors Center Gallery. The public will vote on their favorite images and prizes will be awarded for the top three. Call (630) 260-8167 or e-mail bgray@cantigny.org.