Fox Valley briefs

A musical tribute

Annapalooza, a musical tribute to Anna Mary Schneider, a 19-year-old Dundee-Crown graduate who died July 4, will be held on Saturday, Dec. 26, at Mad Maggie's, 51 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cover charge is $7. Bands will donate all proceeds to the Anna Mary Schneider Music Scholarship Fund and Rampant Lion Foundation. The schedule will be: Chris Doucet at 6:20 p.m., Remedy at 7 p.m., Marc Beth at 8:15 p.m., and Dr. Ed at 9 p.m. For details, call (847) 531-5883.

ESO partners for city food drive

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra will host its second annual holiday food drive in conjunction with the city of Elgin's food drive, running from now through Jan. 31, 2010. The ESO is gathering $10 gift cards to local grocery stores to donate to the Salvation Army as part of the ESO's "Building Community Through the Arts" initiative. For every $10 card brought to the ESO box office at 20 DuPage Court in downtown Elgin, patrons will receive $10 off an ESO ticket purchase. Donations won't be accepted during ESO performances or at the Hemmens Cultural Center. For details, call (847) 888-4000.

Health clinic expands McHenry County service

The Greater Elgin Family Care Center will expand its health care services to McHenry County full time, thanks to a $2.45 million grant from the federal government. The money will fund construction of a new, 8,300-square-foot clinic in McHenry, at 4100 Veterans Parkway, adjacent to Family Services and Community Mental Health Center. The clinic will feature 12 examination rooms and serve about 2,100 patients. The center, first opened in 2001, provides health care to individuals or families who do not have medical insurance, receive Medicare or Medicaid or are All Kids and FamilyCare recipients.

ECC closed for winter recess

Elgin Community College will close its facilities for the winter break Dec. 24 through Jan. 3. Offices will reopen at 8 a.m. Jan. 4. Spring 16-week daytime and evening classes begin Jan. 19. Twelve-week classes begin Feb. 16. Eight-week classes begin Monday, March 15.