The briefs

Candidates forum in Barrington

The Barrington Area and McHenry County chapters of the League of Women Voters have invited candidates running in eastern McHenry County and the greater Barrington Area to a candidates forum from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Hwy.

The forum will give voters an opportunity to hear from and question the candidates. Invited candidates include those who have opponents in their respective primary races.

Social event at Palatine church

The public is invited to a singles potluck social evening from 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 9 at Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church, 1025 N. Smith Road, Palatine.

The event is designed to allow participants time to get to know a variety of different people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation. This will be an evening of socialization, food and drink.

There is no charge for the event, but participants are asked to bring food to share, using their last names as follows: A-J salad; K-P non-alcoholic beverages; and Q-Z snacks or sweets. To R.S.V.P., e-mail at likethosecrones@yahoo.com.

Barrington High puts on musical

The Barrington High School fine arts department will present "Once upon a Mattress," the musical version of the famous fable "The Princess and the Pea," at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 2, and 2:30 p.m. March 3 in the school's Richard C. Johnson Auditorium, 616 W. Main St.

Cast and crew include more than 70 Barrington students. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children, and can be purchased starting Feb. 19 at the school's box office. Senior citizens will be admitted for free.

No ticket orders will be taken by phone. For information, call the school's fine arts department at (847) 842-3214.

Be a youth mentor with The Bridge

The Bridge Youth & Family Services has a mentoring program that matches adult volunteers with at-risk youth. Mentors aren't meant to replace parents, but do serve an important role in the children's lives. In just a couple hours a week, they make a huge difference. Unfortunately, there are many kids who need a mentor, but don't have one.

The Bridge is a community-based charitable organization serving youth ages 6-17 and their families in Northwest suburban Cook County. For information on mentoring, call Nancy Kukankos at (847) 776-3730, or visit online at bridgeyouth.org.