The briefs

Barrington business closes

Finn's Fabrics by Dyllis, which has operated in Barrington for nearly 40 years, will close its doors at the end of the month. Store President Dyllis Braithwaite, now 80, is closing the store at 113 N. Cook St. because of health problems. Everything in the store is 70 percent off through Jan. 31, the targeted closing date. For information, call (847) 381-5020.

Harper students are back

Harper College will welcome students back to campus for the spring 2008 semester with a series of events starting today, the first day of classes, and running through Thursday. A free performance by Brian Brushwood, a fire-eating magician who has appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," will be at noon Wednesday in the Student Center Lounge. Brushwood eats fire, breaks a cinder block over his head and does other tricks. Other activities for the week include a live remote broadcast by WHCM 88.3 FM, the student radio station celebrating five years of broadcasting on FM. That's at noon on Thursday with free hot chocolate and cookies. There will also be a pool tournament at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the Student Activities Lounge, third floor of the Student Center. For more information, call (847) 925-6242.

Barrington jazz festival

The Barrington High School fine arts department will present its Winter Jazz Festival at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the school's Richard C. Johnson Auditorium, 616 W. Main Street. The concert will feature the Barrington High jazz ensemble and Rithum Machine jazz band. Jazz bands from Barrington Middle School Prairie and Station campuses will also perform. The school is also collecting used band instruments and used prom dresses. The items will be given to band programs and schools in the New Orleans area that were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call (847) 842-3250.