The briefs

Meet candidates at Wednesday's forum

The Elgin Area League of Women Voters will hold a candidate forum Wednesday.

Jim Oberweis and Bill Foster, the candidates vying to fill out the term of the retired congressman Dennis Hastert, have been invited to participate. The forum will be held at 7 p.m. at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove St., Elgin.

A special election will be held on March 8. The winner of this election will serve out the term vacated by Hastert until January of 2009.

This event is open to the public, and all citizens of the district are encouraged to attend. For information about the Elgin area chapter or forum, call Janet Poyner, league president, at (847) 695-7122.

School hosts open house Tuesday

St. Laurence Catholic School in Elgin invites all parents interested in learning about the kindergarten and preschool programs to an open house at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the school cafeteria, 572 Standish St. in Elgin.

There will be information regarding the preschool and kindergarten programs, a chance to meet and talk with the teachers, and a tour of the classrooms. Parents, teachers and students are in partnership to offer a total learning experience that involve the cognitive, emotional, physical and spiritual development of the child.

It offers morning sessions for 3- and 4-year-olds, an all-day kindergarten, and classes for grades up to eighth grade. Students of all ethnic and faith backgrounds are welcome. For details, call (847) 468-6100 or visit www.stlaurenceschool.com.

Elgin Alive to host movie Tuesday

On Tuesday, the Elgin Community Network will kick off its monthly Elgin Alive forums by showing the film "The 11th Hour," at 6:30 p.m. at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Popcorn and soft drinks will be available.

More than 50 leading scientists, thinkers and leaders also will weigh in on issues facing our planet. Deb Perryman, Illinois' 2004 Teacher of the Year and an environmental science and biology teacher at Elgin High School, will moderate a short discussion after the film. Last year, Perryman facilitated a discussion after the showing of "An Inconvenient Truth."