The briefs

See film on solar energy at library

The Elgin Community Network, the City of Elgin, the Grand Victoria Foundation and Gail Borden Public Library will present the film "Saved by the Sun" at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The event will take place in the Community Room at the library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.

This is a Nova presentation, and the entire hourlong film shows many real applications of ways solar energy is captured and used. The film illustrates how the technology is being used and the advances that are being made to put the Sun to work for us.

This film shows that greater use of solar energy can help reduce our carbon footprint on the Earth.

For reservations, call (847) 429-4680.

Tour St. Joseph at community day

Provena St. Joseph Hospital invites the community to experience the modern, high-amenity private patient rooms and cutting-edge care areas that are part of its new four-story bed tower and upgraded hospital during a community day. The family-friendly event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the hospital at 77 N. Airlite St., Elgin.

Attendees will enjoy lunch and such other fun snacks as popcorn, sno-cones and cotton candy, carnival activities like magicians, face-painting and balloon animals, and tours of the new areas, chair massages and giveaways.

Tours will allow visitors to explore, touch and learn about a real operating room, view equipment and surgical instruments, and explore a state-of-the-art surgical suite. Care specialists will be on site to discuss the new space and why it's a great benefit to patients.

For more information, call (847) 931-5510.

Not-so-formal taxpayers' ball set

The Elgin Township Democrats organization is holding The Taxpayers Ball, from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at JB's Pub, 297 S. McLean Blvd., Elgin.

Admission is $10 per person -- you can pay at the door. Event features food, raffles, cash bar and entertainment.

Flip-flops are considered formal attire. T-shirts and jeans are appropriate; no tuxedos, please.