The briefs

Dance to the music of big bands

The Elgin VFW and Les Pace and the Pacemakers will host a free public dance on Memorial Day weekend. The event is scheduled from 3 to 6 p.m. May 25 at the VFW post at 1601 Weld Road.

The band plays music from the big band era for listening, dancing or just singing along.

Refreshments and light food fare are available for purchase. For details, call (847) 742-3879.

Sidle up to snakes at Elgin museum

The Elgin Public Museum in Lords Park welcomes you to a special program all about snakes from 12:30 to 2 p.m. May 26.

Jim McGrath interpreter from Nature Discovery in Lansing, Mich., will host a presentation on snakes. You'll learn about a snake's biology, behavior and ecology. Hear for yourself the true facts while you're looking at the actual animal.

At the presentation's conclusion, all audience members will be given the opportunity to handle the snakes.

This Elgin Public Museum fundraiser will generate funds for the Fox River ecosystem displays in the museum.

There is limited seating: sign up soon.

For more information and registration, call the museum at (847) 741-6655 as soon as possible to reserve your seat.

Admission cost is $7 per person and can be paid in advance or the day of the program. The fee is $25 for a family of four or more.

The Elgin Public Museum is at 225 Grand Blvd. in Lords Park in Elgin.

Local businesses to support walkers

Denise Costigan, your local Pampered Chef director, and Curves in Cary invite you to support Liz McGrath of Cary in her Pampered Chef fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer three-day walk.

Join them at 5 p.m. June 2 at Curves in Cary for a live cooking show and food sampling. Based on sales of these chef-quality kitchen tools and products, The Pampered Chef will donate pledge money to support the three-day walk.

Also available will be the 2008 "Help Whip Cancer" pink Pampered Chef products, supporting the American Cancer Society. Call Denise at (847) 639-8066 to join in the fun.