Briefs: Lions Club gets cooking

South Elgin Lions Club will host its first Cookin' On The Grill Summer Meat Spin at 6 p.m. today at 500 Fulton St., South Elgin. A raffle to raise money for Lions charities will be held for prime cut meats and a gas grill. The night also includes music, dancing and cash bar. Call (847) 888-9575.

Great America Fest on tap

Carpentersville will host its second annual Great American Festival at 3 p.m. Saturday in the courtyard of village hall and in Meadowdale Field behind Meadowdale Mall. The event will include food vendors, children's games and family activities. Live music starts at 5 p.m. with fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m. Parking is available behind village hall.

Creativity needed

Want to leave your mark on McHenry County? Now's your chance as county officials announced Thursday they will hold a design contest to come up with a new county seal. The county decided a year ago to dump its current seal, a near replica of the state of Illinois seal, in favor of something unique. But in the nine months since, officials have been unable to reach a consensus on how the new design should look. Enter you. The county is seeking submissions that embody the county's spirit and history. For details on how to enter a design, visit www.co.mchenry.il.us and click on the link "McHenry County 2008 Seal Design Contest" under the Announcements and Events section.

U-46 thanks interim super

At her last board meeting, interim Superintendent Mary Jayne Broncato was presented with a certificate of service by Elgin Area School District U-46 board members. Board Vice President Donna Smith thanked Broncato for "coming in without much notice. You took us forward in our efforts to improve academic achievement," Smith said. Broncato took the helm of the state's second-largest school district in October, after former Superintendent Connie Neale went on indefinite sick leave. Broncato, of Joliet, will retire July 1.

See the new fire station

A dedication and open house for Elgin Fire Station 7 will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the station, 3270 Longcommon Parkway. Refreshments will be served and tours offered. The west-side station opened in early May. For more information, call (847) 931-5601 or visit www.cityofelgin.org.