Briefs: 'Battle of Bands' deadline

The registration deadline for Marklund's 2nd annual "Battle of the Bands" is 5 p.m. today. The top band in each of the contest's two divisions, under-18 and 18 and older, will win a 15-hour recording session at JPL Records in Cary. The Battle of the Bands will take place from 1 to 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at Marklund's Mill Creek Campus, 1 South 450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva. There is a registration fee of $20 per band. Call Crystal Michels at (630) 593-5427 or visit www.marklund.org. Marklund is a nonprofit network helping infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Boy Scout fundraiser

Batavia Boy Scout Troop 43 will hold its annual All-You-Can-Eat Corn and Brat dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S. Batavia Ave. Tickets are $7 in advance or $8 at the door. For advance tickets, call Liz Carson at (630) 587-8773.

Windmill Whirl 5K coming

Spots are open for the Windmill Whirl 5K community run during Windmill City Fest in Batavia. The run is at 7 p.m. Friday, starting at Houston Street and Island Avenue and following the Fox River bike trail. There are awards for top finishers. Registration is $25 on race day. Call the district at (630) 879-5235.

Learn about joint replacement

Mitchell Sheinkop, director of joint replacement surgery at the Neurological and Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago, discusses hip pain treatment from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and knee pain treatment from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Eola Community Center, 555 S. Eola Road, Aurora. Sheinkop is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in new joint replacement procedures. There is no charge. Register by calling (888) 635-0246.

Cigar-tasting planned

A cigar-tasting event is planned for 7 to 10 p.m. July 25 at Bull & Bear Tobacco Shop, 1 W. Illinois St., St. Charles. The gathering is to feature cigar maker Alec Bradley and will include samples of gourmet rum, beer, wine, coffee and hors d'oeuvres. Admission is $20. For reservations, call (630) 513-9345.

Getting used to baby

A two-day workshop, "Bringing Baby Home," for expecting and parenting couples based on Dr. John Gottman's transition-to-parenthood research meets from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 2 and 9 at Provena Mercy Medical Center in Aurora. The workshop fee is $150 per couple. To register, call (866) PROVENA or visit www.parentpassages.com. With activities, videos, and lecture, couples learn how to successfully navigate the normal stressors of a new baby and to build an emotionally strong and healthy family.