The briefs

Deer Park host stamp design exhibit

The village of Deer Park will host an exhibit of winning entries from the state competition of the 2008 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest.

The design contest challenged children in kindergarten through 12th grade to submit artwork of a live portrayal of a native North American duck, swan or goose, with winners being chosen in four grade-level categories.

A full-color, four-sided kiosk with reproductions of the children's artwork will be on display in the foyer of the village's community center, Vehe Barn, 23570 W. Cuba Road, through February.

Deer Park was chosen to host the exhibit of the state's 2008 winning entries because of the Vehe Farm Foundation's efforts to preserve and restore the natural area of Vehe Farm, a natural wetland that attracts many of the waterfowl depicted in the children's duck stamp entries and serves as the village's municipal campus.

For viewing hours, call Yvonne, barn event coordinator, at (847) 438-0764.

Race and politics

"Race and Politics" will be the topic of a panel discussion from 12:15-2 p.m. today, Oct. 8, on the main campus of Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, in the Advance Technology Center auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

Panelists are State Rep. Ruth Munson; Judge Keith Brown, Kane Country Circuit Court; Dr. Jose M. Torres, School District U-46 superintendent; Dr. Stephen Maynard Caliendo, associate political science professor at North Central College, Naperville and CBS2-TV political analyst; and Gabe Doyle, son of Wisconsin governor Jim Doyle and a worker on the presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama. Call Joyce Fountain, assistant professor of sociology at (847) 214-7534.

Girls have a night out for charity

The Palatine Township Senior Citizens Council will host a Girls Night Out fundraiser from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16. It will take place at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Proceeds benefit the programs and services provided by the council. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door. Call (847) 991-1112 or go to ptscc.org.