Briefs: Buy a cupcake, help a kid

Helping a worthwhile cause never tasted so good. Through Sunday, Piece-A-Cake Bakery, 304 N. River St., West Dundee will donate 50 cents from each sale of a red velvet, carrot, chocolate or vanilla cupcake to CancerCare for Kids. The weeklong fundraiser is part of the third annual Cupcakes for a Cause. CancerCare for Kids provides free, professional support services to nearly 1,500 children and their families who are affected by cancer each year. Students from Griffin Christian in East Dundee will promote sales and 25 cents per cupcake will be donated to the school.

Algonquin fire doused

Firefighters from Algonquin-Lake in the Hills, Carpentersville and Crystal Lake quickly doused a basement fire late Tuesday at 1751 Lexington in Algonquin as neighbors, worried by a parade of fire equipment racing to the scene, watched. Amid the acrid smell of smoke, Algonquin-Lake in the HIlls Battalion Chief Joe Teson said they still were investigating the cause. Teson said the residents got out safely, and there were no injuries. Carpentersville and Crystal Lake responded under the community's automatic mutual aid response to any structure fire.

Get a jump on FoxFire Fest

The city of Elgin will hold its first planning meeting for next year's FoxFireFest at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the second-floor conference room at The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way. The city is looking for volunteers to serve on committees for entertainment, food and drinks, children activities, support services and marketing. Call Barb Keselica at (847) 531-7056 for details.

Prosecutor honored:

Kane County Assistant State's Attorney Liz Lovig was recently honored by Mutual Ground of Aurora for her longtime support of the group and for her strong commitment to victims of domestic violence. "The fight against domestic violence is as prevalent and entrenched as the war on drugs," she said. "Domestic violence wreaks havoc on families and children. It is the No. 1 reason women seek medical attention through emergency rooms, and it costs businesses billions of dollars annually." Lovig has served as the first chair of the state's attorney's Domestic Violence Unit since 2002, overseeing prosecutors, support staff and advocates who work to protect victims. In June, Lovig, a 43-year-old Geneva native, was the recipient of the Kane County Bar Association's prestigious Community Service Award for 2007.

Temple marks Dashera

The BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Bartlett on Sunday will celebrate Dashera, the 10th and final day of the annual Hindu festival Navaratri, or Nine Holy Nights. According to Hindu tradition, during those nine days and nights the goddess Durga fought a demon, destroying him on the 10th day, or Dashera. The festival is celebrated across India and symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. The event will take place at 4 p.m. at the temple, 4N739 Route 59. Call (630) 213-2277 for details.