Briefs: VFW essay contest
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5036 in St. Charles is accepting entries for the national Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen essay contests. Voice of Democracy is open to all students in grades nine to 12. Participants must write an essay, then record it as a three- to five-minute presentation on cassette or compact disc. The theme is "My Role in Honoring America's Veterans." Patriots Pen is open to students in grades six to eight. Participants must write a 300- to 400-word essay. The theme is "Why I Am an American Patriot." Entries for both contests must be delivered to the VFW, 119 N. Third St., by Thursday. Call (630) 377-9845.
Steeple Walk planned
Tickets go on sale Thursday for the Dec. 9 Geneva Steeple Walk. Tours start at 2 and 3 p.m. Musicians will perform at each stop. Buy tickets at the Geneva Historical Center, 113 S. Third St. Prices are $12 for adults and $8 for children. St. Mark Episcopal, Geneva Lutheran, First Church of Christ, Scientist and the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva are on the tour.
Police will target speeders
Extra St. Charles police officers will be on patrol targeting speeders during a four-week safety campaign starting Thursday. Officers plan to focus on construction zones along Randall Road and Route 64. The effort is being funded through an Illinois Department of Transportation grant.
Buy wine for riverside
The River Corridor Foundation is selling commemorative edition bottles of River Turtle wine, sparkling juices and gift baskets. The wine is produced and bottled by the Fox Valley Winery of Oswego. Order at the Wine Exchange, Illinois and First streets in St. Charles, or call Deb Pfaff at the Downtown St. Charles Partnership at (630) 513-5386, ext. 1. Orders are due Friday for Thanksgiving delivery, and Nov. 30 for Christmas delivery. The River Corridor Foundation raises money to implement a plan to revitalize and beautify St. Charles' riverside.
Help out at Fermilab
Volunteers are needed to help Fermilab maintain its 1,100-acre native prairie on its Batavia campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Helpers will pick seeds from flowering plants to redistribute in sparser areas of the prairie. This keeps birds and butterflies throughout the campus' trails and has brought the return of several animal species to Fermilab. Anyone interested in helping should use the Pine Street entrance, and follow signs to the harvest sites. Volunteers are asked to wear long sleeves and gloves, and bring hand clippers and paper grocery bags if possible. Lunch will be provided. More information is available at www.fnal.gov/pub/about/campus/ecology/prairie
Fine Arts fest gets boost
The Kaneland School District has received a $3,000 grant from Target toward its 2008 Community Fine Arts Festival. The purpose of the event is to bring artists and performers to the community at no charge for residents. Next year's festival will take place April 13.
Senior identity theft talk
"The Many Masks of Evil: Identity Theft and Senior Fraud" is the theme of a free seminar and lunch at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Family Life Center of Immanuel Lutheran Church, 950 Hart Road, Batavia. Speakers will include Brian Spellmayer, special agent for the Chicago Branch of the Secret Service; Micah Roderick, representative for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office; and Justin Carubus, an attorney with Rolewick & Gutzke PC in Wheaton. For reservations, call Tim Rueter, at (630) 690-5443.
Dundee collects leaves
West Dundee's annual leaf and yard waste pickup seasons are under way and will continue through November. Residents can place bagged leaves on the curb as yard waste. The village asks residents not to mix household trash with the yard waste, and to place bags on the curb no earlier than Thursdays. The public works department also will collect leaves. Residents should rake leaves into the street about a foot from the curb. The pile should be free of sticks, rocks, and other debris that could damage the leaf collection equipment.
Legal help for seniors
Low income seniors, age 60 and older, can call the Prairie State Legal Services office at (815) 206-5828 to schedule an appointment at the Algonquin Township building, 3702 Northwest Hwy. Appointments are held mornings each Wednesday. Senior Services Attorney Geri Dolan's position is funded through the 2005 McHenry County Senior Service Grant Fund.
Emergency readiness
The Kane County Health Department's emergency preparedness staff is available to teach basic preparedness skills to groups. To schedule a presentation, call (630) 444-3121 or visit www.kanehealth.com.