Briefs: Gas main work starts

The southbound lane of First Street in St. Charles, south of Route 64, will be closed today to replace a gas main. The work was delayed a day. The project is expected to be completed by Friday.

Safety on tap at U-46

The Elgin Area School District U-46 Citizens Advisory Council will hold a general meeting at 7 tonight in the Elgin High School Library, 1200 Maroon Drive. The theme for the meeting will be school safety.

Hunters, test your guns

Hunters can sight in and test-fire shotguns for the coming deer season for free from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the firing range at the Illinois State Police District 2 headquarters at routes 31 and 20 in Elgin. Reservations are required. Call Trooper Darren Love at (847) 931-2785. Participants must possess a valid firearm owner's identification card and transport the firearm unloaded and enclosed in a case.

Youth symphony concert

The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra's 2007-08 season will open Sunday with its Transcend concerts, in which musicians will perform Howard Hanson's Symphony No. 2 and Gustav Mahler's First Symphony. The two performances are scheduled at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Elgin Community Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive. In addition, the EYSO's brass choir will perform "Mutations from Bach" by Samuel Barber. For more information, visit www.elgin.edu/arts.

Cigar-tasting planned:

A St. Charles tobacco shop will have a cigar-tasting event Tuesday. The Ashton Taste of Excellence is planned for 6 to 9 p.m. at Bull & Bear Tobacco Shop, 1 W. Illinois St. It will include Ashton Aged Maduro No. 40 cigars, Knob Creek bourbon, Donnelly dark chocolates and unsalted almonds and walnuts. There also will be hors d'oeuvres, wine and coffee. Admission is purchase of a $10 certificate that can be used toward the purchase of Ashton cigars. For reservations, call (630) 513-9345.

Corvette raffle in Batavia

The Rotary Club of Batavia is raffling a 2008 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, or an alternate prize of $40,000, and seven cash prizes. Tickets are $100. There will only be 800 tickets sold. Buy them at Avenue Chevrolet, McKee Street and Randall Road. The drawing is at 7 p.m. Nov. 17. All proceeds benefit local charities, Batavia High School scholarships and Rotary International programs. The club meets at 7 a.m. Tuesdays at Apple Villa Restaurant, 1961 W. Wilson St.