Fox Valley briefs

Politics in Honduras:The Elgin League of Women Voters' International Committee welcomes Tana Durnbaugh, a recent visitor to Honduras, to speak on its current political situation at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, in the second-floor conference room at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. For information, call (847) 695-7122.International ski jumping in Fox River Grove:The Five Hills Super Tour international ski jumping competition will breeze into Fox River Grove Jan. 31 at the Norge Ski Club for the event's third leg. The event has attracted local and international skiers from Norway, Poland, Russia and Finland. The Russian team will be coached by Edward Suboch, a six-time Norge champion and a competitor in the 1988 Olympics. AJ Brown of Fox River Grove will head the Norge team. As well on Jan. 31, junior skiers will compete during an Olympic tryout meet, which will also be held at the club. Admission is $15 at the gate or $10 in advance, if you buy admission buttons from local vendors. For details, call (847) 639-9718.Tax help from United Way: United Way of Elgin's Income Impact Council is offering free income tax preparation to families who made $50,000 or less in 2009 or individuals who made $25,000 or less. IRS-certified volunteers will be available to help from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. The program starts Jan. 30 and runs through April 15. It's closed on Feb. 6. No appointments are necessary; it's first come, first served. For details, call United Way of Elgin at (847) 741-2259 or visit the Center for Economic Progress Web site: www.economicprogress.org.Authors to host seminar: Local authors Laura Crawford and Natalie Rompella will host a free, one-hour seminar about writing and publishing children's books at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at Barnes Noble at Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee. A question and answer session also will be held. Reservations can be made by calling (847) 426-5614.