The briefs

Sugar Grove library hosts discussionThe Sugar Grove Public Library, 125 S. Municipal Drive, offers an adult book discussion at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7 in the board room. The discussion is group moderated. The group will discuss "Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Reminiscent of Helene Hanff's "84 Charing Cross Road," this is a warm, funny, tender and thoroughly entertaining celebration of the power of the written word. Contact the Adult Ask Me Desk with any questions about the groups. The Ask Me Desk phone number is (630) 466-3951 or e-mail ReaderServices@sugargrove.lib.il.us.Elgin to host block party Sept. 11The city will host Elgin's Largest Block Party from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 at Festival park, 132 S. Grove Ave. Enjoy music, games, good and fun. Admission is free. For details, call (847) 931-5601 or visit cityofelgin.org.Sign up now for NISRA programsResidents with disabilities are encouraged to register now for a great lineup of recreation activities with the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association. Programs begin Oct. 4 and take place in public facilities throughout NISRA's 13 member communities.About 100 programs offer fun, friendship-making, and skill development for people of all ages and ability levels. Log on to nisra.org to view the fall brochure for a complete list of programs and registration information. The registration deadline is Sept. 16.NISRA provides year-round recreation activities and local Special Olympics for residents with disabilities in McHenry County and parts of Cook, Lake and Kane counties. Call (815) 459-0737 for information or visit nisra.org.Kelly Miller Circus comes to townThe Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Jaycees will present the Kelly Miller Circus on Saturday, Sept. 11 at Sunset Park, off Miller and Albrecht roads in Lake in the Hills. Show times are 2 and 5:30 p.m.Tickets are available at Algonquin State Bank, all three branches; Castle Bank East and West; Algonquin Bank Trust; and Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber office. Advance ticket prices are $10 for adults and $6 for children age 12 and younger. For information, call (224) 489-7701.Garage sale to benefit AIDThis year's Keeler Center Garage Sale will once again provide shoppers the opportunity to find great items at affordable prices. This event not only allows shoppers to find great deals but an opportunity to help support individuals in the community with disabilities. The Keeler Center Garage Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday at 409 W. Indian Trail Court, Aurora. All proceeds raised at the Keeler Center Garage Sale will help fund programs run by the Association for Individual Development. If you are interested in donating items, you may simply drop them off at the Keeler Center in Aurora before Thursday. If you would like to arrange to have your donations picked up, call Kristy Muench at (630) 966-4254 to schedule a time to have your donations picked up. For information, call the Association for Individual Development, (630) 966-4000.Learn about Story Corps on ThursdayE. Taylor Atkins, professor and director of undergraduate studies, Department of History, Northern Illinois University, will visit the Geneva History Center at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9. The author, editor and historian will discuss the importance of oral history and his work with StoryCorps. StoryCorps is a nonprofit, oral history project and is dedicated to collecting and preserving oral histories of everyday Americans. As part of Geneva's 175th anniversary, StoryCorps personnel will be in Geneva Nov. 1-4 to capture the stories of 24 pairs of selected Genevans. To learn more about this project and the history center's involvement, visit storycorps.org and genevahistorycenter.org. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for members and students, with all proceeds benefiting the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St. in Geneva. For information, call (630) 232-4951.