The briefs

Algonquin church welcomes you backHave you drifted away from the Catholic Church? Are you angry with the Catholic Church or with God? Perhaps it is time to look within and at the issues again with the hope of healing past hurts. St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 111 S. Hubbard St. in Algonquin, invites you to its "Catholics Returning Home" program at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 12. No reservation is required. For details, call the parish office at (847) 658-7625.Deadline is Tuesday for seminarPrudential Starck Realtors will conduct a free "Buyers Seminar" at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, at 1300 Larkin Ave., Elgin. Learn from those in the real estate industry what the market has done in 2009 and the anticipated direction in 2010. At this free seminar, learn how to obtain a mortgage, the federal tax credit, what to look for in a house, what is a foreclosure/short-sale house, tools available to buyers and more. The seminar is free. Call Prudential Starck Realtors before Tuesday, Jan. 5, to reserve your place. Call (847) 622-3316 to leave a message and make your reservations. For details, call Frank J. Celare at (847) 931-4663.Foster to speak to Elgin Lions clubU.S. Rep. Bill Foster will be the guest speaker at the next Elgin Lions Club meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 5. The Lions meet at 6:15 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road, Elgin. Foster, a Democrat, was elected to serve the remaining term of Dennis Hastert, who resigned as the representative of Illinois' 14th Congressional District. Foster is an expert on many subjects. In addition to his expertise in legislative matters, he holds a Ph.D. in physics and before his election to Congress he was a researcher at Fermilab. Among the many things that distinguished his career as a researcher is his work at helping to prove the existence of the top quark - the heaviest known form of matter. He is also a businessman whose company produces lighting products for theaters. Those interested in attending should contact Elgin Lions Club president Ed Bates at batesed@cod.edu.Marian Central offers tests SaturdayMarian Central Catholic High School will administer its freshman placement test for the class of 2014 incoming freshmen on Saturday, Jan. 9. No appointment is necessary. Students should report to the school at 1001 McHenry Ave. in Woodstock by 8 a.m. with the $10 test-processing fee either in cash or check payable to Marian Central. Pencils will be supplied. Students cannot use calculators. Testing begins at 8:15 a.m. and takes about three hours and 15 minutes to complete. This is not an entrance exam.H1N1 clinics set this week in McHenryIn keeping with National Influenza Vaccination Week, Jan. 10-16, McHenry County Department of Health will continue to offer H1N1 community clinics for all county residents 6 months of age and older. Vaccinations are free. Appointments can be made online at mcdh.info or by calling (815) 334-2800. Children younger than 10 years of age should receive their second dose of the H1N1 vaccine four weeks after receiving the first dose. Visit the Web site for recent information as cancellations do occur. Additional clinics will be scheduled.From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6 at McHenry Township Office, 3703 N Richmond Road in Johnsburg, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10 at Marengo High School, 110 Franks Road, Marengo."Influenza is unpredictable. While the numbers of newly diagnosed cases of H1N1 flu have fallen in recent weeks, we shouldn't become complacent," said Patrick J. McNulty, MCDH Public Health Administrator. "The H1N1 virus can cause serious infection, especially to those with underlying conditions."The CDC remains cautious of a third wave in the spring, coupled with the seasonal flu. Vaccination is still the best form of protection against flu viruses. For more flu tips, visit www.mcdh.info.Bingo with a Bus set for SaturdayOn the second Tuesday of each month, Visiting Angels hosts "Bingo with a Bonus" for seniors from 1 to 3 p.m. in the community room at The River Crossings Condominium building, 10 N. Gilbert St., South Elgin. Join them for a free afternoon of bingo with a bonus guest speaker. There will be 45 minutes of bingo, 30 minutes with a guest speaker followed by another 45 minutes of bingo. Dessert and coffee will be served. On Jan. 12, Minnie Vasquez and Kathy Nelson from Senior Services Associates in Elgin will be presenting on the different programs available to seniors in the area. These programs will range from activities, social services and protection. Find out more about what is available to the seniors in our community. Call Visiting Angels at (847) 429-0100 to reserve your place.