Tri-Cities briefs

Irish bagpiper at Fox's:Entertainer Ian Coulter comes to Batavia's Fox's on the River with Irish humor, storytelling and, of course, bagpipes from 7 to midnight tonight. There is no cover charge. Fox's is at 31 N. River St. Call (630) 326-9675.Visitors can learn 'fancywork':You can pick up some tips for beautifying your home that date to Victorian times during "Fancywork Day" from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. today at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road near West Chicago. Demonstrators will create intricate lace and work on quilting, crocheting and embroidery. Call (630) 876-5900 or visit dupageforest.org.Gladiator Team Challenge: Ten-person teams will compete in a variety of skills competitions when the Fox Valley Park District sponsors its Gladiator Team Challenge from 2 to 7:30 p.m. today at the Vaughan Athletic Center, 2121 W. Indian Trail Road, Aurora. Participants will compete in relays, obstacle courses, circuits, distance and accuracy throws, a tug-of-war and even the limbo. Call (630) 907-9600.Sign up for baseball: The final walk-in registration for the Central District Baseball League will be held from 9 a.m. to noon today at Burlington Central High School, 44W625 Plato Road. It is open to all children, age 5 to 17 who live within Central Unit District 301's boundaries. Online registration and more information is available at cdbaseball.org.Old-fashioned fun:"Fireside Fun!" is offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the 1843 Durant House museum in the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, Dean Street west of Randall Road, St. Charles. Activities explore the prairie settlers' lifestyle, including games, arts and crafts. Call (630) 377-6424 or visit ppfv.org.Casino trip to Rock Island:Registration is due Monday for the Elburn Seniors March 2 trip to Jumer's Casino in Rock Island. Cost is $35. Call (630) 879-7898 for reservations.Two S. Elgin Lions honored:The South Elgin Lions Club recently honored two founding members, Art Stoll and Vern Brunner, for 55 years of service and presented them with their 55-year Chevrons, which are issued in recognition of long periods of membership in Lions International. Stoll recalled that South Elgin only had 1,200 residents when the South Elgin charter was issued in 1954. For details about the Lions, call (847) 888-9575.