Fox Valley briefs

Farewell to NicolaisThe community is invited to an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the Salvation Army Community Center, 316 Douglas Ave., Elgin, to bid farewell to Ken and Cindy Nicolai for six years of service to people in the Elgin and Carpentersville area. They have been reassigned to a tri-county senior citizen nutrition program called Golden Diners. For details, call (847) 741-2304.Safety Day todayThe Dundee Township Public Library is gearing up for its 12th Annual Safety Day from 10 a.m. to noon today. The program will start in the library's meeting room where local firefighters and police officers will present parents and children, from preschool to second grade, with safety rules, stories and demonstrations of safety gear. The program will then move to the parking lot where everyone is invited to climb on and explore the rescue equipment. The event is free; registration is not required.Donations needed in Fox River GroveAMVETS of Cary Grove Post 245 needs volunteers for its 23rd annual picnic for hospitalized veterans 11 a.m. Wednesday in honor of Chris Chigas, one of the picnic's original founders. Roughly 500 veterans from Illinois and Wisconsin will be driven to Lions Park in Fox River Grove and organizers say it is the largest picnic in the state for veterans. It will feature food, games, boat rides and music. For details, to volunteer or donate, call Bob Janu at (847) 639-4587.Cary license suspendedCary Village President Tom Kierna has suspended Smokey's Tobacco Shop's tobacco license for 30 days and will place the establishment on 90 days probation after the suspension ends. This is in addition to the $750 fine and court costs Kierna recently ordered the business to pay. Kierna, the village's liquor and tobacco commissioner, is imposing harsher penalties on the business because it marked the second time in 90 days it was cited for selling tobacco to a customer younger than 18. Smokey's Tobacco Shop is expected to receive the additional punishment Tuesday.