The briefs

Support troops with road rally, dinnerOn Sunday, July 11, the Watch City Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1307 is hosting its second annual Bike Run/Road Rally to raise funds to support our troops overseas. Registration is $15 per person and starts at 10 a.m. The first vehicle will leave the Elgin VFW Post at 11:30 a.m. and the last vehicle back will arrive at 5 p.m. There will also be raffles and prizes.In support of this effort, an Elgin restaurant has committed to grant discounts to anyone who presents a flier. On Thursday, July 8, Nick's Pizza Pub on Randall Road in Elgin will donate 15 percent back to the post. (Alcohol is not included in the offer.) Stop by the VFW at 1601 Weld Road in Elgin to pick up a flier for each of these restaurants. Funds raised will go toward buying personal comfort items and supplies for the troops serving in the Middle East, as well as the postage to ship them over. This is a great way to say "thank you" to the troops defending our country so far from home while enjoying a delicious meal. For details, call (847) 888-9809.Learn more about Elgin woman's clubThe Elgin Junior Woman's Club invites women, 18 and older, to check out what's new at its "Meet and Greet" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 13 at Mudd and Eddie's Pub, 302 S. McLean Blvd., Unit G, Elgin. Learn more about the upcoming bags tournament fundraiser that will be held at the pub in August. Find out about the upcoming club year and meet other woman in the northern Fox Valley area. If you are interested, contact Trisha at (847) 741-9739 or ywatrisha@yahoo.com.Einstein student join in scholars programJoe Ott, a student at The Einstein Academy in Elgin and son of John and Carol Ott of South Elgin, will take part in the National Young Scholars Program. Held at St. Athanasius School in Evanston from June 28 to July 2, NYSP inspires outstanding third- to fifth-grade students to explore, invent, learn and think creatively. It gives students the chance to unleash their full learning potential as they further their interest in specific areas of study such as architecture, forensic science and medicine. Throughout the program, the young scholars engage in challenging coursework, gain a greater sense of independence and experience a renaissance of learning. Simulation activities and role-play encourage the scholars to develop their leadership skills, while introducing them to the concepts of team-building, problem-solving, public speaking and goal-setting. The program culminates with student-created projects tying in leadership skills learned with the discoveries made in their specific area of study.For details, visit www.nationalyoungscholars.org.Help Little League get makeoverThe Hampshire-Pingree Little League asks the community to help it get a field makeover.The Building Diamonds and Dreams program, which ends July 16, will select some youth baseball fields for a complete makeover, courtesy of Chevy and their partner the Scotts Company, the official lawn care company of Major League Baseball.The program is simple. Go online to www.chevybaseball.com and enter ZIP code 60140. When you do, your community is entered for a chance at a ballpark makeover. You can increase your community's chances of being selected by entering your information every day. You also will be entered for a chance to win a new Chevy car, truck or crossover.For information on the league, visit www.hamsphirelittleleague.com.