Fox Valley briefs

Small pets, cat show featured TuesdayThe 4-H small pets and cat shows will be held on Tuesday, July 6, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, off Randall Road in St. Charles. Small Pets judging will begin at 5 p.m. and cats judging will begin at 6 p.m. Both shows will be held on the west side of the fairgrounds - small pets in the north end of Trades 1 building and cats in the rabbit building. During the project judging, 4-H members bring their completed small pets and cat projects to the fairgrounds for judging. As part of conference judging, the judge will talk with the 4-H'er about their project. If you are interested in learning more about 4-H or the small pets or cat show, contact University of Illinois Extension in Kane County at 535 S. Randall Road in St. Charles, visit extension.uiuc/kane or call (630) 584-6166. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.New Invaders hit the stage TuesdayOn Tuesday, July 6, The New Invaders show will take you back in time to The British Invasion from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wing Park, 1000 Wing St. on the Elgin's west side. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be canceled; call (847) 531-7000 for update. The next concert, featuring the Rhythm Rockets, will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 11 at Lords Park, 100 Oakwood Blvd.Wasco school offers library programWasco Elementary School, in partnership with Campton Township, will host its first-ever summer library program. It will be open for current Wasco Elementary students. The library will be open from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays, July 7 and 14 at the school, 4N782 School St. in Wasco. They will sponsor the Wasco Girl Scouts, who earned their Girl Scout Bronze Award by promoting reading over the summer. For details, call (630) 377-2214.Give gift of life at local blood driveHeartland Blood Centers and West Aurora School District 129 will partner to host a community blood drive event from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 10 at West Aurora High School, 1201 W. New York St. All residents in Aurora and surrounding areas are invited to join in the effort to create awareness about the importance of blood donation for the community. There are 35 hospitals that solely rely on Heartland Blood Centers for their blood product needs, including Rush-Copley Medical Center and Provena Mercy Center in Aurora. For details, visit heartlandbc.org.Sign up now for Swing for Kids' SakeBig Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County will host its eighth annual Swing for Kids' Sake event from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5 at the Bull Valley Golf Club in Woodstock. The cost of $165 per person includes lunch, 18 holes of golf, cart rental, dinner, games and prizes. Corporate and individual golfer packages are available. The hole-in-one prize is a 2010 Jeep.To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters or to register for the event, call Dena Hernandez at (815) 385-3855 or visit www.bbbsmchenry.org.Dog races return to Elgin's Unity Day The Neighbors of South East Elgin and the Midwest Dachshund Rescue organization will host Unity Fest 2010 from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 10 at Drake Field, off Hastings Street, east of Route 25, Elgin. The event features "weiner dog" races, pony rides, children's games, raffles, bingo for adults, pet rescue organizations, a food court and more. Admission is free. The Midwest Dachshund Rescue group is accepting donations. Note: There is a $2 registration fee for anyone wanting to enter their dachshund "weiner dog" in a race. All racing fees go toward helping the rescue organizations. For details, call (847) 742-0980 or visit mwdr.orgGet tickets now for 'Music Man'The Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival presents its first Kaneland Community Summer Theatre production of "The Music Man" at Kaneland High School, 47W326 Keslinger Road, Maple Park. The performance, directed by Diane McFarlin, will be at 7 p.m. Friday, July 16 and Saturday, July 17, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 18. Tickets are $10 or $8 for students and seniors. There also is a $23 family ticket, which includes all family members living in one household. For information, visit www.kanelandartsfestival.org.Shelter encourages cat adoptionsAnderson Animal Shelter, 1000 S. LaFox St. (Route 31) in South Elgin, has announced "Declaration of Cat Dependence Month."In an effort to find homes for as many shelter cats as possible, during the month of July, all cats over the age of 1 year old will be $100. The regular adoption fee of $155. Any cats 7 and older are regularly priced at $50. All adoptions include: spaying/neutering, annual vaccinations, microchip identification, feline leukemia/feline immunodeficiency virus testing, deworming, collar and ID tag, and carrying case. For information, visit andersonanimalshelter.org or call (847) 697-2280, ext. 28 or 22.