Northwest suburbs in 60 seconds

Boat safety classes offered:

Boater's World in Schaumburg will host six sessions of a two-day basic boating safety class through midsummer. The classes will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. The sessions are Jan. 24 and 31; Feb. 21 and 28; April 18 and 25; May 9 and 16; June 6 and 13; and July 25 and 28. The cost is $40 per individual or $50 per family. To register, call Marlene at (630) 860-2975. Boater's World is located on the south side of Golf Road, just west of Plum Grove Road.

Food fight for charity:

The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry board has challenged other community organizations' boards in the 7th annual "Food Fight" to collect nonperishable food items for the Self-Help Closet and Food Pantry of Des Plaines. The food pantry serves approximately 500 Des Plaines families on a monthly basis. The challenge runs the month of February. The Kiwanis Club of Des Plaines won last year, collecting more than 2,000 pounds of food. Contact the chamber office at (847) 824-4200 for more information. Contact Debra Walusiak with the food pantry at (847) 337-1443 to schedule a food drop off.

Special needs benefit:

All proceeds from a performance at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, of the Boys Next Door at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in downtown Arlington Heights will benefit the Northwest Special Recreation Association's Special Leisure Service Foundation and Metropolis' Outreach programs for artists with special needs. It will be performed by a cast from Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire who are donating their time. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at MetropolisArts.com or by calling the box office at (847) 577-2121.