Donate blood this weekend at Algonquin Commons

This weekend along the Randall Road corridor, you can roll up your sleeves and give back to others.

Algonquin Commons is hosting a LifeSource blood drive right at the outdoor mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 9.

If you're shopping at Algonquin Commons, you can just stop in during the blood drive and give. However, while walk-ins are welcome, appointments are recommended to ensure everyone can give and to avoid long lines. Organizers say the wait times are typically longer during the first hour the blood drive opens.

You can make an appointment at donateblood.lifesource.org/ and search for the Algonquin Commons event on April 9. After you make your appointment, be sure to follow the instructions. Organizers ask that you arrive in plenty of time for your appointment.

Beauty Cocktailing:

The L'Occitane En Provence store in Geneva Commons is hosting a beauty event Thursday, April 7.

At the event - which is called a Beauty Cocktailing Party - the store's beauty consultants will give you a customized pampering treatment and show you tips and tricks to try to achieve beautiful skin.

Shoppers at the event also will receive drinks and snacks on the house.

And if you make a purchase of a certain amount on Thursday, you can mix and match your own travel beauty box with travel size beauty products. There is a limit of one beauty box creation per person.

For information, call L'Occitane at Geneva Commons, (630) 232-8701. The store is at 1518 Commons Drive and opens at 10 a.m.

Knife skills:

The Williams-Sonoma store along Randall Road is holding a knife skills class this weekend.

The class will be Sunday, April 10, at the store at 322 Commons Drive in Geneva. It will teach you how to hold your knife to properly slice, chop and dice. There also will be complimentary knife sharpening services.

To secure a spot, or for information on the class or other classes offered by the Williams-Sonoma store, call (630) 232-8390.

Don't forget:

If you're shopping at any of the Geneva Commons stores while you're attending the events this coming week, don't forget to save your receipts.

If you spend $100 or more, you'll get two free tickets to a Kane County Cougars game. If you spend $150 or more, you'll get four free tickets.

You may as well get something free for the shopping you are doing.

To get your free tickets, bring your receipts dated March 14 or later to Chicago Locker Room.

• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from South Elgin to Batavia. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or at (847) 894-5036.