South Elgin High flag troop hosts car wash

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Updated: July 15, 2011 2:27AM

South Elgin: Storm Front
offers car wash

The South Elgin High School Storm Front Color Guard will hold a car wash from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Beef Villa in South Elgin. Storm Front has a reputation for one of the best car wash services around, including scrubbing the wheels and squeegeeing the vehicle before towel drying. The cost is by donation. This year, the guard also is offering a mini-detail that includes washing the interior windshield and front windows, wiping the dash and vacuuming the interior for $20, including the car wash. Storm Front acts as a visual accent to the Marching Storm Band during the fall season, using flags, rifles, sabers and Airblades, but competes separately during winter. The money raised will go to offset the cost of equipment and uniforms. The guard has been competing for only three years and already qualified for the TDI State Championships in 2010.

Bartlett: NAMI family
support group meets

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Hanover Township invites the public to the next family support group meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Hanover Township building in Downey Hall, 250 S. Route 59, Bartlett. The group meets to share support, information and tips on how to deal with issues caused by serious mental illness. For more information, call NAMI Hanover Township at 630-837-8875; NAMI Illinois at 800-346-4572; or the national hotline at 888-999-NAMI (6264). The email address is namiht@usa.net.

Bartlett: Heritage Days
plan meeting set

Aug. 1 is the deadline for sponsorships and events for the Sept. 9-11 Bartlett Heritage Days. A planning meeting for this community-wide celebration will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the second-floor training room, Bartlett Village Hall, 228 S. Main St. People who want to volunteer, and businesses and community groups seeking to sponsor or stage an event or be in the parade, are encouraged to attend to discuss participation in this second-annual event. Call Bruce Suffern, 630-837-1677, or Roseanne Derango at 630-483-9194, or visit www.bartlettheritagedays.com for more information.

Bartlett: Panel seeks parade entries

People are invited to turn back the clock for some old-fashioned fun on foot and on bicycles, strollers, wagons or other nonmotorized vehicles in the Bartlett Heritage Days parade Sept. 10. Marching bands and walking musical groups are also invited. Community groups are encouraged to carry signs showing their founding date in Bartlett. Individuals are welcome to decorate bikes and wagons, dress up pets and even dress in a favorite era. The lineup begins at 8:45 a.m. at Bartlett Plaza (Devon and Main), stepping off a 9:30 a.m. It ends at Bartlett Park. More information is available from Sue Stocks at sstocks@gmx.com or by calling 630-924-4263.

Elgin: Geno’s helps aid Red Cross

On Saturday, an area business will host its first Summer Beer Tasting in conjunction with The American Red Cross. The event will bee from 2 to 5 p.m. at Geno’s Fine Wine and Spirits, on McLean Boulevard just north of Route 20. Admission to the event is free; however, attendees are requested to help through donations to the nonprofit organization. The American Red Cross is largest supplier of blood and blood products in the U.S. It helps more than 70,000 victims of disasters annually through volunteer and donation efforts. With recent disasters in Missouri and Japan, Geno’s has strived to make contributions to The American Red Cross in any way possible, having participated in fundraising auctions and giving more than $1,500 cash through fund collecting most recently.

East Dundee: Church seeks school supplies

First Congregational Church of Dundee announces the following programs: From July 17 to Aug. 7, the Mission Ministry will collect back-to-school supplies and monetary support for underprivileged children in the area. These gifts will give many children an opportunity to have a great start on the new school year. First Congregational also serves dinner at the Community Crisis Center in Elgin on a monthly basis. The next meal will be provided July 19. Anyone interested in cooking; donating food, formula or size 4-6 diapers; or delivering the meals should contact the church office. Some menu items need to be prepared, while others can be purchased and dropped off at the church. Any help is appreciated by the temporary residents of PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) of Elgin, which provides safe shelter, support services and advocacy to homeless individuals in Dundee, Elgin and Hanover Townships. Four volunteers, ages 18 and older, are needed to provide staffing at PADS, 1730 Berkley St., Elgin, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 20. Volunteers should contact the office of First Congregational, located at 900 S. Eighth St. (Route 31 and Angle Tarn), West Dundee. Call 847-426-2161, ext. 210, or visit www.fccdundee.com.

Elgin: People’s Choice float on the Fourth

Spring Hill Gymnastics was selected as winner of the 2011 Elgin Fourth of July Parade People’s Choice Award as the parade unit that represented the best-of-the-best in overall presentation in the parade. More than 200 votes were cast at DowntownElgin.com over the weeklong voting promotion. More than 15,000 people flocked to the streets of the Northeast Neighborhood Association and downtown Elgin to watch the 2011 parade, presented by Sherman Health.