Briefs: Christmas collection for troops this weekend

Marmion Academy, Batavia Cares and Sam's Club Batavia are teaming up to collect and ship items to the deployed troops. On Saturday, Nov. 7 and Sunday, Nov. 8, cadets from Marmion will be at Sam's Club on Randall Road in Batavia.

The Cadets will be handing out lists of items needed for troops packages. Customers can shop for the items and drop them at the exit. Anyone who wishes to donate items but does not shop at Sam's Club can drop items at the exit of Sam's Club or the Ace Hardware Stores in Batavia and Aurora at the Northgate Shopping Center.

Family and friends of deployed troops can submit their name and address during the collection or online at www.bataviacares.org . For more information contact Batavia Cares at 630-687-1943 or info@bataviacares.org .

Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services Inc. (INC), the local mental health authority for seven townships in southern Kane County, is looking for a south Kane County resident volunteer to serve on the community mental health board.

This person must have a sincere interest in the issues of mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse. Meetings are six times a year. No fundraising and no compensation involved.

Volunteers must reside in Aurora, Batavia, Big Rock, Blackberry, Kaneville, Sugar Grove or Virgil Township. For more information, contact Jerry Murphy or Marti Cross at 630-892-5456.

Tickets are on sale for the Batavia Woman's Club Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show. This year's show -- "Make a Difference . . . in the Life of a Child" benefiting CASA Kane County -- will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21 at the St. Charles Country Club, 1250 Country Club Road.

The show features fashions from the Fashion Walk Shops of Geneva along with a silent auction, raffles and door prizes. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is served at 12:15 p.m.

Tickets are $40 and may be purchased individually or by reserved tables of 10 or 12. "Adopt A Bear" sponsorship is also available for $25. The bears will be given to children served by the CASA program. To order tickets or "Adopt A Bear,"call Kellee at 630-326-9152 or email fashionshow@bataviawomansclub.org and include your name, address and phone number.

CASA Kane County recruits, trains and case manages volunteers who serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates for children who are in court due to abuse and neglect. Visit www.casakanecounty.org .

Fox Valley Dog Training Club will host its 58th annual Obedience Trial and fourth annual Rally Trial at Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8.

Spectators are welcome to watch many breeds of dogs competing at the three main levels of obedience and three levels of rally. Admission to the event is free. Food will be available. Information about Fox Valley Dog Training Club and the trial can be found at the club's Web site http://fvdtc.org/

The Expo, an event "dedicated to inform, educate and entertain senior citizens," will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11 at the DuPage Expo Center, 4050 E. Main St., across from Pheasant Run.

The Senior Expo features products and services, seminars and health screenings designed specifically for seniors, doughnuts and door prizes. Live entertainment at noon. Admission is $2 at the door; free admission coupons at www.activeseniorexpo.net . Contact Silver Star Expositions at 630-620-6347 or activeseniorexpo@hotmail.com.