Valley Briefing

Geneva

'Not My Child' open to community

Geneva High School invites the community to "Not My Child," at 7 p.m. May 15 in the auditorium to discuss real life issues that teens are dealing with today.

The SADD Club and Operation Snowball students will be acting out one-act skits, written by Geneva teens, about destructive decisions they face in their lives.

This program is free of charge. Please be advised that while parents are welcome to bring their younger children, some topics covered in the skits may not be suitable for young ears.

Maple Park

Friends of Library schedule sales

The Friends of the Maple Park Library will host a Plant and Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16 and a Children's Clothing and Toy Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17 during the Maple Park Community Garage Sale Days, 302 Willow St. Call (815) 827-3260 or e-mail bethmiller9@verizon.net.

St. Charles

School choice is subject of summit

The next Summit 303 meeting will discuss "The Pros and Cons of 'School Choice" at 7 p.m. Thursday at the lower level of the Charlestown Mall, Route 64 and Kirk Road.

Topics include dual language programs, dividing boys and girls into separate classrooms with distinct curricula, and various types of magnet school programs. Call (630) 513-3030.

Parker funds gospel scholarships

Three members of the Lewis University Gospel Choir were presented with scholarship grants by Lewis Trustee and alumnus Michael Parker of St. Charles, executive vice president and general manager of field operations for Wausau Insurance Companies, a division of Liberty Mutual Group.

Aurora

City celebrates 'Bike to Work' day

The public is invited to celebrate National Bike to Work Week with Mayor Tom Weisner as he pedals to work at 7 a.m. Wednesday from the St. Paul Lutheran Church parking lot, 85 S. Constitution Drive, to Water Street Mall just east of City Hall on Downer Place. The ride will be led by members of the Aurora Police Department's bicycle patrol. A bagel breakfast for bikers will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the mall. The public is also invited to attend a 20-minute bicycle safety presentation by Ed Barsotti, executive director of the League of Illinois Bicyclists, at noon Tuesday on the second floor of City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place. Participants are asked to bring their own lunches. Call (630) 892-8811.

Eola library cancels gaming program

The May 16 Teen Open Gaming program at the Eola Road Branch of the Aurora Public Library has been canceled. There will be gaming programs in the summer. Call (630) 264-4124.

Early Learning Summit to be held

An Early Learning Summit to help identify child care needs will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave. Topics to be addressed include: strengths of existing programs, identifying high-need areas, building quality early child care and education, heightening awareness of the importance of early learning and identifying barriers to child care access. The summit will feature an overview of the current status of early childhood care and education in Aurora by Theresa A. Hawley, Ph.D., a policy and research consultant; a presentation on currently available resources by YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago's Child Care Resources and Referral, and table discussions to determine future strategies. Lunch will be served. Call (630) 264-3060.

Marmion-Rosary Band to perform

Marmion-Rosary Band's spring concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Marmion Academy gymnasium, 1000 Butterfield Road. Performances by the Marmion-Rosary Band, Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Men's Chorus and Wind Ensemble will feature a diverse selection of music ranging from Cajun Folk Song by Frank Ticheli to Ave Maria by Franz Biebl. Admission is free. Call (630) 897-6936 or visit www.marmion.org.

Shave-a-thon nets $22,000 for cancer

The Aurora Police Department raised $22,000 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation -- double the amount raised by officers last year. Investigator David Adams organized the "shave-a-thon" at Mike and Denise's, 1760 N. Farnsworth. Officers Dave Sheldon, John Cebulski, Pete Bancroft, Doug Podschweit, James Brown, Mike Dieser, Craig Roys, Joe Orosco, Brian Rayburn, Ken Thurman, Al Cansino, Ryan Tinsley and Dan Woods shaved their heads in solidarity for children with cancer. A total of 50 people were shaved.

Rosary donates to troops in Iraq

As part of the Rosary Lenten experience of almsgiving, the students of Rosary High School donated items to help support the troops in Iraq and Heifer International. Rosary sent 42 large boxes of supplies to Iraq, containing more than 2,800 items, and raised more than $1,500. The Aurora Noon Rotary Club added a $1,000 grant.

AU dean writes text on teens

Fred McKenzie, dean of Aurora University's College of Professional Studies and director of the School of Social Work, has published Theory and Practice with Adolescents: An Applied Approach . The 294-page softbound textbook was published by Lyceum Books of Chicago.

Fox Valley

AFS has summer programs available

American Field Service intercultural programs offer study abroad for high school students during the summer. Financial aid is available as well. Call (800) 237-4636 or visit www.afs.org/usa.

Hospital recognized for patient safety

Central DuPage Hospital has been named a 2008 Distinguished Hospital for Patient Safety as part of an independent study by HealthGrades, the nation's leading healthcare ratings company. This distinction reflects Central DuPage Hospital's performance among the top five percent nationally. DuPage Hospital is one of only three Illinois hospitals to receive this distinction for three consecutive years 2006-08.

Montgomery

Brick paver order deadline extended

Due to a change in schedule for installing the pathway around the historic Settler's Cottage in Montgomery, the deadline for ordering engraved brick pavers has been extended to May 30. Two sizes of pavers are available. A 4-by-7-inch brick costs $100 and can contain up to three lines of engraving. The larger 7-by-8 brick costs $200 and holds up to four lines of engraving. Call (630) 896-8080, ext. 21 or visit www.ci.montgomery.il.us.

Oswego

'Students Run Oswego' to be held

Freshmen at Oswego High School and Oswego East High School will participate in a 5K run called "Students Run Oswego" at 9:30 a.m. May 15 at Prairie Point. Volunteers are being sought both to help with the event and to run with the students. Call (630) 636-2337.