U-46 TalentFest 2025 takes stage at Hemmens on March 19
School District U-46 will host TalentFest 2025 from 7 to 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin.
Students from Bartlett, Elgin, Larkin, South Elgin and Streamwood high schools will compete for cash prizes and a traveling trophy to be displayed at the winning school, according to a post on the city of Elgin website. Audience members will vote on which performers make it to the finals and a panel of judges will choose first-, second- and third-place acts.
The event is sponsored by The Hemmens, the U-46 Educational Foundation and the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission.
Admission is $5. For tickets and more information, call 847-931-5900.
Gail Borden library foundation’s book sale next week
Gail Borden Public Library Foundation’s spring book sale will be held March 18-23 in the Meadows Community Rooms and the lobby of the main library branch at 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin.
A preview night will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19. A $10 admission fee gives customers first access to sale items.
Admission is free for the rest of the event, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 21-22; and noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 23.
Books, CDS, DVDs and other items will be sold, with most priced at $1 or $2. Proceeds help support library programs and events.
For more information, go to www.gailborden.info/foundation.
‘Guys and Dolls Jr.’ being presented at Rakow Center
The Dundee Township Park District Children’s Theater will present “Guys and Dolls Jr.” at 7 p.m. Friday, March 22, and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the Rakow Center, 665 Barrington Ave., Carpentersville.
The youth version of the Tony Award-winning musical follows gambler Nathan Detroit and his group of gambling buddies as he seeks cash for a big dice game while avoiding authorities, according to the park district’s website. Detroit’s girlfriend, Adelaide, who works for the Salvation Army and is frustrated by their 14-year engagement without marriage.
Tickets are $10 and are on sale at the Rakow Center front desk. For more information, call 847-428-7131.
Sheriff, Carpentersville PD stepping up St. Patrick’s patrols
The Kane County Sheriff’s Office and Carpentersville Police Department are among the police agencies teaming up with the Illinois State Police for a St. Patrick’s Day weekend law enforcement campaign.
From Friday through Monday, March 14-17, there will be increased enforcement of alcohol- and cannabis driving laws as well as seat belt enforcement, according to news releases. Speeding, distracted driving and traffic laws will be strictly enforced, the releases said.
St. Patrick’s Day enforcement campaigns are funded with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grant money administered by Illinois Department of Transportation.
For more information, call 847-551-3481 or 630-232-6840 or go to www.KaneSheriff.com.
