FUNDRAISERS
*Mardi Gras Magic, a fundraiser for the Arlington Heights-based Sisters of the Living Word’s mission fund, will be held from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Feb. 1 in Cotillion Banquets, 360 S. Creekside Drive, Palatine. The dinner and silent auction will feature a Mardi Gras theme and Cajun-style food. Tickets cost $75 for dinner, drinks and entertainment. Call 847-577-5972.
*Rotary Races for Youth will be held from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17 in the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn, 800 S. Illinois Highway 31. The NASCAR-themed event will feature food and raffles for a Richard Petty Driving Experience and tickets to the Allstate 400. A silent auction of NASCAR-related items will also be held. The event is sponsored by the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Rotary Club and proceeds will support youth programs and scholarships. Tickets cost $20. Call 847-622-4499.
*Boy Scout Troop 455 in Johnsburg will hold its 14th annual pig roast from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 10 in the Johnsburg Community Club on Church Street. Tickets cost $11 for adults and $6 for ages 4 to 10. Proceeds will be used to supply equipment for the troop. Call Fareen Parkintny at 815-385-5052 or Alice Papaceno at 815-675-2721.
*The Friends of the Huntley Area Public Library will hold a Hawaiian-style luau open house for families with children ages 3 and older from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Old Huntley Village Hall, 11704 Coral St. The Barefoot Hawaiian dance troupe will perform and teach the art of Polynesian dance. There will be stories, crafts and activities with a Hawaiian luau theme. Children can pick up coloring sheets in the children’s room at the library, 11000 Ruth Rd., and return them by Jan. 30. Register for the luau at the children’s room desk. Events will be held all month. Call 847-669-5386 or visit www.huntleylibrary.org./friends.
*Elgin OPERA will present a fully staged production of “L’Elisir D’Amore (Elixir of Love) at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 and 3 p.m. Feb. 10 in Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets cost $40 main floor and $30 balcony. A gala and a chance to meet the cast will precede each concert at 6 p.m. Feb. 9 and 1:30 p.m. Feb. 10. There is an additional $40 cost for the gala event. The event is a fundraiser for Elgin OPERA, a not-for-profit organization. Call 847-931-5900 or visit www.hemmens.org.
*The Rik Emmett Trio will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 in the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 Williams St., Crystal Lake. Rik Emmett was the guitarist and singer for the Canadian rock group Triumph. Tickets cost $35 and $30. All proceeds will benefit the Crystal Lake Food Pantry and the Raue Center for the Arts. Call 815-356-9212 or visit www.rauecenter.org.
*The country band Emerson Drive will perform at a benefit concert for McHenry County Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) Feb. 29 in the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 Williams St., Crystal Lake. A pre-party will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $40 to $50. All proceeds will help provide emergency, transitional shelter and supportive services for the homeless. For tickets, call the Raue Center box office at 815-356-9212 or visit www.rauecenter.org.
*The Park Ridge Panhellenic Club will hold its annual card party benefit at noon Feb. 1 in the South Park Fieldhouse in Park Ridge. Admission is $15 and includes a salad luncheon and raffle. Money raised will fund college scholarships for female graduates of the Maine Township High schools. For information and reservations, call Barbara Johanson at 847-692-4519 or Donna Hannibal at 847-823-0507.
*A Toast to the Town, a wine tasting to celebrate the Mt. Prospect Historical Society reaching phase one of its fundraising goal to move historic Central School, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Vino 100 wine shop, 110 S. Emerson St., Mt. Prospect. Admission is $10 at the door. A portion of all wine sales will be donated to the Historical Society. Adults only. Call 847-392-9006.
*The Literacy Connection will hold its first Laughing for Literacy fundraiser Saturday in the Heritage Ballroom in The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin. GreenRoom Productions will present its improvisational comedy show at 7 p.m. for family audiences and 9 p.m. for adult audiences. Admission is $15 in advance, $10 for ages 12 and younger, and $20 at the door. All tickets will be held at will-call. The Literacy Connection provides literacy classes and tutoring in 16 communities in the Elgin area. Call 847-742-6565 or visit www.elginliteracy.org.
VOLUNTEERS
*The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago is accepting nominations for its annual Caring Hearts Outstanding Volunteer Awards through Feb. 11. All nominees will be honored at a gala March 18 at Bristol Court Banquets in Mt. Prospect. Nomination categories include Youth, Adult, Senior, Youth Group, Corporate Award, Education, Community Group and Volunteer Leadership. Call Lyn Neuhengen at 847-228-1320 or visit www.volunteerinfo.net.
