SUBMISSIONS SOUGHT FOR ELGIN SHORT FILM FEST
Movies that are 20 minutes or less can be submitted through Aug. 21 for the annual Elgin Short Film Festival being held Saturday, Sept. 19, at The Hemmens Cultural Center.
Submissions are welcome across all styles, including animation, according to a news release. Films previously entered in other festivals are also eligible, provided they meet the official guidelines.
The top six selected films will be screened for audiences at the Hemmens in a red carpet-style event. Audience participation will help determine the winners. Prizes are $1,000 for first place, $500 for second and $300 for third, with the top three also receiving trophies.
Entry fee for films is $40 if submitted by Friday, July 31, and $50 for those received by Friday, Aug. 21.
For rules and regulations and to download an application, go to FilmFreeway.com/ElginShortFilmFestival. For additional information, email Heather Moore at heather.moore@elginil.gov.
ELGIN HS MASCOT VOTING NOW UNDERWAY
The vote to choose Elgin High School’s new mascot is open through May 5.
A fox, a lion and watchmen/timekeepers are the three choices to represent the Maroons sports teams, according to a post on the school’s Facebook page. The link to cast a vote is bit.ly/4e0RNZ9.
The Maroon name refers to one of the school’s colors and is a homage to the University of Chicago, which goes by the same name, according to local historians.
Elgin High School opened in 1869, but has had only one official mascot. Chief Mighty Maroon was used from 1982 to 2002, but school officials retired him after deeming it offensive and lacking a connection to an actual Native American tribe.
A school committee this year decided to find a new mascot and came up with 11 options, which were narrowed to three finalists in a public vote. Voting is open to students, school staff and community members.
MARKLUND DEBUTING NEW RUN, WALK & ROLL
Marklund will hold its inaugural Run, Walk & Roll Elgin at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, April 26, at the Marklund Wasmond Center, 1435 Summit St., Elgin.
Money raised will support the care of children and adults with profound developmental disabilities who receive residential and education care at the nonprofit center, according to a news release. The event is part of Marklund’s Run, Walk & Roll series, which Marklund has hosted since 2013 at its Geneva and Bloomingdale locations.
Registration in advance or on the morning of the event is $40.35 for the 5K and $30.35 for the 1-mile walk. Register at www.marklund.org/5K.
ANDERSON HUMANE HOLDING WALK4ANIMALS & 5K
Anderson Humane’s 11th annual Walk4Animals & 5K will be held Sunday, April 26, starting and ending at the Peg Bond Center, 100 N, Island Ave., Batavia.
Money raised will help South Elgin-based Anderson Humane find homes for an about 4,000 pets and provide care for about 3,500 injured and orphaned wild animals this year, according to the nonprofit’s website.
The 5K will begin at 8 a.m. with registration $45 online in advance of event day and $60 onsite. The 1.5-mile walk, for which participants can bring their dogs, will start at 9 a.m. Registration $30 in advance and not available on race day.
For more information and to register, go to ahconnects.org/event/walk4animals.
ELGIN SENIOR EXPO AT SCHOCK CENTRE TUESDAY
The Elgin Senior Expo be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, at the Ed Schock Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way.
The free event will feature dozens of local organizations dedicated to helping seniors and their families in the Elgin area, according to the expo’s website. There will be free health screenings and experts available to talk about Medicare coverage, assisted living, mobility solutions, independent living, veterans benefits, audiology, senior travel, health Insurance, home care, medical equipment, hospice care, financial planning, legal assistance, aging In place, home Improvements, eye care, physical therapy and other topics.
For more information, go to seniorexpousa.com/expos/illinois/2026-elgin-senior-expo.
