The briefs
Teen bands sought for musical battle
Local teen bands have until Wednesday, Dec. 10, to sign up for the Schaumburg Township District Library's Winter Battle of the Bands. The battle will take place 6-9 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17.
Bands entering the competition must reside in Schaumburg Township, and no band members can be older than 20. To audition, submit one song on MP3 or CD to the Reader Services Desk at the library, located at 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg.
Auditions may also be submitted electronically through a Web link such as Purevolume or MySpace. Call Amy, (847) 923-3191.
Streamwood hosts new police academy
The Streamwood Police Department is inviting residents interested in police work to join its Citizens Police Academy, meeting 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays between Jan. 21 and April 1 at the department, 401 E. Irving Park Road.
Learn about the criminal justice system and get tips on deterring crime, as instructors explain how police agencies operate and how residents can become resources for improved community and police relations.
Graduates are invited to volunteer for community activities, but the academy does not certify participants as police officers. The academy is open to all Streamwood residents 21 and older.
Applications are available at the police department or at village hall. Deadline to apply is Jan. 2. (630) 736-3712.
Power wheelchairs for seniors/disabled
The Senior Wheels USA program makes available power wheelchairs to senior citizens and the permanently disabled at no cost to the recipient.
The power wheelchairs are provided to those who can no longer walk safely, nor self-propel a manual wheelchair, and who meet the guidelines of the program.
For information/qualifications, (800) 246-6010.
Help for people who want to be citizens
HIAS Chicago is sponsoring a free citizenship workshop at the Palatine Opportunity Center, 1585 Rand Road, Palatine from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 13. Trained staff and volunteers from HIAS Chicago will assist eligible immigrants with their citizenship applications.
Immigration attorneys will be available for free.
Bring a $675 money order for application fee made out to USCIS, any court dispositions and $10 for photos. (312) 673-3245.
Flint Creek takes conservation award
At the sixth Biennial Conference of the Chicago Wilderness Consortium, the Barrington area Flint Creek Watershed partnership received one of five Excellence in Conservation Awards.
The Partnership was cited for "its visionary planning and strengthening partnership among local government."
The conference is the premier event to highlight the resources, science and collaborative conservation action of the Chicago Wilderness Consortium.