The Citizen Police Academy alumni organization will sponsor a drive-through barbecue dinner to raise funds for Aurora Police Department programs. It will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the parking lot next to the Aurora Police Station, 350 N. River St., Aurora.

Proceeds will be used to purchase non-budget items for the department, including digital cameras, bikes, grab-and-go bags and educational tools.

Dinner will consist of either two pork chops, two pieces of chicken or one of each, with baked beans, coleslaw, applesauce, bread and butter. A child's hot dog meal will be available.

Cinderella's Closet will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 21 at the Aurora Heritage Family YMCA, 460 Garfield Ave., Aurora. There will be over 2,000 formal gowns available free to all high school students with proof of current enrollment.

All the dresses are current styles in perfect condition, many brand new with tags. Selection is first-come, first-serve. Service agencies will be on hand to share information about prom and community resources.

The Allen Elementary School Drama Club will present its spring musical, Happily Ever After When Character Matters, at 9 a.m. and 1:15 and 6 p.m. Thursday in the school gymnasium, 700 S. Farnsworth Ave.

The play, which was written by John Heath and Ron Fink, centers on fairy tale characters that are brought before the Fairy Tale Advice Council to seek guidance on how to deal with their character flaws. More than 40 elementary students in the drama club will participate in the production.

Volunteer opportunities for the 4-H are available. Call Christina Foster, Youth Development Educator at University of Illinois Extension DuPage County, at (630) 653-4114 or visit www.extension.uiuc.edu/dupage.

Batavia's Books Between Bites welcomes George Scheetz, director of Batavia Public Library, from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at the library, 10 S. Batavia Ave.

In his presentation titled "From Lyceum to Library: A Free Public Library for Batavia," Scheetz meanders through the early history of Batavia and the Batavia Library Association (the predecessor of the Batavia Public Library). He will touch on the origins of the Batavia Institute and explain how Illinois State University nearly was located in Batavia, explore how the Sigournean Society and Laconian Literary Society got their names, describe the importance of the Lyceum Movement in Batavia, and reveal the identity of the "Sweet Singer of Hartford."

The public is invited to attend this free program. Bring a sack lunch. Coffee and soft drinks are available for sale. Call Betty Moorehead at (630) 879-4426.

Kaneland High School will perform its spring musical, Once Upon a Mattress, at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at the high school, 47W326 Keslinger Road, Maple Park.

The following students have parts in the performance: Emma Anderson, Chloe Bluml, Andrew Brock, Morgan Butts, Melanie Carlson, David Castellanos, Erika Davidson, Samantha Eichelberger, Sam Essling, Allison Hibbard, Robin Jakes, Samantha Johnson, Spencer Johnson, Emily Kenkel, Mary Kenkel, Rolf Koos, Kevin Krasinski, Stephanie Lanute, Kailey Maras, Kasey Ostarello, Leiza Palpant, Bryan Renaud, Kris Reynertson, Leah Richards, Chelsea Roberts, Christopher Sinon, Bradley Staker, Matt Sweica, Kayla Thompson, Bessie Tockstein, Brian Towell, Michelle Weitand, Lesley Winslow, Sofia Zafar.

CASA Kane County, the Kane County Health Department and Prevent Child Abuse Illinois will sponsor the third annual Hands Around the Courthouse event at noon April 19 on the Kane County Courthouse lawn, 100 S. Third St., Geneva.

Judge Karen Simpson will speak briefly about the impact of child abuse and neglect and what can be done to protect children. Participants will then hold onto blue ribbons and encircle the courthouse for a moment of silence acknowledging the local victims of child abuse. Blue awareness wristbands will be passed out to all participants and information will be provided about local programs that address this important issue. Refreshments will be served.

Parents need to bring two proofs of residency, including: current land line phone, electric, gas, water or cable TV bill; current real estate tax bill; current apartment lease; current closing papers. The following items are not accepted: driver's license, checkbook, rent receipt or insurance papers.

University of Illinois Extension Kane County will offer a telenet program titled "Aquatic Weed Identification and Management" at 1:30 and 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Extension office, 535 S. Randall Road.

The program will be presented by George Czapar, Integrated Pest Management Educator with the Extension. It will focus on identification and management of aquatic weeds.

The Sandwich Lions Club will sponsor a Pancake Breakfast fundraiser to benefit DeKalb County Hospice from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 22, St. Paul's Parish, 340 W. Arnold Road, Sandwich.

The Kendall County Health Department will offer a workshop focusing on wells and septic systems at 6 p.m. Wednesday and May 17 at the Health Department, 811 W. John St., Yorkville.

The program will cover applying for permits, installing wells and septic systems, how they work and how to maintain them. The event is free; registration is required. Call (630) 533-9100, Ext. 8026.

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