Looking Forward: What's happening this week in news, sports and entertainment
TODAY
MCC class eyes mortgages
Thinking about buying or refinancing a home? You might want to consider this course.
McHenry County College’s continuing education department will conduct a class starting at 7 p.m. today focusing on how to avoid costly mistakes when buying or refinancing your home. A certified mortgage planner will lead the class, which is meant to help residents avoid pitfalls and common mistakes that work against them when getting a loan.
The class costs $19. To register, call 815-455-8588 and use course ID code NGH S29 005.
Library closed for lot work
The McHenry Public Library will be closed today to have the parking lots seal-coated.
No items will be due today; due dates were adjusted by one day to accommodate the special closing. Patrons can use the library’s “My Account” feature on its Web site, www.
mchenrylibrary.org, to renew items, put holds on items, and register for programs.
For information, call 815-385-0036.
Block Rosary Crusade set
The Block Rosary Ministry at The Church of Holy Apostles will present a Block Rosary Crusade at 7 p.m. today.
The one-hour crusade includes rosary recitation, presentation of flowers to Mary the Blessed Mother, and benediction. Everyone attending will have an opportunity to offer intentions during the rosary. Refreshments and fellowship will follow.
The church is at 5211 W. Bull Valley Road, McHenry.
For information, call the church at 815-385-5673.
Prep playoff season begins
The spring high school sports season is approaching its stretch run. Today, Alden-Hebron’s softball team begin play in the IHSA Class 1A regional playoffs, and the Hampshire girls soccer team opens play in the Class A sectional quarterfinals.
SATURDAY
Sing it! Manchester takes Raue Center stage
Singer-songwriter Melissa Manchester will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Raue Center in Crystal Lake.
Through the years, she has had her songs recorded and performed by such artists as Diana Ross, Sarah Vaughn, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Loggins, The Captain and Tenille, Mel Torme and Barbra Streisand.
Tickets, priced at $47 and $42, are available at box office, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, or by calling 815-356-9212.
For more information, visit www.rauecenter.org.
SUNDAY
Fair Diddley on the Square
The Fair Diddley arts and craft show takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday on the historic Woodstock Square.
The annual event features more than 500 booth spaces with regional and national art and craft vendors. Entertainment and food will be offered. Free parking and shuttle service is available from the McHenry County Government Center, 2200 N. Seminary Ave.
For information, visit www.awaketowoodstock.com.
SATURDAY
Historic Village Hall offering tours
ALGONQUIN – The Algonquin Historic Commission will host an open house at Historic Village Hall and give guided tours of the village’s historic downtown Saturday.
The open house will run from noon to 4 p.m., and the tours will leave Historic Village Hall at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and last an hour.
The events, held in conjunction with McHenry County’s “Look at Local History Month” and National Historic Preservation Month, are free and open to the public.
TUESDAY
Committee takes up RTA tax
The McHenry County Finance and Audit Committee is slated to take up discussion Tuesday of how to use a controversial sales tax tacked onto an RTA bailout.
County leaders estimate that a half-cent increase in the sales tax that went into effect April 1 could mean an additional $9 million in the county coffers. Half of the increase will go to the financially troubled Regional Transportation Authority, while the other quarter-cent is slated for county use.
Under the law, the quarter-cent return is designated for public-safety and transportation uses. County Finance Chairman Marc Munaretto has called for a policy dictating how to divvy up the funds.
FRIDAY
Sox stay west, meet Giants
The White Sox play their first interleague games of the season beginning with a weekend series against the Giants in San Francisco, where they will renew acquaintances with former Sox fan favorite Aaron Rowand, now the Giants’ center fielder. The Sox will try to improve on last season’s 4-14 interleague record.
SATURDAY
Clean up in Fox River Grove
Get ready to get rid of all the stuff lingering in your home.
Fox River Grove will conduct its annual Spring Clean-Up on Saturday. Waste Management will pick up bundled construction debris, furniture, lawn and garden items, plumbing fixtures, similar items usually found in garages and basements, and small auto parts drained of oil and gasoline. Items cannot weigh more than 50 pounds.
Waste Management will not pick up landscape waste, automotive batteries, auto parts more than 50 pounds, any liquids or hazardous materials, bricks, stones, concrete, computers, plasma TVs, computer parts, roofing debris, tires, and white goods such as appliances, air conditioners and water heaters.
For information, call Waste Management at 800-447-1066.
Girls go for medals at state
The high school girls track and field season comes to a close on the final day of the two-day IHSA state meet at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Individual and team medals will be on the line, and the area figures to be well-represented on the podiums.
SUNDAY
Will NFL adopt rookie cap?
There are rumblings in the NFL front office about trying to implement a rookie salary cap, much like that in the NBA, to control the salaries of the top draft picks, many of whom make more than some top veterans before they’ve even played a down in the NFL. The league will have a fight on its hands, however, because the players’ union opposes such a plan. Read more about this in Sunday’s Sports section.
FRIDAY
‘Narnia’ set for royal release
Friday marks the release of “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.” The characters of C.S. Lewis’ timeless fantasy come to life once again in this newest installment of the “Chronicles of Narnia” series, in which the Pevensie siblings are magically transported back from England to the world of Narnia, where a thrilling, perilous new adventure and an even greater test of their faith and courage awaits them. The movie is rated PG for epic battle action and violence.