Horizons for the Blind, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving self-reliance for blind and visually impaired individuals located at 125 Erick St., A103, will host its second Wine and Beer Tasting Fundraiser from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 7.

Island Lake  

 Island Lake, Chamber to co-host Annual Fall Festival  

The village announced that the Annual Fall Festival, sponsored by the Island Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Island Lake, will be held from 2-5 p.m. Oct. 8 at Veterans Memorial Park, 3720 Greenleaf Ave. The event includes free hayrides for all attendees, and free crafts for children. In addition, children can pick their own pumpkin right off the vine and decorate it for $3 each, and children wearing Halloween costumes will be entered into a contest, with prizes awarded for the top three costumes. For more information, call (847) 526-8764 or visit www.villageofislandlake.com.

Fox Lake 

 Fox Lake Parks and Rec Dept. to host Teen Painting Party 

The village announced that the Fox Lake Parks and Recreation Department will host its Teen Painting Party from 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Lakefront Park Building, 71 Nippersink Blvd. Participants (ages 12 and up) will paint, along with David Becker of The Studio, in McHenry, to create the “MockingJay” masterpiece from “The Hunger Games” series. Each participant will receive step-by-step instruction; no painting experience is required. All painting supplies, including aprons, will be provided. The cost is $37 per attendee, and includes pizza, beverages and an 11-by-14-inch canvas painting to take home. To access a registration form (due by Oct. 14), visit www.foxlake.org. For more information, call (847) 587-3944.

 Crystal Lake 

 Smoke alarm awareness focus of Crystal Lake Fire Dept. Open House event 

The city announced that the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department will host its annual Open House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 8 at Fire Station 1, located in the Municipal Complex at 100 W. Woodstock Street. The theme of this year’s event is, “Don’t Wait — Check the Date! — Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years.” Attendees will learn how to keep their homes safe using up-to-date smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, check for fire hazards and prepare evacuation plans. The event also includes local firefighters, a tour of the fire station, fire hose and fire extinguisher drills, an up-close look at fire trucks, ambulances and other specialized equipment, a special landing of the Flight for Life helicopter and more. In addition, attendees can learn hands-on CPR techniques, and blood pressure screening will be available. Representatives from Nicor Gas will be on hand as well. Refreshments will be provided by The Salvation Army. For more information, call (815) 459-2020 or visit www.crystallake.org.

Crystal Lake 

 Wine and Beer Tasting Fundraiser to benefit Horizons for the Blind 

Horizons for the Blind, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving self-reliance for blind and visually impaired individuals located at 125 Erick St., A103, will host its second Wine and Beer Tasting Fundraiser from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 7. The event will feature a variety of wines and beers for sampling. Nonalcoholic beverages and appetizers also will be served. During the event, a live auction will be held, featuring thousands of dollars in items up for bidding. Admission is $35 in advance and $40 at the door. To register in advance, call (815) 444-8800. For more information, send an email to lisa.dahlke@horizons-blind.org or visit www.horizons-blind.org.

Wonder Lake 

 Wonder Lake Water ski team wins title at national championships 

The Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team won the overall team title at the 42nd Indmar Marine Engines Division 1 National Championships, held Aug. 12-14 on the Rock River at Traxler Park, in Janesville, Wis. Wonder Lake earned high-scoring awards for dock and equipment personnel, pick-up boat crews, towboat driving, showmanship, sound crew total and overall show to finish with a grand total of 1,957.94 points, good for the team’s first national title since 2010 and fifth in the history of the competition. For complete results, visit www.wonderlakeskiteam.org.

 Woodstock 

 Woodstock Annual ‘Crosstown Classic’ football game includes fundraiser 

Woodstock Community School District 200 announced that this year’s edition of the annual “Crosstown Classic” varsity football game between Woodstock and Woodstock North high schools on Oct.14 will include the inaugural First National Crosstown Challenge, a fundraiser hosted by the Athletic Booster clubs at both schools. All proceeds will be used to support athletic teams at all Dist. 200 schools. The event, to be held at Woodstock North, 3000 Raffel Road, includes a parade of student-athletes featuring Dist. 200 high school and middle school athletes along with community athletic teams (beginning at approximately 6:20 p.m.), a pregame tailgate meal and other family activities. The football game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, and include admission to the meal and the game. Tickets are available for purchase in the offices of Creekside Middle School, 3201 Hercules Road, and Northwood Middle School, 2121 N. Seminary Ave. For more information, call (815) 338-8200 or visit www.woodstockschools.org.

 Huntley 

 Huntley Village board approves plans for new outpatient clinic 

The village reported that the Huntley Village Board approved site and architectural plans for Advocate Medical Group (AMG) to construct a 18,100-square-foot, one-story outpatient clinic. The AMG Huntley Clinic will be located on Quality Drive, near the northwest corner of Route 47 and the I-90 Tollway. The clinic will be comprised of a lab, an imaging area, waiting areas and support spaces. Family medicine, OB/GYN, cardiology and pediatric specialties will constitute the proposed clinical disciplines at the clinic. AMG plans to begin construction this fall, and hopes to open the facility in early summer 2017. For more information, call (847) 515-5200 or visit www.huntley.il.us.

Spring Grove 

 Spring Grove Fire Dist. to hold ‘giant’ garage sale at former Oxtoby property 

The village reported that the Spring Grove Fire District will hold a “giant” garage sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 7 and 8 at 8009 Blivin Street, a village-owned property that is slated to be converted into downtown parking in the future. In the meantime, the Village Board approved use of the property by fire department personnel for the purpose of cleaning out the building, using it for training, and selling items left behind by the Oxtoby family. Proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase a new, mechanical CPR device, estimated to cost $12,000. Community members interested in donating items for sale should deliver the items to the Main Street side of the property. Items will be checked in and documented with a letter of donation. Leftover items will be donated to a charitable organization. For more information, call (815) 675-2121 or visit www.springgrovevillage.com.