CPKC Holiday Train coming to Pingree Grove next week Pingree Grove will hold a downtown celebration from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Nov. 27, in honor of the CPKC Holiday Train making a return stop to the village. The train travels through Canada and the U.S. between Nov. 21 and Dec. 20, “raising money, food and awareness to support food banks across our network,” the railway’s website says. “Professional musicians play free concerts from the brightly decorated train’s stage. CPKC donates to the local food bank at each stop and encourages all attendees to make a monetary or heart-healthy food donation.” More than 20 local small business owners selling handcrafted/sourced goods will be set up in the parking lot for Gather, 14N205 Reinking Road, as part of the event, a news release said. Among the food and beverages being sold will be breakfast sandwiches and burritos from Double R BBQ, waffle selections from Waffadilla, coffee from Sweet Sensations, and mimosas and Bloody Marys from Gather, which will also be offering free ornament making activities for children. The train is scheduled to arrive at 8:45 a.m. at the Pingree Grove depot, located at Reinking and Damisch roads, according to the village website. Attendees should gather on the north side of the tracks along Reinking Road no later than 8:30 a.m., officials said. Track crossing will not be allowed once the train has arrived. Live musical entertainment will be provided from 9 to 9:30 a.m. A food drive to benefit D300 Food Pantry is part of the event. For more information, call 847-464-5533 or email [email protected]. Book sale to be held Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at Gail Borden library The Gail Borden Public Library District Foundation will be hosting a Small Business Saturday Weekend Sale Friday through Sunday, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, at the library’s main Elgin branch, 270 N. Grove Ave. Items for sale will include books, CDs and DVDs, with most items priced at $1 or $2, according to the foundation’s website. Sale hour are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 29-30 and noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 1. Proceeds benefit programs and events at the library district’s three branches. For more information, go to www.gailborden.info/foundation/book-sale. The Armanetti’s store on Main Street in Carpentersville, torn down after being badly damaged in a fire earlier this year, is expected to be rebuilt, according to the village manager. (Gloria Casas/The Courier-News) Fire-damaged Armanetti’s torn down but will be rebuilt The Armanetti Fine Wine and Spirits store in Carpentersville, extensively damaged in a May fire, has been torn down but will be rebuilt, according to Village Manager John O’Sullivan, who has been in contact with the owner. “He has consulted with an architect,” O’Sullivan said. “So far, no formal plans have been submitted to the village for review.” A new building at 222 W. Main St. will have to be evaluated by the village’s Planning and Zoning Commission and and approved by the Carpentersville Village Board before construction can begin, he said. The fire caused about $1.5 million in property damage and property loss, village Fire Chief Bill Anaszewicz at the time it occurred. Program on tax-cutting tips being held at St. Charles library The St. Charles Public Library is offering a program for individuals and small business owners looking to maximize their deductions and avoid common pitfalls when filing their taxes. “End-of-Year Tax Tips: Harry Eng Shares Moves to Cut Your 2024 Bill” will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the 1 S. Sixth Ave. library. Eng is a certified public accountant with more than 40 years of financial experience in a variety of executive positions in the federal government and corporate management, according to a news release on the program. For more information or to register, go to scpld.org or call 630-584-0076.