AROUND THE COMMUNITY
Monday
Senior activities: Monday at 330 Grove St. in DeKalb. Contact: Family Service Agency’s Senior Service Center at 815-758-4718
• Canasta and advanced chess games: 10 a.m.
• FitWorkz exercise program: 10:30 a.m.
• Needlework group: 1 p.m.
• Poker games: 1 p.m.
• Overeaters Anonymous: 3:30 p.m.
Mom’s Time Out Day: 9 a.m.-noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at South Prairie School in Sycamore; contact: 815-895-3202; www.sycamoreparkdistrict.com. Daily fee for the Mom’s Time Out Program, a three day a week day care program, is $8 per day for Sycamore Park District residents or $10 per day for nonresidents. Moms can have extra free time while children, 18 months to 5 years, join in creative activities in a safe environment. New participants are welcome at any time.
Fun and games: at Flewellin Memorial Library, 108 W. Comanche Ave. in Shabbona, part of the library’s Summer Reading Program. Regular fun and game sessions will be held Mondays through July 13, from 9-9:50 a.m. for ages 3-5 and from 10-10:50 a.m. for ages 6-10. To register, call 815-824-2079 or stop by the library during regular hours.
Sycamore Food Pantry: Noon-4 p.m. most Mondays at Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Ave. 815-895-9113, ext. 7.
Feed my Sheep Pantry: 3-5 p.m. Mondays and 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursdays at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1915 N. First St. in DeKalb. 815-758-3203. All are welcome.
New Hope Food Pantry: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 1201 Twombley Road in DeKalb.
Friends of DeKalb Public Library: 5 p.m. Monday at DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St. Contact: Jill Cutts, group president, at 815-758-7327. Volunteers are sought to help this organization and the library. This free event is open to the public of all ages.
Kiwanis Club of DeKalb: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays at River Heights Golf Course clubhouse, 1100 S. Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb. Contact: Amy Elliott, club president, at 815-751-1851; www.dekalbkiwanis.org.
DeKalb Rotary Club: 6 p.m. Mondays at Ellwood House Museum, 509 N. First St. in DeKalb. Contact: Cindy Capek, club president, at 815-758-6663, ext. 124. The program this week will be a presentation from Dr. Clark Neher of Northern Illinois University. DeKalb Rotary Club meetings include a dinner and a program at Ellwood House Museum.
Tuesday
Senior activities: Tuesday at 330 Grove St. in DeKalb. Contact: Family Service Agency’s Senior Service Center at 815-758-4718
• Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program application hours for seniors: 9-11 a.m., by appointment only
• Senior Surfer computer lessons: 9:30 a.m.
• Euchre games: 10 a.m.
• Armchair Traveler: 10:30 a.m.
•Beginning chess and pinochle games: 1 p.m.
Senior luncheon: Noon Tuesday at Chamberlain Park in Genoa. Senior Citizens of Genoa and Kingston needed to make reservations for the lunch by noon July 3. For information, call the Voluntary Action Center office at 815-758-3932 or the VAC luncheon site in Genoa at 815-784-3464.
Sycamore library board: 5:30 p.m. second Tuesday each month in the board room at Sycamore Public Library, 103 E. State St. www.sycamoreLibrary.org.
Audiobook information: 6:30 p.m. at DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St. Information is available all evening on downloadable digital audiobooks that can be downloaded to MP3 players. Contact Kathy Keyes at 815-756-9568, ext. 26, or at kathyk@dkpl.org for more information.
Fox Valley Woodworkers Club Inc.: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln Ave. in Batavia. Guest speaker will be Bill Gullberg, chairwright of the Windsor Academy of chairmaking. Visitors and woodworking enthusiasts of all ages and levels of experience are welcome at FVWWC meetings, held the first Tuesday each month. www.fvwwc.org
Kishwaukee Barbershop rehearsals: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at First Congregational Church, 615 N. First St. in DeKalb. Contact: 815-895-5955 or 815-899-8383. Male singers of all ages are invited to learn to sing male harmonies.
‘Pops’ concerts: 8 p.m. Tuesdays, through Aug. 18 at Hopkins Park in DeKalb. Concerts are free, sponsored by the city of DeKalb and DeKalb Park District.
Wednesday
Senior activities: Wednesdays at 330 Grove St. in DeKalb. Contact: Family Service Agency’s Senior Service Center at 815-758-4718.
• Senior bowling: 9 a.m. at Mardi Gras Lanes, 1730 Sycamore Road in DeKalb
• Veterans assistance: 9:30 a.m.
• Dominoes: 10 a.m.
• Piano lessons: 10 a.m.
• Exercise program: 10:30 a.m.
• Eye screening: 10:30 a.m.
• Movie with popcorn: 1 p.m.
Special summer cooling assistance registration: 9-11 a.m. at Family Service Agency’s Senior Service Center, 330 Grove St. in DeKalb. Seniors only can apply for the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program, on a walk-in basis. No appointments are needed. Contact: 815-758-4718 for more information.
FVOAS trip: leaves at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday from the Fox Valley Older Adults Services parking lot at 1406 Suydam Road in Sandwich, for a tour of Chicago with a “roaring twenties” theme. FVOAS travelers will visit Tommy Gun’s Garage in Chicago, which has thugs, dames, hooch and a great musical comedy review. Lunch choices to reserve with the trip include Big Jim’s Lasagna, Big Bill Thompson’s Fish, Don’t Call Me Chicken or King Pin’s Prime Rib. The all-inclusive cost of this trip is $68. Call Sue at 815-786-9404 or stop by the FVOAS center to register.
Toddler Time: 10:30-11 a.m. at DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St. Free games and stories for little ones, focusing on literacy basics and motor skills. Free and open to children of toddler age. Contact Theresa Winterbauer at 815-756-9568, ext. 3, or theresaw@dkpl.org.
Kishwaukee Kiwanis: 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays at Hopkins Park Community Room in DeKalb. www.kish-kiwanis.com. Contact: Amy Polzin at amy@geol.niu.edu.
Sycamore Rotary Club: Noon Wednesdays at Carls Fargo Restaurant, 355 W. State St. in Sycamore. www.sycamorerotary.org. Contact: Brian Adams at 815-762-5946.
Fox Valley Bicycle and Ski Club: 7 p.m. the second Wednesday each month at Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. The club invites area cyclists to attend its rides, programs, and other events throughout the year.
Bingo nights: 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays at Sycamore Memorial Veterans Home, 121 S. California St. www.sycamorevetsclub.org. Contact: Robert Fleetwood at 815-895-2679. The public is invited.
Thursday
Senior activities: Thursday at 330 Grove St. in DeKalb. Contact: Family Service Agency’s Senior Service Center at 815-758-4718.
• Social Security assistance: at 9:30 a.m. and at 12:30 p.m., by appointment only.
• 500 card game: 10 a.m.
• Senior Surfer computer lessons: 10 a.m.
• Cribbage Players Group: 1 p.m.
• Pinochle lessons: 1 p.m.
Prayer Coffee: 10 a.m. Thursday at 350 N. Pine in Waterman. Contact: 815-264-3719. Women are invited to events affiliated with DeKalb Area Women’s Connection.
Junior Poms Camp open registration: Noon-4 p.m. Thursday at Clinton Rosette Middle School in DeKalb, or participants can register the first day of the camp, which will be held from noon-4 p.m. Aug. 4-6 at the school. All girls entering kindergarten through grade eight can participate and will be grouped by age to learn dances taught by the DeKalb High School Pom Squad. A special performance for parents will be held on the final day of camp. Cost, $50, includes a camp T-shirt and a pizza party. Each day, each girl should bring a water bottle, gym/dance shoes, and a snack.
Re:New DeKalb farmers market: Noon-6 p.m. at Frank Van Buer Plaza, at the corner of Second and Locust Streets in DeKalb, across the street from the Egyptian Theatre. Contact the Re:New DeKalb office at 815-748-7788.
Pool focus group: 4-6 p.m. Thursday at the DeKalb Park District Administrative office. Contact: Scott deOliveira at 815-758-6663, ext. 113, for information. Contact Cindy Capek, DeKalb Park District executive director, at 815-758-6663, ext. 124, to participate. DeKalb Park District invites interested adult park district residents to participate in a community focus group to develop concept plans for the replacement of the Hopkins Pool. The park district has interviewed several architectural firms to develop plans for a new aquatics facility and chose the firm of PHN Architects.
College financial planning workshop: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at Sycamore Public Library, 103 E. State St. Parents and students who are concerned about paying for college can attend this free workshop. Seating is limited to the first 25 people who register at 800-498-0413, which is open 24 hours a day. According to a recent news release, experts will share information about reducing the cost of a college education and how to avoid making costly mistakes. This class shares information about helping students get into a college of their choice, maximizing a family’s financial aid eligibility and helping families pay for college in a comfortable way.
Summer Concert series: 7 p.m. Thursdays, listed below, at Good Tymes shelter at the Sycamore Park District Sports Complex. Contact: Bart Desch, program supervisor at 815-895-3202; www.sycamoreparkdistrict.com. The Sycamore Park District’s fifth year of its Summer Concert series will include six hour-long concerts, to which listeners can bring a blanket and a picnic basket or purchase food and beverages at the park. All concerts will be broadcast live on WLBK Radio.
• Thursday: Black Tie Jazz Trio
• July 16: Bagshot Row
Annual Ice Cream Social: 7-9 p.m. Thursday in the Vista Room at Oak Crest DeKalb Area Retirment Center, 2944 Greenwood Acres Drive in DeKalb. Diana Skillman and pianist Barbara Grulke will entertain guests with familiar summertime music beginning at 7:30 p.m. People can come and enjoy the evening with residents, staff and volunteers. 815-756-8461.
Farmland discussions: 7 p.m. second Thursday each month at 1711 DeKalb Ave. Unit 1 in Sycamore, in the office building directly behind LubePros. www.dcff.org. All people interested in preserving farmland can attend DeKalb County Farmland Foundation meetings. Contact: 815-756-2580 or dcff@dcff.org.
Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem DeKalb Shrine 47: 7:30 p.m. second Thursday each month at DeKalb Masonic Temple, Fairview Drive and Fourth Street.
Friday
Senior activities: Friday at 330 Grove St. in DeKalb. Contact: Family Service Agency’s Senior Service Center at 815-758-4718.
• Senior bowling: 9 a.m. at Mardi Gras Lanes, 1730 Sycamore Road in DeKalb
• Bridge games: 10 a.m. for beginners and 1 p.m. for advanced players
• Scrabble game: 10 a.m.
• Exercise program: 10:30 a.m.
“Microscope Miniworld”: 10-11:30 a.m. Friday at Midwest Museum of Natural History in Sycamore. Young investigators can learn the proper use of a microscope as they investigate the world unseen by the naked eye. Cost is $10 for children age 9 and older and $15 for younger children with an adult companion. Class size is limited; early registration is suggested. Register by visiting the museum at 425 W. State St. or by calling 815-895-9777. www.mmnh.org.
Peace vigil: 5-6 p.m. at Memorial Park at First Street and Lincoln Highway in DeKalb. The DeKalb Interfaith Network for Peace and Justice provides signs or all ages can bring their own. 815-758-0796.
Peace Circle discussion: 6-6:30 p.m. Friday at Memorial Park, corner First Street and Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, sponsored by the DeKalb Interfaith Network for Peace and Justice. Following the Peace Vigil at 5 p.m., Steve Kapitan will share his experiences on a Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba in the ’90s. He will talk about current legislative proposals regarding Cuba and outline the advantages of lifting the current travel ban and trade restrictions, which hurt citizens and businesses in both countries, especially the farmers of this state. Contact: Steve Kapitan, 815-754-4998.
Troop support rally: 5:30-6:30 p.m. at First Street and Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, across the street from Memorial Park.
Artist reception: 7-10 p.m. Friday at DeKalb Area Women’s Center, 1021 State St. in DeKalb. Contact: 815-758-1351. Admission is free to see the art, hear music, have refreshments and meet the artist. On display through July 24 is “Galore: Recent works by Lauren Richards.” Richards is a Northern Illinois University grad and “Galore” explores pattern and color, her relationship with her grandmother Emelia through fabric remnants she left to Richards. Art displays can be seen when events are held in the DeKalb Area Women’s Center building, or by appointment. All are invited. An entrance with an accessible lift is near the alley north of the building.
Saturday
Master Gardeners Garden Walk and Plant Sale: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, rain or shine. Required tickets donation is $10 in advance at the University of Illinois Extension office, Blumen Gardens, Buhr’s Landscaping or The Garden Market in Sycamore, or $12 the day of the event at which eight gardens will be featured. The DeKalb County Master Gardeners need the public’s help to prepare for its Garden Walk and Plant Sale. Anyone dividing plants in his or her yard is asked to consider potting up and donating any plants to the sale. Through Friday, plants can be delivered between 9 a.m. to noon to the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 W. Prairie Drive in Sycamore – check in at the Master Gardener office in the Extension Service complex so that the plants can be taken to the storage area. Proceeds from the plant sale will be used to finance Master Gardener projects throughout the County. Contact: Barb Lindholm at 815-895-5632.
NICE pantry: 8:30-11 a.m. Saturdays and by appointment other days at 346 S. County Line Road in Lee. Contact: 815-824-2228. NICE Food and Clothing Center, a nondenominational food pantry, serves the southwest part of DeKalb County and the southeast area of Lee County.
“Fossil Dig” – choose from two opportunities to learn about prehistoric life in the local area: Saturday and Aug. 8, both from 9-11:30 a.m., at Vulcan Materials quarry on Barber Greene Road in Sycamore. Individuals and family participants should bring a small bucket to take home their finds. Tools will be provided dudring the class, which will include a brief geologic history of the area. Cost is $15 per person or $50 per family. Class size is limited; early registration is suggested. Register by visiting Midwest Museum of Natural History at 425 W. State St. in Sycamore or by calling 815-895-9777. www.mmnh.org.
Pastors for Peace Event: A carpool will leave at 5 p.m. Saturday from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship parking lot, 158 N. Fourth St., DeKalb, to Rockford to meet the Pastors for Peace Caravan, as it stops over en route to Cuba with humanitarian aid. A Cuban dinner will be served by Rockford Peace and Justice at 6 p.m. at the Rockford Unitarian Universalist Church, 4848 Turner St., after which Ellen Bernstein, leader of more than 60 caravans to Cuba, will describe this trip. There is no charge but a goodwill offering will be taken. Contact: Lolly Voss, DeKalb Interfaith Network for Peace & Justice, 815-758-2370.
Sunday
Discover Sycamore Farmers Market: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday in the Sycamore Center parking lot at Somonauk and Elm streets. Local chefs will give free cooking class at noon. www.sycamorechamber.com. For information, contact Jamie Sands at the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce at jsands@sycamorechamber.com or 815-895-3456.
Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Museum: 2-4 p.m. the second Sunday of each month and by appointment at 622 Park Ave. in Genoa. Until July 15, the museum has on display a private collection of 75 pieces of Akro Agate ware, made between 1911 and 1951 in Akron, Ohio. The company took over the doll dish market during World War II when Japanese exports were unavailable. Much of the company’s line included colorful flowerpots, cosmetic containers and other glass items. Contact: 815-784-5559, for appointments other days.
History re-enactors gatherings. Visit www.carraigban.org/ or call 815-739-5788 or 815-986-5403 for meeting locations or other information. Middle Ages-Renaissance history re-enactors and all those who are interested in “stepping into the past” are welcome to find out more about Society for Creative Anachronism, including armored fighting practice at 6 p.m. every Sunday in Room 213, Anderson Hall at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb
Next Week
Senior activities – Castle Bank Trip on July 14, health presentation on nutrition and taste on July 16. For information, contact Family Service Agency’s Senior Service Center at 815-758-4718 about seat availability and for more information.
St. Charles Singles Club: Dances: 6:30-11 p.m. second and fourth Mondays each month at Riverside Receptions, Route 38 and North River Lane in Geneva. Cost, $6 for members or $8 for visitors, includes professional dance instruction until 7:30 p.m. www.stcharlessinglesclub.com. Contact: 630-340-6647. Singles from any town, city or state can attend St. Charles Singles Club, a non-profit social and dance club for singles. Dressy or nice casual clothing is required.
Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 241: 7:30 p.m. the second Monday each month in the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport corporate hangers. www.EAA241.org. Contact: Rose Ellen May at 815-375-1772. Everyone with an aviation interest, pilots and non-pilots alike, can attend meetings, which are preceded by refreshments at 6:30 p.m.
Community blood drive: 3:30-6:30 p.m. July 14 at Sycamore Fire Department, 535 DeKalb Ave., inside Heartland’s mobile coach. All summertime donors at this blood drive will receive a coupon for a free pint of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. Call Becky at 815-895-4514 to schedule an appointment. Photo ID will be required. For more information about Heartland Blood Centers, call 800-786-4483 or visit www.heartlandbc.org.
American Heart Association CPR: 6-9 p.m. July 14 at the Community Coordinated Child Care office , 155 N. Third St., Suite 300, in DeKalb. Participants will receive hands-on skills training to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies for infants, children and adults. The training provides certification that is accepted by DCFS to meet licensing requirements. A $20 deposit is required, but will be refunded to participants. Registration is required for this workshop for child care center staff and family child care providers and 4-C membership is required. Contact: Kim Sciacero at ext. 226 at 815-758-8149 or 800-848-8727 to register for the workshop. www.four-c.org.
DeKalb Area Women’s Connection luncheon: Noon July 16 at Sorrento’s Ranch, Route 64 in Maple Park. Contact: Beverly at 815-758-7550 to RSVP by July 13. Featured presentation will be by Tina Johnson, who will show Lia Sophia jewelry. An inspirational speaker will present a message. Cost to attend is $12.50. The public is invited, but must reserve a seat.
“Treasures from the Attic: July 17-19 throughout Sycamore. Discover Sycamore is planning a citywide yard sale, which it hopes will become an annual event. Anyone who would like to have a location listed on maps to be available for the sale can call 815-895-3456. Shoppers can obtain a “Treasure Map” at any Discover Sycamore location having a sidewalk sale during the weekend. For more information, visit www.discoversycamore.com.
Fourth Annual “Let’s Dance” Big Band Weekend: July 17-19 in the Duke Ellington Ballroom, Northern Illinois University Holmes Student Center in DeKalb. This weekend of ballroom dancing will incude two levels of lessons; workshops; plus a family-time dance. Balcony is available for non dancers. Groups, couples, singles are welcome. For package deals/information, visit www.justmakeithappen-dekalb.com or contact John D. Smith at john@justmakeithappen-dekalb.com or 815-758-1093.
Waterman Lions Tractor Show/Summer Fest: July 18 at Waterman Lions Community Park, south of Route 30 on Birch Street. The day’s events begin with a french toast breakfast at 7 a.m. Later, a magic show, pefromed for all ages will start at 2:30 p.m. Live bands, Jimmy and the Boys from 3:30-5 p.m. and Picture This from 8-11 p.m., will perform at the event. Other events include the antique tractor show, contact: Leonard at 815-264-3841 to enter; the Summer Fest Parade of Power; kids’ pedal tractor pull; craft show/flea market, contact: Richard, 815-264-3664; petting zoo; children’s activities; draw-down raffle; all-day concessions; Lions Club pork chop barbecue; hayrides; beer garden; and fireworks.
“Meet Me at the Fair”: 3-6 p.m. July 18 at Pay-It-Forward House, 719 Somonauk St., Sycamore. Admission is free for old-fashioned family fun and live entertainment; games and food will have individual prices. For more information call 815-762-4882.
11th annual Biking with Beanzie bike ride: July 19. The ride, sponsored by Kishwaukee Kiwanis Club of DeKalb, starts and ends at DeKalb High School, 1515 S. Fourth St. Courses, of 23, 46, 64 and 101 miles to allow riders at a variety of skill levels to participate, run through rural areas of DeKalb, Lee and LaSalle counties on paved, lightly traveled roads, and include a T-shirt, regular rest and refreshment stops. Onsite registration the day of the ride runs from 6:30-10 a.m. The ride ends at 4 p.m. Registration is also available online or by mail and costs $20 before Wednesday and $25 after that day. Children younger than 15 can register for free if riding with a parent or guardian. Contributions and proceeds from Kishwaukee Kiwanis Club of DeKalb’s Biking with Beanzie bike ride will help fund future pathway projects, greenway projects and other community service projects throughout DeKalb County. For more information or to register, mail Kiwanis Beanzie Ride, P.O. Box 1007, DeKalb, IL 60115; call 815-758-6873; e-mail bikingwithbeanzie@yahoo.com or visit www.kish-kiwanis.com.
Coming Events
Summer Fest to celebrate Somonauk’s 175th anniversary: July 24-26. Somonauk residents can nomonate candidates for grand marshal for the Saturday parade. Send a paragraph describing a person who has made a positive impact on the community of Somonauk to Village of Somonauk, Attn: Summer Fest – Dawn Siegler, 131 S. Depot St., Somonauk, IL 60552.
“How Green Really Works”: July 29 in the Northern Illinois University Holmes Student Center in DeKalb. This one-day conference designed for meeting and event planners, will include a green vendor show and an opportunity to tour the Hoka Turkey Farm, Heritage Prairie Market or Waterman Winery and Vineyards. Deborah Popley, president of Green Events Source, a resource for green meeting planning and consulting, will provide the keynote presentation. A Chicago caterer who specializes in green, local, sustainable and organic cuisine, will discuss and demonstrate green menu planning. Registration fee is $40. which includes a continental breakfast, buffet lunch, transportation to tours, and coffee and desserts. To learn more, or to register, visit www.niu.edu/HSC/SpecialProjects/green_index.shtml or call Karen at 815-753-6389.
Special education record disposal: Aug. 3 is the deadline for parents and guardians to call Kaneland School District regarding temporary special education records to be destroyed. The records contain information of students who graduated, transferred out of the district or who were dismissed from special education services before the 2003-04 school year and will be disposed of in accordance with the Illinois School Student Records Act. Contact the Student Services Office at 630-365-5111, ext. 110.
FVOAS trip: leaves at 10 a.m. Aug. 27 for Senior Day tickets in section 223 (behind home plate off the main concourse) to the 1:20 p.m. Chicago Cubs game against the Washington Nationals. Cost is $41, which includes bus and game tickets. Call Sue at 815- 786-9404 or stop by the FVOAS center to register.
Tribute to Heroes: Oct. 1 at Kishwaukee College in DeKalb, with appetizers at 6 p.m. and the award ceremony at 6:45 p.m. All proceeds will support the DeKalb County Boy Scouts of America. Tribute to Heroes Committee seeking “hero” nominees and will honor four DeKalb County residents. Individuals who have “unselfishly dedicated themselves to community service and, most especially, to the welfare and development of its youth” can be nominated. To nominate local heroes, send names and contact information, along with a short description on why they deserve this honor, to Mary Beth Wilfong at 415 N. Second St., St. Charles, IL 60174 or mwilfong@bsamail.org.