Around the Block—February/March

The League will host a forum on Thurs., Feb. 23, at Batavia City Council Chambers at 7pm for candidates in contested races for Kane County area state senate districts. For the 25th District seat, Republicans Jim Oberweis, Dave Richmond, and Richard C. Slocum will face off, as will Democrats Corinne M. Pierog and Steven L. Hunter. Republicans Karen McConnaughay and Cliff Surges are seeking the 33rd district nomination.

Two Democratic candidates seeking to represent their party in the newly redrawn 14th Congressional district, Dennis Anderson and Jonathan Farnick, are also being invited to the Feb. 23 forum.

For updated information on League forums, check local or on-line media, visit lwvckc.org or contact Patti Lackman, League Voter Service Chair, at phlackmanil@aol.com or 630-879-1539.

The annual Winter Walk tours through the Fabyan Japanese Garden are scheduled for Feb. 8 and 18. Walks begin at 1pm. Snow-covered ground is necessary for the tour so call the day of the tour to confirm. The tour includes history of the garden along with facts about Japanese gardens in all seasons. A donation of $2 per person is requested. 630-377-6424 ppfv.org

The St. Charles Mothers’ Club (SCMC) invites all Fox Valley area women to attend its upcoming monthly meetings. The SCMC meets on the third Monday of every month. The Feb. 20 meeting is at Great Harvest Bread Company in Geneva and the Mar. 19 meeting is at St. Charles Bowl. 847-372-5153 stcharlesmothersclub.org

Area moms and children are invited to MOMS TOGETHER featuring speaker Julie Dougherty, who will be presenting “Take a Pass on the Sass: Teaching Our Children to Communicate Positively With Their Words, Tones and Attitudes.” Cost is $6 per mom, $8 for a mom with one child and $10 for a mom with two or more children. Program dates: Feb. 2 or 16 at the West Campus of First Baptist Church of Geneva. 630-232-7068 ext. 137 fbcg.com

Get amazing deals at the Tri-Cities Mothers of Twins and Triplets Club resale event Mar. 17, 8am–1pm.Admission is $1 for adults. No bags, backpacks or closed shopping containers are permitted. Strollers are allowed. Cash or personal checks only. Mooseheart Field house. 630-375-7111 tcmottc.org

The Fox Valley Newcomers & Neighbors Club invites women who are new to the area, had a lifestyle change, or are just looking for a friendly, social organization, to a get acquainted membership coffee, 10am, Feb. 28. Monthly meetings include a luncheon and an informative program. Next regular meeting is Feb. 15, 11:30am. 630-549-0068 foxvalleynewcomers.com

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, DeKalb, Kane South & Kendall Counties will hold “Family To Family,” a series of 12 weekly classes structured to help caregivers understand and support individuals with serious mental illness. Free course is taught by trained NAMI volunteers and covers Brain Biology, Symptoms and Subtypes, Problem Solving, and Self Care. Call 630-405-9336 for more information.

Association for Individual Development (AID) will host a Bean Bags tournament with prizes on Feb. 25. If bags are not for you, take part in the “Ready to Roll” bunco event. For registration, visit the-association.org. AID provides programs and services for over 5100 adults and children with disabilities in the Fox Valley area.
They will also host the annual telethon on Mar. 17. To volunteer, take part in the talent showcase or make a pledge visit the-association.org or call Wendy Bialek , 847-931-2294. The telethon can be viewed 9am–7pm on Comcast Channel 17 or streaming live on line at the-association.org.

“Pathways” is a seven-week support group for those who are grieving the death of a spouse or life partner. Choose between an afternoon session beginning Feb. 15 at 1pm or evening session beginning Feb. 13 at 7pm.
“Light Finders” is a six-week support group for survivors of suicide loss beginning Feb. 23 at 6:30pm. Registration is required one week in advance for all programs. Call Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice, 630-232-2233 or visit fvvh.org.

Wasco Girls Fastpitch Softball is a recreational softball league open to all area girls in grades K through 12. Spring/Summer registration is underway now through Feb. 29. The season begins in April and concludes late June/early July. No “out-of-district” fees. 630-513-1200 wascofastpitch.com

The 13th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festivities will be held on Mar. 10, 11am. The route runs down Main St. from Sixth St. to Fourth Ave. This year the parade is hosted by Pride of the Fox Inc. In addition to the parade, the Arcada Theatre will host a dance show and a daylong Irish Fest will be held featuring traditional family activities, music and contests. prideofthefox.com

Girl Scouts are celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouting at cookie booths Feb. 24–Mar. 18. Find the closest cookie booth with the Cookie Locator App or at girlscoutsni.org. Girls will also be connecting with former Girl Scouts at the booths to share favorite scout memories. girlscoutsni.org

Three-person teams compete to answer questions Mar. 17 from 9am–12pm at Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley’s Trivia Bee for Literacy. This year’s theme is “Bee 3D—Celebrating the “B” Movie” and other topics. Win awards, prizes and bragging rights for one year. To register call 630-584-4428 or visit lvfv.org/events/triviabee.

TUG (Tri-City Unemployment Group) provides career management services and job-seeking skills; encourages and facilitates networking, mutual support, and maintaining a positive attitude, all with the ultimate goal of attaining meaningful employment. Each meeting features a speaker followed by networking. Meetings are held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Charles, 6:30pm on Feb.13, 27 and Mar.12, 26. 630-631-1871 tricityug.org

On Feb. 23 Kane County Genealogical Society guest speaker Jane Haldeman discusses land records and how to utilize Google Earth as a research tool. Mar. 22 attendees will learn about the resources available within the DAR and have an opportunity to view their member-only on-line records. Meetings begin at 7:30pm at the Geneva History Center. 847-697-1029 rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ilkcgs

The St. Charles Singers highlight works from Mozart’s teenage years Mar. 10, 8pm at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church. Featured are Mozart motets, a short mass, and two instrumental works. Choral works will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Tickets $40 or $30 for students and seniors. 630-513-5272 stcharlessingers.com

Durant House Museum will host its annual Fireside Fun event. Visitors of all ages can take a tour and learn to play fun 19th century games by the fire on Feb. 19, 1–4pm. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children under twelve. 630-377-6424 ppfv.org

Becoming a member of Zonta Club of St. Charles-Geneva-Batavia is a great opportunity to meet wonderful people while getting involved in the community. Zonta opens doors to networking and friendship while enhancing the status of women locally and globally. Meet Feb. 7, 6pm at the Urban Grille, Geneva. 847-931-2292 zontawest-sgb.org

Sammys Cycling Club is focused on the cyclist and exposing them to new and interesting places to ride, cycling advocacy, social activities, training, and safe cycling instructions. For scheduled meetings visit sammyscyclingclub.org.

World renowned fiddler Eileen Ivers will bring her boldly imaginative and clearly virtuosic performance to Wilson Hall on Mar. 10. Tickets are $29 for adults and $15 for ages 18 and under. Femilab now offers on-line ticketing with the ability to select seats at no additional charge. For tickets, and information, visit fnal.gov/culture or call 630-840-ARTS.

Lazarus House, a shelter in St. Charles serving persons from Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, and rural Kane County, who are homeless or on the brink of homelessness, welcomes donations of supplies for its operations. On-going needs include simple everyday items like paper towels, laundry detergent, toilet paper and coffee. A current needs list can be found at lazarushouseonline.com or call 630-587-2144.

The Fox Valley Bike & Ski Club schedules many weekly rides throughout the Fox Valley with pace levels for all types of riders. Meetings are on the second Wed. of each month at the Batavia Public Library at 7pm and social events are held throughout the year. fvbsc.org

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