Community News briefs…

Teen Job Fair at the Park District

Teens and young adults (ages 16-24) are invited to free job fair for summer jobs. Area businesses will have representatives available to discuss their companies and employment opportunities. The Teen Job Fair is offered in cooperation with the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce. Job seekers should come prepared to make a good first impression and to ask and answer questions. The event is at Pottawatomie Community Center from 5:30-7:30pm on Monday, Feb. 20. stcparks.org

Easter Bunny makes home visits

In March the Easter Bunny will be hoping around town making home visits. Registered participants will have the opportunity to get his/her picture taken with the Easter Bunny and receive a chocolate bunny treat. The Bunny will call parents when he is on his way. He is available to visit Saturday morning, March 24, from 9am-12pm and Saturday afternoon, March 31, from 12-3pm. For children ages 1-7. The cost is $17 for the first child and $3 for each additional child (non-resident rates are extra). Register at stcparks.org.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

Children ages 1-6 can have breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the Pottawatomie Community Center on Wednesday, March 28 from 9-10am. Guests will decorate their own bunny-face pancake for breakfast, color bunny pictures, have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny and end the event with the Bunny Hop. $9 per person, Non-resident is $13.50 per person. There is no charge for children 12 months or younger. Adult registration is required for child to participate. stcparks.org.

Easter Egg Hunt at Pottawatomie Park

Parents and children are invited to a free Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, March 31 at 10am. Meet at the Pottawatomie Community Center. Participants are asked to arrive 15 minutes early and to bring their own baskets. Parents are asked to limit child to 10 eggs to be fair to everyone.

Selected Library Programs

Reading by Richard Holinger
7pm, Thurs., Feb. 16
Richard Holinger’s poetry, fiction, essays, and book reviews have appeared in over 100 literary magazines. His chapbook of innovative short works, Hybrid Seeds: Little Fictions, is his first published book.
Tango line dance
7-8:30pm, Tues., Feb. 21
For ages 18 and over, this fun-filled class will teach line dancing to the rhythm of the milongas (Argentine Tangos with lively tempo).  No partner is needed and comfortable clothing is recommended. 
Introduction to Genealogical Research
10:30am-12pm, Sat., March 3
Steve Szabados will present a basic introduction to beginning genealogical research, including an overview of some of the genealogy databases available through the library. Many of these databases are accessible from resident’s home computer with a St. Charles Library card and a PIN.
Craftastic
7pm, Tues., April 3
There’s help for bewildered beaders, knotted knitters, crooked crocheters, scared scrapbookers, and stumped sewers. Library staff experts will help crafters get back on track with projects. All are welcome to drop in and learn a new craft or work on something already in progress.
Teen Tech Week: Geek out @ your library
March 4–10 The first ever Geek Out Trivia Contest will be held during Teen Tech Week. All teens are welcome to drop in and win geektastic prizes.
ACT/SAT Strategy Workshop
6:30-8pm, Tues., March 6
Teens are invited to discover the role of the ACT/SAT in college admissions. Learn strategies to raise scores and how to excel on test day from Kaplan instructions. Registration required.
Clifford Book Character Visit
1pm, Fri. Feb. 10 Registration required.
Curious George Book Character Visit
11am, Fri., March 9 Registration required.
Family Story Time
7-7:45pm, Tues, Jan. 31, Cozy Bedtime Tales
7-7:45pm, Wed., Feb. 29, Snowflakes & Icicles
Families with young children are invited to an evening of stories and more. Registration required.
Stories live! 9:30-10:00am OR 10:30-11am
Fri., Jan. 27, Little Red Hen
Sat., Feb. 4, Caps for Sale
Sunday Concerts 2pm,
Sun., Feb. 12 The Century Air Minstrels: Civil War era folk and minstrel music
Sun., Feb. 26 The Alba Quartet 2pm,
Sun., March 11 Singer Gavin Coyle

Hickory Knolls Discovery Center is an oasis close to home

Hickory Knolls Discovery Center showcases the Fox Valley area’s many natural treasures in a beautiful new building located within the James O. Breen Community Park at Peck and Campton Roads. All ages are welcome to explore the facility Wednesday-Saturday from 10-4pm and on Sunday from 12-4pm. Children will have fun looking at the reptiles, hanging out in the wigwam, and coloring at the activity table. Adults will enjoy the peaceful setting and beautiful views.

Upcoming programs at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center:

Volunteer Frog Monitors needed
9am-12pm, Sat., Feb. 11
Volunteers are invited to visit a specific wetland at least three times between March and June to identify frogs by their calls. Recordings of the various calls will be provided. Experts will provide the training which includes visually identifying reptiles and amphibians, listening techniques, and other pertinent information. This project is funded by Chicago Wilderness and coordinated by the National Audubon Society. Contact Pam Otto at 630-513-4346.
Hickory Knolls Discovery Days
Fun filled Sundays in February
Great Stories of Pets Rescued
12-4pm, Sun., Feb. 12
The magnificent dogs from Free Spirit Siberian Husky Rescue will delight families as they race across the frozen ground. Several of the dogs have been rescued and are up for adoption. Visitors can also learn the adoption story of Peter Rabbit, test their knowledge of dog breeds, and participate in pet-themed crafts and games.
Our Wild Neighbors
12-4pm, Sun., Feb. 19
“Ambassadors” from the Fox Valley Wildlife Center will be on-hand to discuss what happens when a wild animal is injured, from rehabilitation to release. In addition, Kane County Audubon members will help families learn how to identify winter birds. Visitors can also test their survival skills and their knowledge of local fauna.
Cold Blooded Creatures
featuring Bubba the 12-foot Alligator
12-4pm, Sun. Feb. 26
Jim Nesci and his reptile friends will be on hand to discuss what it’s like to live with exotics. Visitors will have the opportunity to see and hold a variety of Jim’s interesting ‘pets’. Additional programs include Endangered Species 4-1-1 which will discuss endangered species and how they got that way. Livin’ Like a Snake includes fun activities that will teach about snakes and how they eat, shed and move. Experts will also be available to discuss the reality of owning a reptile and how to make an informed choice.

District 303 welcomes Class of 2025

On Wed., Feb. 8 all District 303 elementary schools will be holding registration for the 2012-2013 school year. Parents and guardians should register children at the elementary school where other children in their neighborhood currently attend. Per state law, a child must be five years old before Sept. 1, 2012 to be eligible to attend Kindergarten during the 2012-2013 school year. A certified copy of the student’s original county-issued birth certificate is required at the time of registration.

Families must provide two documents as proof of residency when enrolling children. A variety of registration information including the district’s residency policy can be found at d303.org. Parents have the option of an All Day Kindergarten or Half Day Kindergarten program. All Day Kindergarten is a tuition-based program and requires a non-refundable $50 registration deposit. Registration times and locations are:
Bell-Graham, Corron, Ferson Creek, Fox Ridge, Lincoln, Munhall, Norton Creek, Wasco, Wild Rose: 9:30am–2:30pm
Anderson: 1–7pm
Davis Primary: 9–11am and 4–7p.m.

Eco-minded Club in need of gardening tools

The Eco-minded Club of St. Charles East High School is seeking donations of gently used or new garden tools. Tools are needed to help re-store and maintain the natural areas on campus. Students are currently working on returning the area by the softball fields by Wredling back to its native prairie habitat. Top priorities are bow saws for the removal of invasive trees, loppers, gardening gloves, reusable trash containers, trowels, weeders and transplanters. Laurie Nannini, laurie.nannini@d303.org.