Monday
Senior activities: Monday at 330 Grove St. in DeKalb. Contact: Family Service Agency's Senior Service Center at 815-758-4718
• Canasta and Mexican Train Dominoe 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 Days: 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.
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.
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. Joe Simons, a new member to the DeKalb Rotary Club, will present his classification program to the membership during this week's meeting. DeKalb Rotary Club meetings include a dinner and a program at Ellwood House Museum. Contact: Cindy Capek, club president, at 815-758-6663, ext. 124.
4-C Quality Rating System Orientation: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday at the Community Coordinated Child Care office, 155 N. Third St., Suite 300, in DeKalb. The "Quality Rating System Orientation" workshop is offered by 4-C for child care center staff and family child care providers, although 4-C membership is not required. QRS topics will include information about the new statewide quality rating and tiered reimbursement system for providers serving children on the Illinois Department of Human Services Child Care Assistance Program, including eligibility requirements, application process and supports/resources available. Providers interested in applying to the QRS must attend this session before application. To register for the workshop, call Kim Sciacero at ext. 226 at 815-758-8149 or 800-848-8727.
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 nonprofit social and dance club for singles mainly age 40 and older. 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, are invited to attend meetings, which are preceded by refreshments at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Senior activities: Tuesday at 330 Grove St. in DeKalb. Contact: Family Service Agency's Senior Service Center at 815-758-4718
• Senior Surfer computer lessons: 9:30 a.m.
• Euchre games: 10 a.m.
• Armchair Traveler: 10:30 a.m.
• Pinochle and advanced chess games: 1 p.m.
Sycamore library board: 5:30 p.m. second Tuesday each month in the board room at Sycamore Public Library, 103 E. State St. www.sycamore Library.org.
4-C American Heart Association CPR workshop: 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Community Coordinated Child Care office, 155 N. Third St., Suite 300, in DeKalb. 4-C offers "American Heart Association CPR" a workshop for 4-C member child care center staff and family child care providers. Participants will have hands-on skills training to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies for infants, children and adults. This training provides certification that is accepted by DCFS to meet licensing requirements. This workshop requires a refundable $20 deposit and registration is required; call Kim Sciacero at ext. 226 at 815-758-8149 or 800-848-8727.
Audiobook information: 6:30 p.m. at DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St. Information is available all evening on digital audiobooks that can be downloaded to MP3 players. Contact Patrick Smith at 815-756-9568, ext. 32, or patricks@dkpl.org or more information. www.dkpl.org.
Alcoholics Anonymous Tuesday Night Fellowship Group: 7 p.m. Tuesdays at The Church of St. Mary, 244 Waterman St. in Sycamore. 815-739-1950. The group formerly met at 8 p.m.
DeKalb County Chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: 7 p.m. Tuesday at DeKalb Unitarian Universalist Church, 158 N. Fourth St. All are welcome to join PFLAG.
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' Administration assistance: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Dominoes: 10 a.m.
• Piano lessons: 10 a.m.
• Exercise program: 10:30 a.m.
Toddler Time: 10:30-11 a.m. at DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St. Free games and stories for children focus on literacy basics and motor skills. Contact Theresa Winterbauer at 815-756-9568, ext. 3, or theresaw@dkpl.org. www.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.
Bingo nights: 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays at Sycamore Memorial Veterans Home, 121 S. California St. www.sycamore vetsclub.org. Contact: Robert Fleetwood at 815-895-2679. The public is invited.
Thursday
53rd Northern Illinois Steam Power Show: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday at Taylor Marshall Farm, Plank and Lukens roads, north of Sycamore. Admission cost is $6 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and free for children younger than 12. Steam engine whistles blow at noon and the parade of antique steam engines, tractors, cars and other vintage machines starts at 1:30 p.m. Food and flea market vendors will have booths at the grounds each day and demonstrations of antique agricultural history are scheduled. www.threshingbee.org.
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.
• Cribbage and pinochle games: 1 p.m.
Prayer Coffee: 10 a.m. Thursday at 2932 Twombley Road in Malta. Contact: 815-825-2099. Women are invited to events affiliated with DeKalb Area Women's Connection.
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.
StudioM Dance Company fall registration: Noon-2 p.m. and 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday at StudioM Dance Company, which is located inside the lower level of the Energym Sports Campus at 1715 DeKalb Ave. in Sycamore. This early-bird registration is for the fall term, Sept. 8-Dec. 18, for ballet, tap, jazz ad hip hop classes. Classes for age 2 1/2 through adult levels also are offered. Thursday, dancers registering will receive a free annual membership and a 10 percent discount on fall tuition for those who pay in full. New dancers also can try one free session of any fall class. Contact: 815-899-7868 or visit www.studiom-dancecompany.com.
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
• Exercise program: 10:30 a.m.
Peace vigil: 5-6 p.m. Fridays 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. The vigil is followed with a Peace Circle for announcements, introductions and inspirational thoughts. 815-758-0796.
Troop support rally: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Fridays at First Street and Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, across the street from Memorial Park.
Friday night activities and gallery hours: 7-9 p.m. Fridays at DeKalb Area Women's Center, 1021 State St. in DeKalb. Contact: 815-758-1351.
Saturday
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.
4-C Introduction to the Environment Rating Scales workshop: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Community Coordinated Child Care office, 155 N. Third St., Suite 300, in DeKalb.The Environment Rating Scales workshop is offered by 4-C for child care center staff and family child care providers, although 4-C membership is not required. Along with an explanation about ERS, child care practitioners will be able to use it as a tool for self-assessment and use ERS results to plan program improvements. This workshop requires a statewide non-refundable fee of $15 and registration is required; call Kim Sciacero at ext. 226 at 815-758-8149 or 800-848-8727.
Household furnishing sale: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 615 N. First St. in DeKalb. The church is looking for clean, usable household goods, such as furniture, kitchen items, and electronic equipment, which will be made available at a reasonable price to people who are furnishing new apartments, especially newly arriving international Northern Illinois University students. Proceeds will go to Hope Haven, Safe Passage, Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels. Contact: 815-758-0691.
Public open house: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Unlimited Performance Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Genoa, 599 Pearson Drive, located just off Route 23, behind the National Bank & Trust Co., near Brown's County Market. The public is invited to enjoy ice cream and other refreshments, sign up for raffles, and receive give-a-ways and learn more about the rehabilitative services offered to patients needing massage, physical, occupational or speech therapists and certified athletic trainers to develop an individualized program to help them achieve their maximum potential. For more information call 815-784-2100 or visit www.unlimitedperformance.org.
Wingshooting clinics: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday for boys and girls, ages 10-15, and Sunday for girls, age 10 and older, and women of all ages, at Shabonna Lake State Park, south of Shabbona. Each day begins with a classroom session on safe firearm handling, taught by an Illinois Department of Natural Resources volunteer hunter education instructor. Each clinic will include hands-on, extensive live-fire at clay targets under the supervision of wingshooting instructors certified by the National Sporting Clays Association and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The clinic is sponsored by the DeKalb and LaSalle County Pheasants Forever, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Sycamore Sportsman Club and Shabbona Sportsman Club. Space is limited to 24 students per day. To make a reservation, call Richard Carlson at 815-758-2773. Class fee, $10, includes targets, autoloading 20-gauge shotguns and lunch that will be provided by Shabbona Sportsman Club.
Volunteer Celebration: 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, rain or shine, at Walcamp, 32653 Five Points Road in Kingston, with a noon kick-off picnic style lunch; games for children and adults, with prizes; indoor air-conditioned activities; swimming, hiking, fishing, canoeing and archery at this free family-day event. Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County will celebrate all DeKalb County volunteers, not just those involved with Habitat for Humanity, who help the community thrive. For information, contact Jim Johnson at jajwriter@hotmail.com or 815-758-1022. Reservation deadline was Aug. 8.
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 are scheduled to give free cooking classes at noon. Call 815-895-3456 or visit www.discoversycamore.com for additional information.
Cortland Lions Club Family Picnic: 1-5 p.m. Sunday, with food served until 3 p.m. at 70 S. Llanos in Cortland. Entertainment will include a Moon Jump, courtesy of Jumpers2go.com; a petting zoo, courtesy of friendlyfarmsltd.com; horseshoes, children's games; and an adult bean bag tournament beginning at 1:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person – free for children 12 and younger – which includes food, drink and entertainment. Tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting John at lionjohncortland@verizon.net or 630-674-2305
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.
• Armored fighting practice: 6 p.m. every Sunday in Room 213, Anderson Hall at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb
• Monthly meetings: 7:30 p.m. the third Wednesday each month at varied locations
• Monthly potluck meal and meeting: 5 p.m. the first Sunday each month at different locations
Coming Events
Junior Jazzercise Camp: 9 a.m.-noon Aug. 17-21 at Sycamore Jazzercise, 1210 E. State St., Sycamore. Children can learn dances, exercise doing dance and about nutrition information, do arts and crafts and meet new friends. Each day has a theme: Beach Day, American Idol Day, Hiphop, Performance Day, etc. Cost is $120 per camper – discounts are available: Second sibling receives a discount of 10 percent off the price; returning students will receive a 15 percent discount off the price; returning students who bring a friend will get 20 percent off the price; friends of returning students get 5 percent off. Contact: 815-970-2145.
Senior activities next week includes a health presentation on the importance of foot care on Aug. 19. A Castle Bank trip to Arlington Park Racetrack is planned on Aug. 26; for seat availability and more information, call the Family Service Agency's Senior Service Center at 815-758-4718.
DeKalb Area Women's Connection dinner: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at Cabana Charley's Tiki Bar and Grill, 1470 S. Peace Road in Sycamore. Contact: Beverly at 815-758-7550 to RSVP by Aug. 17. Featured presentation will be by Donna Petersen about the Chapel in the Pines in Sycamore. Inspirational speaker will be Susan Keegan, who will discuss "Seasons of Our Lives." Cost to attend is $11. The public is invited, but must reserve a seat. The next meeting will be on Sept. 16.
Mothers and More Program Night: 7 p.m. Aug. 20 in the Ben Gordon Center Community Room, 12 Health Services Drive, DeKalb. Mothers who are looking for more ways to connect with other area moms and to "the more" in their own lives, to share, learn, grow and have fun, can attend this night of interactive getting-to-know-one-another activities. Mothers & More is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers through support, education and advocacy. The local chapter is one of 150 chapters and 6,000 members, according to a recent news release. All prospective members are invited to attend as guests to learn more about the group. Meetings are held without children to allow mothers to focus solely on themselves. Admission is free. For more information or to RSVP, e-mail mothersandmoredekalbcounty@gmail.com or visit www.mothersandmore.org/chapters/DeKalbCounty.
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County Annual Garage Sale: Aug. 28-29 in the DeKalb Wal-Mart Super center parking lot off Sycamore Road. HFHDC's biggest fundraiser of the year is in need of support from all county residents and especially volunteers who can give three hours to help out:
• Set-up hours: Noon-6 p.m. Aug. 27
• Sale hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 28 and Aug. 29 and 9 a.m.-noon Aug. 30
• Tear-down/clean up: Noon-3 p.m. Aug. 30
No experience is necessary and, according to a recent news release, volunteering is a lot of fun and a great way to get involved with HFHDC. Contact: 815-758-5055 or habitat@tbc.net. The group also is in need donations of salable merchandise, such as furniture, tools, yard and garden furnishings, antiques, toys and clothes in good or new, unused condition. No appliances, tires, paint or hazardous materials will be accepted. Visit www.hfhdcillinois. org.
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.
Northern Illinois University Police Department Auction 2009: Aug. 29, with inspection starting at 9 a.m. and the auction at 10 a.m., under the east bleachers of the NIU stadium on Northern Illinois University's west campus. The NIU police department will sell accumulated unclaimed property individually and in lots. Included in the lots and items to be auctioned are bicycles, jewelry, watches, iPods, Texas Instrument calculators, digital cameras, electronic items and other miscellaneous items. People wishing to bid on items are required to obtain a bidding number from the clerk of the auction before bidding. Terms of the sale are cash. No refunds are available. All items are sold "as is." The owners of items being offered for sale can reclaim their property prior to the auction by furnishing satisfactory proof of ownership. This may include make, model, serial number, and other means of identification. For further information, call the University Police at 815-753-1212. The university is not responsible for accidents.
2009 CROP Hunger Walk Shop and Share: Aug. 31-Sept. 2. Shoppers at Jewel who present "Shop and Share" coupons can help raise money for hunger-fighting agencies in DeKalb County and Church World Service hunger projects throughout the world. Schnuck's Grocery also will donate a percentage of shoppers grocery tabs to CROP, if customers show their participating card at checkout from now until Oct. 18, the date of this year's walk. The walk's goal is $30,000 and for that 250 walkers are needed. All area churches are encouraged to find a recruiter who can sign up people to walk on the four-mile or one-mile walks, which start at 3 p.m. Oct. 18 from his year's host church Westminster Presbyterian, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb. For more information, or "Shop and Share" coupons, call Martha O'Gorman, walk co-chairwoman at 815-761-4280 or Cindy Dugan at 815-758-1563. To facilitate planning, recruiters are asked to call as soon as possible.
Fox Valley Woodworkers Club Inc.: 7:30-9:30 p.m. the first Tuesday each month at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln Ave. in Batavia. Visitors and woodworking enthusiasts of all ages and levels of experience are welcome at FVWWC meetings. www.fvwwc.org.
Senior Celebrations trips: DeKalb Area Retirement Center Oak Crest invites community friends to go an two trips. For additional information and to register for these trips call Joan Launer, Oak Crestcommunity events coordinator, at 815-756-8461.
• 15th Annual Senior Celebrations Art Institute trip: Sept. 2. Participants will explore the collections in the galleries, where Art Insights presenters lead five- to ten-minute presentations in front of museum masterpieces and hear the keynote lecture in Rubloff Auditorium
• Chicago Architectural Cruise: Sept. 10. This one-hour cruise of the historic Chicago River will showcase more than 40 landmarks of modern American architecture. Professional guides will recount the story of Chicago's rise from the Great Fire of 1871 to become the home of the skyscraper and the cradle of the modern American architecture.
Participants will purchase their own lunches at the Park Grill or Millennium Park Restaurant.
Friends of Cortland Library: 7 p.m. the first Wednesday each month at Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road. Contact: mbergeson2002@yahoo.com.
Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Museum: 2-4 p.m. the second Sunday of each month and by appointment at 622 Park Ave. in Genoa. Contact: 815-784-5559, for appointments other days.
Annual Friends of the DeKalb Public Library Book Sale: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 19 and 1-4 p.m. Sept. 20, at DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St. Both floors of the DeKalb Public Library will have for sale hundreds of books – adult fiction, non-fiction, children's books, including romance, mystery, science fiction, cookbooks, biographies, classics and children's fiction, and audio materials, DVDs and CDs. Cost of adult books range from 25 cents to $1 and children's books from 25 cents to 50 cents. Audio materials will cost from 50 cents to $2.50. All proceeds benefit the DeKalb Public Library for programs, supplies and books. The Friends group is accepting donations until the end of August, but will not accept textbooks, Reader's Digests, magazines or books in bad condition. Volunteers are still needed and can contact Edith Craig via e-mail at el_guadiana@hotmail.com or call the library for more information at 815-756-9568.
Tribute to Heroes: Oct. 1 at Kishwaukee College in DeKalb, with appetizers served 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. An individual can be nominated if he or she has "unselfishly dedicated themselves to community service and, most especially, to the welfare and development of its youth." 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.
NIU Annuitants Association trip to Lyric Opera: Noon Oct. 7 to attend a 2 p.m. matinee performance of Tosca, followed by dinner in Chicago. Contact: Steven Johnson at sjohnso11@niu.edu or Carder Travel at 815-756-1547.
2009 CROP Hunger Walk: 3 p.m. Oct. 18 from his year's host church Westminster Presbyterian, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb. The walk's goal is $30,000 and for that 250 walkers are needed. All area churches are encouraged to find a recruiter who can sign up people to walk on the four-mile or one-mile walks. For more information, call Martha O'Gorman, walk co-chairwoman at 815-761-4280 or Cindy Dugan at 815-758-1563. To facilitate planning, recruiters are asked to call as soon as possible.
DeKalb County Local Emergency Planning Committee: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at the DeKalb County Highway Department, 1826 Barber Greene Road in DeKalb. The public is invited to attend, but all organizations that make plans for or people who would respond to a local chemical emergency should send a representative. Meetings also are planned in October, January and April; the October meeting is designated specifically for receipt of public comments on the emergency plan. Ad Hoc and special meetings are scheduled on a need be basis. Contact: 815-756-9513.