January/February Around the Block

On Monday, Jan. 23, The League of Women Voters of Central Kane County will present a Candidates Forum featuring Democrats Sue Klinkhamer and Bill Sarto, and Republicans Kevin Burns and Chris Lauzen, who are seeking their party’s nomination for Kane County Board Chair in the primary election on March 20. The event will begin at 7pm at the Norris Cultural Arts Center in St. Charles. Republican candidates in other contested county-wide races have also been invited to participate: Auditor: Terry Hunt, Carl Regnier, and Laura C. Wallett; Circuit Clerk: Thomas M. (“Tom”) Hartwell, Karin M. Harwick, and Catherine S. Hurlbut; Coroner: L. Robert (“Rob”) Russell and Robert Nicholas “Bob” Tiballi.

The League will host a second 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.

Preservation Partners will be holding Winter Walks through the Fabyan Japanese Garden located in the Fabyan Forest Preserve on select dates in January and February. A special way to experience this unique garden, Winter Walks are scheduled on Jan. 11, Jan. 21, Feb. 8, and Feb. 18 from 1–2pm. A donation of $2 per person is requested. As snow-covered ground is necessary, those interested in attending should call 630-377-6424 the day of to confirm tour status. ppfv.org

Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley will hold free tutor training on February 6, 8, 13 and 15 from 6:30–9pm at the St. Charles Public Library. The four-session workshop will teach volunteers how to help an adult read, write and speak English. Each volunteer tutor will be matched with an adult learner. Volunteers will meet for one hour each week at a time and location that is convenient. Volunteers can register at lvfv.org or by calling 630-584-4428

Elderday Center is committed to providing quality day services for older adults through structured programming that stresses cognitive stimulation and socialization. Elderday also offer a counseling program and several support groups free of charge to support and educate caregivers. Elderday Center is located at 8 S. Lincoln St. in Batavia. Tours can be scheduled by calling 630-761-9750 or elderdaycenter.org.

The Geneva Beautification Committee (GBC) is selling bundles of mixed firewood for $5 at the City Hall parking lot now through early spring. Volunteers and friends of Geneva Beautification have compiled 250 of their favorite recipes into a colorful cookbook for just $10. These cookbooks make great gifts and can be purchased at City Hall, 22 S. First St., 8am–5pm, Mon.–Fri. Proceeds from both sales help purchase flowers and plant materials for the downtown Geneva gardens. plantgeneva.org

On Sat., Feb. 18, Ed and Karen French will open their home to 300 guests for the 7th Annual Winter Wine Festival. This invitation only event benefits LivingWell Cancer Resource Center of Geneva. While the event is private, the auction and raffle drawings are open to anyone and include seven days and nights at a 17th century Tuscan farmhouse, attendance to the 2012 Ryder Cup, a getaway to a 10,000 square-foot villa in Mexico, plus a raffle for his and her Rolex timepieces. lwwinterwinefestival.com

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. A current needs list as well as events and volunteer information is available at lazarushouseonline.com. Lazarus House would like to thank the community for reaching out to help others in need.

Dancing with the Geneva Stars will be held at Eagle Brook Country Club on Sat., Feb. 4. Voting is underway at genevarts.org for the six couples who will be competing for the top honor. Votes are $1 and all proceeds benefit the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission and the Geneva Academic Foundation. This year’s contestants are Laura Rush and Derek Swanson performing the Jive, Steve and Beth Bales Olson performing the Waltz, Eric and Kari Bartel performing the Cha-Cha, Mike and Heidi Jacoby performing the Tango, Art and Connie Wagner performing the Fox Trot, and Jim Radecki and Maureen Emma performing the Salsa. genvarts.org

LivingWell Cancer Resource Center’s Bridge Walk Kick-Off Party & Pancake Breakfast is open to the public on Sat., Jan. 21 from 9-11am at the Baker Memorial Church in St. Charles. Attendees will enjoy a pancake breakfast, courtesy of the St. Charles Unity Masonic Lodge #48, with inspirational speakers, the LivingWell video, and information tables with fundraising hints, registration information, sponsorship opportunities, volunteer support, team building tips and more. LivingWell’s 7th annual Bridge Walk will be held Sat., May 18. livingwellcrc.org

TriCity Family Services Teens Won't Wait Project kicks off Fri., Jan. 27 with a reception from 4–7pm at TriCity Family Services, 1120 Randall Ct., Geneva. Teens Won't Wait is an agency-wide initiative to increase the impact on teenagers in the community and achieve the funding necessary to treat more of them. The need is greater than it ever has been. Meet and hear from teens themselves. See why services for teens must be TCFS' top priority in 2012. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, beverages and networking. Event is open-house style, all are welcome to attend. Please R.S.V.P. 630-232-1070 hhudson@tricityfamilyservices.org.

Geneva Girl Scouts will learn goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics as Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI) kicks off its Girl Scout Cookie Program from January 2–22. Community members can donate cookies to the military and local organizations. GSNI will introduce Savannah Smiles, a cookie for the Girl Scout 100th Anniversary. girlscoutsni.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. The next meeting will be held on Tues., Jan. 3 at 6pm at Urban Grille in Geneva and will celebrate Amelia Earhart, one of the pioneer members of Zonta. zontawest-sgb.org or call Christie Plotzke at
847-931-2292.

Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice offers a six-week program, “Our Grief Journey,” to help cope with the grief of losing a loved one. It will cover topics such as: understanding the grief process, coping with grief, spirituality, and embracing change and growth. The group meets Feb. 2 through March 8, from 6:30-8pm at FVVH, 200 Whitfield Dr., Geneva. The program is free to all community members, but registration is required at 630-232-2233 or info@fvvh.org. Spanish interpretation is available. fvvh.org

Fabyan Elementary School will host the Spring Splurge craft and vendor fair, Sat., March 3 from 9am-3pm. All are welcome to come and support local crafters and businesses. There will be many unique businesses represented from crafters to caterers. Anyone interested in selling should email springsplurge@fabyanpto.org for more information.

Moms Connected, a program for mothers of tweens and teens, serves as a ministry to encourage and support moms in this stage of parenting. Moms Connected mornings include a speaker, discussion, and breakfast at First Baptist Church of Geneva. On Jan. 26 Dave Veerman will present “Parenting Passages: Navigating Those Critical Transitions That Every Parent Faces.” On Feb. 23 Diane Overgard will present “Lets Talk Teens: 10 Questions to Connect Parents, Teens and God”. fbcg.com

Participants packed the Batavia Moose Lodge on a Saturday evening in November to take part in the popular Trivia Night fundraising event hosted by TriCity Family Services (TCFS). Over 25 teams made it the largest turn-out yet with top honors going to team “Brain Drain”. The event raised over $3,000 to help TriCity Family Services provide quality, counseling services to all ages and all incomes in the community. Trivia Night will be back in March 2012. tricityfamilyservices.org

Geneva History Center (GHC), 113 S. Third St., is asking residents to help raise much needed funds through a Pocket Change fundraiser. Those wishing to participate can stop by the GHC to pick up a Pocket Change canister. When the canister is filled, return it to The State Bank of Geneva, 22 S. 4th St. For more information, and to find out about January and February programs visit genevahistorycenter.org.

The Geneva Winter Farmer’s Market has moved to 27 N. Bennett St. in the Geneva Place complex. The market will be selling a surprising array of fresh vegetables and other produce. Shoppers will also find farm fresh eggs, Roedger Blueberries, grower produced jams, salsas, sauces and a variety of free range meats. The market is held every Saturday from 9am–1pm.

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