Valley Briefing -- Kane County
Elburn
Kaneland names Students of Month
Kaneland High School has announced Students of the Month for February. They are: freshman Natalie Swieca, sophomore Jessica Arnold, junior Kelso Kuipers and senior Sofia Zafar.
These students exemplified effort, commitment, character and contributions to the school, demonstrated community involvement or made a positive contribution to their community.
Their names will be displayed on a plaque and they will have a special parking space in front of the student parking lot.
Erickson Foundation offers scholarship
The Arnold and Mildred Erickson Charitable Foundation, Inc. is accepting scholarship applications for the 2007-08 academic year.
The foundation provides scholarships for residents of the Kaneland and Burlington Central school districts attending Waubonsee Community College or a four-year college or university.
All application materials must reach The National Bank & Trust Company of Sycamore by March 1.
Call Kaneland High School at (630) 365-5100 or Waubonsee Community College at (630) 466-7900, Ext. 5774.
Geneva
Triad slates seminar on wills and trusts
The Central Kane County Triad will hold a seminar on wills and trusts from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 21 in the ABC Conference Room, Delnor Community Hospital, 300 Randall Road, Geneva.
The law office of Daniel Parsons of Geneva will make the presentation. Call (630) 377-4435.
Fox Valley
Congressional art contest under way
U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert, R-Yorkville, has announced an art competition for high school students living in the 14th Congressional District. The contest winner will travel to the opening of an exhibit in Washington, D.C., where his or her artwork will hang in the United States Capitol tunnel for one year.
The contest, "An Artistic Discovery," is an annual competition sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives.
An honorable mention also will be awarded, with the winner having the opportunity to display his or her artwork for one year at Hastert's district office in Batavia. All entries will be displayed May 7-11 at the district office.
Artwork must be an original concept (not reproduced from any existing photo, painting, or other work produced by another individual); two-dimensional and no larger than 30" x 30" x 4" framed. Eligible categories include paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, computer-generated art and photography. There is no limit to the number of entries from any school.
Entries must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. May 4 to Hastert's district office at 27 N. River St., Batavia. Call Lulu Blacksmith at (630) 406-1114.
CASA planning CASAblanca event
CASA Kane County is currently planning its biggest fundraising event of the year, CASAblanca. Additional volunteers are needed to serve on the CASA Friends Network to help make this event as successful and memorable as possible.
CASAblanca will take place on April 14 at the Eagle Brook Country Club in Geneva and will feature 16 gaming tables, a silent auction, live entertainment, and dinner.
Anyone interested in volunteering should call Courtney Laverty at (630) 444-3111. Visit www.casakanecounty.org.
Kohl's will reward 1,600 young people
Kohl's will reward nearly 1,600 young people nationwide for their volunteer efforts in 2007 and award more than $200,000 in scholarships through its Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarship Program. Nominations are being accepted through March 15.
Youth 6 to 18 years old are eligible. Two nominees from each of more than 800 Kohl's stores will win a $50 Kohl's gift card. Store winners then compete for one of 170 regional scholarships worth $1,000 toward post-secondary education.
Regional winners are then eligible for one of 10 national prizes worth $5,000. National winners receive a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice courtesy of Kohl's. National winners will be announced in July.
Visit www.kohlscorporation.com.
Libraries offer winter programs
The following is a listing of library events to be held in February. Most libraries require registration.
• Fireside Family Fun -- This winter reading and activities club for families will continue through Feb. 28.
• Book Worms -- 4:30 p.m. Feb. 21, children in kindergarten and first grade are invited to take flight on a "magic carpet" for an adventure with stories and activities.
• Movie at the Library -- 1 p.m. Feb. 19.
• Book Gems -- 6 p.m. Feb. 20, students in grades 2 and 3 will discuss So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George.
• Family Late Night -- 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23, families will participate in a variety of activities and enjoy a presentation by Spirit of the Eagle. Come listen to Native American storytelling and get an up-close look at some fascinating artifacts. Free tickets for this event will be available to families when they've completed the second task on the Fireside Family Fun logbook.
• Anime/Manga Club -- 7 p.m. Feb. 21 for teens 13 and older who are interested in anime, a style of animation that originated in Japan, and manga, a style of comics.
• Venice -- 2 p.m. Feb. 18, Al and Gail Popowits will share photos and details about the city. Once a powerful commercial and naval site in the Mediterranean, Venice has a new role -- her palaces have become shops, hotels, and museums.
• Attracting Butterflies to the Garden -- 7 p.m. Feb. 19, learn how to design gardens to attract butterflies from a Master Gardener from the University of Illinois Extension.
• Adult Computer Class -- 10:30 a.m. Feb. 17, this beginners class will teach computer basics.
• Book Magic -- 4:15 p.m. Feb. 20, kindergartners can explore literature through books, storytelling, songs, games, videos and more. The February theme is Clothes Capers.
• P.O.V. -- Come watch the film, The Hobart Shakespeareans , at 2 p.m. Feb. 18 and join a follow-up discussion of the issues presented. Luis Cabrera, former teacher and principal of Elgin's Huff Elementary School will lead a discussion on this film that focuses on an assessment of elementary school education in the United States.
• Register to Vote -- The library offers voter registration services, during regular service hours, throughout the year. To register, bring two forms of ID, one of which must include current name and current physical address. To be eligible to register to vote, a person must: be a U.S. citizen; be 18 years of age by the next election; and reside in the precinct for 30 days prior to the next election. The next election is April 17, 2007.
• Lap Sit Stories -- Lap Sit Stories are planned as a first library experience for babies through 18 months old along with their adult reading pal. Each meeting includes a blend of books, finger-play, story board and sing along time. Bring a blanket or towel to sit on the floor. This group meets at 6 p.m. the second Thursday of each month.
• Story Time -- Story Time is a group library and literature experience for children age 2 ½ to 5 years old. Each meeting time includes a blend of book, finger-play, and story board time. Craft time activities reinforce the story theme. Each meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. and only Wednesday and Friday sessions are currently open.
Aurora
Officer Brian named Employee of Month
Area One Community Oriented Policing Officer Dave Brian has been named Employee of the Month for January for his quick response leading to the capture of three men who allegedly robbed a near West Side beauty shop.
At about 8 p.m. on Jan. 3, the men, while armed with at least two handguns, entered the business and pistol-whipped several people inside, before fleeing with several items, including a substantial amount of cash.
When Brian arrived on the scene, he interrupted the men as they loaded a vehicle with the stolen goods. He immediately confronted them and they fled on foot. As Brian gave chase, he communicated the suspects' descriptions and their direction of travel over his radio. Several officers joined the foot pursuit and captured the men within minutes.
Brian joined the Aurora Police Department on April 3, 1995.
Park District to offer programs for adults
The Fox Valley Park District will offer free and low-cost programs for adults this spring. Registration has begun. Call (630) 851-8990.
• Bridge Club -- From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 2 at the Eola Community Center, bridge players can gather. The club is open to all bridge players for a seasonal fee of $6 for residents and $9 for nonresidents. Knowledge of the game is required. Bar code 20982.
• Waking up the Garden -- From 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 27 at the Eola Community Center, 555 S. Eola Road, learn the seasonal chores that will get the garden off to a good start. Topics include planting seeds indoors and out, planting cool season flowers, seasonal lawn care, watering, fertilizing, dividing and pruning. The instructor is a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener. Cost is $10. Bar code 20138.
• Open Gym -- Open gym time is now available through May 1. Adult open basketball at the Eola Community Center runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Adult open volleyball at Eola runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays. Adults age 18 and up can play basketball at the Vaughan Athletic Center, 2121 W. Indian Trail, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays and from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., has adult open gym times are from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
• Walk and Talk -- Walk and Talk at Prisco Community Center is a free program in which patrons walk in the gym at Prisco Community Center from 6 to 9:30 a.m. Mondays through Friday. Participants should sign-in in the Fitness Centre before walking. This program is for all ages. Adults and children are welcome, as are strollers and wheelchairs.
• Bingo -- Bingo lovers age 55 and older may play bingo one Tuesday a month -- from 1 to 2 p.m. through May -- at the Prisco Community Center. Games are free. Bring a wrapped item for a prize.
Oswego
Bridal Expo planned for Feb. 24 at K of C
A Bridal Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Knights of Columbus, 197 W Washington St. Oswego.
This free event will showcase a variety of local vendors displaying their products for brides and grooms -- from flowers, to favors, limo service, caterers to travel. There will be door prizes and discounts available with specific vendors.
Call Danielle at DKS Special Occasion Rental at (630) 209 0607, or contact Travel Services of Yorkville at (630) 553-7200.
