There’s so much to do in our neck of the Old Northwest Territory! Here’s a sampling of some upcoming events.
December
Dynamic Professional Women’s Networking
Dec. 13 & 27, 11:15 a.m. Check out the next chapter meeting of this women’s networking organization that focuses on building professional connections and increasing business through third-party referrals. $15. The Village Squire Crystal Lake, 4818 Northwest Hwy., Crystal Lake, dpwomen.com.
Bird Count Field Trip
Dec. 15, 8-11 a.m. DuPage County Annual Christmas bird count. Bring binoculars. NOT suitable for service learning hour credits. Ages 8 and older; under 14 with adult. Call (630) 293-1627 for groups of ten or more. Info/required waiver: (630) 933-7681. West Chicago Prairie, Industrial Drive ½ mile south of Hawthorne Lane, West Chicago, dupageforest.com.
Holiday Traditions from Around the World
Dec. 18, 7-8:45 p.m. See a Swedish Yule Bok, the Norwegian Nise, Indian statuaries of gods/goddesses (Diwali), Egyptian Ramadan Lanterns, and the Menorah (Chanukah). Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove, Elgin, (847) 429-4680, gailborden.info, ecco-foxvalley.net.
Learning to Connect: Relating to the Person with Alzheimer’s
Dec. 21, 10 a.m. Learn about dementia and its effect on communication and behavior, and discover techniques to make visits more comfortable and meaningful. Free. Register early: (815) 484-1300, alz.org/illinois. Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington.
January 2013
Classic Film: Come Back Little Sheba
Jan. 6, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Screening and discussion of the 1952 film starring Burt Lancaster and Shirley Booth. Free, reg. required. Eola Branch, Aurora Public Library, 555 South Eola Road, Aurora, (630) 264-3400, aurorapubliclibrary.org.
Building Bionics
Jan. 18, 8 p.m. Dr. Todd Kuiken, Director of the Center for Bionic Medicine at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, talks about his research in developing Targeted Muscle Regeneration (TMR), a surgical technique that improves muscle function for people with limb loss. $7. Fermilab, Ramsey Auditorium, Kirk Road & Pine Street, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.
Well-Planned Garden
Jan. 24, 7-8:30 p.m. Find new ideas for the upcoming garden season, as well as companion planting, organic pest control and other methods for more sustainable gardening. Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 479-5779.
Breast Cancer’s Silver Lining
Jan. 26, 1-2 p.m. Bernadette Hanson, RN, identifes and answers questions regarding breast cancer reconstruction, including insurance coverage and support services for patients and their families. Eola Branch, Aurora Public Library, 555 South Eola Road, Aurora, (630) 264-3400, aurorapubliclibrary.org.
The Lore and Lure of Spice
Jan. 28, 7-8:30 p.m. Patty and Tom Erd, owners of The Spice House, relate the fascinating history of the spice trade with tales of piracy, adventures and wars. Free. Registration requested. Barrington Area Library, barringtonarealibrary.org.
Alan Wolfe
Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m. Presentation by this political science instructor, also director of the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life at Boston College, a contributing editor of The New Republic and author/editor of more than 20 books, including “The Future of Liberalism.” Free; registration required. Crimi Auditorium, Institute for Collaboration, Aurora University (AU), 407 S. Calumet Ave., Aurora, (630) 844-4924.
Sustainability 101: Local Food Connections
Jan. 30, 7-8:30 p.m. Meet producers and merchants of sustainable foods, who explain how their businesses work and where to purchase their products. Free samples, too. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park, 6316 Harts Road, Ringwood, (815) 338-6223, mccdistrict.org.
February
Winter Tree Investigations
Feb. 2, 1-2:30 p.m. Learn methods to identify both deciduous and coniferous trees any time of year, even without leaves in winter. Marengo Ridge Conservation Area, Shelter No. 1, 2411 S. Route 23, Marengo, (847) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.
8th Annual Black History Family Festival
Feb. 2, 1-5 p.m. Details TBA. Gail Borden Public Library Partnership with Black History Family Festival Inc., a nonprofit organization. Gail Borden Library, Elgin, (847) 742-2411.
Classic Film Discussion: Forbidden Planet
Feb. 3, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Screening and discussion of the 1956 sci-fi classic starring Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis and Leslie Nielsen. Free, registration required. Eola Branch, Aurora Public Library, 555 South Eola Road, Aurora, (630) 264-3400, aurorapubliclibrary.org.
The American Road to Victory Film Discussion
Feb. 10, 1-3 p.m. One Book One Barrington and the VFW sponsor a screening of The Americans on D-Day, the first of a documentary trilogy, followed by a discussion and stories from local veterans. Registration: barringtonarealibrary.org. Event: The Garlands of Barrington, 1000 Garland Lane, Barrington.
Frog Monitoring Workshop
Feb. 20, 7-9 p.m. Training session for ages 18 and older to learn techniques and protocol for monitoring frogs and toads by their calls. Upon workshop completion, volunteers can monitor MCCD areas or their own private wetlands. Info: (815) 728-8307, habitatproject.org/frogsurvey/index.html. Registration required. Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.