Events @ a Glance: Mind & Spirit Calendar

There’s so much to do in our region! Here’s a look at upcoming lectures and educational enrichment.

Meet the animals of Primrose Farm, in St. Charles, and enjoy some yoga with the resident dwarf goats on Aug. 10.

July

Down on the Farm
Through Nov., see website for days and times. Drop in to hand-milk a cow, gather eggs from the chicken coop, groom a draft horse and help with feeding the goats, chickens and other animals. Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles, (630) 513-6200, stcparks.org.

Let’s Play Railway!
Through Aug. 17, Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Little engineers can pretend to ride in the exhibit’s life-size engine, cattle wagon and caboose; hands-on activities featuring sound effects, puzzles, play tables and more. Geneva History Museum, 113 S. 3rd St., Geneva, (630) 232-4951, genevahistorymuseum.org.

Farm Chores for Kids
July 15-Aug. 29, Tue. & Thu., 1:30-3:30 p.m. Kids learn how children in the 1890s helped in the house and on the farm. Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago, (630) 876-5900, dupageforest.com.

Gavers Barn Dance
July 20, 5 p.m.-midnight. Annual fundraiser for cancer awareness, education, treatment and research. Music by Bella Cain. Gavers Community Cancer Foundation, Emricson Park, 1313 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock, (815) 482-8350, gavers.org.

Dragonflies and Damselflies
July 23, 7-8:30 p.m. Learn about the life cycles of these marvelous winged creatures; catch, examine and release adult insects and their nymphs in the prairie and the pond. Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, 13315 Pleasant Valley Road, Woodstock, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.

A Cancer in the Family
July 26, 8 p.m. Dr. Theodora Ross, of the University of Texas Southwestern, talks about the latest science of cancer genetics and her family’s experience. Tickets online. Fermilab, Ramsey Auditorium, Kirk Road & Pine Street, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.

August

The Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly
Aug. 1-31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The monarchs are back to amaze visitors with their unique metamorphosis from egg to adult butterfly. Rakow Branch Library, Gail Borden Library, 2751 W. Bowes Road, Elgin, (847) 531-7271, gailborden.info.

Goat Yoga
Aug. 10, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Enjoy a morning with dwarf goats in a bucolic environment. Bring a yoga mat. Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles, (630) 513-6200, stcparks.org.

The Creation of “Chicago”
Aug. 13, 7 p.m. Musical theater historian Charles Troy’s multimedia presentation tells the story of the creation of the 1975 Bob Fosse musical. Learn about the history of Chicago in the 1920s as well as Maurine Watkins, the author of the 1926 play on which the musical is based. Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.

Walk on Water and Climb up Walls
Aug. 16, 8 p.m. Dr. David Hu, of Georgia Tech, studies the interactions of animals with water and the ways animals have adapted and evolved to cross their environments, taking advantage of physical laws with startling and ingenious results. Tickets online. Fermilab, Ramsey Auditorium, Pine Street and Kirk Road, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.

Stamp & Scrapbook Expo
Aug. 16-17, Tue. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Wed. to 5 p.m. Card makers, stampers and scrapbook enthusiasts of all experience levels find new products and ideas; swap ideas with crafters and learn new techniques. Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 N. Thoreau Dr., Schaumburg, (847) 303-4100, scrapbookexpo.com.

Bark-a-Paw-Looza
Aug. 18, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Meet adoptable dogs, watch training and agility demonstrations; music, face painting and raffles. Proceeds benefit Rescued Dog Resources Center. Woodstock Square, Woodstock, (815) 338-4300, woodstockil.gov.

Memory Makers: The Art of Storytelling
Aug. 21, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Local resident Joy Aavang coaches participants in crafting their stories and practicing the art of storytelling. Woodstock Public Library, 7735 Main St., Woodstock, (770) 928-9945, woodstockpubliclibrary.org.

Tartans for the Trust
Aug. 31, 3-7 p.m. An evening of Celtic music, pub bands, games and activities for all ages. Barrington Area Conservation Trust (BACT), Barrington Hills Park District Riding Center, 361 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills, (847) 387-3149, bactrust.org.

September

Does AI Spell the End of Social Interaction?
Sept. 6, 8 p.m. Dr. Justine Cassell, of Carnegie Mellon University, describes some unexpected ways in which social interaction can support and improve task performance in people and how social interaction can profitably be integrated into AI. Tickets online. Fermilab, Ramsey Auditorium, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.

Defining Courage
Sept. 11, 7-9 p.m. The first in a series of Courageous Conversations explores the neuroscience of fear and courage, what’s going on inside our brains, and how we can use to control and respond to fear when it rises in us. Led by Dr. Arin N. Reeves. Reg. online. Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington, (224) 512-4115, barringtonswhitehouse.com.

Annual Foundation Book Sale
Sept. 15, noon-4:30 p.m. Thousands of books and media for sale; proceeds support programs and events at the library. Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.

Soul Jam
Sept. 7, 1:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Local bands play on the farm, raising money for Hope Through Horses, which provides therapy using the connection between horses and humans. Soulful Prairies, 4706 Alden Road, Woodstock, (847) 366-6743, soulfulprairies.com.