Hawthorne Nature Center celebrates "What's in a Tree' exhibit

The Hawthorne Nature Center next Sunday will celebrate the grand opening of the "What's in a Tree" exhibit.

Crafted by volunteer woodworker John Jablonski, this new permanent exhibit features eight panels with information about the products of trees, the creatures that use trees as a home, and the anatomy and terminology of trees.

Environmental class students from Elgin High School will lead programs. It runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at the center, 28 Brookside Drive.

This family-friendly exhibit has several interactive areas for grammar school students. It also has descriptions of local trees, which could answer adult questions about what kinds of trees are in their yard.

Much of the wood for the exhibit was donated by the ReStore in Elgin. There is no charge for the program. For further information call, Deb Barr, community recreation supervisor for Elgin, at (847) 531-7009.

Madrigal Singers

Elgin High School Madrigal Singers will visit the Holiday Tea at the Elgin Area Historical Society at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Rosalind Zager, the choral music director at the school, says the select group of singers, dressed in Renaissance costumes, will sing songs of the times like "Glad We Be This Day" and "I Have Never Been So Carefree," as well as some more modern pieces and traditional carols.

Also at the tea, children can make holiday ornaments while their parents and grandparents can sample favorite holiday goodies. The museum store will be open with its large selection of books and tapes on Elgin's history and old-fashioned toys and games.

All are welcome to visit that afternoon, and there is no charge. For details, call the museum in the afternoon Wednesday through Saturday at (847) 742-4248.

Mike's boyhood

Years ago, Mike Powers took a challenge from Mike Bailey and wrote an essay about a "sacred space" in Elgin.

In writing, Mike discovered that he loved telling about his childhood and that he had many other stories to tell.

In May of this year, (after winning election to city council) he devoted almost four months to write about his "idyllic" youth in the '60s and '70s here in Elgin.

At 7 p.m. Thursday at Gail Borden Library Community Room, Mike will do some reading from his book, swap and share stories with the audience and hold a question-and-answer session about that time in Elgin.

His stories talk about teachers at Elgin High School, notable businesses in downtown Elgin and hangout spots for teens.

Publisher George Rawlinson says the book has an evocative, everyman quality. It is funny and poignant.

For details about the book, call George at State Street Publication at (847) 695-6559. For details about the presentation at the library, call (847) 742-2411.

Holiday puppy?

Jenny Kang at the Anderson Animal Shelter just talked to me about two upcoming specialized pet issues:

On Friday, the Web site -- andersonanimalshelter.org --will have some thoughts about holiday pet adoptions.

One suggestion is no surprise. Do not pick out a pet for someone else. Traits that would be endearing to one person might be a negative to another.

There also will be ideas for handling feedings and other special holiday concerns.

If a pet is going to be in someone's stocking at your home, adoption, spaying and training are included in the cost at the shelter. Call the front desk at (847) 697-2880, ext. 20, to make arrangements.

Jenny also is taking reservations for a class that will begin in January, and the reason I'm including it today is that only five pet owners can sign up at a time. It is called "Make Way for Baby."

If you are infanticipating, this six-week class will not only go over the six basic commands for your dog, but also proper food bowl etiquette, possession rules, desensitization to strollers and swings, curbing the chase/herding instinct and walking around a baby blanket. Call Jenny Kang at (847) 697-2880, ext. 23, for details.

Quick takes

• Don't forget the "Keeping my Child Safe on the Internet" presentation 7 p.m. Tuesday at South Elgin High School. Phil Morris, technology manager at the Kane County Regional Office of Education, will speak to parents, students, and teachers about issues lurking in social networks on the Internet. This multimedia presentation helps attendees recognize inappropriate Web sites and activities. Phil can be reached at pmorris@kaneroe.org or by calling (630) 406-7162.

• Elgin's human relations commission is seeking nominations for the Martin Luther King Award given in January. This award is given annually to the person, business or organization in Elgin that exemplifies King's teachings of peace through nonviolence and love of justice and equality for all humankind. This nomination form can be found at www.cityofelgin.org, and applications are due Dec. 14 at city hall.

• The Image Award nomination forms have been posted on the city's Web site. The awards, given in March, honor individuals, businesses and groups that have had an impact in 2007 on how Elgin is perceived. Look around at coworkers, places you do business with, and groups you belong to and see the impact they may have had on the community. Go to www.cityofelgin.org for the form and details. Nominations are being accepted now until Jan. 28.