From the clubs
To list your club's meetings, e-mail to foxvalley@dailyherald.com, or fax to (847) 608-0849.
Elgin Genealogical Society: The Elgin Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. today in the public meeting rooms at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. The topic for the first meeting of the new year will be "Your 2008 Genealogy Goals and Resolutions" Guests are welcome. For information, call Becky Higgins at (630) 372-6196.
Fox Valley SHRM: The Illinois Fox Valley Society of Human Resource Managment welcomes Patricia L. Mehler of Seyfarth Shaw LLP at today's meeting.
Mehler will look at the reasons why employees bring charges or lawsuits against their employers and how employers can take some proactive steps to minimize those claims. They also will discuss recent amendments to the Illinois Human Rights Act, including a major change in where such claims can be filed and how that will affect employers.
Illinois Fox Valley SHRM meets the third Thursday of every month at Hennessy Restaurant, just north of I-90 off Randall Road in Elgin, for a luncheon with versatile programs directed toward the human resource professional. Registration is at 11:15 a.m. and the meeting adjourns at 1 p.m. Interested parties can call (847) 289-7170. The cost for Illinois Fox Valley SHRM members $20, $40 for non-members.
Plato Center HEA: Plato Center Unit of Homemakers Education Association will meet at 1 p.m. Friday at the Plato Township Hall, 10N924 Rippburger Road.
The hostesses for this meeting are Arlene Reiser, Velda Engel and Marcella Drendel. The lesson for the meeting is "Microwave Cooking in the 21st Century," presented by Shirley Petersen and Joan Ziethen. Also, Joan Rossi will present the lesson on "Finding Your Get Up and Go." Reservations will be taken for Fun Day on Feb. 20 at St. Gall Church, Elburn. The cost is $13.
At the annual Christmas meeting held at Sorrento's Restaurant in Maple Park, a good time was experienced by all. The hostesses were Elsje Starrenburg, Lorraine Kelm and Linda Butts. Shirley Petersen made the attractive Christmas tree centerpieces. Nancy Haire gave gifts of homemade jelly and the gift bags and the holiday raffle prizes were by Linda Butts. The center pieces also were raffled off. The Unit had a guest, Ellen Ehora, as well as a speaker from Elderhostel Warren Lowe and his friend Joe Villa. Both spoke on the travels through Elderhostel for seniors, age 55 and older, were you can meet and make new friends. Elderhostel has domestic and international hostels.
The Homemakers Education Association is looking for new members. They have 12 units that meet in the Kane County area. Call the Extension Office at (630) 584-6166 for details or call Joan at (847) 931-8120 if you want to be a guest at the meeting.
Audubon Society: The Kane County Chapter of the Audubon Society meets for programs and activities.
On Saturday, enjoy Fox River Birding by car and foot at 8 a.m. To car pool, meet at Peck Farm parking lot, 38W199 Kaneville Road. For information, call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386.
On Jan. 26, take a trip to Illinois Audubon Society's Starved Rock Eagle Days. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Peck Farm parking lot to car pool to Starved Rock. For information, call Jane McMillan at (847) 622-3216. Or visit www. kanecountyaudubon.org.
Elgin Rotary Club: The Rotary Club of Elgin will welcome Susan Mchabcheb of Easter Seals DuPage and Fox Valley Region as the next guest speaker on Monday at Villa Olivia Country Club, off Route 20 in Bartlett.
The weekly meetings are at noon Mondays. The meetings are open to the public; cost for guests is $10.
For details, call Michael McKay at (847) 841-1550 or visit the Web site at www.rotaryclubofelgin.org.
On Jan. 28, Jim Delaney, Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, will speak. Only the Big Ten's fifth commissioner since its founding in 1896, James E. Delany enters his 19th year in that role. He has led the Big Ten through significant periods of change and growth that have helped the conference maintain its pre-eminent position as one of the nation's leaders in providing quality athletic and academic experiences for young people. He has been recognized as "a man widely considered as the most powerful figure in college sports" in his role as Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference.
SWAN: South West Area Neighbors will hold its January meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at Zion Lutheran Church, Griswold and Washburn streets in Elgin. Turn south off of Walnut Street and proceed south one block.
The program will be on goal setting for 2008. This is the chance to let your voice be heard and say what you want to work on in 2008.
SWAN's boundaries are the Fox River on the east, Route 20 on the south, Commonwealth Avenue on the west and Walnut Avenue on the north. For information, call Charlene Sligting, SWAN president, at (630) 927-5890 or e-mail to sligtingc@aol.com.
Elgin Golden K Kiwanis: The Elgin Golden K Kiwanis will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division St., Elgin. The program will be by George Wolff, one of the co-owners of Wolff Fitness in Elgin and St. Charles. His topic will be physical fitness. Visitors are welcome. For details, call (847) 741-7176.
Carpentersville VFW Post 5915: On Jan. 27, the Carpentersville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5915 and its Ladies Auxiliary will host a luncheon at 1 p.m. where they will be giving organizations throughout the community monetary donations. Attendees also will hear speeches from the Voice of Democracy scholarship winners and the Patriot's Pen essay contest winners.
One Voice of Democracy and three Patriot's Pen winners from the post went to the District competition on Jan. 12. The post is at 301 Lake Marian Road in Carpentersville. For details, call (847) 428-4836.
League of Women Voters: Jan. 31 will be one of the final opportunities to hear the candidates for the 14th Congressional District Representative seat before the Feb. 5 primary elections.
Both the Democratic and Republican candidates have been invited to participate in this forum that will use a moderated format. Sponsored by the Elgin Area League of Women Voters, the forum will be held at 7 p.m. at Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. The Feb. 5 primary election will be unusual as voters will be casting votes on two ballots in the 14th Congressional District.
One ballot will be for the regular primary election to determine which Democratic and Republican candidate will compete in the November general election. The second ballot will be for the special primary to choose which two candidates will compete for the opportunity to fill out the remaining term of the now retired Congressman, Dennis Hastert. The Democratic and Republican candidate winning the special primary will be on the ballot in the special general election to be held on March 8.
This event is open to the public, and all citizens of the district are encouraged to attend. As always, the candidates are invited to meet and greet the audience informally after the forum.
The league is a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership is open to men and women of all ages. With more than 87 years of experience and 850 local and state affiliates, it is one of America's most trusted grassroots organizations. For information, call Janet Poyner, league president, at (847) 695-7122.
Friends of the Fox River: The largest environmental film festival in North America is coming to McHenry and Kane counties.
Join Friends of the Fox River as they host the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival Tour at McHenry County College from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 31 and Elgin Community College from 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 2. Different films will be featured at each venue; consider attending both.
The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival Tour brings together award-winning environmental films in the spirit of inspiration and education. The films leave people feeling inspired and motivated to go out and make a difference in their communities and around the world.
Whether it is the struggle for environmental justice, information on renewable energy, or an educational tale about an endangered species, the films bring awareness to the natural world around us and our role in that delicate balance. This will be the only stop for the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival in the Chicago area. In partnership with tour sponsor Patagonia, Friends of the Fox River will use the tour as a community outreach tool to raise awareness of both local and global issues.
On Jan. 31, doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts 6:10 p.m. at McHenry County College Conference Center, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.
On Feb. 2, doors open at 2 p.m. with the show starting at 2:05 p.m. at the Advanced Technology Center auditorium, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. For details, visit www.friendsofthefox.org.
Elgin Knights of Columbus: The Elgin Knights of Columbus Council 654 is offering its first cook book, in honor of the 10th annual "Chili for Charity."
Order your collectors K of C cookbook with favorite recipes donated from Brother Knights, friends, and relatives. The cook book, featuring some world-class chili recipes, will contain an assortment of favorites (some never before disclosed) ranging from ethnic foods to children's favorites. The book will be back from the publisher on or before Feb. 6 so order today to guarantee a copy of this limited edition for $10. All orders should be sent to: Chili for Charity Cook Book, c/o Knights of Columbus, P.O. Box 1427, Elgin IL 60120-1427. Money orders or checks should be made payable to the Knights of Columbus 654. For details, e-mail Kirk at kstas@comcast.net.
The 10th annual Chili for Charity, featuring 50 of the top recipes in the area, will be held from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at St. Thomas More School gymnasium, 1625 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. The evening will include entertainment, all the chili you can eat, hot dogs, raffles and fun for all ages for $7. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.
Henpeck HEA: The Henpeck Unit of Kane County Homemakers Education Association will meet on Feb. 7 at the home of Mary Ebert in Kaneland. The lesson on "Microwave Cooking in the 21st Century" will be presented by the hostess. Guests are welcome; Call Mary at (630) 557-2137 for details and directions.
Despite threatening weather, unit members met Jan. 7 at Papa G's restaurant in Elburn. Seven members answered roll call with how a friend helped them through a difficult time. The issue of which charity should receive cash donations in lieu of Christmas gift exchange was brought back to the table. It was decided to give the cash to the Hampshire/Burlington Food Pantry after absent members have had a chance to contribute.
Fun Day is scheduled for Feb. 20 at St Gall's Church Hall in Elburn. The event will include a catered luncheon and a musical program titled "Seasons of Our Lives" to be presented by Peg Lehman. She is an accomplished autoharp and mountain dulcimer player. Mary Ebert will provide the Unit's centerpiece with a summer theme. Three members plan to attend; reservations are due by Feb. 6.
Greek recipes were distributed to those present. These will be used for the unit's food lesson on Greece scheduled for meeting in May.
Donations of personal items were collected for the Community Crisis Center in Elgin. The lesson, called "Where Do You Want To Live When You Grow Up?," was presented by Betty Rylko. It included ways to evaluate retirement housing needs, factors to consider when choosing a place to retire, descriptions of the types of retirement housing options, questions to ask when deciding whether to age in place or move. For information, call Peggy Gross at (847) 683-3826 or Mary Ann Harter at (847) 683-3632.
Elgin Woman's Club: The Elgin Woman's Club begins its 2008 meetings at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 12 with a program and luncheon at the Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road, Elgin.
Presented by the home life department, the program will feature a presentation by Cherie Aschenbrenner, Elgin Police Department crime prevention specialist and elderly service officer, and Elgin police detective Todd Ramljak, financial crimes investigator, discussing "Identity Theft." Aschenbrenner will discuss how to prevent becoming a victim of identity theft, ways people can safeguard themselves, and how information is obtained by criminals. Ramljak will talk about what happens once you are a victim -- what to do first -- making a police report, calling credit card companies and how he investigates identity theft cases.
Reservations should be made no later than Feb. 8 by calling the EWC hotline at (847) 622-3614. Cost of the lunch meeting and program is $13 and may be paid by check the day of the meeting.