Elgin chamber making plans to commemorate 100 years

The Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce is 100 years old this year!

A special committee has been set up to organize a year-long series of events to commemorate the pivotal role the chamber has played in the community. All the centennial companies, agencies and churches of the chamber -- and they number in the dozens -- will be asked to be on the chamber's monthly radio show. Each of them will have an opportunity to host a Business Before (or after) Hours in the coming year.

The festivities begin at the annual dinner at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Stonegate banquet facility in Hoffman Estates.

The committee has decided that a snapshot of significant times in the chamber's history will be acted out in vignettes: 1908, 1937, 1958, 1983 and 2008.

Mike Alft has been a valuable resource to the writers. Rick Jakle is the emcee, and a group of volunteers will portray leaders of our history. In addition, Mike has written a history of the chamber that will be given to every attendee, with the opportunity to have Mike sign the book at the close of the evening.

For details or reservations to the dinner, call (847) 741-5660 or visit www.elginchamber.com.

Candidates forum

The League of Women Voters of Elgin is holding a candidates forum in the community room at the Gail Borden Library at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Janet Poyner, president of the League, says that space is limited. Attendees will have the opportunity to write any questions they have for the candidates on cards. Voter service chairwoman Barb Mulliken will be the moderator.

The evening will begin with the candidates for the sub-circuit of 16th Judicial Circuit. Patricia Golden and David Akemann will be given two minutes each to make a statement about special projects they've been involved in, community activities and their greatest achievements. They then will answer questions. This portion of the evening is slated to be 15 minutes.

All seven candidates for the 14th Congressional seat have been invited to the next part of the forum. Four Democrats -- John Laesch, Jotham Stein, Bill Foster, and Joe Serra -- and two Republicans -- Chris Lauzen and Jim Oberweis -- are expected to attend.

Each candidate can speak for three minutes. Then the questions posed by the audience will be asked in random order. To finish, each candidate will have one minute to sum up his candidacy.

This is a great chance five days before the election to see for yourself what each candidate has to say.

Enviro film fest

The Friends of the Fox River is holding a film festival at Elgin Community College's Advanced Technology Center from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Sponsored by Patagonia, this event is one of many gifts this high-end sporting goods company has made. The company also supports the water-quality monitoring the Friends of the Fox does on a regular basis, with the help of thousands of volunteers. Other local business sponsors include Spring Hill Gymnastics, Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce, Girard Chemicals and Kinko's.

The festival will feature family friendly showings of animations, scenic movies and mini-documentaries. The featured film is on the Hetch Hetchy Dam near Yosemite. Discussion will follow all selections.

Many environmental organizations will be present. There will be giveaways and raffles. Reduced price memberships in the Friends of the Fox River will be available.

For details or to buy tickets, visit www.friendsofthefox.org.

YWCA scholarship

To celebrate 25 years of the annual Leader Luncheon, the YWCA announces the creation of a four-year scholarship for a young woman going on to higher education. This scholarship can be renewed for up to four years with progress in studies or completion of a degree or certification. The winner will be announced at the luncheon May 8.

The candidates must attend high school in a public, private, parochial or certified home school in the Elgin Community College district. Forms can be picked up at the Y at 220 E. Chicago St. or at www.ywcaelgin.org. Three short essays on the individual's community involvement, career goals and understanding of the YWCA must accompany the application. All applications must be dropped off at the Y before March 14.

"We are seeking an outstanding young woman leader in the community who exemplifies and models the YWCA Elgin mission and values of creating opportunities for women and children," YWCA CEO Julia McClendon said.

The hickory stick

I saw ads in the paper for the opening of the clubhouse at The Highlands golf course on Feb. 1. So I gave Mike Lehman, the city's golf services manager, a call to see if I could visit the site to get a sneak preview and write about it. He said the date in the paper is a little too hopeful. It will be more like March l.

Anyway, the facility will have a capacity of 175 people in a 4,000-square-foot area. It can be divided into two rooms. The menu for dinner will feature steaks and seafood. The golf menu will feature light fare and a full-service bar.

Mike is looking to hire for the jobs listed in the ad and can be reached at (847) 931-6195.

Check out the beautiful building and some of the views on www.cityofelgin.org, click on Highlands. Somehow it makes the cold and snow seem bearable!