From the clubs

Send listing information to tricity@dailyherald.com.

Batavia Mothers' Club: The Batavia Mothers' Club is calling for crafters for its 23rd Annual Autumn Arts & Crafts Show. BMCF has consistently assembled a diverse cast of artisans, attracting thousands of patrons. The show will be held Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mooseheart Fieldhouse, just off I-88 on Route 31 near the North Aurora and Batavia border.

The event showcases juried booths of crafters offering handmade items including paintings, drawings, pet accessories, jewelry, dolls and more. Painters and artists specializing in pottery, glass and woodworking are encouraged to apply.

Applications for the 150 available booths will be accepted from now until Aug. 18. A late fee will be charged after the deadline. To complete an application, visit www.bataviamothersclub.org. Call (630) 748-1501 or e-mail bmccrafteraps@yahoo.com for information.

The Autumn Arts & Crafts Show is the Batavia Mothers' Club Foundation's largest fundraiser. Proceeds go to organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for families in need in the community.

Chess-Now at Town and Country Public Library:ŒLearn to play chess better by taking classes taught by Jim Egerton from Chess-Now at Town and Country Public Library. This six week course is for beginners and intermediate players. The six classes are on Mondays, June 16 through July 21. Class time is from 5 to 6 p.m. Enrollment is limited. A $25 deposit check is required to reserve your place. The check will be returned to you if you attend at least five classes. Contact Dwayne Nelson for more information at (630) 365-2244. The library is at 320 E. North Street, Elburn.

Geneva Garden Club: Geneva Garden Club presents Floral Expressions, "Sharing Geneva's Charm," on June 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 402 S. Sixth St. in Geneva. Come and enjoy floral displays, scheduled programs and demonstrations along with a special Home Tour. There will also be a Tea Room, Bazaar and Plant Sale.

Tickets are $20 and available in advance at The Pure Gardener, Betty's Garden Party, The Geneva History Center and at the U of I Extension Office. Tickets will also be available at the door the day of the event or by calling (630) 232-9181.

Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club: The Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club will meet at 7 p.m. June 11 at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave., and invites members and area cyclists to attend. Meetings begin with a short social gathering followed by a guest speaker. This month's speaker is club Treasurer Ed Foster. Ed rode the Katy Trail in Missouri last year and has put together a short DVD containing photos of the ride.

The club will host its 39th annual Swedish Days Ride June 15. The ride will begin and end at Burlington Central High School. Each rider has a choice of 25, 45, 62, 75, 100, or 124 mile routes on paved country roads west of Route 47 in Kane County. Rest stops are provided at Hampshire Forest Preserve, St. Peter and Paul Church in Virgil, and Maple Park Village Park. After the ride, cyclists will be treated to watermelon, ice cream and plenty of cold water and lemonade. Last year's 850 riders included families doing a Father's Day outing to experienced riders training for triathlons. To pre-register, go to www.fvbsc.org or call (630) 513-1987 for information.

Same day registration is accepted on the day of the ride. Brochures are available at area bike shops, park districts, and libraries. Proceeds from the ride allow the club to donate to a variety of trail and cycling related causes every year.

Club meetings are on the second Wednesday of the month at the Batavia Public Library at 7 p.m. For information, visit www.fvbsc.org.

Kane County Audubon: On June 7 at 8 a.m., the Kane County Audubon invites the public to join them as they view the birds of Nelson Lake in the Dick Young Forest Preserve. There should be lots of summer birds. Meet in the parking lot by the silo, which is on the west side of Nelson Lake Road about three-fourths of a mile south of Main Street and about two miles west of Randall Road. in Batavia. For more information, call Rhonda Nelson at (630) 479-1384. Other trips to Nelson Lake take place at 8 a.m. on July 5 and Aug. 2.

On June 11 at 6 p.m., join the group for a night bird walk at Les Arends Forest Preserve. View woodland and river birds. Les Arends is on the east side of Route 31 about 1.25 miles south of Main Street in Batavia. At 5:30 p.m. many members bring a bag meal and eat their evening meal together. For more information, call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386.

On July 9 at 6 p.m., join the group for a night bird walk at James (Pete) Philip State Park (formerly Tri-County Park). At 5:30 p.m. bring a sack meal to eat with members before the walk. The park is on the north side Sterns Road between Dunham Road and Powis Road in Bartlett. For more information call Roger Hotham at (847) 697-7484.

On Aug. 13 at 6 p.m., the night bird walk is at Johnson Mound Forest Preserve. To get to Johnson Mound from Batavia, go west on Fabyan Parkway. Go about 5 miles to Hughes Road, turn right on Hughes Road and go 2.5 miles to park entrance on the right. The group will be viewing Shore Birds at the sod farms across from the parking lot. For more information call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386.

Kane County Audubon is the local chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society and meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday each month September through May. Meetings are held in the orientation room, (the Barn), at Peck Farm in Geneva. Field trips, bird walks, and nature hikes are scheduled throughout the year.

For information, visit www.kanecountyaudubon.org or call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386 or Jerry Hope at (630) 377-1444. For information on the Illinois Audubon Society, call Tom Clay at 217-544-BIRD ( 2473 ).

Fox Valley Council: The Fox Valley Council will host the spring meeting of "Evergreen," the local Girl Scout alumnae group, on June 8 at 1 p.m. at Camille's, 1033 Kilberry Lane in North Aurora. Adults who are former members of Girl Scouting anywhere or adults who would like to find out more about Girl Scouting are welcome to attend. A program will be presented about the upcoming realignment of four area councils and the new leadership program for girls -- both designed to position Girl Scouting as a strong influence on girls today and in the future.

Additional programs for the "Evergreen" alumnae group include celebrating National S'Mores Day Family Celebration on Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. at Camp Dean, the council's camping facility located in Big Rock, and an Evergreen Alumnae Weekend from Sept. 19 through the 21, also at Camp Dean. Part of the weekend event will include capturing Girl Scout memories on audio or video tape.

Batavia American Legion: The Batavia American Legion Post 504 will hold its monthly meeting June 17 at the VFW Post 1197 canteen, 645 S. River St., Batavia, to install officers for 2008-2009.

Those being installed are: Marilyn Challand, post commander; John Nuckles, sr. vice commander; Tony Commarato, jr. vice commander; Irene Gaffney, adjutant major; Thomas, sergeant at arms, Mel Daniels, service officer; Paul Diller, finance officer; Wesley Olmsted, chaplain; and Don Nallenweg, public affairs chairman.