Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for September, 2023

crabtree-nature-center-art-2-sep12-1050x600

After a three-year hiatus, the annual Art in Nature Festival returns to Crabtree Nature Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10.

During this free event, attendees can view artists at work reflecting on the landscapes of the nature preserve.

“We will also have a variety of activities such as painting with watercolor and sculpting with clay, which allow people to reflect the beauty of the forest preserves through art,” explains Jeff Rapp, director of Crabtree Nature Center.

There will be live music and dance programs performed by the Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago and the local duo Second Wind. Additionally, visitors can view and purchase art.

More here.

Read Full Post »

Quartet

The Miró Quartet will present “Poems & Prose: A Quartet Narrative” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at Barrington’s White House.

Barrington’s White House is thrilled to announce its Fall 2023 Cultural Season, presenting an array of events that aim to captivate audiences of all interests.

From world-class musical performances and thought-provoking discussions to art exhibitions, the upcoming season offers an eclectic blend of cultural experiences that will leave attendees inspired and enriched.

Kicking off the season is the Miró Quartet with “Poems & Prose: A Quartet Narrative” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17. The quartet’s performance, which will be recorded for later broadcast on WFMT classical radio, features a program that includes Dvorak’s “Selections from Cypresses,” Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden,” Caroline Shaw’s “Microfictions” and Brahms’ “Quartet in C minor, Op. 51, No. 1.”

The performance will be followed by a champagne reception, where audience members can meet the performers.

The cultural season continues with these programs:

• 3rd Thursdays: Cindy Marrazzo: Dynamics of Light in the Hills of Tennessee: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21. A showcase of the traditional realism artwork of artist Cindy Marrazzo, exploring the interplay of light and darkness. Free.

Ziegler

A discussion on using mindfulness practices to manage daily stress will be presented by Northwestern University’s Dr. Inger Burnett-Ziegler at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, at Barrington’s White House. Admission is $25. – Courtesy of Barrington’s White House

Mindfulness for Mental Wellness with Dr. Inger Burnett-Ziegler: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8. A discussion on using mindfulness practices to manage daily stress presented by Northwestern University’s Dr. Inger Burnett-Ziegler. Admission: $25 per person.

• Paint the Town Barrington: Local artists will paint “plein air” in Barrington, capturing the town’s beauty, Oct. 6-14. The public can meet the artists during a reception Saturday, Oct. 14, and the art sale will take place Sunday, Oct. 15. Free.

• Author Talk — Richard Goodman Discusses “French Dirt: The Story of a Garden in the South of France”: 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17. Renowned writer Richard Goodman shares his love story between a man and his garden in the South of France. Admission: $25 per person.

Read more here, or go to barringtonswhitehouse.com.

Read Full Post »

Drug Drop

2022 prescription drug drop off event

This is a FREE drive-up event. Constituents are encouraged to join us in safely disposing of unused, unwanted and expired prescription drugs.

Please place the medications in a sealed plastic bag. Brochures on State programs will be available

We are also accepting up to two bankers boxes of paper per household for secured off-site document shredding.

Drop off is from 9:30 – 11:30 AM at Rep Martin McLaughlin’s District Office located at 28662 W Northwest Highway, Suite A, Lake Barrington, IL 60010.

Accepted medications include

  • Tablets, capsules and other solid forms of prescription drugs
  • Patches
  • Vaping devices and cartridges (lithium batteries removed)

Restricted items include

  • Liquids (including intravenous solutions)
  • Syringes
  • Needles

Further information can be found by contacting Rep Martin McLaughlin’s district office at 224.634.8300.

Read Full Post »

Air Show

The Northern Illinois Air Show takes flight Saturday, Sept. 9, at Waukegan National Airport.

Starts before Friday

Elgin Fringe Festival: Wednesday through Sunday, Sept. 6-10, in downtown Elgin. Opening night Wednesday at the Martini Room. Most performances are Thursday through Sunday. The 10th annual event features a variety of performances. Single tickets are free, $7 or $12. EFF button access to all performances is $3. Fringe Central is at 15 Ziegler Court. elginfringefestival.com.

Friday, Sept. 8

Taste of Chicago: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Sept. 8-10, in Grant Park at Buckingham Fountain Plaza, Chicago. Features 35 food vendors, 15 food trucks, beer hall, wine garden, cocktail lounge, music and entertainment on three stages, karaoke, Chicago SummerDance, trivia, kids’ entertainment and more. Free; food vendors accept cash and credit cards. chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/taste_of_chicago.html.

Festival of the Vine: Noon to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, on James Street between Fourth and Fifth streets, Geneva. Flavor Fare features wine and food, live music, kids’ activities and free horse-drawn carriage rides. Music from Wild Daisy at 7:30 p.m. Friday; Feel Good Party Band at 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and Planet Groove at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Arts and crafts show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Third and Campbell streets. Free. genevachamber.com.

Lake County RV Outlet Show: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at the Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Browse the latest in pop-up campers, travel trailers, camper vans, motor homes and more. Free. rvoutletshow.com.

Itasca Oktoberfest: 5-10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8; 3-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9; and 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Washington Park, 350 E. Irving Park Road, Itasca. 15th annual festival with German food, music and entertainment. Music from Euro Express from 7-10 p.m. Friday and Happy Wonderers from 3-6 p.m. and Alpine Thunder from 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Family Fun Day on Sunday with games, food truck, police car and fire trucks. Free. itascaparkdistrict.com.

Outdoor Movie Nights: 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at Deer Park Town Center, 20530 N. Rand Road, Deer Park. Preshow activities include face painting, balloon artist, yard games and more. “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” begins at 7 p.m. Free. shopdeerparktowncenter.com.

Platzkonzert Germanfest: 6-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Virginia Mary Hayter Village Green, 5510 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. A family-friendly celebration of all things German, including food, music, beer and kids’ activities. Free. hoffmanestates.org.

Saturday, Sept. 9

Historic Elgin House Tour: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10. Explore six homes in Elgin’s historic North East neighborhood. Advance tickets are $20, $15 for ages 65 or older, $10 for 18 and younger; $5 more the day-of. historicelginhousetour.com.

Kiwanis Kite Fly: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 9, at Margreth Riemer Reservoir Park, Palatine. Free kites will be given to the first 200 children. Child must be present to receive a kite. palatineparks.org.

Northern Illinois Air Show: Gates open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., show from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Waukegan National Airport, 2601 W. Plane Rest Drive, Waukegan. Air show features flights of the U.S. Navy EA-18 Growler and the Airforce A-10 Warthog, flight demonstrations from aerobatic pilots and historic planes. Helicopter rides from 10:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. $20. northernillinoisairshow.com

Family Fishing Event: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 9, at Lakefront Park, 1019 N. Lake Shore Drive, Round Lake Beach. The annual fishing event is sponsored by the Huebner Fishery Management Foundation. Free. Register online at rlapd.org.

Makers Market Craft Fair: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Stanger Park, Algonquin Road and Elder Lane, Fox River Grove. Second annual handmade makers market featuring 30 local artists, makers and bakers. Food, beer and nonalcoholic drinks for sale. Free. facebook.com/FRGMakersMarket.

Pet Event: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Bartlett Gazebo Park, 102 N. Eastern Ave., Bartlett. For pets and their humans. Meet more than 15 area rescue organizations, shop more than 20 pet-related vendors and watch animal demos. Food and fall treats for purchase. Free. artsinbartlett.org/pet-event.

war

Dozens of re-enactors from the Northwest Territory Alliance stage mock battles during the Revolutionary War Re-Enactment Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10, at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. – Courtesy of Northwest Territory Alliance

Revolutionary War Re-Enactment: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10, at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Dozens of re-enactors from the Northwest Territory Alliance camp at the park to stage mock battles and provide a look at what life was like in the 18th century. Food for purchase. $15 per car. cantigny.org.

Illinois Brews @ Bowes Creek: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Bowes Creek Country Club, 1250 Bowes Creek Blvd., Elgin. Elgin Parks & Recreation Foundation fundraiser featuring more than five local breweries, live music and food. $45; VIP access at 3 p.m. for $65; designated driver $25. elginparksfoundation.org/ilbrewsatbowes.

Rock the Block: 4-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, on Main Street in Lake Zurich. Annual block party with music, food and activities. Free. lakezurich.org.

Sunday, Sept. 10

Lake Forest Antiques and Treasures in the Field: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, behind Deerpath Middle School, 95 W. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest. More than 50 dealers from across the Midwest will be selling furniture, textiles, glassware, garden accessories, vintage jewelry and clothing. $10; free admission for kids. lakeforestantiquesale.com.

Scandinavian Day Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin. Traditional food of five Nordic cultures, crafts and entertainment. Church service at 10:30 a.m., Leikarringen Heimhug Dancers at 11:35 a.m. and Nordic Folk Dancers of Chicago at 1:30 p.m. Kids’ activities include “Elsa in the Park and “Stories with Elsa,” pony rides and face painting. Music from Grammy Award-winning violinist Mads Tolling from 12:05-1:20 p.m., Smorgas Bandet from 2-3 p.m., and Dancing Queen ABBA Salute from 3:30-5 p.m. $10; free for kids 12 and younger. scandinaviandayil.com.

Fall Caboose Days: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at the Fox River Trolley Museum, off Route 31, South Elgin. Ride with the conductor in the Big Red Caboose or with the engineer in the locomotive. $5-$8. foxtrolley.org/special-events.

Monday, Sept. 11

St. Charles 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony: 7:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11, outside at the fire department memorial, 2 E. Main St., St. Charles. The ceremony includes posting the Fire Department Memorial Flag, placing the memorial wreath and observing a moment of silence. stcharlesil.gov.

Elgin 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony: 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11, at Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. The program will feature speakers and a performance by the Baptist Providence College Ensemble. cityofelgin.org.

Wednesday, Sept. 13

Elgin American Legion Cruise Night: 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Post 57 home, 820 N. Liberty St., Elgin. Motorcycles, cars, trucks and military vehicles are invited to participate. Food and adult beverages available at the Legion Bar. Sponsored by the American Legion Riders Post 57. facebook.com/ALR57Elgin.

Thursday, Sept. 14

Cruisin’ Lake Zurich Car Show: 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, at Culver’s, 645 N. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Food, raffles and cars of all types. Free. lzacc.com/cruisinlz.

Movie in the Park: Concessions open at 7 p.m. and movie at dusk Thursday, Sept. 14, at Meineke Park, 220 E. Weathersfield Way, Schaumburg. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and watch “Top Gun: Maverick.” Popcorn and snacks for purchase. Free. parkfun.com.

More entertainment opportunities can be found here.

Read Full Post »

Submitted by Wolf Wordsmithing

SG1

Dinosaurs sprint, saunter and fly in Richardson’s “World’s Largest Corn Maze.” The maze and adventure farm activities open Sept. 9 at the Spring Grove farm. (Courtesy of George Richardson | Richardson Farm)

With 2023 marking the 30th anniversary of the movie “Jurassic Park,” the Richardson family landed on an intricate dinosaur design for this fall’s corn maze.

Don’t tarry too long in the T-rex; there’s so much more to explore in the 28-acre maze, from a waterfall and Jeep to a braided adventurer and brachiosaurus.

“We always look for the anniversary of something spectacular, and dinosaurs are forever popular,” said George Richardson, who operates the farm along with his wife, Wendy; brother, Robert; Robert’s wife, Carol; George’s son, Ryan; and Ryan’s wife, Kristen.

Shawn Stolworthy of MazePlay.com again designed the maze, which was planted in late June. The “World’s Largest Corn Maze” opens Saturday, Sept. 9, and will be open Thursdays to Sundays through Oct. 29, plus Monday, Oct. 9, for Columbus Day. The farm is at 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove.

The maze features five games and everything from 10-minute trail options for parents with younger children to hour-and-a-half treks for intrepid corn crawlers.

“There’s a left-turns-only route and a right-turns-only route,” Wendy Richardson said. “There are bridges to climb to get a view of where you are. Parents with little kids can walk in without worrying about getting lost.”

Pig Rodeo

The stars of the pig races that audiences enjoy each fall at the Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove. The farm also features giant slides, pedal karts, a train ride, a carousel, zip lines and more. – Courtesy Adam Glickman | Adam Glickman Photography

While the maze is amazing, it’s far from the only reason to check out the adventure farm. Giant slides, pedal karts, a recently upgraded train ride, a carousel, a 50-foot viewing tower, pig races, a large gift shop with a wine sampling bar, indoor restrooms and, while in season, an additional sunflower maze all await.

There are food trucks, a craft beer tent featuring 9th Hour Brewing varieties and the farm’s own freshly made, piping hot doughnuts.

Pig Racing

Visitors to Richardson Adventure Farm await the start of the next pig race during a cloudless fall day in 2022. – Courtesy of Wolf Wordsmithing

Add to that jumping pillows, air cannons, live music on weekends, Zorbing and a zip line for an unparalleled day of fun in the fresh air.

“We have people come in who have never been here before who tell us ‘I thought I was coming to a little pumpkin patch, but holy cow!'” Ryan Richardson said. “We love seeing the smiles on families’ faces.”

Speaking of pumpkins, those wanting to pick up a few will find 20 varieties and about a dozen varieties of gourds from which to choose.

Sunflowers

Visitors to the Richardson Adventure Farm also can take in the sunflower fields, included with regular admission, while in season. – Courtesy of Wolf Wordsmithing

Sunflower lovers will find about 13 acres to explore, with 10 varieties of the popular fall flower in brilliant yellows, oranges and reds. The sunflower fields will be open until dusk while in season; admission to the sunflower fields is included with regular adventure farm tickets. Check richardsonadventurefarm.com for bloom dates.

Hours are 3-9 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. Columbus Day hours will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Maze until Midnight festivities will be Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 27-28.

Admission is $20 for ages 3-12, $24 for ages 13 and older and free for those 2 and younger from Sept. 9-30. Prices increase in October. Group discounts may apply. Campfire and picnic site rentals also are available. Visit the website for details.

Read Full Post »

Spring Hill Outdoor

Shipping containers form the outdoor venue called Container Collective Social in Carpentersville. | Courtesy of Container Collective Social

Music, food and the Chicago Bears on the big screen are on tap this weekend at the grand opening of Spring Hill Mall’s Container Collective Social.

The outdoor entertainment venue will open officially starting Friday in the parking lot outside the former Carson Pirie Scott store in Carpentersville.

“We’re just excited to bring some community involvement there,” Village President John Skillman said. “It helps keep the mall active as long as we can.”

The new venture comes as West Dundee is in talks with the mall’s owner, Kohan Retail Investment Group, to purchase the Carson’s building and the main part of the mall.

Earlier this year, West Dundee trustees approved the purchase of the shuttered Macy’s and Sears stores at the mall. Though most of the mall is in West Dundee, the Carson Pirie Scott store, Kohl’s and a portion of the mall are in Carpentersville.

In August, Carpentersville trustees approved plans for the Container Collective Social. It features shipping containers that help set up the perimeter of the venue, which also includes a sound system, stage and large screen.

Read more here.

Read Full Post »

Chicago Teachers Strike

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates has been vehemently opposed to school choice, calling it ‘racist.’ But she reportedly put one of her own children in private school. Choice for me, but not for thee?

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates vehemently opposes school choice, but she reportedly now sends one of her three children to a private high school in Chicago.

She and the CTU have been actively working to kill Illinois’ only school choice program, the Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program. While Davis Gates apparently can choose an alternative to failing Chicago Public Schools for her child, she is actively working to kill that choice for low-income families: Invest in Kids expires at the end of 2023.

Davis Gates previously stressed to Chicago Magazine the importance of someone in her role sending her kids to public school.

“I can’t advocate on behalf of public education and the children of this city and educators in this city without it taking root in my own household,” Davis Gates said.

She also said, “School choice was actually the choice of racists. It was created to avoid integrating schools with Black children.”

Davis Gates’ child is listed on a private school athletic roster. She follows him on social media. The school’s principal declined comment and Davis Gates did not respond to media requests for comment.

More here.

Read Full Post »

Bishop 1

At Fairfield Elementary in Springfield Wednesday U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker meet. Greg Bishop / The Center Square

Education officials are reacting to concerns over political activism, rather than education, being in the classroom.

With the new school year in full swing for most of the state, national and state education officials made visits to Illinois schools.

Bishop 2

At Fairfield Elementary in Springfield Wednesday U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and talk with education officials. Greg Bishop / The Center Square

Before a visit to Fairfield Elementary in Springfield featuring Gov. J.B. Pritzker and U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Illinois U.S. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, released a statement saying Pritzker and Cardona oppose parental rights “and believe young children should be indoctrinated with radical ‘gender ideology’ politics in the classroom behind their parents’ backs.”

“Parents should be in charge of their child’s education, not radical politicians like Pritzker and Cardona who believe teachers should be discussing chemical castration and gender reassignment with your child,” Miller said.

Shannon Adcock, founder of the parents’ rights group Awake Illinois, said educators must focus on education.

“I would hope they would start talking about literacy, about proficiency and how they’re actually going to focus on academic outcomes in the classroom, not political activism, not waging continued war on parental rights,” Adcock told The Center Square.

Pritzker said despite state data showing some areas with low proficiencies in math and reading, the state is educating children.

“We always want to do better. We want our kids to do better, and in fact we’ve invested in that in the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said as he praised federal taxpayer resources for public education.

Read more here.

Read Full Post »

23-24BOE2

“Every fall the Board of Education selects its priorities for the upcoming school year. At the Sept. 5 meeting, Board members approved six priorities for the 2023-24 school year. Each priority aligns with the district’s six strategic priorities that were developed as part of Barrington 220’s strategic plan, Framework 220.

The priorities include:

  • Personalized Learning
  • Future Readiness
  • Inclusive Education
  • Health & Well-being
  • Community Partnerships & Communication
  • Stewardship

Within each priority, there are measurable objectives. This school year the district is focusing on one or two objectives in each priority. “

Click here to learn more about each priority and objective.

Read Full Post »

More Bull

Wesley Bush, left, and Chet Peugh converge upon an escaped bull Thursday in Barrington Hills. The cattle wranglers were called in from Morrison, Illinois, last week to capture the bull, which bolted from its pen six days earlier. (Courtesy of Wesley Bush)

When a 1,600-pound bull bolted loose from a Barrington Hills resident’s property recently, an expert wrangler answered an urgent cattle call.

Wesley Bush, of 2B Wild Cattle Catching Services based in Morrison, Illinois, rounded up the at-large bovine on Thursday, about six days after its getaway.

The capture wrapped up a whirlwind day in which Bush learned of the escapee’s sighting in Barrington Hills, rushed from northwestern Illinois to the Northwest suburb, and located and caught the bull not long after arriving.

“He came out into the open and it was really easy,” Bush said Tuesday. “We just put a rope on him and had him caught.”

You might say Bush was born to be a cattle catcher. He learned how to ride a horse and work a rope while growing up in the Morrison area, winning roping competitions in his youth. He later began working for veteran cattle catcher Chet Peugh and eventually bought him out.

Over the years he’s been called upon to wrangle loose bovines across the Midwest, including previous jobs in the suburbs. As recently as July, he tracked down six calves that had escaped from a family farm along Route 38 in Maple Park.

Read more here.

BTW, “Barrington Hills officials say Gulzina Eshbaeva, of the 300 block of Sutton Road (use Block Shopper), is scheduled for an administrative hearing Oct. 10 to face two village code violations: disorderly conduct-stray bull, and inadequate confinement of a bull.”

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »