Homes for the Holidays House Tour returns to Elgin
The Northeast Neighborhood Association’s popular Homes for the Holidays House Tour returns Saturday, Dec. 5 bigger and better than ever.
The association presents eight festively decorated houses along Prospect, Spring, Douglas, Brook, and Lincoln Streets, as well as a warming house, craft fair, and butterfly garden, all decked out for the holidays. The tour will be held from noon to 5 p.m.
The tour is unique in that the houses are decorated by the persons who live in them, rather than by professional decorators. Homeowners will display family treasures and artifacts that reflect their personal memories and heritage. In addition, there will be warming house with coffee, tea and hot chocolate, and a craft fair where shoppers can find handmade gifts and small vintage treasures.
Prepaid tickets are $15 for ages 19 and older, $10 for ages 9-18 and free for children ages 8 and under. Tickets purchased the day of the event are $15 for ages 65 and older, $20 ages 19-64, and $10 ages 9-18 and children ages 8 and under are free. Registration on the day of the event will be in Advocate Sherman Hospital’s atrium, 934 Center St., where visitors can pick up tour booklets and booties. Participants in the tour are welcome to park in the Advocate Sherman south side parking lot at Slade and Center Streets, across from the tour registration.
Persons interested in volunteering as docents, headquarter staff, green thumbs to prepare the butterfly garden, or who can offer vans or small trucks to deliver signs may call Patty Harkin at 847-695-0890. Docents will receive free admission to the tour houses.
Information about tickets and registration is available on the Northeast Neighborhood Association website www.NenaofElgin.org and on their Facebook page.
Grab your ice skates
Elgin’s City Skate is scheduled to open this week. The outdoor ice rink is on the Civic Center Plaza between Hemmens Cultural Center and City Hall. Skate rental is available in exchange for shoes, identification and $4. Contact the Parks and Recreation Information Line for daily hours and updated ice conditions at 847-931-6140.
Ice skating lessons are available and the rink will be closed to the public on Saturday mornings for lessons. For information on lessons, visit www.cityofelgin.org.
City Skate is available to rent out on Saturdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 6 to 8 p.m. on a first come first served basis. Reservations must be secured at least one week in advance. Fee includes skate rental for all participants. For information on rates and availability, contact Jeff Rau at 847-531-7009 or by email at rau_j@cityofelgin.org.
Become a Kane County certified naturalist
Learn about Kane County’s fastest growing, nature education program for adults — the Kane County Certified Naturalist program.
Attend a free informational session to find out what it is about and learn the dates, details, cost and the benefits of this award-winning program.
The first informational session will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Drive, St. Charles. The second informational session will be at 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Creek Bend Nature Center, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles.
Students must complete six core classes, three field trips and 30 hours of advanced coursework and/or volunteer work to earn initial Certified Naturalist Certification. This program provides opportunities to develop, lead and participate in conservation initiatives. Volunteering is strongly encouraged for all participants. Continuing education training courses will be offered annually to maintain certification and to further knowledge and skills.
Classes begin in January 2016, followed by spring field trips.
The mission of Kane County Certified Naturalists program is to promote awareness and citizen stewardship of Kane County’s natural resources through science-based education and community service. It is a cooperative program of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, the St. Charles Park District and the Geneva Park District.
For more information on this program, call 630-444-3190 or e-mail BlaineValerie@kaneforest.com.
Forest Preserve District hosts safety courses for snowmobilers
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is hosting two Snowmobile safety classes for anyone who wants to learn about snowmobiling on Nov. 28 and Jan. 9.
This class is intended for all ages and is for anyone interested in learning about snowmobiling. By law, youths between the ages of 12 and 15 who wish to operate a snowmobile under the supervision of an adult, must earn a Snowmobile Safety Certificate. (Eleven-year olds may take the class, but they cannot receive their certificate until they reach age 12.)
Two sessions will be held. Classes meet from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 28, at the Elburn Fire Department, 200 Ill. Route 38, Elburn. The second class will be from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Forest Preserve District administrative headquarters, 1996 S. Kirk Rd., Ste. 320, Geneva.
There is no charge for the Snowmobile Safety program. To register, or for information, contact Ron Julian at 847-464-4145.
The program is being presented by the Forest Preserve’s Public Safety department and all-volunteer Snowmobile Safety Patrol. Patrol members serve as ambassadors for the District by riding and watching the preserves and trails. These volunteers enhance public safety by providing information and assistance with search and rescue events, as needed.
Information on the class is available at www.ilsnowmobile.com/safety.htm.
