Community Calendar

The Light of Hope breakfast highlights the important work of CASA of McHenry County. <br/><br/>Every year over 140 abused and neglected children in foster care in McHenry County receive the benefit of a CASA volunteer to be their voice in court and their champion in life. You can help bring hope to a child by giving them a CASA volunteer. <br/><br/>This one-hour breakfast is free of charge though all guests will have the opportunity to make a donation during the breakfast. <br/>RSVP for this event is required.

The past year has shown us how essential the internet is for both businesses and individuals, as more and more of our banking, shopping, communicating and entertainment happens online. Manufacturing is also becoming more reliant on the internet, as manufacturers connect digitally with supply chains. However, cybercrimes and scams are also becoming more common, and they affect both individuals and businesses. At the next STEM Café, hear from two cybersecurity experts. Learn about common vulnerabilities and scams, signs of malicious intent, and protective measures you can take. <br/>—<br/>Jennifer Fowler is a member of the Strategic Cybersecurity Analysis and Research (SCAR) team at Argonne National Laboratory and an adjunct professor at Lewis University, where she teaches about encryption and authentication systems. Her areas of interest include cryptography, data privacy, cyberbiosecurity, biohacking and social engineering. <br/>—<br/>Cesar Pena is a senior cybersecurity engineer at MxD in Chicago, which equips manufacturers with digital tools and expertise in many areas, including cybersecurity. MxD is working with industry and government to bring cybersecurity to the supply chain and the factory floor. Prior to joining the MxD team in November 2017, Cesar worked for systems integration and global machine building companies in the Chicago area.

Illinois Valley Community College is embarking on a new chapter this fall with their new community reads program, One Book, One College. Beginning in September, the college is partnering with local libraries and the Perfectly Flawed Foundation to discuss Eric Eyre’s Death in Mud Lick: A Coal Country Fight Against the Drug Companies that Delivered the Opioid Epidemic. <br/><br/>What is a One Book program? <br/>A One Book program seeks to bring a community together through a shared reading and discussion of a book or theme. It attempts to create a shared experience and provide insight into lived experiences that are perhaps unknown to you but nevertheless part of your community. The program acts as an aid to engaging our community in conversations about topics that are on people’s minds in the hope of coalescing our ideas of community and empathy. The text featured in the program is intended to lay the groundwork for discussion but reading of the text is not required for participation. The events provide safe spaces for members of the community to think critically, learn, and grow through candid and supportive discussions. <br/><br/>This year's program runs from September to April, with book discussions running through November and speaker events, film viewings, and panel discussions occurring during the Spring. <br/><br/>The One Book, One College program is open to all members of our community and beyond. Our first event will be held on Wednesday, September 8 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom and in-person at the following locations: <br/>· Illinois Valley Community College, Jacobs Library, A-201, 815 N. Orlando Smith Dr., Oglesby, IL 61348 <br/>· Perfectly Flawed Foundation, 240 First Street LaSalle, IL 61301 <br/>· Oglesby Public Library, 111 S. Woodland Ave., Oglesby, IL 61348 <br/><br/>For information about the program, dates and times of events or to learn how you or your organization can become involved, visit www.ivcc.edu/onebook or contact Jayna Leipart Guttilla at onebook@ivcc.edu

The DeKalb School District’s food pantry is moving from Huntley Middle School. Beginning on Thursday, July 29, Barb Food Mart’s new home will be Chesebro Elementary School, 900 E. Garden Street in DeKalb. Barb Food Mart will continue to be open every week on Thursdays between 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. <br/>—<br/>The pantry’s final food distribution day at Huntley is on July 14. The pantry is closed on July 22. <br/>-- <br/>Barb Food Mart serves families with children in DeKalb schools. Those using the pantry must register every year, either online at www.barbfoodmart.com or by contacting the office of the school attended by a child. Send questions to barbfoodmart@d428.org. <br/>--<br/>At Chesebro, food will continue to be distributed outdoors with curbside pickup for those who drive up to the front door at the Garden Street entrance. Walk-up pickup will be available for those who park in the parking lot accessed off Taylor Street and walk to the entrance. Wagons will be available to help people carry food boxes to cars.<br/>—<br/>Beginning on July 28, donations of food and personal care items may be dropped off at Chesebro using the Garden Street entrance. Donation times are Wednesdays between 1:00-2:30 p.m. and Thursdays between 9:00-10:30 a.m. Beginning July 26, mail monetary donations to Chesebro Elementary School, 900 E. Garden St., DeKalb, IL 60115. Do not mail or drop off donations at Huntley at this time.

DRIVE-THRU SHRED & RECYCLE EVENT For DeKalb Township Residents.<br/><br/>Fight identity theft and needless clutter at home by bringing your personal documents and other recyclable items to a safe and convenient drive-thru shred and recycle event hosted by DeKalb Township. <br/><br/>The event will take place on September 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the DeKalb Township Garage located at 2323 South Fourth Street, DeKalb. <br/><br/>Participants will be limited to 3 boxes or paper bags of documents. Only paper materials will be accepted, staples do not need to be removed. Volunteers will remove items from your vehicle. <br/><br/>Used Eye Glasses, Hearing Aids, Keys/Key Fobs, Ink Jet Cartridges, and Tabs from Aluminum Cans will be accepted and donated to the Lions of Illinois Foundation. <br/>Cellphones and Chargers, Tablets & iPads and Chargers, Prepaid Calling Cards (domestic and international) will also be accepted for the Cellphones for Soldiers Program. No other electronics will be accepted. <br/><br/>Participants are asked to bring a valid ID to show DeKalb Township residency. Please call Karen Gumino at 815-758-8282 if you have any questions.

DRIVE-THRU SHRED & RECYCLE EVENT For DeKalb Township Residents <br/><br/>Fight identity theft and needless clutter at home by bringing your personal documents and other recyclable items to a safe and convenient drive-thru shred and recycle event hosted by DeKalb Township. <br/><br/>The event will take place on September 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the DeKalb Township Garage located at 2323 South Fourth Street, DeKalb. <br/><br/>Participants will be limited to 3 boxes or paper bags of documents. Only paper materials will be accepted, staples do not need to be removed. Volunteers will remove items from your vehicle. <br/><br/>Used Eye Glasses, Hearing Aids, Keys/Key Fobs, Ink Jet Cartridges, and Tabs from Aluminum Cans will be accepted and donated to the Lions of Illinois Foundation. Cellphones and Chargers, Tablets & iPads and Chargers, Prepaid Calling Cards (domestic and international) will also be accepted for the Cellphones for Soldiers Program. No other electronics will be accepted. <br/><br/>Participants are asked to bring a valid ID to show DeKalb Township residency. Please call Karen Gumino at 815-758-8282 if you have any questions.

Chicago-based vocalist Keri Johnsrud and Grammy-nominated pianist Kevin Bales will perform their latest engaging and innovative release, Beyond the Neighborhood: The Music of Fred Rogers, during the next free Artist Series presentation at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, 10805 Main Street in Huntley, on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 7:00pm. <br/><br/>Hear fresh versions of the songs heard by numerous generations on the beloved children’s television program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The release was selected as a Top 10 Jazz Album of 2018 by Cadence Magazine, All About Jazz, and Chicago’s esteemed jazz station WDCB 90.9FM. <br/><br/>Johnsrud and Bales reimagine and rearrange Fred Rogers’ music as beautiful, sophisticated vehicles for jazz improvisation and innovation. In this collection, Mister Rogers’ songs not only relate to adults; they seem to be have been written for adults in the first place. Joining them will be acclaimed musicians Dennis Carroll on bass and George Fludas on drums. Johnsrud is a fresh and appealing jazz singer with a quietly expressive voice and a deep understanding of lyric interpretation. She regularly tours the U.S. with her own group and is an experienced music educator in both vocal and piano private instruction and a faculty member at the Shell Lake Arts Center in Shell Lake, WI. Bales, a gifted pianist since the age of 10, was a latecomer to jazz. At age 17 he encountered the sounds and structures and became captivated by the freedom and corresponding challenges of the music. He has toured with saxophonist Bunky Green, guitarist Nathen Page, and trumpeter Marcus Printup. Ten years touring with Rene Marie resulted in a Grammy-nominated album. He has performed around the world. He manages his own jazz program and oversees an ambitious schedule of jazz students at Georgia State University. <br/><br/>Admission to this live concert, an extraordinary treat presented by the church’s ongoing Artist Series, is free. Donations are gratefully accepted. Visit the church website at sotp.org for further information or contact artistseries@sotp.com Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, located at 10805 Main Street, under the faith leadership of senior pastor Mark Boster, has served the Huntley community for over 20 years.

Listen to On Being with Krista Tippett 9 am each Sunday on WNIJ or better yet on Zoom, hosted by Emmanuel Lutheran Church. We listen on ZOOM, follow the transcript and pause occasionally to reflect on what we're hearing. Just click the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88058004528#success

How did the upper body of humans evolve? How do scientists excavate fossils? What can we learn from the fossil record of plants and animals? <br/><br/>All teens are invited to meet retired Professor of Biological Anthropology Dan Gebo and NIU Associate Professor of Biology Karen E. Samonds to learn about careers in anthropology and paleontology. Eat free pizza from Pizza Villa, meet other teens with an interest in science, try hands-on activities related to bones and fossils, and learn about related careers. <br/><br/>Special thanks to the DeKalb Public Library and Pizza Villa.

Moose One Sycamore Lodge 1506 will hold a RUMMAGE SALE at 317 W. State St. in Sycamore. <br/>The sale will be September 23 – 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Also held September 26 – October 1, 12 p.m. (noon) to 5 p.m. Sunday thru Saturday. <br/>A large variety of items will be available. Everyone is welcome. <br/> If you have any questions, call the Moose lodge at 815 895-7567