Northern Illinois Community Calendar

Science, technology and art come together when creating special effects for live entertainment events. Every minute of entertainment represents many hours of work behind the scenes by specialists in engineering, materials science and mathematics.

NIU Professor of Theatre Tracy Nunnally has been one of our most popular STEAM Café presenters. At this STEAM Café, he’ll present an updated talk about how engineering and math help to keep people safe while making them feel as if they’ve been part of death-defying feats. Professor Nunnally will delve into the fascinating details of special effects planning and safety analysis as he walks the audience through the process of moving live theatrical effects from idea to reality.

Nik's Wish, a Rockford-area nonprofit granting wishes to young adults ages 18–24 battling cancer, is celebrating 15 years and 500 wishes granted with its biggest Nik's Home Run yet! Join us for a 7K run, 1.5 mile walk, Youth Run/Walk, Grammy's Auction, and a festive indoor afterparty — all in support of young adult cancer patients who fall through the gap between pediatric and adult cancer care programs. Registration includes a t-shirt and swag bag. Can't join us in person? Sign up for the Virtual 5K and participate from anywhere!

🌸 New This Year — Memorial Garden Tribute Signs
Honor someone you've lost with a personalized 18x24 yard sign featuring their name and photo, displayed throughout the event in our Memorial Garden. For just $25, friends, family, and fellow supporters will walk through and remember them together — and after the event, the sign is yours to keep forever.

🏆 Fundraise & Win
Sign up as an individual or build a team and raise funds to unlock milestone rewards — from exclusive medals to a limited edition trophy. And our TOP individual fundraiser wins a one-week condo stay in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida! Generously donated by Jason Martin, the condo sleeps up to 6, is pet friendly, and sits steps from the sugar-white sands of the Emerald Coast. Available August–December 2027.

This year's goal is $25,000 — every dollar goes directly toward granting wishes and delivering joy to young adults fighting cancer right here in our community.

The Inaugural Overnight Cafe Experience Benefit will include a simple dinner and program about the Overnight Cafe. The Cafe provides a warm, safe space for the unhoused in the Rockford community to sleep during the coldest weather. Funds raised to help cover staffing expenses.

Join Lake County Extension Educators and Master Naturalists on October 20, from 5 - 6:30 p.m. As spooky season approaches, we want to talk about a few animals that get a bad rap for being scarier than they truly are. You'll learn your "creepy crawly" neighbors aren't so creepy- just misunderstood! We will have LIVE snake ambassadors as well as other examples of native wildlife.

LET’S TALK DATA CENTERS:
Please join the Environmental Study Group (ESG) and the Northwest Illinois Bird and Nature Alliance for a presentation on data centers to be held at the Freeport Public Library on Thursday, October 22 at 6:00 p.m.

ESG is partnering with Prairie Rivers Network, Citizen’s Utility Board and the Sierra Club to offer this presentation to help inform citizens regarding the proliferation of massive, resource intensive “hyperscaler” data centers across the country and powering the boom in generative artificial intelligence. Many questions have been raised regarding data centers’ energy use and the impact on utility bills, water use, noise and air pollution, and problems with transparency in informing residents of potential developments. Participants will learn about the statewide expansion of data centers, problems associated with them, and pending legislation known as the POWER Act, which would regulate data centers in Illinois, requiring them to build their own
renewable energy, among a number of other requirements. Please plan to attend to learn about this important subject and how we can get involved

Join us at the next STEAM Café to learn how NIU is responding to current food system challenges through the Edible Campus program. Edible Campus Assistant Director Laura Fehling and Garden Manager Steve Schultz will discuss the vulnerabilities of the current food system, advances in sustainable and regenerative farming, and innovative ways to grow food at home and adapt to current changes.

Come join in for this monthly series of community-led conservation conversations. Together, we will share knowledge, experience, and perspectives in working to restore and care for the land. Each month will be focused around a different conservation practice topic, selected by community interest. This series is hosted in partnership with Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves.

Open to all levels of conservationists – from curious beginner to expert, come share your perspectives and learn with the community. This series is intended for conservation volunteers, students, professionals, and anyone who feels a connection to the natural world in any capacity.

Tea and granola bars will be provided, feel free to bring a snack to share! Please RSVP if you plan to attend or would like to receive emails about future conversations.

Come join in for this monthly series of community-led conservation conversations. Together, we will share knowledge, experience, and perspectives in working to restore and care for the land. Each month will be focused around a different conservation practice topic, selected by community interest. This series is hosted in partnership with Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves.

Open to all levels of conservationists – from curious beginner to expert, come share your perspectives and learn with the community. This series is intended for conservation volunteers, students, professionals, and anyone who feels a connection to the natural world in any capacity.

Tea and granola bars will be provided, feel free to bring a snack to share! Please RSVP if you plan to attend or would like to receive emails about future conversations.

Come join in for this monthly series of community-led conservation conversations. Together, we will share knowledge, experience, and perspectives in working to restore and care for the land. Each month will be focused around a different conservation practice topic, selected by community interest. This series is hosted in partnership with Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves.

Open to all levels of conservationists – from curious beginner to expert, come share your perspectives and learn with the community. This series is intended for conservation volunteers, students, professionals, and anyone who feels a connection to the natural world in any capacity.

Tea and granola bars will be provided, feel free to bring a snack to share! Please RSVP if you plan to attend or would like to receive emails about future conversations.