CORTLAND
Preschool Story Time
Time: 10 a.m.
Date: Every Wednesday and Thursday; next, Oct. 10
Place: Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road
More information: 815-756-7274 or www.cortlandlibrary.com
For children 3 and older. No registration required.
First Grade & Up Story and Craft
Time: 4 p.m.
Date: Every Thursday; next, Oct. 11
Place: Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road
More information: 815-756-7274 or www.cortlandlibrary.com
Registration required.
Fall Festival and Parade
Time: 1 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 14
Place: Cortland Community Park
More information: www.cortlandil.org
Parade at 1 p.m. Rides, vendors and live music at the free festival, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Medicare Open Enrollment Presentation
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Date: Friday, Oct. 19
Place: Cortland Senior Center, 70 Llanos St.
More information: 815-758-4718
Topics will include what to consider when choosing a Medicare drug plan. Handouts will be available. To have lunch at the VAC luncheon site, RSVP by phone by 10 a.m. Oct. 18.
CRESTON
Haunted Opera House
Time: 7 – 10 p.m.
Dates: Oct. 19, 20, 26 and 27
Place: 204 S. Main St.
Cost: Adults $5, children 8-15 $3
More information: 815-384-5555
DeKALB
Teacher in the Library
Time: 4 – 5:15 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 10
Place: DeKalb Public Library
More information: 815-756-9568 ext. 250
Retired teacher Marti Brown will tutor DeKalb School District students in grades 3 to 5. Registration required. Limit of five students per session.
Free Community Meal
Time: 5 – 7 p.m.
Date: Second, fourth and fifth Wednesdays of every month; next, Oct. 10
Place: Feed'em Soup, 122 S. First St.
More information: www.feedemsoup.org
For transportation, call 815-293-7433.
Blood Drive
Time: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 11
Place: Evans Scholars house, 901 Greenbrier Road
Casserole Supper
Time: 5 – 7 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 11
Place: Trinity Lutheran Church, 303 S. Seventh St.
Tickets: Adults $8, children 7-12 $4, children 6 and younger eat free. Tickets are available at the door.
Wild Card Book Discussion and Cemetery Walk
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 11
Place: DeKalb Public Library
More information: 815-756-9568 ext. 280 or stever@dkpl.org
DeKalb Public Library's teen group Wild Card will meet at a special time for a walk to St. Mary's Cemetery to talk about "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and local cemeteries. Bring flashlights, blankets and a copy of the book. Parental permission slips must be on file for teens to participate.
Time: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Dates: Oct. 11 – 14
Place: Stage Coach Theater, 126 S. Fifth St.
Tickets: Adults $12, children younger than 12, $9
More information: 815-758-1940 or www.stagecoachers.com
Suspicious wives, mistaken identities, scantily clad girls clapped hurriedly into closets and a continuous barrage of rapid fire jokes in this comedy about minks and mistresses.
Computer Help Lab
Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Date: Friday, Oct. 12
Place: DeKalb Public Library
Free drop-in lab for help with computer questions.
Intro to MS Excel
Time: 3 p.m.
Date: Friday, Oct. 12
Place: DeKalb Public Library
More information: 815-756-9568 ext. 220
Register by phone or at the reference desk.
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Date: Friday, Oct. 12
The public is invited to celebrate homecoming with the campus community at a bonfire after the parade. The parade route: Stadium Drive north to Lucinda Avenue; right on Lucinda to Russell Road; left on Russell to Hillcrest Drive; right on Hillcrest to Greenbrier Road; Left on Greenbrier to Hillcrest Drive; Right on Hillcrest to Blackhawk Road; left on Blackhawk to Ridge Drive; right on Ridge to Normal Road; Right on Normal to Lucinda Avenue; left on Lucinda to Kishwaukee Drive.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Date: Friday, Oct. 12
Place: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeKalb, 158 N. Fourth St.
Tickets: $10
More information: 815-793-0950
Zambian Afropop and reggae artist Mathew Tembo will perform on traditional African instruments.
Spooky Science
Time: 9 a.m. – noon
Date: Saturday, Oct. 13
Place: Faraday Hall Room 105, Northern Illinois University
Cost: $25
More information: 815-753-0533 or www.niu.edu/stem
Kids in grades 3-7 can make glowing slime and fog-filled bubbles as they learn about creepy chemistry and Halloween-themed physics. Space is limited, registration required.
Time: 2 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 14
Place: Glidden Homestead & Historical Center, 921 W. Lincoln Highway
Cost: $4; free for homestead members and children younger than 14
More information: 815-756-7904 or www.gliddenhomestead.org
Women's singing group Cymbal will perform. The homestead and blacksmith shop will be open for tours from noon until 4 p.m.
Greater Kishwaukee Area Concert Band
Time: 3 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 14
Place: Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, NIU Music Building, 400 Lucinda Ave.
More information: 815-825-2350 or 815-899-4867
Donations will be accepted at this free concert. The program is titled "Service" and is dedicated to all medical personnel, emergency responders, teachers and the military.
Salad Bar Luncheon
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Date: Monday, Oct. 15
Place: St. Mary's Church cafeteria, 425 N. Fourth St.
Tickets: $8
Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Immaculate Conception 996 will hold a luncheon to raise funds for local and national charities including Hope Haven, Safe Passage, Smile Train and the Tutwiler Clinic. Menu includes ham, meatballs, an assortment or homemade salads and dessert. Carryouts are available.
CCT 'Rent' Auditions
Time: 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Dates: Oct. 15 and 16
Place: First United Methodist Church, 321 Oak St.
More information: www.cctonstage.com
Open auditions for a production of "Rent." Those auditioning must be at least 15 years old and will be expected to perform a contemporary a cappella song of their choice and to read from a selection of monologues. Performers younger than 18 must have a signed parental/guardian consent form or they will not be allowed to audition. Performances are slated for January.
'Grieving Dads: To the Brink and Back'
Time: 3 p.m.
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 16
Place: Room 423, Graham Hall, Northern Illinois University
More information: www.grievingdads.com
When faced with the deaths of two children in 18 months, Kelly Farley could not find a book for grieving fathers, so he wrote his own. He will speak about his experience, how he came to write the book and what he learned about society's discomfort with men who grieve. Copies of the book will be available for purchase; the first 10 people to arrive will receive a free copy.
Swing Dancing
Time: 7 – 11 p.m.
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 16
Place: The House Cafe, 263 E. Lincoln Highway
Cost: $5
Admission includes lesson and three hours of social dancing. No partner required. Casual dress; leather-soled shoes recommended.
Blood Drive
Time: 3 – 7 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 17
Place: Grant North, 1250 N. Grant Drive
Free Community Meal
Time: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Date: First, third and fifth Wednesdays of each month; next, Oct. 17
Place: DeKalb Community Center, 330 Grove St.
For transportation, call 815-758-6641. To volunteer, call 815-758-1678. To donate, call 815-758-3932. Dinner sponsors are especially needed. Oct. 17 menu is Italian beef with roasted potatoes, steamed corn, fruit and dessert. Oct. 31 menu is barbecued chicken breast, cheddar mashed potatoes, herbed beans, fruit and dessert.
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 17
Place: DeKalb City Council Chambers, 200 S. Fourth St.
More information: leagueofdekalbcounty@gmail.com
Audience members may submit questions at the door. To submit a question, arrive a few minutes early. Candidates for the 16th Congressional District, the 70th State House District, circuit court judge, county board, state's attorney and regional superintendent of schools are expected to participate. The forum will be broadcast live on public access Channel 14 in DeKalb and streamed live at cityofdekalb.com.
Fall Frolic
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 18
Place: The Cancer Center at Kish Hospital
More information: 815-748-2958 or www.kishhospital.org/programs
Food demonstrations from 10:30 until noon, concluding with a dietitian demonstrating lunch preparation using vegetables and herbs from the Cancer Center's Healing Garden. At noon, oncologist Sabet M. Siddiqui, MD, will present a program about the latest developments in cancer treatment. After noon, decorate pumpkins for a group entry in the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival. Registration is required.
'What Is Mindfulness?'
Time: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 18
Place: Kish Hospital's Roberts Conference Center
More information: 815-748-8962 or www.kishhospital.org/programs
Mindfulness is an awareness tool that can positively affect your overall well-being. Learn what mindfulness is and isn't, participate in mindfulness exercises and learn how it can help you cope with stress, anxiety, depression and chronic illness. Registration is required and closes three days before the program date.
'Predicting the 2012 Presidential Election'
Time: 6 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 18
Place: Sky Room, Holmes Student Center
Presentation by popular political expert Alan Abramowitz.
Amenti Haunted House
Time: 7 p.m.
Dates: Oct. 19 – 21, 26 – 28, 30 and 31
Place: Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St.
Tickets: General admission, $13; priority pass, $20
More information: www.egyptiantheatre.org
Safe Sitter Basic
Time: 8:30 a.m. – noon
Dates: Oct. 20 and 27
Place: Kish Hospital's Roberts Conference Center
Cost: $40
More information: 815-748-8962 or www.kishhospital.org/programs
Two-day program teaching 11- to 13-year-olds the skills to provide a safe, nurturing environment to children in their care. Registration is required and closes three days before program date.
Electronics Recycling Collection
Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 20
Place: Municipal parking lot at Fourth and Grove streets
More information: 815-748-2408
STEMFest
Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 20
Place: NIU Convocation Center
More information: 815-753-6784 or www.niu.edu/stemfest
Northern Illinois University science, technology, engineering and math programs, corporations, museums, national labs and more present hundreds of fun science-based activities to entertain people of all ages.
'Jesus Christ Superstar' Auditions
Time: 1 – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 7 – 9 p.m. Monday
Dates: Oct. 20 – 22
Place: Stage Coach Players Theater, 126 S. Fifth St.
More information: www.stagecoachers.com
Director seeks a large cast of performers ages 8 to 80, of all vocal ranges. This production is ensemble-driven, with many solo opportunities. Auditioners should bring at least 16 bars of music to sing and be prepared to dance and present a cold reading. Performances will be March 14-24.
'Incredible Bats'
Time: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 20
Place: Haish Gym, 303 S. Ninth St.
Cost: Adults $4, children $3
More information: 815-756-8560
Learn about types of bats around the world, see live bats and discuss myths and legends about bats. Bat crafts for children begin at 1:30; the show begins at 2 p.m. Registration recommended for this family show.
Liver for Bill Benefit
Time: 6 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 20
Place: Mardi Gras Lanes, 1730 Sycamore Road
Tickets: $20
Tickets include cosmic bowling, 50/50 raffle and more. Proceeds will help pay the donor's medical costs for Stephanie Abbott, who plans to donate a portion of her liver to her father, Bill Abbott of Cortland.
New Knee Replacement Technology
Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 23
Place: Kish Hospital's Roberts Conference Center
More information: 815-748-8962 or www.kishhospital.org/programs
Orthopedic surgeon Rajeev Jain, MD, will talk about new technology in knee replacement. Meal and valet service provided. Dinner served at 6 p.m. Registration is required and closes three days before the program date.
Conversations for the Living
Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Dates: Wednesdays from Oct. 24 through Nov. 14
Place: DeKalb County Hospice
More information: 815-756-3000 or www.kishhospital.org/programs
Planning for the future ensures your loved ones are prepared with information and tools when the time comes. This series is an open discussion of what a "good death" means to you, when enough is enough when it comes to life-sustaining technology and treatments and understanding advance directives and how they affect you and your family. Registration is required and closes three days before the program date.
GENOA
Walk-in Blood Pressure Clinic
Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
Date: Wednesdays; next, Oct. 10
Place: KishHealth Family and Specialty Care
A community wellness professional monitors blood pressure weekly. Receive blood pressure information and a tracking card. No registration necessary.
Blood Drive
Time: 4 – 6:30 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 10
Place: Trinity Lutheran Church, 33930 N. State Road
Control Your Cholesterol
Time: 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 11
Place: KishHealth Family & Specialty Care
More information: 815-748-8962 or www.kishhospital.org/programs
Whether your levels are high or normal, you can make lifestyle changes to maintain healthy cholesterol. If you have your cholesterol results, bring them. Registration is required and closes three days before the program date.
'City of Ghosts'
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Friday, Oct. 12
Place: Resource Bank Community Room
More information: 815-784-2627
The Genoa Public Library welcomes back William Pack, who gave the Houdini presentation last May, for an interactive evening of supernatural ghost theater. Spooky fun for adults and kids 12 and older; not for small children.
Trading Card Appraisals
Time: Noon – 3 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 14
Place: Genoa Public Library
More information: 815-784-2627
Michael Osacky, operator of www.baseballintheattic.com, will appraise trading cards. Call or stop in to register in advance for a 10-minute session to have Osacky appraise your pre-1970 baseball, football, basketball and non-sports cards, tobacco and gum cards, vintage autographs and advertising items and other sports memorabilia.
Bingo
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Every Tuesday; next, Oct. 16
Place: Genoa Veterans Home, 311 S. Washington St.
Line Dancing
Time: 7 – 11:30 p.m.
Date: Third Friday of every month; next, Oct. 19
Place: Genoa Veterans Home, 311 S. Washington St.
Cost: $5
Line dancing by dancers' request. Split floor for couple dances and line dances.
Hymn Sing
Time: 6 p.m.
Date: Third Sunday of every month; next, Oct. 21
Place: Emmaus Baptist Church, 701 Pearson St.
HINCKLEY
Midwest Ghost Society
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Friday, Oct. 19
Place: Hinckley Public Library
More information: 815-286-3220
Local group will give a presentation on their paranormal investigations, explaining their methods, sharing stories and answering questions. For teens and adults. Registration required.
Monster Makeover
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Date: Monday, Oct. 22
Place: Hinckley Public Library
More information: 815-286-3220
Teens can try their hand at Halloween makeup. Supplies provided. Registration required.
KINGSTON
All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast
Time: 7 – 11 a.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 13
Place: Kingston Friendship Center, 120 S. Main St.
Cost: Adults, $7; children 4 and younger, $3
Eggs cooked to order, pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash, bacon, sausage, toast, fruit, English muffins, juice, milk and coffee.
KIRKLAND
Rummage Sale
Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. – noon Saturday
Dates: Oct. 12 and 13
Place: Kirkland United Methodist Church, Third and South streets
$1 bags on Saturday.
Historical Society Open House
Time: 2 – 4 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 21
Place: Kirkland Olson Funeral Chapel, 309 W. Fifth St.
LEE
All You Can Eat Spaghetti and Meatball Dinner
Time: 5 – 7:30 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 13
Place: St. James Parish Hall, 221 W. Kirke Gate
Cost: Adults $8, kids 5 and younger eat free
Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council #15153. Carryouts available. There will be a 50/50 raffle.
MALTA
Medicare Open Enrollment Presentation
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Date: Friday, Oct. 12
Place: Malta Senior Center, 115 S. Third St.
More information: 815-758-4718
Topics will include what to consider when choosing a Medicare drug plan. Handouts will be available.
SHABBONA
Crappie/Bluegill Open
Time: 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 20
Place: Shabbona Lake State Park
More information: 815-824-2581 or www.shabbonalake.com
Heaviest stringer of five crappie and five bluegill wins a $100 Cabela's gift card. Immediate family members may join their fish to make one stringer. No entry fee or registration required. Donate $5 to the walleye restocking fund before fishing and double your prize if you win.
SYCAMORE
Bingo
Time: Card sales start at 6 p.m.; play begins at 7:15
Date: Every Wednesday; next, Oct. 10
Place: Sycamore Veterans Home, 121 S. California St.
Garden Story Time
Time: 10 – 11 a.m.
Date: Friday, Oct. 12
Place: Sycamore History Museum, 1730 N. Main St.
Children 3 to 6 and their families are invited for a story, song and craft. Registration recommended.
Time: 1 – 4 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 13
Place: Sycamore History Museum, 1730 N. Main St.
Cost: Adults $5, children 13 and younger and museum members, free
More information: sycamorehistory.org or 815-895-5762
The grand opening of the museum's new exhibit, all about fun times and fond memories. Opening includes guided tours, crafts and refreshments.
Good News!
Time: 5 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 13
Place: Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Ave.
A men's quartet will perform a musical praise and worship service.
Time: Noon – 3:30 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 14
Place: St. Mary's Catholic School
Every time a licensed driver 18 or older test drives a Chrysler Town & Country minivan during the school's Fall Festival, Chrysler will donate $10 to St. Mary's School.
Time: 1 – 5 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 14
Place: Sycamore Public Library
See the library's completed renovations and enjoy refreshments and family activities.
Spinal Health Class
Time: 7 p.m.
Dates: Oct. 17 and 22
Place: Sheedy Chiropractic, 920 W. Prairie Drive, Suite J
More information: 815-895-3354
A free 30-minute class on spinal health and overall well-being. Registration required.
DeKalb County Community Spelling Bee
Time: 6 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 18
Place: St. Mary's Church Parish Activity Center, 322 Waterman St.
Cost: $3 to watch; students of any age admitted free
Medicare Open Enrollment Presentation
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Date: Friday, Oct. 19
Place: Sycamore Senior Center, 940 E. State St.
More information: 815-758-4718
Topics will include what to consider when choosing a Medicare drug plan. Handouts will be available. To have lunch at the VAC luncheon site, RSVP by phone by 10 a.m. Oct. 18.
Creepy Crawly Halloween Party
Time: 6 – 8 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 20
Place: Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St.
Cost: Members $6, nonmembers $8
More information: 815-895-9777 or www.mmnh.org
Go trick-or-treating through the decorated museum, check out the "grossology" lab and enjoy games, candy and prizes.
LEGO Sunday
Time: 1:30 – 3 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 21
Place: Sycamore Public Library
More information: 815-895-2500
Free and open to all ages, no registration required. The library provides the LEGOs; do not bring LEGOs from home.
Pumpkin Celebration
Time: 7 – 7:45 p.m.
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 23
Place: Sycamore Public Library
Games, stories and refreshments for children 3 to 6.
Pumpkin Festival Kickoff
Time: 4 – 9 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 24
Place: Downtown Sycamore
More information: 815-895-3456 or www.discoversycamore.com
Pumpkin check-in on the courthouse lawn from 4 to 9 p.m. From 4:30 to 6:30, costumed children can trick-or-treat at downtown businesses. At 5 p.m. there will be a cake cutting ceremony on the courthouse lawn.
Delicious Possibilities with Fall Cooking
Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 24
Place: Hy-Vee
More information: 815-748-8962 or www.kishhospital.org/programs
Cost: $10
Learn to prepare beautiful dishes for everyday cooking and holiday entertaining using the flavors of fall. Registration is required and closes five days before the program date.
WATERMAN
Walk-in Blood Pressure Clinic
Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
Date: Thursdays; next, Oct. 11
Place: KishHealth Family and Specialty Care
A community wellness professional monitors blood pressure weekly. Receive blood pressure information and a tracking card. No registration necessary.
