State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit

Kendall County

Kifowit invites area residents to discuss issues over coffee

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) is inviting area residents to “Coffee with Kifowit” events in her district in order to discuss state and local issues facing their communities in 2016. The events are free and open to the public, and attendees will be treated to a complimentary refreshment. The next “Coffee with Kifowit” event will be held from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Jan. 18 at Benny’s Place, 1158 Douglas Road, Oswego, followed by another from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Jan. 25 at Panera, 2775 Showplace Drive, Suite 123, Naperville. For more information, visit www.ILDistrict84.com or contact Kifowit’s constituent service office at (630) 585-1308, or by email at Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net.

Newcomers Club to present luncheon event, benefit

The Fox Valley Newcomers Club welcomes guests to a program entitled, “Speaking of Unmentionables: The Rise and Fall of Ladies Underwear” — hosted by historical lecturer Ellie Carlson — at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 20 at Houlihan’s, 1322 Commons Drive, Geneva. Cost for the program is $27, which includes a luncheon featuring entrée choices of grilled Atlantic salmon, Thai-grilled chicken or down-home pot roast, and a crème brulee dessert. Coffee and tea will be provided, and a cash bar will be available. Reservations must be made by Jan. 14. To reserve a spot, call (331) 222-7255 or visit www.foxvalleynewcomers.com.

Forest Preserve District to host open house for Early Childhood Program

The Kendall County Forest Preserve District will host an open house for its Natural Beginnings Early Childhood Program from 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Hoover Forest Preserve’s Rookery Building, 11285 Fox Road, Yorkville. The program — running from May to September — is intended for children (ages 3-8) who are home-schooled or attend a morning kindergarten class. Hours for the program are 9-11:15 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays (ages 3-4); 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (ages 4-5); and noon to 2:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (mixed age class, ages 3-8). Tuition for the 2016 schedule is $1,425 per child (two-day program) and $1,725 (three-day program). Classes will focus on stimulating intellectual development through primary experiences with nature, including a variety of hands-on activities and nature projects. For complete program information, visit www.co.kendall.il.us or call (630) 553-3939.

Aurora

College announces scholarship in honor of Marzano

Waubonsee Community College announced that the Aurora-based Dunham Fund of Advisors has established a $50,000 Dr. Bill and Mary Marzano Endowed Scholarship with the Waubonsee Community College Foundation. The scholarship is named in part for William Marzano, who served as Waubonsee’s Assistant Vice President of Transfer and Developmental Education before retiring in December. The scholarship will initially be available to students in the 2017-18 academic year, and is intended for new or returning education majors, with a preference for those interested in pursuing a career in post-secondary education. Marzano, who began his tenure at Waubonsee in 2000, also served as Associate Dean for Continuing and Professional Education; Dean for Communication, Humanities and Fine Arts; Assistant Vice President of Community Development; and Dean for Social Sciences, Education and World Languages.

Martin Luther King celebration to be held at high school

In collaboration with the City of Aurora and the African-American Heritage Advisory Board, the city’s MLK Committee will host the 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration at 6 p.m. Jan. 18 at East Aurora High School, 500 Tomcat Lane. The event (free and open to the public) will feature Nikki Giovanni as keynote speaker. Giovanni, a renowned poet, college English professor and New York Times bestselling author, received the first Rosa L. Parks Woman of Courage Award, and was a National Book Awards finalist. In addition, Mayor Weisner’s Service Above Self awards will be presented to students who participate in Aurora’s MLK Day of Service volunteer activities on Jan. 18. For more information, visit www.aurora-il.org/mlk or call (630) 256-INFO.

Yorkville

Library exhibiting work of area artist Gambro

The Yorkville Public Library, 902 Game Farm Road, is featuring the work of area artist Winston Gambro on its Library Art Exhibit Wall through Feb. 23. Gambro, a 22-year-old Yorkville resident, is an illustrator and graphic designer who specializes in comic book art and sequential storytelling. The display — located on the library’s second floor in the large-print area — includes sketches and finished artwork. For more information, call (630) 553-4354 or visit www.yorkville.lib.il.us.

Sandwich

Chamber bowling night to benefit Fox Valley Older Adults

The Sandwich Chamber of Commerce will present its 4th Annual Fun Bowling Night at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Idle Hour Lanes, 927 E. Railroad St. The event includes prizes and drawings. Admission is $20 per person, and includes bowling shoe rental plus three games. Proceeds will be donated to Fox Valley Older Adults. To RSVP, contact Stacy Skillin at (630) 546-0352 or by email at mikesautobody@indianvalley.com — or contact Kathy Martin at (815) 739-2494, or by email at Kathleen.martin@countryfinancial.com.

Oswego

Village offers free viewing of award-winning documentary

The village will partner with the Oswego Chamber of Commerce to host a free viewing of the “INK 180” documentary — which recently won Best Documentary, Best Directing and Best Editing awards from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of Television Arts & Sciences — at 7 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.) Jan. 14 at Oswego Village Hall, 100 Parkers Mill. The program will include a question-and-answer session with Chris Baker, founder of INK 180, a tattoo facility in Oswego that offers free tattoo cover-ups and removals for gang members and victims of human trafficking. For more information, call (630) 554-4636.

Montgomery

Rotary Club to hold blood drive at Village Hall

The Montgomery Rotary Club, in partnership with Heartland Blood Centers, will host a blood drive from 3:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at Montgomery Village Hall, 200 N. River St. Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, and need to provide proof of age with a photo ID. For more information, call (800) 786-4483 or visit www.heartlandbc.org. In addition, the Rotary Club is inviting area residents to attend one of its meetings, held from 7-8 a.m. the first and third Thursday of every month at Village Hall. For more information, contact Membership Chair Theresa Sperling at (630) 430-2181 or by email at theresa_sperling@yahoo.com, or visit www.rotaryclubmontgomeryil.org.

–Kendall County Area News Briefs–