Kendall County

CASA diamond fundraiser

Kendall County  CASA is raffling off a 2 carat, $9,000 diamond ring during their “Helping Kids Shine” fundraiser for the organization. A $40 donation gets residents one ticket. Three tickets can be purchased for a $100 donation. Only 300 tickets will be sold, and then the ring will be raffled.  Tickets can be purchased directly at casakendallcounty.org or in person at the Kay Jeweler’s in Yorkville.  For more information and other purchase options, please visit the CASA website . or Kay Jeweler in Yorkville, IL at 905 Erica Ln., by Dick’s Sporting Goods.  Cash or check only.

Weather spotting class

Learn all about weather during this two hour class hosted from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 3 at the Oswego Fire Station, 3511 Woolley Road. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and everyone from public safety officers to weather hounds are invited to attend the free event. Participants will also have to opportunity to win a free weather radio. Those wishing to register for the event hosted by the Kendall County Emergency Management Agency can visit www.kendallweatherspotters.eventbrite.com. Contact Tracy Page at tpage@co.kendall.il.us with questions.

Kifowit supports Meals on Wheels

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, is working to restore necessary funding for the Meals on Wheels program for seniors by co-sponsoring a bill that might keep the program thriving.

Kifowit said her push was in response to a recent budget impasse that has put strain on the program’s pocketbook.  She said senior service programs have been under increased pressure to cut back or stop services as a result of the ongoing budget impasse, to the point where seniors only get two meals a week.

“Many senior citizens, some of whom are World War ll and Korean veterans, desperately rely on the Meals on Wheels program,” Kifowit said. “The services that Meals on Wheels provides are essential to the health of our communities, and political gridlock is no excuse for the residents that rely on these services to go without food for days.”

To ensure that seniors continue receiving the home-delivered meals, Kifowit is co-sponsoring House Bill 4382 to send necessary funding to the Department of Aging for senior Meals on Wheels programs throughout Illinois.

“We have a responsibility to the health and well-being of our senior citizens,” Kifowit said. “For some, these services provide them with the only nourishment they will get all day. I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting our seniors and ensuring that they continue to receive the necessary services that Meals on Wheels provide.”

Montgomery

Tappin’ for Tents

Camp Out From Cancer,  a non-profit organization created by young Montgomery cancer survivor Isaac Paris and his mother, April, provides small tents and treats to children undergoing cancer treatment. In an effort to raise money and put smiles on even more childrens’ faces, COFC is hosting “Tappin’ for Tents,” a night of beer and food in Geneva.

The event will take place from 1. to 5 p.m., on  on April 24, but tickets are available for purchase now. Tickets cost $50 and get you unlimited Penrose beer from the Penrose Brewery, 509 Stevens St., Geneva, where the event will be held. Ticket prices also include brewery tours, small plates and pizza from Gia Mia, and cupcakes from SmallCakes.

For tickets and more information visit www.campoutfromcancer.org and click the “Get involved” tab.

Oswego

Oswego proposes online P.E. classes

Earlier this month, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) unanimously approved to recommend to the General Assembly District 308’s waiver request to provide high school students in 11th and 12th grades with the ground-breaking opportunity to receive physical education through a blended online curriculum.

If approved by the General Assembly, District 308 would be the first school district in the State to be allowed to provide online physical education for initial credit. Superintendent Dr. Matthew Wendt said he is proud of the initiative’s alternative format that will increase both the amount of physical activity required per student and the percentage of students who engage in physical education.

Two physical education courses have been chosen by the district, Personal Wellness and Lifetime Fitness. Both courses meet the statutory requirements. Each course would require students to complete five hours of fitness (cardiovascular exercises, stretching or weight lifting) throughout the week, and to record their physical activity and/or exercise data using a monitoring device, such as a Fitbit or Polar heart rate monitor.

The Oswego Senior Center will be hosting a Spring Art and Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 12 at the Oswego Senior Center. (Photo Oswego Senior Center)

Spring Art and Craft Fair

The Oswego Senior Center will be hosting a Spring Art and Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 12 at the Oswego Senior Center, 156 E. Washington St., Oswego.

The fair will showcase handmade gifts for Mother’s Day, weddings, showers, and graduation. Gardening, seasonal and holiday décor will be for sale, along with gourmet food and candies, soaps, lotions, candles, jewelry, books, toys, baby / children’s items, and much more.  Homemade treats will be available for purchase, and homemade soup, rolls, hamburgers, and chips are available to purchase.  All proceeds benefit the Oswego Senior Center.  For more information, contact Lorraine at 630-554-5602 or visit www.oswegoseniorcenter.org

Free Income Tax Preparation at the Oswego Senior Center

The Oswego Senior Center will be preparing free income tax returns.  Volunteers will be available every Monday until April 11 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Appointments will also be available on two Saturdays: March 12 and April 2, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Appointments are mandatory, and returns are prepared at the Oswego Senior Center.

People with incomes of $55,000 or less are eligible for free preparation and filing of federal and state returns.  All volunteers are trained through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) in collaboration with the IRS.  To make an appointment or for more information, contact the Oswego Senior Center at (630) 554-5602.

For more information call: (630) 554-5602, email: info@oswegoseniorcenter.org, or visit www.oswegoseniorcenter.org

Sandwich

Spring Gala and Auction

Mark down May 14 on your calendar to save the date for the Fox Valley Older Adult Services 23rd Annual Spring Gala and Auction. The gala features hor d’oeuvres and desserts, cocktails, music, laughter, fun and both silent and live auctions.  All proceeds help to support our area Seniors through the services and programs of Fox Valley Older Adult Services. For more information visit http://www.fvoas.org/

Yorkville

4-H Spring Break Events

Students are invited to attend a series of three interactive art workshops during the week of March 21, as part of the Kendall County 4-H program’s Spring Break event.

The workshops featuring a variety of art mediums, including fused glass, jewelry and stamp art. Techniques explored in the workshops include: nipping and designing fused glass, braiding for Japanese jewelry, and stamping techniques of masking and scene building.

“We have three wonderful classes available to help youth explore their artistic side,” said Kim Eisnaugle, University of Illinois Extension 4-H Program Coordinator. “Sessions will be led by experienced community volunteers and each will provide hands-on experience with skill development in mind.”

The Fused Glass Nightlights workshop will be 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Tuesday,  March 22. The Glass Kumihimo Bracelet workshop will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 23. The Art Basics with Rubber Stamps class will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 24.

For more details on each session or to register online, visit web.extension.illinois.edu/dkk/4hspring.

–Kendall County News Briefs–