The annual Fox Valley United Way Cardboard Boat races will take place in Phillips Park in Aurora on Aug. 20. Registration deadline is Aug. 12. (Photo courtesy Fox Valley United Way)

Aurora

United Way Cardboard Boats Races

The annual Fox Valley United Way Cardboard Boat races are scheduled for Aug. 20, and hundreds of participants are being sought.

The race will take place on the shores of Mastodon Lake in Phillips Park in Aurora where crowds will gather to cheer on boats created by businesses, organizations and families. The action promises to be fun and fierce as usual. Boats race in two categories — man-powered and mechanical. Categories are separated into divisions, including juniors, adults, business, community or non-profit.

This year’s theme is “What floats your cardboard boat?” Registration deadline is Aug. 12.

The primary purpose of Fox Valley United Way’s Cardboard Boat Race is to have fun while raising awareness of the organization’s fundraising efforts and community partnerships with more than 54 local health and human service agencies.

United Way gave a special thank you to Cano Container Corporation and Caterpillar for donating this year’s supply of free cardboard for boat builders. For more information on the race visit www.uwfoxvalley.org.

Kendall County

Private Home services available for seniors

Private Home Services FVOAS is licensed as a non-medical Home Services agency under the Illinois Department of Public Health. FVOAS is in compliance with the Health Care Worker Background Check Act and all requirements and training through IDPH.

FVOAS has had many years of experience as a Home Services agency through the Illinois Department of Aging. Private Home Services are available through this well respected community agency for all seniors, regardless of financial need or a determination of need analysis.

All seniors in DeKalb, Kendall and LaSalle counties can obtain quality and affordable care that will enable them to remain living independently in their own homes. For more information, call the Home Services Department at FVOAS for more information (815) 570- 2531.

Kendall Deputies seek public’s help

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information regarding a Criminal Damage to Property that occurred in the 5400 Block of Light Road, in unincorporated Oswego. Police said that sometime between 2 p.m. on June 26, and 8 a.m. on July 27, suspects damaged the windshields of three vehicles. The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office report number is 2016-1982.

Anyone with information on this or other crimes is urged to call Kendall County Crime Stoppers at (630) 553-5999. Callers remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00 for information leading to the arrest of the offenders.

Oswego

Senior Center Medicare discussions

Join the Oswego Senior Center’s new discussion group on Medicare starting July 26.  It will be held on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 10-11 a.m. at 156 E. Washington St. Each month will feature a different topic.

According to the Senior Center, Medicare can be overwhelming and confusing with all the different parts and plans.  In this session, experts will discuss the different components of Medicare as well as timeframes for enrollment.

If you have questions about your Medicare, see a Senior Health Insurance Counselor for information or help.  Call for an appointment  630-554-5602.  Visit our website atwww.oswegoseniorcenter.org/

Oswego Vandals Sought

Oswego Police are investigating an incident in which someone broke into Churchill Elementary School sometime before 6 a.m. June 22 and discharged two fire extinguishers in the school’s gym and stole another extinguisher. It is believed entry was gained to the school through and unlocked roof hatch. About $1,000 in damage was done, police said. Nearby Plank Junior High was also broken into two days prior, police reported. In that incident nothing appeared to be stolen but a small amount of property damage was done. It is unknown how entry was gained into Plank, police said.

Oswego School’s Director honored

Community Unit School District 308’s Director of Assessment, Data, and Accountability Dr. Brenda M. Dixon, Ed. D., has been named a Renaissance Distinguished Educator, an honor reserved for educators who have achieved optimum student growth and who are dedicated to helping all students learn, grow, and achieve.

The Renaissance Distinguished Educators Program recognizes outstanding educational leaders who have led students to success with data strategies and effective implementation of products designed to differentiate instruction and personalize student practice in reading and math.

Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Judith Minor said she is proud that the work Dixon does is being recognized.

“This is a great recognition for Dr. Dixon and it speaks to the distinctive caliber of her work,” said Minor. “We are fortunate to have such a distinguished educator working on our team to provide exceptional educational support for School District 308 students and staff.”

As a Renaissance Distinguished Educator, Dixon will serve as an inspiration resource for other educators. Renaissance Distinguished Educators share their expertise with teachers and education leaders beyond their classrooms, schools, and districts. They speak at schools, host site visits, and share their success stories and implementation strategies at conferences and events.

“I am very honored to have received this award,” Dixon said. “The effective use of meaningful data to improve instruction in education has been a career-long passion of mine.”

Oswego Beats & Eats

Mark your calendars. The final two Oswego Beats & Eats events are coming up, and you won’t want to miss it. Beats & Eats is a celebration that promotes the variety and importance of music, art, food and culture. Free and open to the public, the events will take place on Main Street from 4-10 p.m. on July 30, and Aug. 27. This concert series will showcase up and coming national, regional and local musicians paired with some of the best foods and libations of the Chicago area.

On July 30, enjoy JD Eicher and the Goodnights, Paul Pfau and Tony Lucca performing.

On Aug. 27, stop by and listen to music by Keith Semple, Mockingbird and Red Wanting Blue.

Food and drinks are available during the festival. No outside food or beverages allowed. For more information, visit www.oswegobeatsandeats.com/

Oswego mosquito control season has begun

Oswego has begun its annual efforts is minimize mosquito populations and help reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases like Zika and West Nile Virus, and to preserve the comfort and health of residents.

The city has contracted with St. Charles-based Clarke to conduct its mosquito control operations.  So far this year, Clarke has mapped mosquito breeding sites and has begun treating those sites with Natular, an OMRI-listed larvicide to prevent mosquito eggs from hatching into adult mosquitoes.

Oswego’s adult mosquito control operations will begin when surveillance detects a rise in adult mosquito populations or the presence of West Nile Virus or other mosquito-borne disease.

“Mosquito-borne disease are rare but serious,” said George Balis, entomologist for Clarke, the city’s contractor for larviciding and surveillance operations. “West Nile is endemic to the Chicago area and can resurface at any time, given the right weather conditions.  And while Zika may not pose a large risk for local transmission, it has very serious side effects including birth defects.”

Both larviciding (eliminating mosquito larvae) and adulticiding are part of Oswego’s comprehensive mosquito control program. 

Larviciding involves treating catch basins, storm drains and standing water with biological insecticides that are designed to attack the mosquito in the aquatic larval stage before they are air borne.  Adulticiding involves dispersing an ultra-low volume product that interacts with mosquitoes on the wing to reduce adult populations.

–Kendall County News Briefs–