Tri-Cities clubs briefs

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Audubon Society: Kane County Chapter of Illinois Audubon Society invites the public to these programs and activities.

At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, attend the meeting night at Peck Farm at Peck and Kaneville roads, 38W199 KanevilleRoad, Geneva, about half-mile west of Randall Road in Geneva. The speakers will be Bob and Tassie Brautigam. They will present a program on their 2007 trip to the Antarctic Peninsula. For information, call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386.

On Saturday, Dec. 12, take a bird walk at 8 a.m. at Batavia Quarry Park and bike trail. Go south on Route 31 through Batavia's downtown, past Main Street to Union Avenue Turn left, east, and go about two blocks to the park entrance, turn right and go to the first parking lot on the left. For information, call Ann Haverstock at (630) 232-9398.

Enjoy Christmas Bird County at 7 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. This is the 110th Christmas Bird Count. This is where citizen scientist make a difference. You can make a contribution in the longest-running wildlife census. To help, call Terry Murray at (630) 896-3219 or Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386.

Enjoy a New Year's Day Walk at 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 1 at Nelson Lake. This will be a chance to get some fresh air and see the winter birds of Nelson Lake. Meet in the parking lot by the silo, which is west of Nelson Lake Road and about three-quarter mile south of Main Street, and about two miles west of Randall Road in Batavia. For information, call Rhonda Nelson at (630) 479-1384.

Kane County Audubon is the local chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society and meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday each month, September through May. Meetings are held in the orientation room, the Barn, at Peck Farm in Geneva. Field trips, bird walks and nature hikes are scheduled throughout the year and on meeting nights during June, July and August.

For more information on Kane County Audubon call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386 or Jerry Hope at (630) 377-1444, or visit Web site, www.kanecountyaudubon.org.

For information on Illinois Audubon Society, call Tom Clay at (217) 544-BIRD (2473) or visit www.illinoisaudubon.org.

VHRA:The Valley Human Resource Association will host a "Speed Networking Program" on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Margaret Resce Milkint, managing partner of The Jacobson Group, will be presenting. The meeting will be held at the Lincoln Inn, 1345 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. Registration and networking begin at 7:15 a.m., followed by breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and the program from 8 to 9 a.m. In a format similar to speed dating, speed networking participants will pair up to network in short intervals. During this time, attendees will have a chance to exchange business cards, share knowledge and insights on current market trends, and perfect their networking abilities in a non-intimidating environment. Milkint will offer tips and advice, address networking fears, and respond to questions and feedback. For information or to register for the program, call the VIA offices (630) 892-4228.

ACCESS Toy Committee: For the 28th year, citizens are invited to participate in the annual Christmas Toy Store for less fortunate children in Batavia. Donations of toys, books, puzzles, games, hats, mittens and money for the store are being accepted by the ACCESS Toy Committee.

"Over the years, Batavians have shown great compassion for the less fortunate children of our town who face a bleak Christmas," said Marilyn Dubis, committee co-chairman. "Because of the many people who are unemployed and having financial difficulties, we expect a large number of applicants this year."

Donations may be left at either Batavia fire station, 800 E. Wilson St. or 1400 Main St. Checks, made out to "ACCESS TOYS" may be left at the Batavia police station, 100 N. Island Ave.

Parents of children who qualify are invited by letter to come to the Christmas Toy Store, which is set up each year by volunteers. A local commercial property owner has donated space for the store.

The one-day event allows parents to choose appropriate gifts for their children, assisted by volunteer clerks who walk them through the large areas where tables are set up.

"We accept anything in good condition, donated from a family's own toys, books, games and puzzles, or a new item?" Note that no used bicycles will be accepted because of limited space.

Donations and checks will be accepted until Thursday, Dec. 10. Last year, more than 400 children received items.

Dubis also asks that anyone who knows of any residents of Batavia and Batavia Township who may be in need of help in providing a nice Christmas for their children, call Mildred Bailey at (630) 879-3974 or Ruth Johnsen at (630) 879-6270.

Friends of the Fox River: On Monday, Dec. 14, the Friends of the Fox River will host its annual meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Historic Kendall County Courthouse, 109 W. Ridge in Yorkville. Agenda items include committee reports outlining 2009 projects and 2010 plans, and the election of officers. Committee members will report on Web site renovation, accomplishments from the year's events, the creation of an education center and office facility, recent work with best management practices advocacy in the southern part of the watershed, and the expansion of education outreach programs and materials. Refreshments will be served. For information on Friends of the Fox River, visit friendsofthefoxriver.org.

Geneva Rotary: On Tuesday, Dec. 15, Geneva Rotary Club will host its 34th annual holiday party luncheon for Association for Individual Development clients. AID serves individuals with physical or developmental disabilities in the Fox Valley area. This special event is held at First Baptist Church of Geneva, 2300 South St. Approximately 80 AID residents attend the luncheon each year.

Event chair Rotarian Gordon Hard stated "Rotary Club of Geneva continues its longtime tradition of providing a traditional Christmas dinner to the residents of AID. Our Geneva Rotarians will help serve lunch, entertain and help with Santa's gifts too." Club president Sandy Kaczmarski adds, "This special event really gets our club members in the holiday spirit and we enjoy meeting with our friends from AID each year."

Geneva Rotary, a service club of business persons and community leaders meets at 7 a.m. Tuesdays at Mill Race Inn, off Route 38 in Geneva. The club is involved each year with many local and international service projects, youth scholarships and international youth exchange. For information on Geneva Rotary, visit genevarotary.org. For details on AID, visit www.the-association.org.

Batavia American Legion: The next meeting of the Batavia American Legion Post 504 will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. They meet the third Tuesday of each month at the Batavia VFW canteen, 645 S. River St., Batavia.

The Batavia American Legion Post 504 is currently looking for additional new members. If you or a member of your family has served in the military and would be interested in joining, call Don Nallenweg at (630) 406-9331 for information or visit bataaviapost504.org

On Dec. 5, the Batavia American Legion Post 504 dedicated a memorial monument at the Batavia West cemetery. All 80 past commanders since 1920 are listed on the monument. Many of the living past commanders were in attendance. Numerous legion members who have been commanders have served for two terms. John Nuckles was recognized as being the only legion member serving for three years. Nuckles has been a legion member for more than 60 years and is currently the senior vice-commander and adjutant.

The Batavia American Legion Post 504 conducted its first meeting on Jan. 20, 1920 with the first commander P. V. Thelander presiding. The post received its official charter on Aug. 21, 1920. The current commander is Robert Zeman.

Dignitaries attending the ceremony included Mayor Jeffery Schielke, state Rep. Mike Fortner from West Chicago and Linda Chapa LaVia from Aurora. All three gave short comments regarding veterans and the American Legion role. A firing squad was present and afterward Taps was played by Batavia High School student Nate Harms.

Fox Valley Divorce Support Group: The next meeting of the Fox Valley Divorce Support Group on Tuesday, Dec. 15 will be an open forum. The meeting takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S. Batavia Ave. New members should arrive at 6:45 p.m. The meeting is free and open to all. The Fox Valley Divorce Support Group provides help and information to those in all stages of the divorce process and is open to people of all faiths. In addition to providing information through guest speakers, the group offers fellowship and emotional support. The group meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. David and Judy Janis are the group's facilitators. Their own experiences of unsought divorces have enabled them to offer help and counsel to others who are going through the pain and challenges of divorce. For information, visit foxvalleydivorcesupport.org or call (630) 208-1724.

Timely Talkers Toastmasters: Timely Talkers Toastmasters Club will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 at Valley Community Bank Clock Tower Plaza 75 S. Randall Road, North Aurora. A special holiday meeting will be held on Dec. 30. Timely Talkers Toastmasters Club of North Aurora invites all people interested in improving their oral communication and leadership skills to attend the supportive group. For information, call Lynne Noren at (708) 609-4983 or e-mail lynnenoren@dawsonsales.com.

North Aurora Mothers Club: The North Aurora Mothers Club is seeking donations from area businesses, organizations and individuals for the community's annual Operation Christmas program, now under way. Operation Christmas provides gifts, groceries and a traditional holiday meal to needy area families.

The club manages the annual philanthropic effort, which last year assisted more than 60 local families. Organizers this year hope to help at least that many families.

"Every donation, whether it's money, a grocery gift card or a sponsorship of a family, is greatly appreciated," says Tammy Studebaker, Operation Christmas chairwoman. "These items will help make this holiday season a little brighter for local children and families needing assistance this year."

Here's how you can help Operation Christmas this holiday season:

• Donating new items: Basic home needs (bedding, blankets) and grocery gift cards are particularly useful.

• Donating money: Used to purchase gifts and food for non-sponsored families.

• Family sponsorship: Provide the needs for an entire family. Businesses and organizations enlist employee and customer support to help fulfill family wish lists with giving trees.

Volunteers work closely with sponsors and donors to collect and deliver Operation Christmas items prior to Christmas. For information on becoming an Operation Christmas sponsor, or to make a donation, contact Tammy at (630) 907-2537. Monetary donations may be mailed to: NAMC Operation Christmas, P.O. Box 57, North Aurora, IL 60542. For information, visit northauroramothersclub.org.

Dance clubs: The approach of autumn brings the usual location change for International Folk Dancing and Silk and Thistle Scottish country dancing at Fermilab, back to Kuhn Village Barn. There will be dancing Tuesdays (Scottish) and Thursdays (international), through the season, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The barn is on Sauk Boulevard, on the east side of the Fermilab site in Batavia. Fermilab's Barn Dance also is returning to the barn, with dances at 6 p.m. the second Sunday of the month and at 2 p.m. the third Sunday of the month. English country dancing meets the first Sunday of the month through the rest of the season. English dancing begins at 1 p.m. with an hour for experienced dancers, then at 2 p.m. with dances for everyone. Newcomers are welcome. All dances are fully taught and walked through. There is often a potluck supper following the dancing. To get on an e-mail reminder list for when this group meets, e-mail folkdance@fnal.gov. The public is always welcome to join any of the dance groups, and there is no need to come with a partner. In general, there is no charge for the instruction, but donations are accepted. The barn dance, which always has live music, requests $6 from adults and $3 for seniors and teens. More information on international, Scottish and English country dancing is available by calling (630) 584-0825 or (630) 840-8194, or e-mailing folkdance@fnal.gov. For barn dancing, call (630) 840-2061 or (630) 897-3655, or e-mail garren@fnal.gov. Or visit fnal.gov/orgs/folkclub/folkdance.html.