Local businesses and civic organizations are invited to participate in the third annual Youth Scholarship Team Challenge, to be held from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2008. The City of Elgin Parks and Recreation Department holds this event each year to raise money for the Youth Scholarship Fund, providing financial assistance to children of families who can not otherwise afford to participate in city recreational programs.

Groups can participate by entering a team of up to 12 members, or through sponsorships of one of the twelve events that are part of the challenge. Up to 10 teams will be registered on a first-come basis. Team entry fees are $350, and event sponsorships are $250 each. Smaller donations of gift certificates and merchandise would also be greatly appreciated for use as prizes and raffle items for the event.

Teams will compete in twelve different events throughout the 4 hour challenge, with such activities as Track Relay, Water Relay, Tug-of-War, and Pop Quiz Trivia. New events this year include Pudding Slurp, Marshmallow Shooters, Tricycle Relay, Dodgeball and Aqualand Obstacle Course. Teams and sponsors can also compete in raising money for the scholarship fund through private donations. The public will be able to earmark their donation for credit to the team of their choice.

Last year’s event raised over $7,500 for the fund, with a goal of $10,000 in 2008. In addition to team and event sponsorships, individual monetary donations are greatly needed to help reach this goal. Donations can be made to the City of Elgin Parks & Recreation Department Youth Scholarship Fund, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin, Illinois 60120, or go to the City of Elgin website at www.cityofelgin.org to download a donation form. Teams and sponsors can register while slots are still available, with a deadline of September 15. For information about this event, please call Liz Langton at The Centre at 847-531-7018.

The Independent Players will kick off the fall season presenting The Retreat from Moscow by English filmmaker, screenwriter, playwright and novelist William Nicholson. Performances are on Fridays and Saturdays beginning September 26, 27, through October 3rd, 4th,10th and 11th Performances are at 8:00 p.m. each evening. A Sunday performance has been added for October 5.

The play is directed by Larry Boller and stars Marge Uhlarik-Boller, Jim Quan and David Smith. The story revolves around a family torn by divorce after 33 years of marriage. The New Yorker calls it “Riveting … subtle and powerful, [with] marvelous emotional complexity.” The Journal News called it “The best new play in twenty years … This perfectly written masterwork shimmers with delicacy and precision.” Tickets are available at the door, Adults $15, Seniors $12 and Students $10. For more information call Independent Players at (847) 697-7374

From October 3-18th The Gallery in the Art Showcase will feature two well known area artists. The exhibit will feature images created in Paris by photographer Susan McConnell (www.ParisLikeThis) and oil paintings capturing the Midwest’s Great Lakes coastal environment by artist Craig Dresang (www.thirdcoastgallery.com). An Artist's reception is planned for Saturday, October 11 from 6:30 to 8:00. The public is invited to attend.

On October 17th and 18th the Heartland Voices will present Some Enchanted Evening Gala Benefit at 6 p.m. Guests will enjoy an evening of hors d’oeuvres, wine and a silent auction at this second benefit gala for Heartland Voices. Jack and Marlene Shales will be honored for their lifelong dedication to the Elgin community. Tickets are $40 per person and available by reservations only. Call 847-429-9486 for more information and reservations.

On October 24th, the Showcase will be the site of the Larkin Center’s fundraising gala event, Art & Soul Experience. This elegant event combines fine art from many professional artists, incredible appetizers, music and a cash bar. The event runs from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Admission is $35.00 per person and reservations are limited. For additional information and ticket purchases call Sharon Prizy at 847-695-5656 x263.

On October 30-November 1, Nothing Special Productions presents Nightmare in Paradise, a Halloween Spooktacular. Performances are at 8:00 p.m. each evening. Tickets are $13 for adults; $10 for students. Contact Alissa Jones for reservations by emailing aajones@ilstu.edu, nothingspecialproductions@hotmail.com or call 630-709-8014

Beginning on October 30, The Gallery in the Art Showcase will feature a photo exhibit of the works of Bill Brown, a well known Elgin area photographer.

Elgin Art Showcase, located at 164 Division Street, is an intimate performance and gallery space in the heart of downtown Elgin. The Showcase is a City of Elgin facility, created to help foster and support the local arts community. It has featured a variety of local group performances including those by the Janus Theatre, Independent Players and VEX Theatre among others.

For more information contact Sylvia Grady, Elgin Arts Showcase coordinator at (847) 951-1515 or grady_s@cityofelgin.org.

Construction of the City of Elgin Veteran Memorial Park, located directly north of the Gail Borden Library, is on schedule and plans are underway for the official dedication ceremony to be held on Veterans Day, November 11, 2008. The Veteran’s Memorial Park will become the north anchor of a larger riverfront beautification project partnership between the Gail Borden Library and the City of Elgin and will serve as the permanent site to honor the service of all veterans throughout our community’s history.

The public is invited to be a permanent part of the Veterans Memorial Park by purchasing a personalized brick paver, tree or bench in honor of a loved one. Engraved brick pavers, will line the perimeter of the walkway, and are available for $50 each. Memorial trees are $250 and benches $500 each, and will be located throughout the park. Order forms are available at City Hall, 150 Dexter Court; The Centre, 100 Symphony Way; Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Avenue; VFW, 1601 Weld Road; or the American Legion Hall at 820 N. Liberty Street. Order forms are also available online at Quick Links on the City of Elgin website www.cityofelgin.org. Forms and payment can be returned to the City of Elgin, 150 Dexter Court, Elgin, Illinois 60120, attention Mike Millikan.

Jack Cook, chairman of the Veterans Memorial Committee, along with other committee members, are pleased and surprised at the positive response they have already received and hope others will be inspired to participate in their fundraising efforts. “This is an opportunity to permanently honor loved ones in a very meaningful way. We have also kept it affordable to encourage broad participation by the community.”

The Veteran’s Memorial Park Committee is planning a dedication ceremony at the park as part of their annual Memorial Day Ceremony, to be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2008. Details of the ceremony will be announced in the next few weeks, along with the announcement of the guest speaker.

The Veteran’s Memorial Park Committee is comprised of representatives from each branch of the military, as well as representatives from the City of Elgin and the Gail Borden Library. For more information, please contact Mike Millikan at the City of Elgin at 847-931-5924.

Community art project invites the public photograph autumn in Elgin.

Golden leaves, crisp mornings, the smell of cider – and the clicking of hundreds of cameras!

The City of Elgin, The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission and the Courier News are pleased to announce that the third annual Elgin 1440 photography project, Autumn Sun / Harvest Moon, will be happening from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on October 14, 2008. Photographers ages 12 and older may submit up to five photographs to the juried exhibit. The photographs may be taken at any time during the twenty-four hours of October 14.

“The wonderful thing about Elgin 1440”, states Pattie Tripunitara of the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission and chair of the exhibit, “is that it is not only a historic record of Elgin, but an artistic one as well. It is thrilling to see the beauty that people find in this community.”

The Elgin 1440 project (that takes its name from the 1,440 minutes in a day) was conceived as a way to capture and preserve the essence of life in Elgin. Last year’s project was wildly successful with nearly 70 photographers contributing over 150 photographs to the exhibit.

“We are excited to have community businesses involved,” says Ms. Tripunitara, “Card and Camera is offering a $6.00 print and mount package for Autumn Sun/ Harvest Moon participants. It is great to have that kind of support for this project!”

This year’s exhibit will be held in the lobby of the Hemmens Theater, November 25, 2008 – January 5, 2009.

Anyone interested in submitting a photograph to be considered in this year’s exhibit should pick up a registration form - available on the Home Page in Quick Links, at the main reception desk at City Hall (150 Dexter Ct.) or various other locations in down town Elgin.

For additional information about Elgin 1440, please contact Sylvia Grady, via email: grady_s@cityofelgin.org or by phone 847-951-1515

The 2009 Elgin Cultural Arts Commission Grant Program applications are now on-line at www.cityofelgin.org . Only Elgin based, Illinois registered not-for-profit groups may apply, and applications must be for a specific project. Expenditures of grant monies must occur between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. All applications are due no later than Friday, October 24, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.

A copy of proof of Illinois not-for-profit status document (annual report to the Secretary of State dated not more than twelve months ago) must be submitted along with the completed application. See the application for complete eligibility information and grant criteria. If you have any questions please contact Sylvia Grady at 847-951-1515 fax number 847-931-5610 or e-mail to grady_s@cityofelgin.org.

The City of Elgin is partnering with Elgin State Bank to offer fantastic monthly day trips this fall, with a wide variety of experiences for active adults, age 50 and over. The following trips are being offered beginning in September, through December.

Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Festival -- On Saturday, September 20th we'll spend the day in Cedarburg at their fabulous Wine & Harvest Festival. Browse the shops, the markets or just take in the events of the day. Resident Fee $35; Non-resident $45.

Wicked -- Wednesday, October 8th we'll venture down to Chicago to see the award winning production of Wicked. We'll start the day at Navy Pier to browse and for lunch. Resident Fee $71; Non-resident $81

Dirty Dancing -- Wednesday, November 19th we will take in the new production of Dirty Dancing at the Cadillac Palace in Chicago. We will begin this trip at the marvelous Water Tower place where you can shop and have lunch. Resident Fee $110; Non-resident $120

A Fireside Christmas -- Treat yourself this holiday season as we travel up to Fort Atkinson, WI to the Fireside Theatre. Award winning Sunday brunch awaits us along with their excellent production of a Fireside Christmas show. Resident Fee $89; Non-resident $95

Because space is limited, early registration is encouraged. Registration is available on-line at www.cityofelgin.org or at The Centre, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin. Contact Amy Knorek at 847-531-7013 or email to parksandrec@cityofelgin.org if you have additional questions.
Registration is going on now -- Space is limited -- Sign up today!!

Elgin residents can place all yard waste out for free collection beginning Wednesday, Oct. 1st . Elgin residents can place all yard waste out for free collection beginning Wednesday, Oct. 1st . Prepaid refuse stickers are not required and bags will be picked up on regular weekly trash collection days by Waste Management.
Leaf collection services vary depending on where you live. Certain areas of the city have been designated as bagging areas. Residents living in bagging areas are required to place their leaves in paper yard waste bags for collection by Waste Management. Residents living in non-bagging areas can rake loose leaves into the street along the curb beginning Oct. 13th. City crews will pick up loose leaves beginning at 6 a.m. on first day of the scheduled weekly pick-up. Residents can learn if they live in an area that allows for bag or street collection by visiting the City’s website at www.cityofelgin.org. A special leaf pick-up brochure will be mailed to all residents within the next week.
General leaf pick-up guidelines are:
• State law prohibits disposing of leaves and other yard waste in landfills and leaf burning is prohibited in Elgin.
• Leaves placed in plastic bags will not be collected.
• Residents receiving on-street leaf collection should rake leaves into the street along the curb by 6 a.m. the first day of their scheduled weekly pick-up.
• Trash, Branches or other yard waste should not be mixed with leaf piles.
• Citizens are urged to avoid on-street parking on scheduled collection days as leaf piles blocked by parked cars will not be collected.
• Do not allow children to play in leaf piles located in the street.
• Weather and other delays may affect on-street leaf collection. Residents are encouraged to bag leaves whenever possible.
Key changes have been made to this year’s Fall Leaf Collection Program as part of the City’s ongoing efforts to improve public works services and meet the needs of residents. “Free bagged leaf collection has been extended by one week, thru December 5th, to allow residents additional time beyond our loose leaf collection schedule to properly dispose of leaves”, according to Tish Powell, Public Works Administrative Superintendent. “The additional week will also be helpful in the event the leaves fall later than normal or if it snows prior to December.” Crews will also be working after Thanksgiving Day on Friday, November 28th and Saturday, November 29th in order to maintain the published schedule.

The City is encouraging residents to ‘think green’ and ‘recycle’ their leaves by mulching or composting them. Rather than raking leaves into the street or bagging them, residents can simply use a lawn mower to mulch leaves back into their lawn. According to Powell, “mulching and composting are great ways to provide your lawn and other plants in your yard with valuable nutrients while reducing waste and saving money. City crews routinely mulch leaves and grass at City parks and other municipal properties with great success.” Residents interested in trying their hand at composting can purchase compost bins at the Elgin Public Works Department for $40/each (check or money order only), while supplies last.
For more information contact the Elgin Public Works Department, at (847) 697-3160, or visit the City’s website at www.cityofelgin.org/publicworks.