February/March 2023

Good Helpers

How many kids willingly help their parents clean the house? Surprisingly, mine do, and that’s why I always praise my little helpers.

Just the other day, they begged to help me with the weekly chores, and it took no convincing for them to scrub the tub and toilet. For reasons I can’t understand, the latter has always been their job of choice.

We get started and soon one kid is spraying water everywhere with an old bottle, then rubbing everything with an old toothbrush. The other is squealing and shaking the toilet brush.

They might have left a small flood behind them, but they make me smile, and with any luck at all they’ve learned some important life lessons – the value of service, the relief of cleanliness, the execution of duty, and the payoff of hard work, to name a few. In our house, we put a lot of emphasis on spending time together and serving others. It may not always be fun and games (adults always grumble about chores, don’t we?), but why can’t we find a little pleasure along the way?

Warm memories linger from the times I helped Mom and Dad in my childhood. I can even remember a Little Golden Book that was all about helping our parents. I wish we heard that message more often these days.

Hopefully, our children may look back on these times with fond memories, and maybe they’ll see it as the start of their own service to others. After all, a servant’s heart is essential to the health of our community.

Eager servants are the lifeblood of our civic health. They’re the kinds of people who feel a duty or a calling to pitch in, even if that means scrubbing toilets. Their work isn’t just about helping those who are less fortunate, though that’s an important pillar. They’re also driving our civic institutions, supporting local businesses, leading our churches, and making possible our artistic and cultural assets. Good helpers make our community strong and vibrant in so many ways.

It’s hard to find time in our busy lives, but even a little bit goes a long way.

Chris Linden Executive Editor

Give Your Home a Protective Shield

By Jim Taylor, managing editor

Typically, wood surfaces on a home’s exterior need to be painted every five to seven years. While the task is rarely seen as fun, it’s essential for boosting curb appeal and guarding against the harsh weather in the Midwest.

Over the years, many a homeowner has stared, exasperated, at their halfpainted home, wishing for a way to put off this ordeal. It doesn’t have to be a dream anymore.

“Rhino Shield is a maintenance-free ceramic coating system that can go on any type of exterior,” says Zach Dixson, a sales representative for Rhino Shield of Chicagoland. “It’s a one-and-done system that coats the exterior of your home for up to 25 years.”

Rhino Shield is an elastomeric exterior paint coating that’s environmentally safe, vapor permeable and comprised of about 40% less water than typical paint.

The product goes on many surfaces and provides a maintenance-free finish to all common siding materials, including cedar, cedar shake, aluminum, vinyl, stucco and Tudor surfaces. Rhino Shield’s thick, elastic coating is sprayed, rolled and painted on by a professional crew in the same amount of time as a traditional paint job.

There’s no limit when it comes to choosing color. “We have every color of the rainbow,” says Dixson. “We have a giant machine in our office that can make any color our customer wants. They can even bring in a sample of the color they want. We can match it.”

The finish is guaranteed for 25 years and transfers to the next family that buys your home. The finish also helps to prevent mold, mildew and stains.

“A lot of our customers garden, live by a body of water or have water runoff

from their gutters,” says Dixson. “Our product prevents those nasty green molds that can grow as a result of that water.”

The coating also saves money on energy costs, because of its ability to block the heat of the sun.

“You can eliminate repainting, prevent molds and stains, protect the building materials and up your home’s resale value, all in one visit,” says Dixson. For more information on Rhino Shield or to request a quote, call (630) 426-7757. ❚

Is Your Brick Patio or Walkway Built to Last?

By Pat Szpekowski

Have you envisioned a change in your outdoor space to optimize summertime fun? Are you dreaming about a new brick patio to entertain family and friends or a knock-out front walkway? Now is the time to move forward.

As you’re planning this year’s big landscaping projects, consider some of the state-of-the-art approaches landscapers are employing to ensure their work looks great for years to come.

“Brick pavers are more popular than ever, and the sky is the limit when selecting colors and shapes to define a head-turning walkway and patio,” says Joe Runde, owner of Runde’s Landscape Contractors in Elgin. “We offer our expertise to help our clients plan a design that fits their lifestyles.”

Runde’s Landscape Contractors has received major recognitions from

UNILOCK, the technology leader in the paver industry, for its award-winning landscape designs and projects in the Fox Valley area.

The process of installing brick has gone up a notch lately. For the past seven years, Runde’s team has been using the GatorTile System, which is installed underneath brick pavers.

What’s the GatorTile System all about? The system employs a very sturdy 1-inch hard foam – a dense, lightweight polypropylene. The foam tile helps to stabilize the patio or walkway, it reduces the amount of stone needed for a project, and it also impacts the amount of freezing and thawing that occurs below the pavers in winter, says Runde.

“Plus, the black edging no longer heaves above the pavers,” he adds. “The look is clean, it’s sturdy, and most importantly, it lasts.”

Runde and his employees take part in specialized, hands-on training sessions each winter to learn about new products and the most up-to-date installation techniques. These experiences are pivotal to keeping them on the cutting edge.

“GatorTile has completely revolutionized the industry and the installation process, which is quicker without compromising the base of the project,” Runde says. “It makes a tremendous difference in paver support. It’s definitely the future and is here to stay.” ❚

Runde’s Landscape Contractors is located at 9N299 Ill. Rt. 47, in Elgin, (847) 464-5056.

Snowflakes, Ravens & Lilies

Wewatch millions of snowflakes fall every winter and marvel that each one is unique. “How can that possibly be?” we wonder.

And those are just snowflakes. Consider how much more amazing it is that God has created every human being to be a unique individual with no duplicate anyplace in the world. Further consider that He knows each one of us better than we know ourselves.

“But even the hairs of your head are all numbered,” Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 10:30. He constantly reassures his followers that they don’t need to be filled with fear and anxiety, because God cares for them and has already won the ultimate victory on their behalf.

Jesus lived in an agriculture-supported society and often used examples of things people saw around them in nature as allegorical teaching tools. Luke 12:22-31 (NIV) is a wonderful example:

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you can’t do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the lilies grow. They don’t labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”

One thing is certain. As beautiful as this world can be, God views us, not it, as his crowning achievement. ❚

WOODHAVEN LAKES

A Private Recreational Camp Resort

509 Lamoille Rd. Sublette, IL | 815-849-5209

www.woodhavenassociation.com

So Much to See. So Much to Do.

Hiking Trails. Woodlands. Nature. Lakes. WiFi. Pools. Crafts. Movies. Fitness Center. Prairie. Deer. Pavilions. Arcade. Mini Golf. Day Camp. Tennis. Basketball. Live Music. Theme Activities. Fireworks. Painting Parties. Open Markets. Social Events. Volleyball. Shuffleboard. Teen Dances. Car Show. Paddleboats. Sledding. Farmers Markets. Night Hikes. Campfires. Fishing. Tournaments. Pickleball. Acoustic Nights. Wine & Cheese Social. Road Rally. Golf Outing. 5K/3K. Haunted House. Canoeing. Anything That Floats. Horseshoes. Petting Zoo. Wagon Rides. Aqua Zumba. Playgrounds. Karaoke. Family Fun Night. Coffee Hour. Clubs. DJs. Scavenger Hunts. Kayaking. Tug of War. Food Fairs. Picnics.

Venture Out to the ‘Middle of Everywhere’

By Jim Taylor, managing editor

There’s a reason why Ottawa, Ill., is known for being “in the middle of everywhere.” Natural beauty, history, shopping, dining and accommodations are all on display at this destination in the heart of Starved Rock Country. It’s also an oasis for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

“We have three state parks that are within less than a 10-minute drive,” says Donna Reynolds, tourism and operations manager at the Ottawa Visitors Center. “We also have a wildlife preserve that is great for hiking and cross-country skiing.”

While every nearby state park offers its own unique experiences, Buffalo Rock State Park, just 3 miles out of town, is a particular favorite amongst locals and regular visitors. With 298 acres to explore, this park, once an island unto itself in the Illinois River, is now a promontory

on the river’s north bank that offers stunning views for anyone wishing to take a photograph or spend a moment in quiet contemplation. You can even pay a visit to the park’s permanent residents.

After taking in the natural scenery, visitors will want to explore the local shopping and culinary scene.

“We have many unique boutiques, like Déjà vu, Heartland by Hand, and our newest shop, RPS Toys,” says Reynolds. “After a day of shopping, grab dinner at Ingia Pizzeria, Burger and Sushi House, or the Beach House.”

There are plenty of other reasons to stay and play around Ottawa. On May 20, Kites in Flight fills the sky with all colors as professional kite demonstrations and the public enjoy some high-flying fun.

Of course, there’s never a bad time to get the girls together for a fun retreat

thanks to the Visitors Center’s Girls Getaway package. Round up some friends and book a two-night stay at participating hotels to access all of the pampering and fun you can fit into a weekend. Special activities include dinner promotions, yoga spa treatments and group tours.

Ottawa has always been “in the middle of everywhere.” Now is an ideal time to visit and discover for yourself just how completely it embodies that phrase. ❚

To start planning an adventure in Ottawa, check out pickusottawail.com.

When Foot Problems Indicate Heart Trouble

By Stephanie N. Grimoldby

As an interventional cardiologist at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, Dr. Jeffrey Freihage treats more than just the heart. He treats any disease related to blood vessels.

Sometimes that means treating those with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a circulatory problem in which narrowed or blocked arteries can’t carry enough blood to the legs and arms.

People may not even realize they have PAD until they receive a wound on their legs or feet that just won’t heal. In severe cases, amputation could be a possible treatment.

“It takes a lot more blood to heal a wound than to keep tissue integrity,” says Freihage.

What amazes him is that more than half of patients who had a serious leg or foot wound that resulted in an amputation

did not first receive a proper evaluation of their arterial system.

“At Good Shepherd, we’ve really worked the past three to four years on identifying those in podiatry offices who should get a vascular evaluation early,” he says.

Part of the reason Freihage is adamant about vascular evaluations – and having regular appointments with a primary doctor – is that a patient with a blockage in one vascular bed has a 40% chance of having a blockage elsewhere.

“Say they have a blockage in their leg,” he says. “Now that they’re walking, we have to ask, ‘Are you having chest pain? Could you have blockages in your heart as well?”

If you have routine blood pressure checks with your primary doctor, that’s a great first step, Freihage says. Monitoring

risk factors such as smoking or heart disease may also help. It’s also a good idea to engage in regular exercise that includes 30 to 45 minutes of increased heart rate several times a week.

“Not every exercise has to be going to the gym,” Freihage says. “Vigorous work around the house, I count that. Get your heart rate up, walk some distance, achieve your step count.” ❚

Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital is located at 450 W. Highway 22, in Barrington, (847) 381-0123.

New Look for Raue’s Arts on the Green

By Chris Linden, executive editor

The outdoor music season is right around the corner, and for Crystal Lake’s Raue Center for the Arts, the new season brings a different look and feel to an outdoor gathering that’s becoming a summer tradition.

Arts on the Green kicked off in 2021 at a time when indoor venues were limited due to COVID concerns. Ever since that first season, audiences and musicians alike have found themselves at home with Raue’s outdoor concerts on the lawn of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 210 McHenry Ave. in Crystal Lake.

“We’re really pleased that the community keeps embracing it and just making it a destination of its own,” says Richard Kuranda, Raue Center’s executive director. “We’re thrilled that a lot of the artists have flourished as well. We didn’t design it this way, but over the past two years we have been so blessed.”

From its start, Arts on the Green has provided a casual, intimate experience with a tight focus on live music. Performers play upon a small wooden stage as audiences gather on lawn chairs and enjoy a picnic around dusk. The occasional neighbor sits on their porch, feet tapping along to the tune.

This year expect a refreshed, more formalized look as enhanced landscaping and a band shell take shape this spring. Thanks to a grant from Advance McHenry County, using funds from the federal American Rescue Plan, Raue Center is investing nearly $250 million into hardscaping, landscaping, sound and lighting, and more improvements to the St. Mary’s grounds, thus ensuring a long-lasting setting for Arts on the Green.

“Our friends at Countryside Flower Shop & Nursery have helped us with a lot of the hardscaping,” says Kuranda. “I

think we’re investing about $20,000 just into the landscaping and adding limestone pathways, things like that, to make it really wonderful. But with the new stage, and new band shell, and additional lighting and sound, it should be a more substantial experience for the audience this year.”

The 2023 lineup doesn’t officially release until mid-March, but Kuranda says it’s sure to include the sounds of Simon & Garfunkel, Carole King, James Taylor, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. Expect to

(Todd Heintz photos)

see kid-friendly entertainment, and look for some live theater as well, perhaps in the form of Shakespearean dramas or musical theater pieces and play readings.

Anchoring this year’s lineup is some of the big-name blues talent that’s been a hallmark of this series since its 2021 debut. Corky Siegel and Ernie Watts have become familiar faces, and last year they joined a lineup with artists like Phil Hamilton, Derrick Procell and Hector Anchondo.

“Last summer, Derrick Procell launched a record during his concert with us. Since then, the record has been in the Top 10 on the Billboard chart for blues,” says Kuranda. “Hector was definitely Top 20 for a large portion of last year. We’re excited about that.”

What draws such big-name talent to a casual gathering outdoors? Kuranda believes the intimate, music-focused environment plays a big part.

There’s a tight focus on the artists, who have a little more flexibility than

they would in a more formal venue. Audiences are encouraged to bring a picnic and their own alcoholic beverages, but otherwise there’s no concession stand and few of the other distractions common to outdoor venues.

“For us, it’s really an experience that is predicated on the artist experience,” says Kuranda. “There’s as little distraction as possible, and I think that’s really different. It’s something we try to honor.”

In fact, those musicians appreciate the experience so much that they’ve nominated Raue Center for a grant from the Johnny Carson Foundation, a highly selective organization that’s now throwing its support behind Raue Center, Arts on the Green and the Raue Center School for the Arts, which also operates at St. Mary’s church. “We were so blown away,” says Kuranda.

Watch for this year’s full lineup within the next few weeks, and expect band shell construction to start as soon as the ground thaws. The first shows should

start around June, says Kuranda. To catch the lineup and order tickets, go online to rauecenter.org.

“For us, it’s about celebrating the artist and bringing the community together in a really nice way,” says Kuranda. “And it’s also really cool that it’s a type of environment where you can have a great date night, or bring the family out or hang out with friends where it’s relaxed yet respectful.” ❚

Raue Center for the Arts is located at 26 N. Williams St., in Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church is located at 210 McHenry Ave., in Crystal Lake.

Northern Cardinal

Photography by David C. Olson

Host an Elevated Gathering at Anvil Club

By Chris Linden, executive editor

The secret is out, and word is spreading: The Anvil Club is open to all, and not just for dinner. It’s also a prime location for social events including wedding receptions, showers, memorials, anniversaries and business meetings.

A fixture on the local dining scene for more than 65 years, this East Dundee landmark used to be reserved for members only. Since opening to the public two years ago, its richly appointed dining rooms invite anyone to come and soak in the atmosphere.

The Anvil Club features nine dining rooms, each one steeped in history. Parties of 10 to 150 can enjoy areas like the cozy wine cellar, the stylish turn-ofthe-century bar, the dark-paneled Board Room, the outdoor veranda, and Sparky’s Lounge, where members once enjoyed drinks and smokes.

“People love the ambience and the food,” says Joe Robinson, general manager. “The chef is amazing. He doesn’t cut corners.”

Chef Tino Almaraz oversees a menu of classic dinner club fare anchored by prime steaks and seafood, but for private parties he accommodates a wide range of tastes. The banquet menu includes many options for appetizers, soup, salad, entrees and desserts in pre-selected plates, buffet-style settings and menu packages.

Banquet manager Harmony Feldbusch brings it all together, from arranging a menu to ordering flowers, cake and colored linens.

Details of the customizable menu are posted online at theanvilclub.net.

Founded as a private dining club for the area’s civic and industrial leaders in the 1950s, The Anvil Club is now “a club

for everyone,” says Robinson. Wood accents and white-linen table settings still exude austerity, and periodic events make anyone feel like a vaunted member.

Patrons are encouraged to wear business casual attire, including collared shirts for men.

The dining room is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Reservations are highly encouraged. ❚

The Anvil Club is located at 309 Meier St., in East Dundee, (847) 426-7710.

Set Apart the Kitchen with a Stone Surface

By Jermaine Pigee

Dave Hammerl has discovered many paths to success as president of Stonecrafters, in Lakemoor. But there’s one thing above all others that has helped this specialist in custom marble, granite and hard surfaces to stay in business for more than 25 years.

“You must take care of your customers,” he says. “You have to make sure you tell them the truth, and you have to tell them what you’re going to do and when you’re going to do it.”

Serving all of the Chicago area and beyond, Stonecrafters maintains a Lakemoor showroom and production center that’s filled with natural stone and quartz countertop products. The elegant, brightly lit showroom displays the latest trends and designs.

Stonecrafters carries more than 200 varieties of granite and quartz, each with its own benefits and design needs.

“It’s kind of like the anchor of the whole kitchen, believe it or not,” Hammerl says. “You prepare your food on it, it holds the sink, it holds the faucet and it holds the cooktop. The countertop is one part of the kitchen that’s used over and over again.”

Hammerl’s dedicated workers are trained to value precision – an important consideration when preparing stone.

They’re aided by several cuttingedge tools, most notably computer-aided design (CAD) and digital templating, which uses a laser to create precise measurements and truly accurate installation dimensions. These tools can help to avoid common issues, such as a crooked cut or incorrect measurements – both of which can happen during a home remodel. Digital templating provides accurate and reliable measurements because it accounts for the exact conditions present.

“The tools and technology that we’ve installed have made us jump three or four levels higher than most other companies out there right now,” Hammerl says. “We’ve received some great feedback, and customers love the work that we do. Communication and quality of work win every time.” ❚

Stonecrafters is located at 430 W. Wegner Road, Lakemoor, (815) 363-8730.

Prepare Your Lawn for a Greener Spring

By Steven Bonifazi, assistant editor

As winter enters its last hoorahs, you may ponder how soon your brown lawn will become a lush, green carpet once more. With the right steps, it’ll happen sooner than you think.

First, you need to know a few things about the condition of your lawn.

Start by looking at the thatch, that loose layer of dead and living stems, roots and debris found between the soil and grass blades. When thatch builds up, it can restrict the air, water and nutrients your lawn needs to thrive, says Patrick Chlada, president and founder of Revive Your Lawn. His Chicago-area landscape firm specializes in outdoor living spaces.

To really understand the state of your thatch, poke around with your finger, says Chlada. If it’s more than a half-inch thick, it’s time to use a power rake, a heavy-duty tool that rakes out dead material.

While you’re assessing your lawn, consider whether the ground below it feels soft or compacted. If the lawn feels hard and looks bare, it’s time to get the aerator. This power tool perforates the soil with holes so that air, water and nutrients can better penetrate the grass. This process of loosening up the ground helps the thatch to refresh itself, Chlada adds.

Finally, take a look at your lawn and get a feeling for the amount of weeds hiding in your turf. While dandelions make themselves obvious, weeds like crabgrass and henbit spring up while the turf is dormant, says Chlada.

There are two ways to attack weeds. One method is to lay down extra grass seed once temperatures start rise above 50 degrees. This process creates a thicker lawn that blocks out weeds. The better line of defense, Chlada says, is fertilizer

with a pre-emergent herbicide that’ll kill any unwelcomed visitors.

“Pre-emergent stops weeds from growing and germinating,” Chlada says. “However, you don’t want to use preemergent and overseed at the same time. The pre-emergent will kill germinating seeds, so if you overseed, look for weeds and treat as needed to ensure your lawn has enough nutrition for the beginning of the year.” ❚

Revive Your Lawn is located at 4828 Lawndale Ave., Ste. C, in McCook, (630) 890-9387.

Remodeling can be scary... but it doesn’t have to be.

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Tom R. || Arlington Heights

ADS Client || Barrington

Chuck E. || Geneva

Warm a Home Efficiently with Heat Pumps

By Steven Bonifazi, assistant editor

Generations of homeowners have turned to gas-powered furnaces to heat their homes, but with a growing trend toward electrical appliances and alternative power sources, there’s a new player in town. Heat pumps are emerging as an alternative – and energy-efficient –way to warm up a cold home.

“Anyone with solar panels on their roof should explore adding this type of system to their home,” says Mike Lea, of Lea Heating & Air Conditioning in East Dundee.

Heat pumps work in the same way as an air conditioner, but in reverse. They’re designed to take energy from the air outside and, with help from a refrigerant, transfer heat back into the air, thus warming up the home’s interior.

The system brings together indoor and outdoor units connected by refrigerant lines and electrical wiring.

In the past, heat pumps couldn’t work when outside temperatures were below freezing, but today’s heat pumps have made leaps and bounds, Lea says.

“Heat pumps of the past were never an option in Chicago because they provided little heating below 40 degrees outside,” he adds. “Some variable-speed heat pumps today can provide 90% to 100% capacity at temperatures as low as 10 to 20 degrees outside.”

The most economical system on the market today is a hybrid system, Lea adds. The Bryant Evolution combines a gas furnace with a high-efficiency variable-speed heat pump, which kicks off only when temperatures dip below a certain point. Then, the gas unit fires up. Lea finds this hybrid approach is especially well-adapted to the Midwest.

Selecting the right furnace – for a hybrid or traditional setup – is an important

part of the puzzle, especially considering nearly 80% to 90% of homes have an oversized unit, Lea says. When an old unit is replaced, the installer typically tries to match the old unit’s BTU, a measure of heat output. In all likelihood, your new furnace is wasting energy.

“Today’s furnaces are much more efficient in how they operate, and the BTU output rating is a lot higher than the older furnaces,” Lea says. ❚

Lea Heating & Air Conditioning is located at 570 Rock Road Dr. in East Dundee, (847) 428-6660.

‘Into The Woods’

Through March 19. Steven Sondheim’s magical fairy tale musical. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, (630) 896-6666, paramountaurora.com.

Woodstock Winter Market

Ongoing, Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Local produce and artisan goods. McHenry Co. Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock, (815) 338-5315, woodstockfarmersmarket.org.

St. Charles Farmers Market

Ongoing, Fri. 9 a.m.-noon. Fresh produce, meat, honey and other items. Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles, (630) 584-6680, facebook.com.

Farmers Market+ at The Dole

Ongoing, Sun. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Local farmers and artisans, family activities and artistic creations. The Dole, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 307-4787, thedole.org.

Huntley Farmers Market

Ongoing, Sat. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Meets on the second Saturday of the month. First Congregational Church of Huntley, 11628 E. Main St., Huntley, (815) 515-5200, huntley.il.us.

Entertainment & Events

Author Event: Alyssa Wees

March 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m. The Crystal Lake author’s latest book, “Nocturne,” is set in 1930s Chicago. Woodstock Public Library, 7735 Main St., Woodstock, (770) 928-9945, woodstockpubliclibrary.org.

‘The 39 Steps’

March 10-April 2, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. A fast-paced whodunit and two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning production. Steel Beam Theatre, 111 S. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 587-8521, steelbeamtheatre.com.

Festival of the Sugar Maples

March 11-13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Learn how maple syrup is made and see several sap collecting methods. Reg. req. Coral Woods Conservation Area, 7400 Somerset Dr., Marengo, (815) 3386223, mccdistrict.org.

Eric Johnson: ‘The Treasure Tour’ March 11, 8:30 p.m. His creations include a mix of genres including rock, blues, jazz, classical and country. Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 962-7000, arcadalive.com.

A City-Inspired Jazz Brunch

March 12, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Brunch is served

Spring Ephemerals

March 1-May 31

To aid naturalist staff with this project, please share any pictures of flowering blooms found anywhere in Kane County – natural areas, parks, forest preserves, backyards, etc. Record your discoveries on the free app iNaturalist.

Search for our project: Kane County, IL: Spring 2023 Ephemerals

For more details, email: potto@stcparks.org

while jazz musicians perform. Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington, (224) 512-4115, barringtonswhitehouse.com.

Landscaping with Native Plants (Virtual)

March 14, 7-8:15 p.m. Discover the benefits of adding native plants to your landscape. Lake County Forest Preserves, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, (847)-367-6640, lcfpd.org.

Creative Living Series: Michael Weber

March 16, 10 a.m. Tapping a lifetime of knowledge, Weber sketches the Broadway musical’s evolution. Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.

A Tribute to Van Morrison

March 17, 8 p.m. An energetic tribute to the eclectic journey of Morrison’s musical career featuring Derrick Procell. Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org.

Paddling the Nippersink

March 23, 7-8 p.m. Everything you need to know about a kayaking journey. Reg. req. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Ill. Rt. 31 & Harts Road, Ringwood, (815) 338-6223, mccdistrict.org. ❚

Shamr ckin

Along

March 11 • Race: 9am

Come dressed in your Irish best! This chip-timed, all terrain 8K race course begins in Pottawatomie Park and travels along the Fox River for some amazing views of nature. Refreshments provided. Awards presented per age group.

In partnership with Dick Pond Athletics

$45 Early Bird Rate (until Feb 14)

Guarantees logoed apparel

$55 Registration Fee (Feb 15-Mar 11)

Pottawatomie Park

ALL Ages

Purchase tickets: stcparks.org/events

The return of colorful blooms is a much welcome sign of Spring!