International Children’s Film Festival!

I received a special invitation to extend to area homeschoolers for the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, coming up October 22-30.

This looks like an absolutely fabulous time. Workshops, movies, and tons of activities packing the school days as well as evenings and on the weekend. So, if you want to make this a field trip, jump at the chance! Or, if your school days are too full to take a break from right now, check out some of their evening and weekend events.

For school day events (special targeted activities for kids from preschool through high school at various times) check out their school and special groups info.

Or, take a look at their evening and weekend schedule;

Or, maybe you want to check out the workshops.

And, of course if nothing else, check out their facebook page.

Main website: cicff.org

And, the invite from the festival itself:

The Chicago International Children”s Film Festival is the oldest and largest film festival in the world. The Festival would welcome HomeSchool Children to experience the best in multicultural film from around the world. Filmmakers attend screenings and speak of the messages in the films. The Festival takes place from October 22nd to the 30th. The schedule is on-line at http://www.cicff.org. Come see the best in international film that opens young eyes and minds to new worlds, new cultures, and new ideas!

It looks like it runs about $7 a piece if you are coming with a group under 25 people. Knock another dollar off if you get together a group over 25.

Doug Newton is the man to talk to with all the group info though, so check with him:

Contact: Doug Newton
Group Sales Coordinator
773-281-9075 ext. 3009
fldtrips@facets.org

Homeschool support group meeting in Elk Grove

Received this via email:

Join Beacon on Tuesday, September 27, 7pm-9pm

We will be joined this evening by Israel Wayne. Israel is a homeschool graduate and father of six who is leading his generation in defending the Christian faith and developing a Biblical worldview. He is a popular conference speaker who desires to see God’s people learn to think and live Biblically. His topic will be Homeschooling From A Biblical Worldview. Join us and invite your spouse and friends!!

Admission is free. Children are welcome if they sit quietly by their parents.

Beacon is a Christian support group for parents who home educate their children. Our membership is open to any home schooling family for support. Our vision is to help homeschool families achieve their vision. What we offer is a DREAM – Discussion, Resources, Education, Activities, Mentoring. We meet on the 4th Tuesday evening of every month August thru May (except December).

Find us at the Elk Grove Village Public Library at 7pm. www.beaconhomeschool.net

Homeschool speaker in Harwood Heights

Illinois Family Institute

Please join HOPE as they welcome Ralph Rivera, Lobbyist for the Illinois Family Institute. He will share the state of homeschooling in the state of Illinois as well as other pertinent legislation affecting the family.

Ralph has been a lobbyist for over 30 years for Pro-life, Homeschooling and Family issues. He and his wife Cindy have successfully home educated five sons and are on their last son in high school.
This is open to all those interested in family issues in our state. There is no childcare available, but those children who are studying or interest in Civics are encouraged to attend. Please forward to those you feel would be interested or benefit.

When: Saturday Sept 24th at 9:30-11:30am

Where:
Bethany Baptist Church
6700 W. Gunnison
Harwood Heights 60706

National Geography Bee

An opportunity to flex your mental muscles in the geography arena!

What: The Lake County National Geographic Bee

Where: Grayslake Area Public Library

When: Tuesday, December 13 at 10 am

Who: The competition is open to homeschooled students who live in Lake County and are in 4th to 8th grade. This is a great opportunity to test kids on their national and international geography knowledge. The winner will take a test to qualify for the Illinois Bee. Last year the Lake County winner, Annie Ulrich, won the state competition and went on to the National level.

To find out more or to sign up, e-mail Audrey Ringer at dnaringer@yahoo.com.

My kids participated in the local geo bee a few years ago and it provided great incentive to learn their geography facts and really dig into the world around them. Great opportunity!

Poetry Foundation

Did you know that the Poetry Foundation has a home in Chicago? I didn’t either.
They have some interesting events coming up in the near future including this one about postcards from poets:

The Alternative Press Multiple Originals Project

When: Wednesday, September 21, 11:00AM

Where: Poetry Foundation
61 West Superior Street
Free Admission

The Multiple Originals Project is an exhibit of postcards created by poets Robert Creeley, Alice Notley, Ted Berrigan, Joe Brainard, and others in collaboration with Ken and Ann Mikolowski. The exhibit is presented concurrently with a multimedia feature about the press on poetryfoundation.org.

EXHIBIT HOURS:

Monday – Friday, 11AM – 4PM
Opens: Wednesday, September 21
Closes: Friday, November 4

United Way volunteer opportunity in Elgin

Don’t know about age restrictions on this one, but could be a great work project!

17th Annual Day of Caring Breakfast Kickoff

The Day of Caring is fast approaching! With over 30 projects on tap for our volunteers to complete, this is shaping up to be one of our best years ever. Remember, the day begins with our Campaign Kickoff Breakfast, graciously hosted by the Grand Victoria Casino. After the breakfast and program, volunteers will depart to locations around Elgin to paint, clean, plant, mulch, build, and bring smiles to local social service agency staff and clients.

When: Friday, September 9th. Breakfast doors open at 7:30AM.

Where: Fox River Room, Grand Victoria Casino

Please RSVP to ekojzarek@uwelgin.org if you haven’t already! Breakfast space is filling up fast, and we want to make sure you have a seat at our table!

Hope to see you there,

Your friends at United Way

Nutrition event in Elgin

The following information is from the Food Day website:

Back to Nature FOOD DAY Fair
Transitioning to a Sustainable Food Way

Movies, Information & Local Organic Food and Drink Tasting
2-Day “Food Day” Kick off & Community Awareness Celebration
Celebrate the first National
Food Day in beautiful and historic downtown Elgin.

When: Saturday October 22nd
10:00 – 3:00 pm
and Sunday October 23rd
Noon- 5:00 pm

Hosted by Elgin Green Drinks
Where: Simple Balance Holistic Center
221 E Chicago Street
Elgin Illinois, 60123

We will be showing 2- new films Saturday “Ingredients” and Sunday “Forks over Knives”
and Dr. Jaena Stanley Gonzaga will give presentation on her 8 part webinar series
“A Simple Food Curriculum” Back to the Healing Powers of Nature

You’ll also get a chance to meet your local organic farmers and taste their delicious healthy fare.
Elgin Garden Network Display and Information
ECC, Organic Garden and Culinary Display
Erehwon Organic Farms (tasting)
Troggs Hollow Organic Farm (tasting)
Brons Bees Honey (tasting)
Heritage Prairie Farms (tasting)
Limerock Cheese (tasting)
Hasselman Farms Grass fed Beef (tasting)
Tomato Mountain Organic Farm (tasting)
Raw Food Healing Smoothies (tasting with AJ)
Slow Food Usa, display and information
Traditional Nutrition-information
Aquaranch–tasting
Feeding Greater Elgin
Raw Food Cooking display (tasting)

Speaker coming to Batavia next month

Overcomers Seminar with Skeet Savage (Batavia, IL)

Thursday, October 06, 2011 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (CT)

Batavia, IL

Info on the event:

Are You Longing For CHANGE?

No matter what your situation in life, YOU CAN rise above your circumstances and overcome every obstacle that stands in the way between you and the life you’ve been dreaming of!

Skeet Savage has experienced suffering and hard times — and has emerged as a joyful victor against enormous odds! During this time together, Skeet will share the Biblical keys to access the power of God to redeem your life from disappointment, boredom, hopelessness, failure, and utter devastation — and restore to you the abundant life He has promised to all who believe. As you hear her unforgettable account of God’s mercy poured out on the most hopeless of situations, you will recognize the mighty hand of the Redeemer God who alone is the Mender of broken dreams, the Giver of life and hope, the One who truly can make all things new!

Come, bring a friend and join us for this inspiring event. Your spirit will be revived and your faith renewed as you hear the amazing testimony of God’s miraculous dealings in the lives of common folks. Come expecting to be challenged and CHANGED by this uplifting message! No matter what trial you’re facing, YOU CAN be an overcomer!

Not only is this a wonderful message of hope to those in difficult situations, God has used this series of messages as an effective equipping message for the Church as it gives practical teaching and keen insights on how to reach out to people in difficult situations.

For more information, email sony@wisgate.com
To Learn More About Wisdom’s Gate visit: www.WisdomsGate.org

For more info and to register, check out Eventbrite.

Free teacher screening



Reminder: You and one (1) guest are invited to a Free Educator Screening of Mysteries of the Great Lakes and Born to be Wild 3D. Additional guests will be charged $5.50 for Mysteries of the Great Lakes, $7.00 for Born to Be Wild 3D, or make both screenings for only $10.75. Date: Tuesday, September 6, 2011 Time: 4:30pm – Mysteries of the Great Lakes and at 5:30pm see Born to be Wild 3D (please arrive a half hour prior to showtime to check-in and register) Place: Randall 15 IMAX – 550 N. Randall Rd. Batavia, IL 60510 Get Map RSVP: Email or Call 630-659-6762. RSVP by noon on Friday September 2nd. IMPORTANT – Please leave us your first and last name, school name, theater, email address, and number of people attending. If registering via email, you will receive an email confirmation. If registering via phone, you will not receive a phone call to confirm your space.



	BORN TO BE WILD 3D is an inspired story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals. This film documents orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them-saving endangered species one life at a time. Stunningly captured in IMAX 3D, Born to be Wild 3D is a heartwarming adventure transporting moviegoers into the lush rainforests of Borneo with world-renowned primatologist Dr. Birute Galdikas, and across the rugged Kenyan savannah with celebrated elephant authority Dame Daphne Sheldrick, as they and their team rescue, rehabilitate and return these incredible animals back to the wild. Narrated by Academy-Award winner Morgan Freeman, Born to be Wild 3D is directed by David Lickley and written and produced by Drew Fellman. Website Educator Guide
	MYSTERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES: It takes a drop of water nearly 400 years to travel from the headwaters of Lake Superior to the edge of Lake Ontario. Along the way, the water passes by towering cliffs dotted with early Native American pictographs, caribou and moose grazing on the shores, over giant prehistoric sturgeon lurking among thousands of shipwrecks and past nearly 40 million people who live along the more than 10,000 miles of coastline. It is a dramatic journey through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Now, you can witness the Mysteries of the Great Lakes on the only screen large enough to reveal them, in IMAX! Website Educator Guide 1-3, Educator Guide 4-6 Educator Guide 7-8
Teachers! Book your Group Today! Call Jeannette at 630-659-6762 or email

Wanted: Archeologists, no experience necessary

Their blurb:

A new year of archaeological excavation begins at Garfield Farm Museum. Directed by Jim Yingst, volunteers are encouraged to sign up to help dig, screen, and wash artifacts. Check the website for dates. No experience necessary, we will train you. Financial contributions are also welcomed.

My 10 year old is chomping at the bit about this one. I hope we can find time to get out and get our hands dirty in a real life archeological dig. Older teens can be dropped off (or drive themselves), but other kids are welcome with an adult if they will be a help and not distraction to the work. You do need to register in advance.

I just called for some more information, and they want each volunteer to commit to at least 8 hours of work to compensate for the initial training and learning curve. These do not all need to be at one time, but need to be done during dig hours of 8-5 Wednesday through Sunday. The dates for the dig are September 21-25, and September 28-October 2.

Looking at the video it says they are trying to track down the original cabin built on the site that was later replaced by the current home structure.

When: September 21-25 and September 28- October 2, 8am- 5pm — contact them for specifics on times and to arrange a time for your family/group to participate

Where: Garfield Farm Museum –on Garfield Road just north of Illinois Route 38 between Geneva and Elburn, Illinois. It is about 3 miles west of Randall Road, which is at the west edge of Geneva and St. Charles. From Illinois Route 38 turn north on Garfield Road and go about 1/4 mile to the Garfield Farm and Inn.

Putting this address into your GPS should get you there: 3N016 Garfield Road Campton Hills, IL 60175

More Information: 630 584-8485 or info@garfieldfarm.org

In preparation for the dig I would recommend a book (or internet search) on the topic to help the kids know what they are getting into. A book that we enjoyed a few years back and will probably reread again now is Archaeologists Dig for Clues. Written for early elementary kids this book will give a look into archeological terminology and methods.