There’s so much to do in our neck of the Old Northwest Territory! Here’s a sampling of some upcoming events.
January
Exhibit: “The Rule of the Hat”
Through March 17, 1 & 3 p.m. guided tours, Tues.-Sun. Headwear from mid-19th to early 20th century. Tinker Swiss Cottage, 411 Kent St., Rockford, (815) 964-2424, www.tinkercottage.com.
59th Annual Pink Ball
Jan. 26, 6-9 p.m. Black tie. Sponsored by OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Foundation, to benefit the hospital. Event: Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Details TBA, osfsaintanthony.org.
NICNE: Leadership Cafe
Jan. 30, noon-1 p.m. Learn how to protect your organization from overlooked liability risks. By John Rose, Coyle-Varland Insurance. Grace Roper Lounge, Rockford College, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 394-4384, rockfordcollege.edu.
Finding Grants for Nonprofit Organizations
Jan. 30, 2-3:30 p.m. Search online for grants for nonprofits, NOT for businesses or individuals. Main Branch RPL, 215 N. Wyman St., Rockford (815) 965-7606, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
February
Introduction to Beekeeping
Feb. 2, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Learn about the hive, yearly cycles, equipment and preparation for a hive. Feb. 3 snow date. $90. Please register. Angelic Organics Learning Center, 1547 Rockton Road, Caledonia, Ill., (815) 389-8455, learngrowconnect.org.
Vanilla Orchid Presentation
Feb. 2, 1 p.m. By Ken Cameron. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford, (815) 987-8858, rockfordparkdistrict.org/ncg.
“Morality is [not] Relative”
Feb. 5, 6 p.m. An analysis of moral relativism in its various forms by Brian Wagner. First Tuesday Lecture Series. Student Center Atrium, Rock Valley College (RVC), 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, rockvalleycollege.edu.
An Introduction to Permaculture
Feb. 9, 1-5:30 p.m. Designing sustainable human landscapes from nature. $60. Registration: Angelic Organics, Caledonia, learngrowconnect.org.
Feathered Friends
Feb. 9, 10 a.m.-noon. Learn identification and what feed attracts which birds.. BYO 2 liter plastic bottle to make a feeder. $5/all ages. Welty Environmental Center, 8606 County Road H, Beloit, (608) 361-1377, weltycenter.org.
Fur Ball Rockford
Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m. cocktails; 6:30 p.m. dinner. Dancing, live music. Fundraiser for PAWS Humane Society. Tickets: (815) 299-7297. Event: Giovanni’s, Rockford.
Soap-Making Workshop
Feb. 16, 9 a.m.-noon; 1-4 p.m. Hands-on soap-making workshop from goats’ milk to take home. $60; please register. Angelic Organics Learning Center, Caledonia, learngrowconnect.org.
Garden Seed Sale
Feb. 16, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Heritage seeds on sale from the Boone County Conservation District’s five ethnic gardens. Roger D. Gustafson Nature Center, 603 N. Appleton Road, Belvidere, (815) 547-7935.
Discover Engineering
Feb. 16, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Engineers from local firms offer hands-on experiences. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.
Empty Bowls Benefit
Feb. 16, 4-7 p.m. Guests are served soup and bread in handcrafted ceramic bowls donated by local artisans. Proceeds benefit local food pantries. Freeport Art Museum, 121 N. Harlem Ave., Freeport, (815) 235-9755, freeportartmuseum.org.
Annie’s Project: Workshop for Farm Women
Feb. 18-March 25, 6-9 p.m. Mondays. Women learn farm management skills: soils, crops, marketing, bookkeeping, more. Fee: $75; registration: web.extension.illinois.edu/clw. Rm. 2M3, Sauk Valley Community College, 173 Ill. Rte. 2, Dixon, Ill.
Go Red For Women Luncheon
Feb. 20, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Benefit for the American Heart Association. Tickets: (815) 389-2637. Event: Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford.
“Let’s Play Ball” MELD Fundraiser
Feb. 21, 5:30-9:0 p.m. Cubs announcers Pat Hughes & Larry Moreland; silent & live auctions; Cubs items for sale. Tickets: (815) 633-6353. Event: Giovanni’s, Rockford.
NICNE Leadership Cafe
Feb. 27, noon-1 p.m. Topic: “Is an endowment a key to your organization’s long-term success?” Presented by Carrol Starr. Grace Roper Lounge, Rockford College, (815) 394-4384.
March
Immigrants & Religious Pluralism in the U.S.
March 5, 6 p.m. Kanwal Prashar on the spiritual impact of various religious/ethnic groups on the U.S. Student Center Atrium, RVC, Rockford.
It’s Green! SCIENCE!
March 16, 2-3:30 p.m. Go green for the holiday. Learn about phosphorescence, PVA, take home experiments. May get messy. Ages 5-12. East Branch RPL, Rockford, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
RPL Foundation Fundraiser Dinner
March 21, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Guest speaker travel expert Rick Steves, Tickets: (815) 987-6611, rockfordpubliclibrary.org. Event: Franchesco’s Restaurant, 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rockford.
NICNE Leadership Cafe
March 27, noon-1 p.m. “Where are you in the life cycle of your nonprofit organization?” by Gloria Lundin. Rockford College, (815) 394-4384.
April
Military Missions that Changed History
April 2, 6 p.m. Dr. Martin Quirk examines five historic military missions which changed history. Student Center Atrium, RVC, Rockford.
Rosecrance Foundation Annual Benefit
April 15, 6:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit Kinley Charity Care Fund. Tickets: (815) 387-5602. Event: Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford.