There’s so much to do in our region! Here’s a look at upcoming lectures and educational enrichment.
October
Great Balls of Fire
Through Jan. 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Hold a comet in your hand, put the solar system in your pocket, create a crater and assess an asteroid. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.
Origami Art
Oct. 14, 1-2 p.m. Learn easy origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 229-9390, andersongardens.org.
One Drop of Love
Oct. 16, 7 p.m. Performed by Fanshen Cox DiGiovanni and produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, this multimedia art explores the intersections of race, class and gender. Young Auditorium, UW-Whitewater, 930 W. Main St., Whitewater, Wis., (262) 472- 2222, uww.edu.
Tranquility Walk
Oct. 19, 9 a.m. Discover the restorative and healing powers of nature in this guided walking meditation along the less-traveled trails. Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org.
Aikido: The Art of Peace
Oct. 19, 7-8:30 p.m. Stephen Toyoda, president of the Aikido Association of America, discusses the history of Aikido, applying it to daily life, and breathing and meditative techniques. Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, (815) 229-9390, andersongardens.org.
An Evening with the Owls
Oct. 20-21 & 27, 7-11 p.m. Experience a nighttime nature hike while listening for calling owls and other creatures. Dress for the weather; bring a flashlight. Res. req. Sand Bluff Bird Observatory, Colored Sands Forest Preserve, 10602 Haas Road, Shirland, Ill., (815) 494-7865, sandbluff.org.
Oak Savanna and Prairie Hike
Oct. 21, 9:30 a.m. Celebrate the month of “Oaktober” by learning about these rare ecosystems while enjoying an intermediate hike, passing by habitats of badgers, box turtles, coyotes, deer and birds. Reg. online. Jarrett Prairie Center, 7993 N. River Road, Byron, Ill., (815) 234-8535, byronforestpreserve.com.
Mind Tricks (and Treats)!
Oct. 21, 7-9 p.m. See how wonderful the woods can be at night and learn the science behind why your mind plays tricks on you. Atwood Center, 2685 New Milford School Road, Rockford, (815) 966-8747, rockfordparkdistrict.org.
Meditation Workshop
Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m. Learn about the benefits of meditation, developing the technique and stilling the mind. Rockford Public Library East Branch, 6685 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 965-7606, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
Tech Expo 2017
Oct. 24, 6 p.m. Discover internships, network with top local tech firms and learn about courses that teach the technical skills needed in today’s workforce. Rock Valley College, Student Atrium, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, (815) 921-7821, rockvalleycollege.edu.
Connections between Music and Medicine
Oct. 27, 6-10 p.m. The evening begins with hors d’oeuvres, followed by a concert by The Music Academy students and faculty, dessert and a performance by Jon Rozman and the Screw City Swingers. U of I College of Medicine at Rockford, 1601 Parkview Ave., Rockford, (815) 968-0037, musicacademyinrockford.com.
Observe the Moon Night
Oct. 28, 7 p.m. Observe the moon, make crafts and do experiments in the observatory. Weiskopf Observatory, 7993 N. River Road, Byron, Ill., (815) 234-8535, byronforestpreserve.com.
Brenda Myers-Powell
Oct. 30, 7 p.m. Director of the Dreamcatcher Foundation, located in Chicago, Myers-Powell was a victim of human trafficking at the age of 14 and endured abuse for 25 years. She survived to mentor young women out of the same path and educates on the perils of human trafficking. Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 226-4100, rockford.edu.
November
Ole Time Christmas Craft Show
Nov. 2-3, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Featuring a large variety of handmade items for gift giving and home decor. Gift basket raffle. Proceeds benefit FHN’s 2017 United Way campaign. FHN Memorial Hospital, Lower Level, 1045 W. Stephenson St., Freeport, (877) 600-0346, fhn.org.
Veterans 5K Run/Walk
Nov. 4, 8:15 a.m. kids 10 and under; 9 a.m. adults race. A 5K run/walk to benefit the Veterans Drop-in Center in Rockford. Mercyhealth Sportscore One, 1288 Elmwood Road, Rockford, rockfordroadrunners.org.
Stories of the Lost: Remembering the Dead
Nov. 11, 1:30 p.m. Learn what happened to the service men and women who died during World War II. Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 987-6660, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
‘Star Wars’ Reads Day
Nov. 14, 2 p.m. Celebrate all things “Star Wars” with crafts and activities for the whole family. Nordlof Center, Rockford, (815) 987-6660, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
The Cost of Convenience
Nov. 14, 6 p.m. Judge Thomas Lynch and Attorney John Hardison speak about the true cost of borrowing, credit cards and payday loans. Fisher Memorial Chapel, Rockford University, Rockford, (815) 226-4100, rockford.edu.
AJG November Lecture
Nov. 16, 7-8:30 p.m. Join Anderson Japanese Gardens Head of Horticulture and Garden Curator Tim Gruner as he discusses the many factors that influenced the Garden over the past year. Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, (815) 229-9390, andersongardens.org.
Pi Run
Nov. 23, 8 a.m. This family-friendly run/walk is for all ages and no registration is required for this unofficially timed event. Bring a nonperishable healthy food donation or $5 for Freeport Area Church Cooperative. Family YMCA of Northwest Illinois, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport, (815) 235-9622, freeportymca.org.
Sport Management Symposium
Nov. 30, 6 p.m. Speakers from sport and recreation management answer questions pertaining to careers in the field and share tips for success. Regents Hall, Rockford University, Rockford, (815) 226-4100, rockford.edu.