Community Calendar

As part of NIAAA’s 50th anniversary celebration we are launching a photo contest. We hope to have all nine counties we serve represented. We are looking for an iconic photo to represent each county: it could be something easily recognizable, a hidden treasure or a stunning landscape. We ask that your agency help promote this competition on your website, Facebook page, and any other social media platform you may use.

What we need: Digital high resolution original photos representing your county.
Who can participate: This contest is open to the public, and anyone can participate.
When: Submissions to NIAAA are due by Monday 12/2/2024 and the winners will be announced on NIAAA’s website and Facebook page on Monday 12/16/2024.
What’s the prize: $50 Amazon gift card, a NIAAA’s award certificate, and bragging rights. The winning photos will be printed, professionally framed and proudly displayed at NIAAA’s office. The winning photos will represent each county in NIAAA’s new website.
Where: submit photos along with a signed photo contest release form to NIAAAphotocontest@nwilaaa.org
Who are the judges for the contest: NIAAA’s staff and photographer Brian Thomas.

This year, the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. is once again partnering with One Warm Coat to hold our very own local One Warm Coat Drive.

As part of NIAAA’s 50th anniversary celebration we are launching a photo contest. We hope to have all nine counties we serve represented. We are looking for an iconic photo to represent each county: it could be something easily recognizable, a hidden treasure or a stunning landscape. We ask that your agency help promote this competition on your website, Facebook page, and any other social media platform you may use.

What we need: Digital high resolution original photos representing your county.
Who can participate: This contest is open to the public, and anyone can participate.
When: Submissions to NIAAA are due by Monday 12/2/2024 and the winners will be announced on NIAAA’s website and Facebook page on Monday 12/16/2024.
What’s the prize: $50 Amazon gift card, a NIAAA’s award certificate, and bragging rights. The winning photos will be printed, professionally framed and proudly displayed at NIAAA’s office. The winning photos will represent each county in NIAAA’s new website.
Where: submit photos along with a signed photo contest release form to NIAAAphotocontest@nwilaaa.org
Who are the judges for the contest: NIAAA’s staff and photographer Brian Thomas.

This year, the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. is once again partnering with One Warm Coat to hold our very own local One Warm Coat Drive.

The Human Rights Authority is the investigative branch of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, a state agency that is dedicated to advocating for the rights of citizens with disabilities in Illinois. The Human Rights Authority investigates alleged violations of the rights of persons with disabilities by providers of services. The agency is unique in its use of citizen volunteers to conduct these investigations and make corrective recommendations. As such, Regional Authorities are always seeking to fill vacancies as they occur as well as maintain a pool of potential volunteer members for times when the need arises.

If you feel that you, or someone you know, has had their rights violated by a disability service provider or if you would like to volunteer to participate in the Northwest regional board, located in Champaign, please visit the website at gac.il.gov or call the statewide intake at 1-866-274-8023.

The Next Picture Show is pleased to announce a brand-new sculptural show. Heavy Metal features talented artists who’s innovative and experimental works are crafted from a spectrum of mediums. Artists were encouraged to explore abstract and figurative works formed from steel, iron, bronze, aluminum, and more. This is a new show you won’t want to miss!

This exhibition is sponsored by Tri Star Metals of Freeport, Illinois.

Absolutely Abstract runs from October 24th through November 30th (the same time as our Heavy Metal exhibition). This juried exhibition showcases dynamic and out-of-the-box pieces.

Absolutely Abstract features talented artists who push the bounds of their work to create bold new worlds. Artists were encouraged to explore this work with fresh perspectives, bold colors, dynamic forms, and exciting textures.

The Freeport Art Museum (FAM) is thrilled to announce the opening of two solo exhibitions, set to debut on October 25th at 5 p.m. These exhibitions are PERSEVERANCE, featuring new work by Dice White from Rockford, IL, and an installation, GREÑAPUNK, by Eddaviel from Fox River Grove, IL.

Both run through Dec. 27. The museum is open 10-5 Tuesdays-Fridays, and 12-5 on Saturdays.

GREÑAPUNK BY EDDAVIEL Is a collection of work, exploring the African heritage as Afro-Caribbean in the past-present-future, a space where myths, politics and the future merge to create a new universe. Greñapunk is an art show where every art form converges to talk about being Afro (Greña) in the future. The artist, Eddaviel is from the Dominican Republic, and has worked with films, advertising, publishers, galleries, museums, universities and cultural centers around the world.

Dice White is a 19-year-old artist from Rockford, Illinois, whose current success is a testament to the human spirit surmounting the impact of a mother addicted to drugs, his own psychological distress, and the challenge of homelessness. Dice has found a life in creating art that is boldly expressive, colorful, and complex.

Copay, Co-Insurance, Deductible, Out-of-Pocket Maximums… what do they all really mean? Tiffany Sobczak, CRCR, manager of the Office of Patient Access Management (OPAM) at MercyHealth joins us to break down the terminology needed to understand your health insurance plan, as well as information about how to navigate in-network care, referrals, primary care provider selection, and more. Free and open to the public – no library required. Registration is required. To sign up, fill out the form at: https://www.harvard-diggins.org/event/decoding-insurance-terminology/

Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists and Kishwaukee Family YMCA invite the public to join them for their collaborative Lunch & Learn Educational Series on Thursday, November 21 at11:00 am held at the Kishwaukee Family YMCA in Sycamore. This event is free and open to the public and refreshments are provided by co-sponsor, Hy-Vee in Sycamore.

November’s presentation topic is “Knee Pain: Prevention & Management” presented by Northern Rehab’s physical therapist Brandon Clement. Attendees will learn about knee anatomy, common injuries, and strategies to prevent and self-treat injuries.

This free event is open to the public (YMCA membership is not required), but space is limited, and registration is required. You may sign up online at kishymca.org or call 815.375.5392.

For more information about this event, please visit northernrehabpt.com/events or kishymca.org or call the YMCA at 815.375.5392