This Saturday, September 29th, is the last night of the season at Sycamore Speedway. The weather looks like it will be perfect for enjoying this local gem. Come on out and see their final Demolition Derby, Spectator and Compact races. They will be racing the Figure 8, One on One Drags, Powder Puff, Compact and Full Car Demo races. Just to add some flair they have added a Full Size Truck Demo at the last minute to the schedule for the last night of the season. You don’t want to miss this one!

Gates open at 6pm, Time Trials are at 7pm and the races start at 8pm. Tickets to Sycamore Speedway are free for ages under 6, $5.00 for ages 6-13 and $12.00 for ages 14 & up. Food and beverages are available for purchase. The Speedway takes cash only so be prepared for that.  Sycamore Speedway is located at 50 West 086 Old State Rd., in Sycamore (Rt. 64 just West of Sycamore). Visit the Sycamore Speedway’s website now.

Meet the folks from the Midwest Museum of Natural History at Vulcan Materials Quarry in Sycamore this Saturday, September 29th from 9:30am to 11am for a fun family adventure! You’ll learn about fossils and mining and then head into the field to find your own fossils – keep whatever you find!

Space is limited and the program fills quickly; call 815-895-9777 to register. Payment must be taken at registration. Non-members: $20/person or $55 for a family of 3-4;  Members: $18/person or $50 for a family of 3-4 Ages 6 and up (children must have an adult present). Sponsored by the Midwest Museum of Natural History.

The Daryl Stuermer Duo will be at the Sandwich Opera House this Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 8 p.m.. Virtuoso lead guitarist Daryl Stuermer of the super-group Genesis and Phil Collins has been touring the world to sold-out crowds since 1978, creating the signature guitar sound of the Phil Collins mega hits “In the Air Tonight” and “Easy Lover.”

As co-writer of the Phil Collins 1989 Grammy Award Winning, Billboard No. 4 single “Something Happened on the Way to Heaven,” Stuermer continues to write music for his eight solo albums of original music and cover his favorite Genesis vocals and instrumentals along the way.

The inspiration for the duo came from Daryl’s Godin LGXT “electracoustic” guitar; an incredibly versatile instrument that can shift from an electric to acoustic sound with the flip of a switch. Along with his classically trained Russian keyboardist Kostia, Daryl performs his own instrumental compositions as well as some of his favorite Genesis songs.

The Duo configuration is an opportunity that allows for an intimate up-close encounter with two virtuoso performers. When appropriate Daryl will have an informal “Q & A” with the audience. To visit their website, click here. Tickets for this show are $25 each. Call the Sandwich Opera House box office to reserve your seats today 815-786-2555.

From Google News

Distinctive buildings, an ever-evolving array of exhibits and commercial displays, harness races, carnival rides, food stands, and a variety of other attractions constitute the material presence of the DeKalb County Fair better known as the Sandwich Fair. Fairgoers at Sandwich enjoy an old-fashioned agricultural fair, spread over more than 170 shaded acres with many historic buildings and modern conveniences, two large midways with the latest in carnival rides and fun, excellent home-cooked food prepared by civic and church groups, and the midwest’s largest display of agricultural and home arts exhibits to delight fairgoers of all ages!

Always on Labor Day week, the 125th Annual Sandwich Fair runs this Wednesday, September  5th to Sunday, September 9th, 2012 and is located at 1401 Suydam Road, in Sandwich. The Grandstand events start Wednesday with Tony Petersen’s Hell Drivers at 6:30pm. Complete with precision driving of brand new automobiles, high speed reverse spins, deliberate crashes, and tricky two wheel driving, Tony Petersen and his team of Hell Drivers deliver the best in thrill show entertainment. Thursday evening brings the NTPA Sanctioned Truck Pulls to the Grandstand.

Friday evening at 8pm, Country music’s Justin Moore will take the Grandstand stage. Justin’s fame has grown significantly since he was named Billboard’s “Top New Country Artist of 2009” and was recognized by The New York Times as having one of the best albums. He has sold over 2.2 million digital downloads to date and his sophomore album OUTLAWS LIKE ME hit the #1 spot the week it was released.

Saturday come watch the Tractor Pulls at both 12:30pm and 6:30pm and Sunday is the Demolition Derby, and Monster Truck Demonstration at both 1 and 3pm in the Grandstand. When you visit the fair, take time to visit the recently completed Fair Museum. The museum is housed in the 1892 former Secretary’s Office (just west of Otto’s train track and south of the landmark windmill) one of the oldest buildings on the fairgrounds.

Make note of the 125th Fair Celebration events as well. The 125th committee has planned something special for every day of the 125th fair to help us remember the bygone days of the fair that we recall or have heard about for many years, like an ice cream social, vintage baseball and a hot air balloon launch.

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Kids are more likely to eat vegetables that they participate in growing, so health conscious parents who want to entice kids to eat vegetables can start by teaching their kids to garden.  Not all of us know much beyond our experiments of dropping some seeds in a spot and hoping rain & sun produce a plant. The Sycamore History Museum is offering “Gardening Basics for Children” this Saturday, August 18th from 10-11am to help out. This workshop is designed to give parents and kids the framework to start and motivate gardening to eat. Kids and parents will work with experienced gardeners to learn gardening basics, getting hands and knees dirty, while having a good time.

August is harvest time. Working hard all summer, pays off in August as participants get to eat food from the Museum’s garden on Saturday. A chef from Hy-Vee and Master Gardeners will show children how to make pizza, pesto, and other treats from garden fresh ingredients. The program will end with a feast for all. Sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension. This event is free to attend. The Sycamore History Museum is located at 1730 North Main Street in Sycamore. Call 815-895-5762 or visit www.sycamorehistory.org for more information.

New acting director has athletics, event management, facility experience

Northern Illinois University announced that Holmes Student Center Associate Director Norm Jenkins will direct the day-to-day operations of the NIU Convocation Center as acting director.

“It is an honor to have been chosen acting director of the Convocation Center. This month marks the ten-year anniversary since the Center opened its doors to the NIU community, the City of DeKalb and the region we serve,” said Jenkins. “The team I join is worthy of high praise for the job it has done in establishing the Convocation Center as a first class operation, one of which NIU can be proud.”

Jenkins is to begin serving in his new role Wednesday, August 1. John Gordon, the Convocation Center’s previous director, recently resigned. Read more →