The Batavia Rotary Club will host a survivor of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
Ryan Yantis is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who was assigned to the Army staff in the Pentagon as a spokesman from 2000 to 2003. Yantis will share his story of readiness and service on Sept. 11, 2001, Rotary officials said. He will share how the lessons learned there can enable better understanding of future crises and events.
Since retiring from the Army in 2006, Yantis has led two non-profits, served as a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, and is currently principal of SilverLeaf Leadership Communications in Crystal Lake.
The Batavia Rotary Club will announce at the event that they will sponsor Yantis and American Pride to visit and speak with Batavia High School students during the day Sept. 6, and later that evening at Batavia Public Library.
The breakfast and discussion is at 7:15 a.m. Aug. 23 at Apple Villa Famous Pancake House, 1961 W. Wilson St., Batavia. For more information, contact Batavia Rotary Club program director Tom Van Cleave at 630-220-2736.
Motorcycle rally in St. Charles
Pheasant Run Resort will host the 27th annual Illinois State H.O.G. Rally through Saturday.
More than 625 Harley owners from 11 states and Australia will attend the rally, organizers said.
The event features nightly gatherings featuring Joe Fascetta and Deja vu as live entertainment.
Sponsor Fox River Harley Davidson will hold an Open House Dealer Event on Saturday. The open house will feature Medinah Motor Corps and its Competition Drill.
The event will feature a variety of rides. Bike washes will also be available.
Bubba Blackwell will present his “The American Daredevil” stunt show from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Pheasant Run Resort is at 4051 E. Main St. in St. Charles. For more information, call 630-772-2820.
Women’s literacy volunteers needed
The Dominican Literacy Center is seeking women volunteers to tutor women in reading, writing and speaking English.
Volunteers must possess a high school diploma, but do not need to be bilingual or have teaching experience.
All tutoring is done in English.
Tutor training is on Aug. 23 and 25. Individual tutoring sessions start Sept. 7.
Training covers curriculum, preparing lesson plans, teaching students from foreign cultures and a history of the nonprofit group, organizers said.
Tutors select a weekly tutoring time that fits their schedule.
Currently, about 125 tutors meet weekly with students for 90 minutes, center officials said. Students are invited to twice-weekly conversation classes.
New tutor training will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 23 and 25 at Dominican Literary Center, 260 Vermont St., Aurora. To volunteer or for more information, contact Alison Brzezinski at 630-898-4636 or Alison@dominicanliteracycenter.org.
Bug Fest set for Saturday
Red Oak Nature Center will host Bug Fest Saturday.
Similar festivities will be held at Lippold Park and the half-mile stretch of the Fox River Trail that connects the two facilities.
The event will feature bug-related activities, demonstrations and crafts.
Naturalists will teach attendees about the benefits of bugs and their important roles in pollinating plants and flowers, aerating the soil and their role in the food chain.
“Bugs hold a bit of intrigue for everybody, but they’re often viewed as nothing more than pests” said Red Oak naturalist and facility manager Margaret Gazdacka. “They’re actually pretty amazing creatures that play a huge role in nature.”
Parking is available at Lippold Park and Schneider Elementary School, 304 Banbury Road, North Aurora. Free shuttle buses will run regularly between each site.
The event is free and open to the public.
Bug Fest is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Red Oak Nature Center, 2343 Route 25 in Batavia. For more information, visit foxvalleyparkdistrict.org or call 630-897-1808.
Habitat for Humanity begins construction on new home
Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity will begin construction on its 57th house Tuesday.
The Rev. Jeff Barrett, Habitat executive director and pastor of Genesis Community Church in Montgomery, will lead a brief ceremony.
Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity will begin construction on the house at 9 a.m. at 1557 Solfisburg Ave., Aurora.
Charity golf event in Geneva
The 13th annual Geneva Community Chest Charity Golf Outing is set for Aug. 22 at Eagle Brook Country Club in Geneva.
The event brings local residents and businesses together to raise money for more than 23 charities supporting Fox Valley residents.
Organizations supported by the group include CASA Kane County, Northwestern Medicine Injury Prevention, Association for Individual Development, Valley Sheltered Workshop, Elderday Center, Tri-County Golden Diners Nutrition, Senior Services Associates, Fox Valley Hospice and American Red Cross.
The event features a raffle, silent and live auctions and numerous prizes, including a chance to win $10,000 with a hole in one.
Tickets are $165 for an individual golfer, $660 for a foursome or $45 for dinner only. Tickets include 18 holes of golf with driving range and putting green, followed by a buffet dinner. Register at golfinvite.com/genevacommunitychest.
Eagle Brook Country Club is at 2288 Fargo Blvd. in Geneva.
Got Pulse? Columnist Joy Davis is looking for interesting, quirky and just plain funny stories about people and places in the Fox Valley. Email her at joydavis234@gmail.com.
