Game On/Girls In Game Jamboree - Jan 18

Game On! Sports Camp 4 Girls invites girls in preschool through 8th grade to enjoy a fun afternoon in support of Girls in the Game, a nonprofit organization that supports Chicagoland girls through sports and fitness opportunities, nutrition and health education, and leadership development programs. The Game On! Jamboree is planned for Sunday, January 18 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Lake Forest College Sports Center, located at the intersection of Sheridan and Maplewood Roads. Enjoy a DJ (A-Z Entertainment), sports fun, contests and games. Discounts available for teams of 10 or more girls - bring your whole group! Registration by January 12 is encouraged. All proceeds benefit Girls in the Game. All contributions are greatly appreciated. For information, check the Jamboree event flyer, call Game On! Sports Camp 4 Girls at 847-229-9959, visit the Game On! website, or send an email to info@gameonsportscamp.com. For details about the Girls in the Game organization, visit www.girlsinthegame.org.

Special MLK Day Events at Zoo - Jan 19

The Chicago Coological Society is sponsoring a free day at the Brookfield Zoo on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 19. In addition to free zoo admission, guest lecturer Lewis Diuguid will present "What Would Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Think of Barack Obama, Diversity and America Now?" For information, call 708-688-8400, visit www.brookfieldzoo.org, or check the MLK Day event flyer.

Youth Baseball/Softball Registration - Feb 1 and 4

Registration for the Vernon Hills Community Baseball and Softball program is coming up quickly! Registration will take place on Sunday, February 1 at Vernon Hills High School from noon to 4 p.m. and on Wednesday, February 4 at the VHAC trailer from 5 to 9 p.m. Tee ball leagues are for players in Kindergarten and 1st grade, baseball leagues are for players in grades 2 through 9, and softball is for players in grades 2 through 11. (Grades based on enrollment for Fall 2009.) For more information, please go to the Vernon Hills Cougars Youth Athletic Association website, www.vhcyaa.org, or contact Mike Mahnke at mike.mahnke@vhcyaa.org.

Young Rembrandts Winter Season Begins

The winter session of Young Rembrandts drawing classes is set to begin, with classes running from mid-January to mid-March. For information, call Young Rembrandts at 847-564-1315, visit www.youngrembrandts.com/lakecounty-IL, or check the specific flyer for each of our elementary buildings: Elementary North, Elementary South, Aspen, or Townline.

LCNS Offers Kindergarten Enrichment Program

The Lincolnshire Community Nursery School (LCNS) is holding open registration for its Kindergarten Enrichment Program for students who will be attending Kindergarten for the 2009-10 school year. The program is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 2:45 p.m., and provides an exciting way to supplement the kindergarten experience through exposure to science, social studies, language arts and math. LCNS is a not-for-profit organization. For information about this or other LCNS programs, please contact director Amy Morrissey at 847-945-1450 or visit www.lcns.org.

Mundelein Park & Rec Winter Opportunities

The Mundelein Park & Recreation District offers a full selection of wintertime activities. Winter Break Sports Camp offers kids the chance to play basketball, dodgeball, soccer, kickball and more on December 29 and 30. When school's out on February 16, you can also enjoy indoor fun. Other highlights include a Friday night drop in program for Middle Schoolers, a family history detective course, a Daddy/Daughter Dance, CheckMates Chess, magic classes, swimming opportunities and more. For details, check the MPRD newsletter, visit www.mundeleinparks.org, or call 847-566-0650.

December VH Park District Pointers

As always, the Vernon Hills Park District offers a variety of activities for all ages, including a youth bowling league, co-ed volleyball clinic, K-3 Cheerleading and Poms, K-2 Pee Wee Basketball, a grade 5-8 ski/snowboard trip, Promising Picassos art classes, Mad Science after-school enrichment, Broadway Kids performance classes and more. For information, check out the December issue of Park District Pointers, visit www.vhparkdistrict.org or call 847-996-6800.

Parents-of-Teens Workshop - Jan 14

Our local schools are joining for a powerful workshop for parents of 6th through 12th graders. "Sex, Drugs, Blogs...and Other Teen Secrets, Part III" will be held Wednesday, January 14 at Libertyville High School, 708 W. Park Avenue, Libertyville. Registration begins at 6:45 p.m., with workshops running from 7 to 9:15 p.m. Parents can choose to attend two of four workshops, which include "Current Drug/Alcohol Trends," "Inside a Girl's Head," "Teen Parties, the Law...and You," and "The 411 on Technology and Your Teen." For more information, check the handout/registration form provided by Middle South. This program is a joint effort of School Districts 128, 73, 70, 68 and St. Joseph School.

Young Rembrandts Drawing Classes

Young Rembrandts is an organization that offers drawing classes for children. Classes are held for an hour one day per week after school in our four elementary buildings. Cost is $90 for a ten-week session, which begins in January. For more information, please click the link to each school's handout: Elementary North, Elementary South, Aspen Elementary, Townline Elementary. Information is also available by calling 847-564-1315 or visiting www.youngrembrandts.com/lakecounty-IL.

VHHS Jr. Dance Clinic - Jan 17

The Vernon Hills High School 2008 AA Dance State Champion Varsity Poms Squad invites you to attend the 2009 Junior Dance Clinic, scheduled for Saturday, January 17 at VHHS. Students in grades 1-3 will attend from 9 to 11 a.m., while girls in grades 4-6 will attend from noon until 2. Both groups will then perform for a VHHS Cougars basketball game. Cost for the clinic is $25 and includes instruction, a clinic T shirt, a certificate and a hair ribbon. Please return your completed registration form by December 31. If you have questions, please contact Jane at NGRL3@aol.com or call 847-942-8751. Information is also available at vhhs.district128.org on the Poms webpage.

VH Capitals Hockey Supports Charity - Feb 20

The new Vernon Hills Capitals semi-pro hockey team invites the community to support the charity "Angel on My Shoulder" by attending their February 20 game versus the West Bend Bombers. (Note: This charity event was previously scheduled for December 20.) Game time is 8:20 p.m. at Glacier Ice Arena, 670 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. The event will feature raffles for prizes including a weekend family get-away at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells, gift certificates for local restaurants, and more. Angel on My Shoulder, which has no administrative fees, is entirely volunteer-driven in their efforts to support families impacted by cancer. For more information, visit www.vernonhillscapitals.com.

Glacier Ice Arena Offers Free Hockey Clinics

Glacier Ice Arena, 670 Lakeview Parkway in Vernon Hills, offers free ice hockey clinics designed to introduce kids to the game. There is no cost - even the equipment is provided. Programs are select Saturday mornings through March. Check the Learn to Play schedule or email SAnderson@glacierskate.com. Girls who want to improve their hockey skills can take part in the Glacier Herricanes Clinics. For more information, including open skating and other lessons, visit www.glacierskate.com or call 847-362-1222.

Cook Library December Events

Cook Memorial Library invites readers (and pre-readers) of all ages to enjoy the library! Both Evergreen and the main Cook Park libraries even offer fun walk-in craft projects. Winter Reading Clubs are gearing up, the opportunity to complete a "Wolf Down a Book" scorecard and win prized provided by the Chicago Wolves' Hockey Club! Check out Cook's December events poster outlining a full schedule of story times, movie celebrations and more.

Central Lake YMCA November/December News

Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills has expanded their PEAK After School Enrichment up to grade 6. Activities have included swimming, cooking, mural drawing, science projects and homework success. Students can also take part in School Days Out from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on days when school is not in session. Events include a trip to the Planeterium on Nov 25 and a PJ-and-Pizza Day on Nov 26. Get your holiday shopping done sans kids thanks to the Y's Shop N Drop on Saturday, Dec 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Preregistration is required by calling 847-367-6797. And don't forget Swim with Santa on Dec 14 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Preregistration is required. For more information on all Y programs, call 847-367-6797 or visit www.ymcalakecounty.org.

Chicago Zoological Society News - Winter 2008

Check the Winter 2008 Chicago Zoological Society newsletter, which includes holiday events at Brookfied Zoo, information, activities and a coupon. For more information, visit www.czs.org.

GLSA Spring Soccer Registration Materials

Now is the time to register for GLSA (Greater Libertyville Soccer Association) spring soccer. While the November 1 registration date has passed, your child can still get involved. Teams are available for Preschool through 9th grade, with the 2009 spring season running from April through May. Join the more than 1900 athletes who participate each year. Download Spring '09 Registration Packets from the GLSA Rec Page. For information about competitive soccer, soccer academy classes, volunteering and all of GLSA's programs, visit www.glsa.org or call 847-367-1035.

VHHS Aquatics

Vernon Hills High School CATs Swim Team provides developmental and competitive swimming for athletes ages 5 and up. CATs Swim School offers classes on Saturday mornings at 9:15, 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. The program also offers Diving Club and learn-to-dive classes on Monday through Wednesday evenings at the high school. The VHHS pool is open to the public during the school year on most Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (except during scheduled events and holidays). There is a small fee. During October, parents swim for free with the paid admission of a child. For information, visit www.vhhscougars.org/aquatics or contact VHHS Aquatics Director Jim Pardun at jim.pardun@d128.org or 847-932-2228.

Bright Start College Savings Information

Parents interested in saving for their child's college education may be interested in learning more about the Illinois State Treasurer's Bright Start College Savings Program. According to State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Bright Start, Illinois' direct-sold 529 college savings plan, is rated as a top five 529 plan by Morningstar. Contributions to a Bright Start account are tax deductible from state income taxes, and earnings on future withdrawals are exempt from both state and federal taxes as long as the funds are used to pay for college tuition and other qualified higher education expenses. To learn more, read the August 5 letter to school superintendents and visit www.brightstartsavings.com.

YMCA Adventure Guides Welcomes You

The Lake Prairie Federation is a YMCA Adventure Guides parent-child program designed to help foster a lifetime of understanding and companionship and to strengthen the relationship between children and parents. The program is for parents and children, ages 5 through 12. The program has groups for girls (Princesses) and boys (Guides). Parent and child attend the activities together with other parents and their children. For more information, visit www.lakeprairie.org, or contact Doug Renz at 847-323-1065 or drenz@alumni.indiana.edu. You can also call 847-604-4107 and leave a message or send an email to info@lakeprairie.org.

Girl Scouts Looking for You!

Girl Scouts is looking for girls interested in scouting! The Girl Scouts Illinois Crossroads Council is looking for girls (ages 5 and above) who are interested in joining a Girl Scout troop. They're beginning to form new troops at the kindergarten level, and have openings at other grade levels as well. For more information, please contact Girl Scouts Illinois Crossroads Council, 650 N. Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills, IL 60061; 847-573-0500. We build strong girls in a fun atmosphere!