Winter survival program at Elgin museum

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

Elgin: Science Night on Winter Survival

Freezing nights, blustery snows, plunging temperatures sound familiar, but how do animals survive bitter winter weather? Wood frogs freeze almost solid, arctic squirrels supercool their blood to 28 degrees and wasps keep things at a cozy 80 degrees inside their hives during the dead of winter. Discover how they do it at the Elgin Public Museum’s Family Science Night from 6 to 8 p.m. today. Different stations will be set up around the museum for kids and their families with hands-on experiments and demonstrations. This drop-in program costs $2 per person. No registration necessary. The museum is in Elgin’s Lords Park at 225 Grand Blvd. Contact the museum for more information: 847-741-6655 or russell_epm@cityofelgin.org. Visit its website: elginpublicmuseum.org.

Elgin: United Way tax help for families

United Way of Elgin’s Income Impact Council is reaching out to the community to inform certain families and individuals that they can avoid using a paid tax preparer for their income taxes. If a family made less than $50,000 (more than one person in the home) in 2010, or an individual earned $25,000 or less, they can get their taxes done for free by IRS-certified volunteers at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin. The Center for Economic Progress will offer these services on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program starts Saturday and runs through April 18 (closed on Feb. 5). The Thursday hours will only be offered through Feb. 26. No appointments are necessary, as it is on a first-come, firs-served basis.The free tax program will help eligible taxpayers claim important tax credits and increase their income. Some of the credits include earned income tax credit, property credit, heating credit and child care credit. Individuals also will be able to take advantage of other services such as opening a savings or checking account to deposit the refund, prepaid debit cards to deposit the refund onto, and Financial Aid for Education assistance to apply for free money to pay for college. Last year, the program generated almost $2 million in federal refunds for local families. Those seeking tax preparation services will need to bring with them all W-2s and 1099s (if any), Social Security cards or individual taxpayer identification numbers for all family members, a valid photo ID, property tax bill, and if available, a copy of last year’s return, bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of refund, and amount spent on college expenses. Call United Way of Elgin 847-741-2259, or visit the Center for Economic Progress website: www.economicprogress.org.

Huntley: Area church hosts Daniel Pringle

Join Morning Star Church and The River Jan. 28 and 30 as they welcome back Prophet Daniel Pringle, during their 25th anniversary celebration.

The founder of Daniel Pringle Ministries, and ministering regularly at conferences, revivals and crusades, Pringle has a burning passion to see cities, regions and nations completely transformed through the message of the Kingdom. He is known for his breakthrough anointing and charged atmosphere as he proclaims and declares the directives of the Lord. His heart is to restore character and integrity back to the office of the Prophet. These free meetings will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 28 and at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Jan. 30. Morning Star Church and The River are in Huntley, just north of the Route 47 exit at 41W350 Powers Road. Call 847-669-9800 or visit morningstarwoc.org or theriver-church.com

Elgin: Retrofit your home to save energy

Old home, new home, any home can be more energy efficient. Meet preservation planner, Jennifer Fitz-Williams, Feb. 3, as she explains the simple steps you can follow to retrofit your house; plugging the gaps and upgrading to the right new appliances while you earn tax credits and discover cost offset programs that will help you achieve your retrofit without going broke. Presented by ECCO, this free program will be held at Elgin Public Museum at 6:30 P.M. For more information go to www.ecco-foxvalley.net or register on Facebook @ Elgin Climate Change Organization.