Planetarium presentation on Elgin Watch Co. set for May 21
The School District U-46 Planetarium in Elgin will hold two public events on Wednesday, May 21, about the Elgin National Watch Co., its observatory and its connection to the planetarium.
According to the school district’s website, the program are scheduled for 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. with self-guided building tours from 4 to 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $2 per person. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The planetarium opened in September 1963, according to the city of Elgin’s website. It was an addition to the original part of the building, which was the 1909 Elgin National Watch Co. Observatory. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The planetarium is located at 312 Watch St.. For more information, go to www.u-46.org/Page/9102, email DebbieMcMullen@u-46.org or josephkellenberger@u-46.org or call 847-888-5019.
Ribbon-cutting for new East Dundee parking deck set for May 22
East Dundee will host a ribbon-cutting event at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22, to celebrate the completion of its new two-level parking garage at 304 Hill St.
The garage has 163 parking spaces and ground level commercial space being marketed by the village for $500,000, according to a website for the development. The total cost for the garage was about $7 million.
East Dundee also opened a new surface-level parking lot with 26 stalls at 309 Jackson St. in March.
After the ribbon-cutting, East Dundee will hold its first Thirsty Thursday outdoor street festival of the season from 6 to 9 p.m. outside The Depot, 319 N. River St. The Gooroos will be on stage performing dance music, and food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Tours, lecture, plant sale being held at Elgin Public Museum
To celebrate Historic Presentation Month, the Elgin Public Museum will be holding guided tours, a program on green infrastructure and a plant sale on Saturday, May 24.
Half-hour tours are scheduled for noon, 1:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3 p.m., according to the museum’s Facebook page.
At 12:30 p.m., Chris Flaherty will present “Rooted in Community: Municipal Green Infrastructure.” Flaherty is founder of Green Guerilla, a land management company that specializes in native garden/natural area designs, applications and maintenance.
Green Guerrilla will also be hosting a native plant sale outside the museum from noon to 4 p.m.
Indoor events are included with admission — $3 for adults, $2 children ages 3 to 12 and seniors 60 and older, and free for toddlers under 3 and for adults with Elgin Township Senior Access passes.
The museum is located at 225 Grand Blvd. in Lords Park.