7 Days

Saturday August 17 National Homeless Animals DayDominion over rock

Local metal band Dominion brings its fury of sound and mental imagery to Rockhouse USA tonight.

Rockhouse is at 110 N. Lake St. in Aurora. (630) 896-1031.

Fox Valley Fire to rock the city

Fox Valley Vineyard presents "Fox Valley Fire (Freedom Rocks!)" from 2 to 9 p.m. at Mount St. Mary's Park in St. Charles.

It will feature seven area bands and other activities, with featured speakers from the Fox Valley area.

Call (630) 892-0151.

Here's to health

Countryside Center hosts the "Back to School and Health Fair" from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at routes 34 and 47, Yorkville.

Call (630) 553-1130.

Drumming up support

The Chicago Royal Airs will open the International Festival of Racing at 1:30 p.m. at Arlington International Racecourse.

The performance will be telecast as part of ESPN's NTRA Racing to the Breeders' Cup from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Guild on gallery

Artists from the area are featured in the Batavia Artists' Guild gallery show, which is open to Sept. 28 at Lane Allen Architects at 8 W. Wilson St. in Batavia.

On Stage

`Alice': The children's production, Alice In Wonderland, will be performed at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday and at 1 p.m. Sunday.

First Street Playhouse is at 180 First St. in Batavia.

Tickets: $5. Call (630) 406-6367.

Luv: The brainy, offbeat comedy Luv will be staged by First Street Playhouse in Batavia, opening tonight.

Luv will play at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and at 5 p.m. Sunday.

First Street Playhouse is at 180 First St. in Batavia.

Tickets: $12 for adults; $10 for students and seniors.

Call (630) 406-6367. `Sins of the Fathers': The Riverfront Playhouse presents this Americanized retelling of Henrick Ibsen's classic drama, Ghosts, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Tickets are $12/$10. The Riverfront is at 11-13 S. Water St. Mall, Aurora. (630) 897-9496.

Monday August 12 International Youth Day

Shop 'til you drop

Today's the last day to make a reservation for Thursday's "Shop 'til You Drop Luncheon." The Fox Valley Women's Connection holds this event from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Mill Creek Golf Club, Geneva.

Kathy Ivec will present.

Cost: $14 per person. (630) 584-5386.

The good word

Women in the community are invited to Batavia United Methodist Church, 8 N. Batavia Ave., at 10 a.m. for Christian fellowship and learning.

Child care is provided.

Call (630) 879-7060.

How does your garden grow?

The Fox Valley Garden Club meets at 7 p.m.Monday at Blackberry Historical Farm's glass house, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora.

New members are welcome.

Call (630) 859-1922.

Oh you pretty little baby face

Let a new brother or sister see where baby will be born in a tour created especially for them.

Free tours of Rush-Copley's maternity unit are offered at 5:30 p.m.at Rush-Copley Medical Center, 2000 Ogden Ave, Aurora.

Registration is required.

Call (877) 694-7262.

Their Time

Weekly and monthly observances designated by groups and movements to promote their causes: This week is ...

* "The King" Week

* Stock Up on School Supplies Week

* Truck Drivers Week

* Weird Contest Week

* Thanks for the Gift Week. Sunday August 18 Bad Poetry Day

This picnic goes "electric"

The Blue Rubies, Two for Brazil, Professor John and Henry Johnson and the Organ Express make up the entertainment lineup for the Electric Picnic outdoor music festival which begins at 1 p.m. in the McAninch Arts Center Courtyard at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

Tickets: $7. (630) 942-4000.

Changing landscapes focus of program

Original settlers of the Fox River Valley encountered a strikingly different landscape than we know today.

The early 19th-century environment will be the focus of a presentation at 2 p.m. in the 1843 Durant House Museum, Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve, Dean Street, St. Charles. $1 per person. (630) 377-6424.

Old, older and older yet

The Sandwich Antiques Market presents, Better Than the Internet: See It, Touch It, Talk About It, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sandwich Fairgrounds, one block north of Route 34, Sandwich.

Admission is $5. Call (773) 227-4464.

Keep on canning

Visit Kline Creek Farm from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to learn how and why 1890s farm women canned thousands of jars filled with fruits and vegetables every year.

While at Kline Creek Farm, visitors can also tour the house and barn.

Kline Creek Farm is an 1890's living-history farm owned and operated by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.

The farm is on County Farm Road, one-half mile south of North Avenue in Winfield.

Call (630) 876-5900. Thursday August 15 Relaxation Day

Learning lamaze

Learn breathing, relaxation and pushing techniques to reduce childbirth-related pain and stress.

Four-week classes will be offered from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays beginning today at the Paul R. Hatcher Memorial Medical Center, 507 W. Kendall Drive, Yorkville.

Cost for either class: $85. Call to register.

Neighborhood watch

The Near South East Neighbors meet at 7:30 p.m. at the First Methodist Church, South Lincoln Highway and East Downer Place, Aurora. (630) 859-3858.

Musical Progressions holds open house

The Musical Progressions Conservatory will host an informal open house and registration session from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Conservatory, 355 Stevens St., Geneva.

Many of the classes will be offered through the Geneva Park District and the open house will give parents and children a chance to meet the instructors. (630) 208-6683.

Friday August 16 Roller Coaster Day

Comedy troupe debuts at Steel Beam

Steel Beam announces the debut of their Improv Comedy Troupe at 9 p.m. at the theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles.

An auditioned ensemble of talented improv actors have created an original comedy revue offering a satirical look at life in the Western burbs, as well as life in general.

Tickets are $10; reservations suggested. (630) 587-8521.

For you book worms

The Friends of the Town and Country Public Library District in Elburn will hold their 22nd annual used book sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during Elburn Days, today and Saturday, at the library, 320 E. North St. in Elburn.

Senior know-how

Ziv Sabin, assistant executive director of Senior Services Associates, will be at the Township Offices, 2202 Gary Lane, Geneva from 9 a.m. to noon to provide information to seniors ages 60 and older. (630) 232-3609.

Finding your path

Join the Praise & Worship gathering at 7 p.m. at Pathfinders Place, routes 34 and 71, Oswego.

Call (630) 554-3218.

At the movies

The Adventures of Pluto Nash: Eddie Murphy stars in this futuristic film in which a man struggles to keep control of his nightclub from Mafia control in space.

Blue Crush: Living in a beach shack with three other roommates including her rebellious younger sister, Anne Marie is up before dawn every morning to conquer the waves and count the days until the Rip Masters surf competition.

Simone: When his star stalks off the set, a desperate producer (Al Pacino) decides to create a CGI actress to take her place.

Things get complicated when the digital diva becomes an overnight sensation. Wednesday August 14 V.J. Day

Wind up that watch

The Fox Valley Watch & Clock Collectors Guild meets at 7 p.m. at Prisco Center, Aurora Park District Fieldhouse, Illinois Avenue and Lake Street, Aurora.

Doors open at 5 p.m. (630) 896-1510.

Do-si-do

The Kingsway Kickers Country Western Dance Club offers a line dance class at 7 p.m. at the Plainfield American Legion, 1356 Renwick Road, Plainfield. $6. (815) 498-1882

Jazz and more jazz

Bistro America has live jazz with the John Mose Trio at 12 N. River St., Batavia, (630) 406-0008, while the Viking Steak House brings the Bruce Oscar Trio to its performer stage at 27W150 Roosevelt Road, Winfield. 653-2110.

Be a picky eater

The Salvation Army will offer a free class on how to make wise food choices at 10 a.m. at the new Joe K. Anderson Community Center, 1710 S. Seventh Ave., St. Charles.

Call to register. (630) 208-3997.

Tuesday Aug. 13 Resurrect Romance Day Blame Somebody Else Day

How does your garden grow?

The Plain Dirt Gardeners meet at 7:30 p.m.in the Bartholomew Room of the Batavia Park District Building, 327 W. Wilson St. (630) 879-7578.

Closing the sale

Marketing professor and author Shawn Green will present "Four Key Questions to Close a Sale" at 7:30 a.m. at the Aurora University Sales Institute, a monthly breakfast series in the university banquet hall at Alumni Hall, 1410 Marseillaise Place, Aurora.

The program is free.

A free continental breakfast is at 7 a.m. Reservations are not required. (630) 844-5527.

Help for those who need it

The Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association of Fox Valley meets at 7:30 p.m. in the dining room of the Behavioral Health Services Building on the Central DuPage Hospital campus at 25 N. Winfield Road, Winfield.

Call (630) 859-8035 or 466-4851.

On video

Clockstoppers: This should appeal to kids and tweeners who loved Spy Kids, but is a little silly and childish to hold most adults' interest.

A middle-schooler finds a wrist watch that enables him and whoever is touching to freeze time to what seems like a virtual standstill for everybody else while he moves around at what seems like normal speed.

An angry federal spy agency wants to get the doodad back.

Starring Jesse Bradford, Julia Sweeney, French Stewart and Michael Biehn.

Rated PG.

Also on video ... Showtime In the Bedroom The New Guy Birthday Girl The Accidental Spy 24 Hours in London Last Orders