Today

• Batavia’s popular monthly “Books Between Bites” welcomes Mayor Jeff Schielke for his annual program from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. He will share what he has found about the history of holiday traditions and Christmas writings from Batavia’s past. The public is invited to attend this free program and registration is not required. Visit booksbetween bites.com. Lunch items, beverages and baked goods can be purchased at Chapters Coffee House & Café, located just inside the library. To preorder for pickup, call (630) 406-8005.

• The Batavia Rehabilitation Center, 520 E Fabyan Parkway, will host its annual Holiday Meal will be 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15. Enjoy a meal with raffles, laughter, and good fun. It is free, except for the raffles. For details, contact jchanthavong@petersenhealth care.net or (630) 879-5266.

• The Fox Valley Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin, 39W830 Highland Ave. It will begin with a meet-and-mingle at 6:30 p.m. The screening will begin at 7 p.m. It will feature the National Geographic series “Years of Living Dangerously,” which has helped to focus national attention on climate change and the organizations working on solutions that individuals, communities, companies, and governments can use to address it. It profiles efforts to get Democrats and Republicans talking together about climate solutions, leading to the formation of the bipartisan House Climate Solutions Caucus. Contact Mary Alice Masonick at mamasonick2@foxvalley.net if you’ll be able to attend. Visit www.facebook.com/CitizensClimateLobby ILFoxValley/.

• CASA Kane County will offer general information meetings on the role of the CASA/GAL volunteer and how to get involved. The next sessions will be 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, and 11 a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 16, at the CASA office in the historic Kane County courthouse, 100 S. Third St., fourth floor, Geneva. To RSVP, contact Debra McQuaid at debm@casakanecounty.org.

or (630) 444-3110.

• The Holy Darkness/Holy Light worship will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S. Batavia Ave. The Rev. Pastor Yvette Marie Eber leads a service that brings hope in whatever darkness might be in your life. Experience song, visuals, candles, readings and prayers that recognize that the world is not all merry, but that hope exists. For details, call the church office at (630) 879-1999.

• Blackberry Township Assessor Uwe Rotter will offer a taxpayer workshop from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Blackberry Township office, 43W390 Main Street Road. Visit www.blackberrytwp.com/assessor.htm. Get information on the property tax cycle, how assessments are being developed, and how to appeal your assessment to a board of review. For details, call (630) 365-9109, ext. 1.

• Elderday Center offers a monthly caregiver support group from 1:30 to 3 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at Elderday Center, 328 W. Wilson St., Batavia. For information, contact Mollie Blum at (630) 761-9750 or mollie.blum@elderdaycenter.org.

Friday 16

• In celebration of the Christmas season, “A Dickens of a Christmas” will be presented at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Greenfields of Geneva, 0N801 Friendship Way. Dr. Elliott Engel will entertain the audience with a literary discussion about the world famous author, Charles Dickens. This performance, given in period costume, will engage the audience with wit and insight into Charles Dickens.

• Stop by for the final weekend of the “Holiday Express” at Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road in Aurora. Hours will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, and 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18. Take a magical ride on the Holiday Express train. You’ll see Lake Gregory and Blackberry Farm in all its holiday glory amid the twinkling lights and songs of Christmas. Back in the village, enjoy storytelling of the classics, festive decorations, reindeer food bar, hay wagon rides and a visit with Santa. Admission is $5 per person. Tasty concessions with seasonal favorites and drinks (nonalcoholic) available for purchase. Visit www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

• On Friday, Dec. 16, the Third Friday Community Dinner will be 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, 227 East Side Drive in Geneva. Celebrate the holiday season with pot roast with carrots, onions and potatoes, tossed salad, rolls and pudding parfaits. There also will be hot dogs for the kids. You can dine in or request takeout. For details, call (630) 232-4778.

• Playhouse 38 presents “Elf Jr. The Musical” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at the theater, 321 Stevens St., Suite P in Geneva. Tickets are $10 each and will be available at Sunset Community Center, 710 Western Ave. Visit genevaparks.org.

• Santa Claus will make his final visit to the Mooseheart Holiday Lights show Friday through Sunday, Dec. 16-18. He will sit for free photos in the Mooseheart field house, off Route 31. The price of admission to the Holiday Lights show includes the chance to see Santa, who sits for photos from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Photos are free, but visitors must bring their own cameras. The Holiday Lights show at Mooseheart is open from 5 to 9 p.m. every night through New Year’s Eve. The cost is $10 per car. Visit www.mooseheart.org.

• The annual Indoor St. Charles Farmers Market will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Fridays in Baker Hall at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave. Find “St. Charles Farmers Market” on Facebook.

Saturday 17

• St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church invites the community to its annual Christmas Cookie Sale from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, or until sold out, at St. Mary’s Novak Center, 123 S. County Line Road in Maple Park. Choose your own homemade cookies for $7 per pound. Visit www.stmarymaplepark.org.