HABITAT SEEKING SCULPTURE ARTISTS, SPONSORS
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley is seeking local artists and project sponsors for its second Home Planet Earth public art project.
The nonprofit is planning to display the artwork from June through September 2027. In 2025, the effort featured 31 sculptures painted by artists from a choice of three environmentally themed molds — a bee, a butterfly and a globe. They were displayed in Elgin, Carpentersville, East Dundee, West Dundee and Barrington.
After the display, the artwork was auctioned off to raise money for Habitat’s Carter Crossing affordable housing development in Carpentersville.
This time, Habitat hopes to install 45 sculptures across Elgin, East Dundee, West Dundee, Carpentersville, St. Charles and Geneva, according to the nonprofit’s website. Artists will be chosen in the spring and their efforts unveiled at a party in May 2027 in Elgin.
After the summer exhibition, the sculptures will be auctioned at a gala being planned for Oct. 2, 2027, at The Brix on the Fox in Carpentersville.
Documents to become a sponsor or to apply to be an artist are available at habitatnfv.org/builds-events/home-planet-earth.
‘NIGHTMARE’ MUSIC ACTS FOR OCT. 17 ANNOUNCED
Organizers of Elgin’s Nightmare on Chicago Street street festival have announced the headlining musical acts that will perform on Saturday, Oct. 17.
The lineup will include AC/DC tribute band Back In Black, Ozzy Osbourne tribute act Crazy Train, Cumbia punk band Son Rompe Pera and Grammy-nominated DJ and music producer Felix da Housecat, according to social media posts.
Showtimes have not been announced, but Nightmare on Chicago Street will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. throughout downtown Elgin.
In June, organizers announced that ’90s acts Gym Class Heroes, Plain White T’s and The Ataris will perform Friday, Oct. 16. That night will mark the inaugural expansion of the event to two days, with the first night being presented from 5 to 11 p.m. along a section of Chicago Street.
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For tickets, pricing and other info, go to www.nightmareonchicagostreet.com.
ST. JOE’S RANKED HIGHLY FOR HIP REPLACEMENT
U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-27 Best Hospitals annual ranking cited St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin as a high performing hospital for hip replacement surgery.
The rating is the highest a hospital’s procedures and conditions can earn from the publication, according to a news release. Less than half of almost 4,500 hospitals evaluated earned the distinction.
“In the case of hip replacement, we are blessed with talented surgeons who call this hospital their home and a dedicated team of nurses and clinicians whose primary focus is to get these folks back to living their lives pain free and being active again for many years to come,” St. Joseph CEO Eva Balderrama said in the release.
For more information about the ratings, go to health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR ELGIN IMAGE AWARDS
Nominations are being taken through 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, for the 2026 Elgin Image Awards, which will be presented Oct. 20 at The Centre of Elgin Heritage Ballroom, 100 Symphony Way.
The awards are overseen by the Enhancing Elgin Committee, a volunteer committee of the Elgin Development Group, which is the economic arm of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, according to a news release.
“The Elgin Image Awards highlight the strength of community spirit and the lasting impact dedicated individuals, projects and organizations can have on our city’s future,” Natalie Kiburg, Enhancing Elgin co-chair and Gail Borden Public Library director of development, said in the release.
Award categories recognize business people, volunteers, community projects, youth service projects, organizations, sustainability efforts and equity projects that have built a positive image for Elgin.
Nomination applications are available at elgindevelopment.com/elgin-image-awards.