SWAN Garage Sale – Once again, we’ll be hosting a neighborhood garage sale on June 25-27. We’ll be advertising the sale (including items available) in the local paper, online and on our blog. The more who participate, the more people we can attract, so spread the word to your friends and neighbors. The fee to participate is just $5. Send your name, address, phone, email, list of items you’re planning to sell, and the $5 fee to Erin Curtin no later than June 16 to be included in our advertisements. You can contact Erin at 847-341-7620 or erinecurtin@gmail.com.

“Together We’re Elgin…A Community Cookout” will be held on this Saturday, June 5 from 12-5pm at the City of Elgin Plaza between City Hall and the Hemmens. The event will include a Not for Profit fair and lots of activities and games. There will be live bands playing, including two local favorites, Vehicle and The Reverends. This is a free event to everyone. Food is free as well (while supplies of hot dogs, burgers, chips and more last). For more information, contact Jeff at 847.888.9486, visit https://www.itndeli.com or e-mail itndeli@gmail.com. I believe several SWAN people are going to be there – I plan to be there by 1 PM or so.

Gone Fishin’ Lately? The City of Elgin, with the help from the Izaak Walton League of America, proudly present Ike’s Fish for Fun event on Saturday, June 5 from 9-11am at Walton Island. Fish for Fun features a fishing derby for youths 15-years-old and younger. Awards are presented for the largest catch in each category. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Depending on weather, time and location is subject to change. This is a FREE event! Call 847.531.7000 for updated information.

It’s summer in the city, so there’s lots more happening. Check out the DNA blog for lots of specials and events downtown (opera and symphony, celebrations for Flag Day and Juneteenth, specials at Elgin Public House and Al’s Café), or the City Events page for tons of family-friendly activities. Gail Borden is also kicking off its summer reading program, a comic book exhibit, and a visit from Spider-Man.

Our next meeting will be Monday, June 21 at 7 PM at Zion Lutheran Church. Jason Pawlowski from the Downtown Neighborhood Association will join us – hope to see you then!

Don’t despair, though! There are still ways to clean out your home.

Rather than sending your junk to the landfill, if there’s still some use, try Freecycle or Craigslist. Or, mark your calendars for SWAN’s 2nd annual garage sale the last weekend in June

The Courier published a list of venues for various items:

Building materials: ReStore, 800 N. State St., Elgin, enables homeowners and contractors to donate surplus items and reduce the amount of building materials that otherwise would go to landfills. Call ReStore at 847-742-9905 to find out what they will take.

Clothing and other household items: The Salvation Army’s Chicago office will arrange for pickup of items, including furniture in good condition, by phone at 312-738-4360.

A number of Catholic parishes in Elgin work with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, www.svdpusa.org.

Donations to Amvets may be made online at www.amvetspickup.com or by phone at 708-388-7800.

Dropoffs to Goodwill are accepted at 1420 S. Route 59, Bartlett, phone 630-837-1410; 450 N. Randall Road, Batavia, phone 30-761-8049; 7777 Miller Road (next to Woodman’s), Carpentersville, phone 847-426-2448; and 260 Randall Road, South Elgin, phone 847-741-0236. For more information, go online to www.amazinggoodwill.com.

Electronics and books: They can be dropped off at the Kane County Circuit Court Building, 540 S. Randall Road, St. Charles, on the second Friday and Saturday of every month between 8 a.m. and noon. More information is available at 630-208-3841 or recycle@co.kane.il.us.

Household hazardous waste removal program: A way to dispose of oil-based paint, pesticides, pool chemicals and sealants at no cost, Elgin residents can call 1-800-449-7587 to arrange for a pickup.

Metal and paper: Elgin Recycling, 660 Schiller St., Elgin, bills itself as “a full-service scrap metal recycling company. We accept ferrous, non-ferrous and exotic metals as well as paper, cardboard, plastic and electronics. We are happy to take care of your needs, whether you have 10 pounds of aluminum cans or 40,000 pounds of copper wire.” For more information, visit the Web site www.elginrecycling.com or phone 847-741-4100.

Used motor oil and automotive fluids: This can be done at the Waste Management site at 7N904 Route 25, southeast of South Elgin, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Elgin residents may also go to Auto Zone, 310 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin.

Veolia pickup: Veolia Environmental Services charges $20/cubic yard of materials for pickup. Veolia will send out a representative to give estimates based on the amount of materials. In St. Charles, Veolia will pick up large items at the curb throughout the year, provided there is a sticker on it. The main number for Veolia is 630-587-8282.

Veolia dropoff: Veolia’s transfer station takes some items for a fee up to $87 per ton of materials. The facility is at 766 Hunter St., Batavia. This site also offers “Free-of-Charge Recycling,” can be contacted at 630-879-3587 and is open on Saturday mornings.

Did we miss any? Add them in the comments!