Lake County Model Railroad Club hosts spring open house

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These trains keep on rolling

The Lake County Model Railroad Club hosts its annual spring open house, featuring an HO scale permanent operating model railroad. The railroad occupies more than 1,500 square feet of space. The 35-year-old railroad layout uses the latest digital technology to operate and simulate real railroad activity.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 20-21, in the rear entrance of 107 S. Main St., two blocks north of Route 176, Wauconda. Admission is free. Event is appropriate for all ages. Guests who bring a nonperishable food item for donation to the Wauconda Food Pantry will receive a free raffle ticket for a door prize. Visit lcmrr.org.

Sunday

Wind Ensemble

The College of Lake County Wind Ensemble presents a concert of classical and modern wind band repertoire.

4 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at the Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $4-$5. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu.

Anne's album

The Naperville Art League presents "Anne Frank: A Private Photo Album," a new exhibit featuring 70 rarely seen black-and-white photographs of author and Holocaust victim Anne Frank (1929-1945) and her family. The photos were taken by Anne's father, Otto. Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at the Naperville Fine Art Center and Gallery, 508 N. Center St., Naperville. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. (630) 355-2530 or napervilleartleague.com.

Author appearance

Children's author and illustrator Matthew Cordell will demonstrate his drawing techniques and discuss his latest book, "Trouble Gum." Books will be available for purchase and signing after Cordell's demonstration.

2 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at the Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee. Registration is required. Call (847) 244-5150.

Cuba through the lens

Lake Forest College hosts "The Unknown Generation of Cuba - 1989-2009," a new exhibit featuring 25 black-and-white photographs from the collection of Chicago-area art collectors Madeleine and Harvey Plonsker.

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at the Sonnenschein Gallery at Lake Forest College, third floor of the Durand Art Institute, at Deerpath and Sheridan roads, Lake Forest. Admission is free. (847) 735-5194.

This week

Brad Garrett

Comedian Brad Garrett, best known for his role as older brother Robert on television's "Everybody Loves Raymond," brings his own brand of comedy to the Improv Comedy Showcase club in Schaumburg.

8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, March 19; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 20; and 7 p.m. Sunday, March 21, at the The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, inside Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg. (847) 240-2001 or visit improv.com.

Do you have fish to fry?

The American Legion in Palatine hosts a Fish Fry dinner, which is open to the public.

5 to 8 p.m. Friday March 12, at the American Legion Hall, 122 W. Palatine Road, Palatine. Fried fish or shrimp dinners with soup, fries and coleslaw cost $8. (847) 359-1606.

Engelbert rocks the Rialto

Multiple Grammy Award nominee Engelbert Humperdinck takes to the stage to croon pop tunes and ballads at the Rialto Square Theatre.

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, at the Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet. $38-$63. (815) 726-6600 or rialtosquare.com.