Learn about ancient sites:

Illinois-based writer and journalist Derek Monroe will present the Hidden Trail of Ancient Mayan Ruins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6 at the Lake Villa Public Library, 1001 E. Grand Ave. Monroe will discuss his 6,000-mile journey to visit ancient Mayan sites that are off the beaten path of tourist trails. Instead of visiting sites besieged by tourists, he visited hidden sites such as Calakmul, Xiaotitlan and Ruta Puuc accessible by back roads and rivers. Register at the adult reference desk at (847) 356-7711 or at www.lvdl.org.