Best bets
Jewelry fundraiser: The Libertyville High School Varsity Poms will hold a jewelry fundraiser today and Friday.
The event will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at 133 W. Lincoln in Libertyville (three blocks south of Route 176 and Milwaukee Avenue).
Jewelry from local artists Kathy Horton Designs and Marlene Regan will be showcased. A percentage of the proceeds will go toward choreography and costume expenses accrued during the year.
For more information, contact Sheryl Engle at (847) 456-4938.
Katrina's effects: An outdoor play will be held Friday at the Greenbelt Cultural Center near North Chicago.
The play, written by Gloria Patterson-Terry, is about a family struggling to hold together in the aftermath of the Katrina disaster.
The performance will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. and is open to families. Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for kids 4 to 11 and is free for kids 3 and under.
Advance tickets can be purchased by calling (847) 988-3477.
The entrance to the parking lot at the Greenbelt Cultural Center is off the east side of Green Bay Road, between 10th and 14th Streets, south of Belvidere Road.
Lizards and lamps: The Lake County Fairgrounds will play host to two different events this weekend.
A reptile show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $5 with children under 10 free.
On Sunday, the monthly antiques, collectibles and flea market will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is also $5, with children under 12 free.
The fairgrounds are located near the intersections of routes 120 and 45 in Grayslake.
Police exhibition: The Vernon Hills Police Department holds its third Lake County law enforcement exhibition Saturday and Sunday.
About 20 agencies will be gathered at Westfield Hawthorn mall to display specialty vehicle and demonstrations and educate the public.
A police helicopter, equestrian unit, armored vehicle and several other specialty vehicles will be on display. Canine demonstration, defensive tactics and fingerprinting are part of the event.
Mall hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Police exhibits will be available the entire weekend.
For details and times of special events, visit www.vhpd.com or call (847) 247-4888.
Writer to talk about comics
Daily Herald staff writer Russell Lissau, who also writes comic books professionally, will talk about comics and the writing process Saturday at the Ela Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. The talk is set for 2 p.m., and admission is free. Lissau's credits include "The Batman Strikes" for DC Comics and "Hope: New Orleans" for Ronin Studios.
Fiestas Patrias: Also at Greenbelt, Mexican and Central American independence will be celebrated during "Fiestas Patrias" on Sunday.
Visitors can enjoy dancing, mariachi music, historical reenactments, children's activities and authentic Latin American food.
The event takes place from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday. All ages are invited and no registration is required.
For kids with special needs: The Lexi Kazian Foundation will hold its third annual birthday celebration for children with special needs and their families from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The event is at the Children's Grove Play Area at the Independence Grove Forest Preserve on Route 137 east of Route 21 near Libertyville.
Therapists and professionals working with children with special needs also are welcome to come with their families. The event celebrates the birthday of Lexi Kazian, who was born with a brain injury in August 2002. She died in November 2004.
The play area has special equipment that allows children of all abilities to participate.
The free event feature face painting, music, entertainment, dancing, games, dinner and birthday cake.
R.S.V.P. by calling (847) 624-4341 or e-mailing kristy@helpingfromheaven.org or. Information also is available at helpingfromheaven.org.
Fundraiser for animals: A fundraiser for Save-A-Pet will be held on Sunday.
The "Paws on the Path -- 21st Annual Save-A-Pet PetAthlon" will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Old School Forest Preserve near Libertyville.
Help raise funds for Save-A-Pet while while walking your canine. Dog games, contests, food and beverages add to the fun. Free t-shirt with $75 or more in pledges. Download registration form at www.save-a-pet-il.org. For more information, call (847) 740-7788, ext. 146.
Mother Jones talk: "The March of the Mill Children. A lecture by Mother Jones," will be presented on Sunday at Prairie Crossing in Grayslake.
The play is performed and adapted by Betsey Means and directed by Eileen Vorbach.
The performance will be held at 4 p.m. at the Stage of Station Square, Route 137 and Casey Road.
Adults are $10 and children are free.
Historical festival: The 32nd annual Deerfield Area Historical Society Fall Fest takes place on Sunday.
The festival will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at the Deerfield Historic Village, Deerfield Road and Kipling Place.
The free event features a variety of children's activities, a classic car show, food, entertainment, historic building tours, craft demonstrations and book sale.
Children can try their hand at vintage games and play with reproduction 19th century toys. A blacksmith and other artisans will demonstrate traditional crafts. Musical entertainment features the Traveling Folk Music Show with Bob Gand and Lana Rae, the Deerfield Community Concert Band and the Hummers and Strummers. All profits from the Fall Fest will be used to help restore the buildings in the Historic Village.
For more information, call (847) 948-0680.
Jerry Garcia's art: A nationally touring exhibition of Jerry Garcia's art will be held in Deerfield this weekend.
"Jerry Garcia/A Visual Journey" will feature the Greatful Dead artist's collection of signed lithographs, silk-screens and rare original watercolors.
The exhibition will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Hyatt Deerfield, 1750 Lake Cook Road.
For more information, call (610) 999-5880.