Time out! Thursday

Animals & plants

Prospect Heights Garden Club, Gary Morava Recreation Center, 110 W. Camp McDonald Road, Prospect Heights: The first meeting of the year at 11:30 a.m. today. (847) 259-5354.

Art openings

Anatomy of a Children's Book, Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway, Barrington: Look into the conception and pre-production of a children's picture book by Gregory Leifel and Laura A. D'Argo. Through Sept. 30. (847) 382-1300.

Magic Hour at Horizon Farms, Garlands Center for the Performing Arts, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington: Photography of Robert McGinley. Through Oct. 12. (847) 304-1996.

Comedy

Bottom Shelf Comedy, Murphy's, 1609 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights: Stand-up comedy showcase at 8 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month. Hosted by comedian Dean Carlson. For ages 21 and older. Free. Visit www.myspace.com/bottomshelfcomedy. (847) 670-5500.

Chicago Comedy Company, 601 N. Martingale Road, Suite 171, Schaumburg: Improv comedy in the style of "Whose Line is it Anyway?" Family friendly, nonsmoking theater. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. $18. $12 for youth under age 18. Call (847) 240-0386 or visit www.chicagocomedyco.com.

The Improv Comedy Showcase and Restaurant, 5 Woodfield Road, In Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg: Gabriel Iglesias; 7:30 p.m. today; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets $15-$17. Improv comedy club also features restaurant with dinner menu and full bar. Comedy show times: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Fridays; 7, 9 and 11 p.m. Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays. (847) 240-2001 or www.improv.com.

Fairs & festivals

Aviation Celebration, Schaumburg Regional Airport, 905 W. Irving Park Road, Schaumburg: Airplane and helicopter rides, arts and crafts fair, games, children's moonwalk. Proceeds benefit Woodfield Area Children's Organization Inc. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. $7-8 per day. (847) 895-0315.

Pioneer Day, Farmhouse Museum, 399 Biesterfield Road, Elk Grove Village: Historical entertainment featuring Civil War musicians, vintage baseball game, and petting zoo. Settlers demonstrate daily life in the early 1800s. Create your scarecrows and ride in a horse-drawn Conestoga wagon. Noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. (847) 439-3994.

Family

Family Day, Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights: Family events, Sundays through Sept. 16. Each week offers a special theme, along with pony rides, face painters and a petting zoo from noon to 4 p.m. Upcoming programs: Sunday's program will be "Circus." Showtimes at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. (847) 385-7500 or www.arlingtonpark.com.

Medieval Times, I-90 and Roselle Road, Schaumburg: Guests can dine on a hearty four-course Medieval-style banquet, while knights on horseback compete in medieval games of skill; features jousting and sword fighting. Programs take place inside a climate-controlled European-style castle. The 2007 admission fees are $52.95 per adult; $37.95 for children ages 12 and younger. (847) 843-3900 or medievaltimes.com.

Paradise Raceway, 295 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine: Slot-car racing establishment features fun for all ages. Full rentals (car, controller and track time) run from 15 minutes to an hour. $6-$16. Track is open 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 4 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 4 to 8 p.m. Sundays. Closed on Mondays. (847) 221-2277.

Wheeling Park District Arctic Splash indoor pool, 333 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling: Arctic Splash features zero-depth leisure pool, toddler slide, water play structures and lap pool. $6, free for children younger than 2. Open swim hours vary. (847) 465-7675.

Farmers markets

Barrington Farmers Market, Corner of Cook and Main streets, Barrington: 2 to 7 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 18 or barrington-il.gov.

Film

Seventh annual International Microcinema Film Festival, Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine: Theatre Nebula presents microbudgeted independent short and feature-length drama, comedy, sci-fi, horror, action and documentary films from around the world, with many directors, producers, writers and actors present. Screening sessions at 7 p.m. today, 1 and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $5 per session, $59 for festival pass (includes all sessions, 5 p.m. Saturday buffet dinner at Durty Nellie's and noon Sunday awards brunch at Hotel Indigo). (847) 359-9378 or microcinemafest.com.

Big Damn Film Festival, Wyndham O'Hare, 6810 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont: New and award-winning shorts and full-length independent films from across the country are shown in multiple screening rooms, with an opportunity for audiences to judge the films. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $10 for block pass, $20 for day pass, $30 for weekend pass. Details at www.bigdamnfilmfest.com.

Misc.

Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights: Thoroughbred racing. 2007 season runs through Sept. 16. Gates open at 11:15 a.m.; first race at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; first race at 3 p.m. Friday. Admission is $6, free for children 17 and younger. Free parking. Call (847) 385-7500 or visit www.arlingtonpark.com.

Museums

Dietrich Friedrichs Farmhouse Museum, 101 S. Maple St., Mount Prospect: The Dietrich Friedrichs house was built in 1906. This Victorian farmhouse is furnished to reflect the year 1917 and includes a historic and sensory garden. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission free. (847) 392-9006.

Farmhouse Museum, 399 Biesterfield Road, Elk Grove Village: Explore a working farmhouse and old barn. See what life was like in 19th-century Elk Grove. Hours: September-May: 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays; June-August: 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. $1 suggested donation. (847) 439-3994.

Rolling Meadows Historical Museum & Educational Center, 3100 Central Road, Rolling Meadows: Replica of the first ranch-style home constructed in the community by founder, Kimball Hill in 1953. Home is furnished with period furniture, clothing and objects of everyday life in the early 1950s. (847) 577-7086.

Music

Aerosmith, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont: Hard/pop rock. 7:30 p.m. Monday. $45-$125. (312) 559-1212.

Luna Blu, Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights: Pop/rock covers; part of the "Party In the Park" series. 3 p.m. Friday. $6, free for ages 17 and younger when accompanied by an adult. (847) 385-7500 or www.arlingtonpark.com.

Rosanne Cash, Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg: Country/folk/pop. 8 p.m. Saturday. $46-$48. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org.

On stage

Chicago Storm Chasers, Alumni Club, 871 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg: The Major Indoor Soccer League's Chicago Storm's Dance and Cheerleading Team appears for two performances and a meet-and-greet stop. 9 p.m. Saturday. (847) 397-3100 or alumniclubchicago.com.

Shows, markets & expos

Chicago Fall Miniatures Show, Hyatt Regency Woodfield, 1800 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg: Vendors offer miniatures, dolls, dollhouses, accessories and more; no strollers. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission $3-$6. Preview show and sale with hors d'oeuvres and early buying privileges, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday. $12, includes weekend admission. Call (561) 434-6622 or visit bishopshow.com/chif.htm.

Singles

New Beginnings Casino Night, Getz Building, 746 S. Vermont St., Palatine: "Casino Night" to raise money for the mentally challenged; runs 3 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday. (847) 622-4342.

New Beginnings concert, Dover Straits, 1149 W. Golf Road, Hoffman Estates: Get-together, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Hear the music of singer Cindi Cronin. No cover charge. No smoking. Call Paul to RSVP. (630) 253-3787.

New Beginnings dinner, Charlie's Charhouse, 1180 W. Devon Ave., Elk Grove Village: Dinner, 6 p.m. Friday. RSVP to Suzanne. (847) 542-1907.

New Beginnings dinner and movie, Pastabilities, 167 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove: Dinner, 6 p.m. Tuesday. Following dinner, group will go to nearby Buffalo Grove Theater for a $1 movie. Call Marianne to RSVP. (847) 991-9585.

New Beginnings meeting, Trinity Lutheran Church, 405 Rush St., Roselle: New location for group. Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Monday. Welcome party and ice cream social. Free admission for everyone tonight. (847) 622-4342.

Sociable Singles 50-Plus Group dinner and meeting, Russell's Barbecue, 2885 Algonquin Road, Rolling Meadows: Meeting, 6 p.m. Monday. Group will have dinner and plan its October calendar. (847) 289-4420 or russellsbarbecue.com.

Sociable Singles 50-Plus Group TGIF get-together, Birch River Grill, 75 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights: TGIF get-together, 5 p.m. Friday. Call hotline for information. (847) 289-4420 or birchrivergrill.com.

Young Single Parents, Inc., Northwest Chapter 103, Fox & Hound Smokehouse and Tavern, 1416 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg: Support and social organization for divorced, separated, widowed or never-been-married singles between the ages of 21 and 50 (custody not a factor). "Club Nights" at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. Smoke-free environment. $3 for non-members. Group also offers family and adult events throughout each month. (847) 622-3800 or fhrg.com.