Morton Arboretum notes

The Morton Arboretum offers events for children and the family at 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Arboretum activities are free with admission unless otherwise noted. Admission is $9 for adults ages 18 to 64; $8 for seniors 65 and older; $6 for children ages 3 to 17; children 2 and under are free. On Wednesdays, admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for children; children 2 and under are free. Members are always free.

For details, visit www.mortonarb.org or call (630) 968-0074 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Registration can be completed online.

Tall tale ride:ŒFollow the hysterical, holiday adventures of the fictional Humdinger family in a 30-minute interactive trolley ride and enjoy a holiday cookie and cocoa at 10:30 a.m., 11:15 p.m., noon and 12:45 p.m. on Jan. 2 and 4. Tickets are $13, with discounts for members. Info: (630) 719-7949.

Guided tour :ŒGet a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the research, education and collection programs in "Plant Yourself at The Morton Arboretum" from noon to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in January. Meet in Arbor Court.

Arboretum express:ŒA holiday train display features a multi-level garden railroad with trains winding through four seasons of the arboretum from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 6. One car will carry a mounted cameral so visitors can see the sights as a rider on the train would see them, and Santa will have his own trolley. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Holiday trees:ŒSee the work of local designers in "Where Treetops Glisten," an indoor holiday tree display, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Jan. 6 in the Visitors Center. Find what surprises nature has hidden in the 14-foot Arboretum Holiday Tree.

Yule log hunt:ŒKeep a centuries-old tradition alive by following a series of rhyming clues to find the Yule log hidden on arboretum grounds at 12:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. Jan. 6. After the hunt gather for mugs of hot wassail and cocoa and a round of caroling around a bonfire.

Lunch and learn:ŒEnjoy a buffet lunch and learn about "Trees, Carbon, Climate Change… and Urban Logging?" from Clement Hamilton, vice president of arboretum programs and director of research, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 8 in the Gingko Restaurant. The cost is $15. Info: (630) 725-2066.

Cabaret evening:ŒEnjoy smooth jazz sounds during a cabaret-style evening of cocktails, music and a buffet dinner at "The Cabaretum Presents Sabertooth" from 6 to 10 p.m. Jan. 12. Tickets are $60, $50 for arboretum members. Cash bar. Make reservations by Jan. 9 by calling (630) 725-2066.

Concert tickets:ŒTickets for the 2007-08 Arboretum Chamber Concert Series are available. The monthly concerts are held in the Thornhill Center Auditorium and are followed by a reception with the artists. Tickets are $23, $18 for arboretum members; a five-concert pass is $110, $85 for members. The concerts are: Table for 5, 2:15 p.m. Jan. 13; Carp Diem String Quartet, 2:15 p.m. Feb. 3; Patrick Bell, 7 p.m. March 1 and 2:15 p.m. March 2. For details, contact (630) 725-2066 or www.mortonarb.org.

Snowflake fun:ŒKids do a craft with snowflakes, play a game to melt an ice cube as fast as they can and see a snowflake display as they learn about snow and ice properties in "Winter Wonderland" from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 19 and 20.

New Year for trees:ŒJoin in "Tu B'Shvat," the traditional Jewish tree-planting celebration, on Jan. 20. Includes tree-related crafts provided by Treewhispers, a guided walk to see trees, storytelling by puppeteer Marilyn Price, musical entertainment from the Mameloshn Yiddish Song Group, a Seder ceremony and a buffet dinner of kosher-style foods. Free activities are from 1 to 5 p.m. and dinner from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dinner tickets are $47 for adults and $24 for children ages 3-12, or $40 for adult members and $18 for children. For dinner reservations, call (630) 725-2066.

What's in a name?:ŒLearn about the 300-year legacy of Carol Linnaeus in shaping the plant naming and classification system in an exhibit of artwork and rare books through Jan. 26 in the Sterling Morton Library.

Siberian huskies:ŒWatch Siberian huskies and sled demonstrations and meet with Adopt-A-Husky volunteers in "Tails on the Trails" from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 26 and 27.

Tailgate party:ŒSample wines and have a hot toddy at a Tailgate Tent Party from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 26 and 27. Food service pros share cooking and beverage tips on hosting the perfect tailgate party in time for the Super Bowl.

Winter biking:ŒLearn how to stay warm and dry and manage slick roads while bike riding in winter when REI presents "Cold Weather Cycling: from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 27. A guided bike tour will follow; bring your own bikes.

Woodland wildflowers:ŒLearn how to use native plants from our woodlands to maintain flower beds that sit beneath shady trees in "A Woodland Wildflower Garden" from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 9 at Thornhill Education Center. The cost is $11. Info: (630) 719-2468.

Adventure hikes:ŒChildren do different activities, such as going on a scavenger hunt and building a snowman, on a "Cool Kids Nature Hike" at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. through Feb. 29 in the Children's Garden.

Hands-off plants:ŒTake a look at some lovely, but nasty plants in the "Dangerous Plants" exhibit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in the Plant Clinic.

Nature adventure:ŒSee the importance environmental education and nature adventure provides children in a new exhibit, "No Child Left Inside," from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through May 1 in the Thornhill Education Center.

Volunteers wanted:ŒAdults 21 and older are wanted to show youngsters features of the arboretum's Children's Garden. Volunteers are needed on both weekdays and weekends. They receive discounts to the arboretum's store and invitations to special events. Volunteers are required to pass a background check. For details, contact volunteer coordinator Sally Kenaston at (630) 719-2443 or skenaston@mortonarb.org.