Morton Arboretum notes

Morton Arboretum

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; and free for children 2 and younger. On Wednesdays, admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for children and free for ages 2 and younger. 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.

Concert tickets: Tickets 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. Sunday; 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: Kids 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: Join in Tu B'Shvat, the traditional Jewish tree-planting celebration, 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., with dinner from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dinner tickets are $47 for adults and $24 for children ages 3 to 12; $40 for adult members, $18 for children. For dinner reservations, call (630) 725-2066.

What's in a name?: Learn 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: Watch 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: Sample 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: Learn 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.

Guided tour: Get 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.

Woodland wildflowers: Learn 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: Children 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: Take 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: See 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: Adults 21 and older are wanted to show youngsters features of the arboretum's Children's Garden.

Volunteers are needed 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 Sally Kenaston at (630) 719-2443 or skenaston@mortonarb.org.