Briefs: Library reading program

Fremont Public Library kicks off celebration of the library's Big Read program as actress and Cather scholar Betty Jean Steinshouer performs her one-woman show, "Willa Cather Speaks" at 7 p.m. Monday at the library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. The selected book for the community Big Read program is "My Antonia" by Willa Cather. The library will host book discussions, films, and music concerts through April and May. Details can be found on the library's Web site www.fremontlibrary.org.

Global warming discussion

"Global Warming: Illinois Solutions, Global Consequences" will be the topic of the League of Women Voters' program 7:30 p.m. Thursday, in the Buechner Community Room at the new Arlington Heights village hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Road. It will emphasize what individuals can do to promote local ways to reduce carbon pollution. The speaker is Meleah Geertsma from the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Chicago. Oxfam in America will talk about how climate change is affecting women in poor countries. A proposal to form a loose communication network of interested community groups will follow.

School facilities talk set

A Mundelein High School group called M-PACT -- Mundelein Parents and Community Together -- will talk about facility needs during a meeting set for 6 p.m. Thursday at the school, 1350 W. Hawley St. Two representatives of Legat Architects will lead the talk, which will include a discussion of how some future campus needs can be met. The M-PACT group has been meeting for months and will make recommendations to the school board in June.

Native plants for sale

Citizens for Conservation will hold its 12th annual Native Plant, Shrub and Tree Sale from 9 a.m. to noon. May 3 at CFC's headquarters, 459 W. Highway 22 in Lake Barrington. Available will be a selection of healthy, robust native plants. Experienced native plant gardeners will be on hand to offer advice on plants for butterfly gardens, rain gardens, privacy screening and shaded woodland areas among many other selections. For information, call (847) 382-SAVE (7283).