Kids, teens and family
Anime Club: 4-6 p.m. today; Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Teens in sixth through 12th grade can watch a new Anime movie or series and enjoy Japanese snacks the first and third Mondays of the month. For information or to register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Parent Orientation:Œ7 p.m., today; Chippewa Middle School, 123 Eighth St., Central, North, Terrace, and Cumberland parents are invited. For details, call (847) 824-1503.
Pizza and Pages: 5 to 6 p.m. today; Vernon Area Public Library District is at 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Teen book discussion group will discuss 'Unwind" by Neal Shusterman. For information or to register, call (847) 634-3650 or visit www.vapld.info.
Mascots face off: 7 p.m. today; Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Twelve Chicago area mascots compete during halftime of the Chicago Rush game vs. the Los Angeles Avengers. For tickets or more information, visit www.chicagorush.com or call (877) 787-4849.
Puppet opera: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to Friday through May 24, Park Central, 3000 Central Road, Rolling Meadows: Opera in Focus presents rod puppets choreographed to recorded music, acts and scenes from Puccini's "Madama Butterfly." $7-$12. (847) 818-3220.
Swietujmy Polski Dzien Dziecka: Polish Children's day, 6:30-8 p.m. May 21; Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St. Special multicultural event featuring Polish and English storytimes, music, cookies and a craft. Open to children 3-7 years. (847) 253-5675. www.mppl.org/events
Memorial Day Carnival: 6 p.m. May 21, 22 and 23; 1 p.m. May 24, 35 26; Mount Prospect Plaza, Rand and Central roads, Mount Prospect. Unlimited ride special $16 during these hours: May 21 and 22, 6 p.m. to close; and 1-5 p.m. 1-5 p.m. (847) 289-4395.
Family game night: 6:30-7:45 p.m. May 22, Lakeview School gym, 615 Lakeview Lane, Hoffman Estates. (847) 357-6600.
"Cost of Freedom" exhibit: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily May 23-26, Alexian Field, 1999 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. For program and speaker schedule, visit www.costoffreedomtribute08.org.
Flying 4 Kids: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. May 24, Meineke Recreation Center, 220 W. Weathersfield Way, Schaumburg. State-wide kite fly to raise awareness for the Park District Youth License Plate program. Bring a kite or come ready to build one on-site from a kit. Proceeds from the plates go to park districts and recreation agencies for after-school programming for Illinois youth. Free. (847) 985-2143 or www.parkfun.com.
Free ACT and SAT prep course: 1-3 p.m. Saturdays, May 24-June 28, at the Church of the Incarnation, 261 W. Army Trail Road, Bloomingdale. The class will be taught by Sandy White, a retired social science teacher who has taught ACT and SAT prep courses for 15 years. All materials will be supplied. Registration is not required. For details, e-mail sspedro3@hotmail.com.
Waterpark opens: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 24, 25 and 26; Rainbow Falls Waterpark, 200 Reverend Morrison Blvd., Elk Grove Village. For hours for the rest of the summer, visit http://rainbowfalls.elkgroveparks.org or call (847) 228-2860.
Family Days:: Noon, Sundays through Sept. 21. Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights: Special theme each week. Also, a petting zoo, face painting and pony rides. Junior Jockey Club for kids ages 12 and under. Admission free for ages 17 and under. arlingtonpark.com or (847) 385-7500.
Babysitting clinic: Registration for a July 30 Red Cross Babysitting Clinic begins June 1 at the Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St. Students and teens ages 11 and up can become a Red Cross-certified babysitter during this daylong educational session that covers basic childcare, emergency action, first aid, and more. Register at the library's registration desk. This program requires a $15 nonrefundable registration fee and is limited to 10 Mount Prospect residents. Call (847) 253-5675.
Family Involvement Nurturing Development: 10 a.m. May 27, Outdoor Centers at Stevenson School, 1414 Armstrong Lane, Elk Grove Village. Preschool children enjoy water play, bubbles, face paints, parachute play and other activities. To register call (847) 357-5550. Weather questionable, call (847) 357-5173.
Patriotic Day celebration: 8:40-11:30 a.m., Fairview School, 375 Arizona Blvd., Hoffman Estates. Fairview community comes together to show appreciation for veterans and display American pride. (847) 357-5700.
Chefs in Training: Registration begins May 29 for the 1 p.m. June 12 program at the Palatine Public Library, 700 N. North Court, Palatine. Whole Foods Market will hold a cooking class for budding chefs in grades 5-8. Register at www.palatinelibrary.com or call (847) 358-5881, ext., 132.
Community Appreciation Weekend: May 30-June 1. First race at 2:30 p.m. May 30; Arlington Park, 2200 Euclid, Arlington Heights. Miller Lite Party in the Park and live entertainment. Hosted by Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce. (847) 398-3730.
Rolling Meadows Appreciation Day: First race 1 p.m. May 31; Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid, Arlington Heights. Rolling Meadows Businesses may purchase a Bistro Lunch Package for $16. Includes free admission, racing guide, lunch and reserved seats. Visit www.arlingtonpark events.com/tickets or call (847) 385-7410.