Animals, plants and nature

To have an event listed in this calendar, e-mail the details at least two weeks in advance of the event or registration deadline to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com. Please put "Animals and plants" in the subject line.

Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, Volkening Lake, Schaumburg. Meet new friends and get a workout for you and your pooch. First 60 dogs receive a free bandanna to wear home. Dogs must have current shots, and records should be attached to the registration form. Residents: $1 per person/$4 per dog. Nonresidents: $2 per person/$6 per dog. parkfun.com or call (847) 490-7020.

Prairie State Cat Club: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 5, The Center at North Park, 10040 W. Addison St., Franklin Park. The International Cat Association will present and compete for regional and international awards at the Prairie State Cat Club annual Fall harvest Allbreed and Household Pet Cat show. $5; $3 seniors; $2 children. Free parking. (630) 697-8716 or (847) 590-1947. pscc-tica.org.

Palatine Park District Fall Festival: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, Palatine Stables, 1510 W. Northwest Highway, Palatine. Learn more about horses and life at the stable, pony and wagon rides, crafts, activities, pumpkins for sale, concessions. Free admission, fee for some activities. All ages, no dogs allowed. (847) 359-0009.

Four Paws Animal Foundation bake sale/family pet contest: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. contest registration; 1 p.m. judging, Saturday, Oct. 4, Hoosier Grove Park, Irving Park Road, 1/4 mile east of Route 59, Streamwood. Held in conjunction with the Streamwood Park District's Pumpkin Fest. Includes home baked goods, calendar sales, category pet contests. (630) 289-0478 for information. Proceeds benefit the foundation's adoption/rescue efforts.

Raptor Sunday: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Meet up-close the great horned and screech owls plus a peregrine falcon and broad winged hawk. Kids have a chance to dissect owl pellets. Bring a camera. $5 per car. (847) 428-6957. stillmannc.org.

Blessing of the animals: 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, Immanuel United Church of Christ, 1500 Old Church Road, Streamwood. Outdoor worship service, pet blessing. (630) 837-0190.

Read to Rover: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28, Palatine Public Library, 700 N. North Court, Palatine. Children in grades two-five experience reading to special therapy dogs. Registration required. To reserve a 15-minute reading slot, register in person at the Reader Assistance Desk. For Palatine Public Library District cardholders only.

Environmental Education Fair: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, Palatine Community Center, 250 E. Wood St., Palatine.

Learn how to reduce your impact on the environment; see what agencies and businesses are doing; find out about programs and products to assist your efforts. Hosted by the Palatine Park District Environmental committee. Free and open to the public. (847) 991-0333.

The Big Sit: 3 p.m. until sunset Saturday, Oct. 11, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. With the help of Prairie Woods Audubon, Stillman will host the "Lazy Birder's" field trip. No walking is required, just sit by the lake and let the birds come to you. Over age 10. Free. (847) 428-6957 or stillnc@wildblue.net.

Adventures in Nature-Habitat House hunt: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, Citizens for Conservation office, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. All living creatures need a habitat that provides them with essentials of survival. Children will be the "real estate agents" for creatures looking for a house on the Savanna. (847z) 382-7283.

Tree I.D. or This Bud's for You: 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Join Stillman's naturalist and learn to identify some of our Midwestern trees. Come prepared to be out in the weather. Free. (847) 428-6957 or stillnc@wildbird.net.

Doberman Rescue Plus adopt-a-thon: Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, Doghouse of Barrington, 340 S. Lagaschulte, Barrington. Potential adopters can meet, learn about and connect with possible new canine companions. ildoberrescue.com.

Anti-Cruelty Society chef-tasting fundraiser: 6:30-10 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, 510 N. LaSalle, Chicago. Local celebrity chefs, auctions, goodie bag. $125 in advance; $140 at the door. Reservations at (312) 751-5507.

Garden Club of Inverness: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Brief business meeting followed by a presentation by Beau Kimball, owner of Kimball and Bean Architectural Garden Antiques. All Gardeners are welcome. For information, call Carole, (847) 381-2727.

Adventures in Nature-night walk: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, Citizens for Conservations office, 459 W. Highway 22, South Barrington. Take a family walk on the Savanna at night. Children must be accompanied by an adult, bring a flashlight. Free. (847) 382-7283.

Citizens for Conservation seed collection: Thursdays and Saturdays 9 -11 a.m.; and Sundays 3:30-5 p.m., 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Volunteers of all ages are invited to help collect seeds from a wide variety of native plants. (847) 382-7283.

Stillman Nature Center: Volunteers are being sought to help in a variety of areas including, landscape maintenance, birds of prey and more. (847) 428-6957 or stillnc@wildblue.net.

Four Paws calendars: Four Paws Animal Foundation is now selling 2009 calendars for $12.50, which depict some of the organization's rescues as well as family pets, as a fundraiser to help support adoption and rescue efforts. Order forms for the calendars can be obtained at Banbury Fair and Heartland Animal Hospital, both in Bartlett; Hanover Park Animal Care Center; and Health Emporium in Streamwood. Forms can also be downloaded from fourpawsfoundation.petfinder.com.