Northwest suburban books and enrichment notes

Reading Road Trip: Adult/high school winter reading program runs through Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 North Elm St. Join the program and earn chances to win weekly prizes with each book you read. Read three books of your choice and one from our displays to be eligible for our Grand Prize drawing on March 1. Sign up in person at the Information Desk.

Feb. 3

Retirement Reality Check: 7-8:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Feb. 3 and 10; Cumberland Terrace, 448 S. Warrington Road, Des Plaines. Investment Series class on long term budgeting, paying for health care and living without a regular paycheck. Residents, $15/nonresidents $19. Call (847) 391-5700 or visit desplainesparks.org

Author visit: 7-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 3, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Robert Renteria, author of "From the Barrio to the Boardroom," will share secrets to success, his own personal struggles growing up and his commitment to inspire youth to avoid the pitfalls and make better choices to lead a productive life. For details, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Evening Writer's Workshop: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Writers can share and critique each other's work in a supportive atmosphere. Reservations required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Tuesday morning book discussion: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St. Discussion of the "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller. Register at (847) 376-2787.

Feb. 4

eBay Basics: 6:45-8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, Vernon Area Pub­lic Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. eBay University Instructor Jack Waddick will discuss the keys to successful eBay selling. For information or to register, call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.

Feb. 6

Lyric Opera of Chicago Education Corps lecture: 1 p.m. Feb. 6, Garlands of Barrington, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington. Barrington Chapter of Lyric Opera of Chicago's Outreach Community Education program presents "Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci" with lecturer Denny Hayes. Free and open to the public. New and seasoned opera lovers are welcome. To reserve a seat call Jill, (847) 756-3200. lyricopera.org.

Love is Murder conference: Noon, Friday, Feb. 6 to noon Sunday, Feb. 8, Westin Chicago North Shore, 601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling. Conference for lovers of mystery, romance, thrillers and suspense books.

Visit, loveismurder.net.

Life Coaching Group for mothers: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 930 W. Higgins Road, Schaumburg. Ammemarie Husser will facilitate the group which is based on the book, "The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal" by Renee Trudeau. Lean how to rejuvenate and re-balance your life. Fee required. Annemarie, (708) 287-9393 or e-mail annemariehusser@yahoo.com.

Feb. 7

Poetry Writing Group: Meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Writing group for ages 18 and up. Register at (847) 392-0100 or ahml.info

Used book sale: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 and noon-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. Discounts on used books, magazines, games, more. There will also be a silent auction of autographed and collectible items on Feb. 7. (847) 392-0100.

Book Group: "The Shack" by William P. Young will be the subject of discussion of the book group "Reading is Believing" at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at North Northfield United Methodist Church, at Sanders and Dundee in Northbrook. (847) 272-2250 or www.northnorthfield.org.

Board of Jewish Education program: 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, 3320 Dundee Road, Northbrook. "The Journey to Self Acceptance-Growing Up with A Learning Disability." Register at (847) 291-7788, Ext. 1301.

Feb. 9

Buffalo Grove Parent Association presentation: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, Buffalo Grove High School, 1101 W. Dundee Road. Laurie Josephson, licensed Clinical Social Worker, presents, "Growing Out of Adolescence: Successfully Launching Your Teen." Free. For information, e-mail the Buffalo Grove Parent Association parent education coordinator at lyfe-wyr@comcast.net.

Mr. Lincoln's Springfield: 2-3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, Vernon Area Pub­lic Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Explore the Springfield Abraham Lincoln knew as well as other locations significant to him. Registration is required. For information or to register, call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.

Feb. 11

Writer's Support Group: 6:30-8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, Vernon Area Pub­lic Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. An opportunity for writers - published or not - to critique each other's work and share ideas and techniques. Registration is not required. For information, call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.

101 Things You Should Know About Africa: 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Chris Medjo Me Zengue from Cameroon will provide an entertaining and educational look at Africa, including many misconceptions. For information, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Feb. 12

Afternoon Tea with Mrs. Lincoln: 2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Author and storyteller Lynn Rymarz portrays "An Afternoon Tea with Mrs. Abraham Lincoln." Hear the joys and trials experienced by this first lady and have a taste of her favorite cake recipe. register at ahml.info or call (847) 392-0100.

Protect your children symposium: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, Prairie Lake Theater, 515 E. Thacker, Des Plaines. Robert Hugh Farley, a consultant on child sexual exploitation, will speak at this symposium for parents, educators and child care professionals which will address the issues of protecting children from predators who use the Internet and other electronic mean to prey on children. Co-sponsored by Maryville Academy and the Des Plaines Park District. Free, register at (847) 391-5711. Children under 18 will not be admitted.

Thursday evening book discussion: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St. Discussion of the "Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde. To register, (847) 376-2787.

Coffee talk: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, History Center, 781 Pearson St., Des Plaines. Gigi Williams of Gigi's Dolls and Sherry's Teddy Bears Inc., presents "Antique Dolls." Participants are invited to bring their own dolls. Free, no registration required.

Feb. 15

Board of Jewish Education program: 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, 3320 Dundee Road, Northbrook. "Everyone Belongs, The House of Worship." Register at (847) 291-7788, Ext. 1301.

Feb. 16

eBay Selling 101: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday Feb. 16, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court, Palatine. Jack Waddick, eBay University instructor, walks through the keys to successful eBay selling. Live demos, time for questions. To register, (847) 358-5881, ext. 167 or palatinelibrary.org.

Feb. 17

Writers Group: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect. Author Lisa Rosenthal leads the library's Writers Group, where writers of all genres are welcome to discuss their works and other creative minds. Call (847) 253-5675 or mppl.org.

Makeup 101 Night: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights. Discuss skin care, makeup colors and techniques, along with wardrobe fashions. Every participant will take home makeup samples, an application booklet, and two pages of fashion selections. Ages 18 and up. Fee is $33. For information, visit ahpd.org or call the Arlington Heights Park District, at (847) 577-3000.

Feb. 18

Young Rembrandts drawing classes: Feb. 18 through March 11. Preschool drawing for ages 3-5 from 2:45-3:30 p.m., Ahlstrand Field House, 6900 Catalpa, Hanover Park; elementary drawing for ages 6-12 from 4-4:45 p.m. and cartooning for ages 6-13 from 5-5:45 p.m., at the Community Center Art Studio, 1919 Walnut Ave., Hanover Park. $36. Call Susan, (630) 837-2468.

Des Plaines Art Guild figure drawing class: 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 18, Fischer Wright Art Center, 815 Center St., Des Plaines. Figure drawing class featuring live professional models. $10-$156. Call Beverly, (847) 635-0306.

Feb. 19

Love, Forgiveness & Wisdom book discussion: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St. Discussion of "The History of Love" by Nicole Krauss lead by Olivia Cronk. Register at dppl.org or (847) 376-2787.

Feb. 22

Board of Jewish Education program: 10-11:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, 3320 Dundee Road, Northbrook. "Effective Teaching Strategies for Students in the Autism Spectrum" Film screening "Including Samuel" at 2 p.m., followed by a discussion. $10. Register at (847) 291-7788, Ext. 1301.

Feb. 26

History discussion: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St. Jim Kenney, activist for social justice and co-founder of Common Ground, will discuss his experience in South Africa during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Register at dppl.org or call (847) 376-2787.

Feb. 28

Free Yoga for Fertility workshop: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, Pulling Down the Moon & Fertility Center of Illinois, 2010 S. Arlington Heights Road, suite 300 B, Arlington Heights. To register, call (312) 32109994 or fcionline.com

March 7

Poetry Writing Group: Meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, March, 7, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. New writing group for ages 18 and up. Register at (847) 392-0100 or online at ahml.info

Bridge of Hope for Russian Children program: Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, March 7, St. Simon's Church Parish Hall, 717 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. Information meeting for the 2009 program, which provides an opportunity for Russian orphans ages 7-12 to experience a summer in the United States. Call (888) St-Marys to register or e-mail msloan@stmaryservices.com.

March 11

Lyric Opera of Chicago Education Corps lecture: 3:30 p.m. March 11, Garlands of Barrington, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington. Barrington Chapter of Lyric Opera of Chicago's Outreach Community Education program presents "Abduction From the Seraglio" with lecturer Gary Pett. Free and open to the public. New and seasoned opera lovers are welcome. To reserve a seat call Jill, (847) 756-3200. lyricopera.org.

March 17

Writers Group: 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect. Author Lisa Rosenthal leads the library's Writers Group, where writers of all genres are welcome to discuss their works and other creative minds. Call (847) 253-5675 or mppl.org.

April 4

Poetry Writing Group: Meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, April, 4, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Writing group for ages 18 and up. Register at (847) 392-0100 or online at ahml.info

May 2

Poetry Writing Group: Meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, May, 2, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Writing group for ages 18 and up. Register at (847) 392-0100 or online at ahml.info

Ongoing

1950s House: Open 1-4 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays, April through December; Rolling Meadows Historical Museum, 3100 Central Road, Rolling Meadows. For details, and to schedule tour groups, call (847) 577-7346.

Long Grove Art School: Spoerlein Commons S.C. Suite 209, Arlington Heights and McHenry roads, Buffalo Grove. Class instructions are in oil paint, acrylics, watercolor, and drawing one 2-hour workshop/class for adults in oil on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. Four weekly classes are forming with a maximum of six students. Private instruction and open studio time. Four week classes for kids ages 7-12. (847) 634-2920 longgroveartschool.com.