Cheap events: Political kitsch swap, library love
Cheap events? Contact Laura Stewart at lstewart@dailyherald.com
Free
Politics, past and present
Dealers and collectors can buy, sell and trade political buttons, posters and other politically related items at the Political Button and Memorabilia Show.
Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, in the Student Resource Center Building at the College of DuPage, at Fawell and Lambert roads, Glen Ellyn. Free admission. (630) 892-8525.
Love is ... your local library
The Ela Area Public Library in Lake Zurich hosts its annual Love Your Library Celebration for guests of all ages. Highlights include free custard sundaes, face painting and crafts. Performer Bobby Hunt, known as "Circus Boy," will juggle and ride what "Ripley's Believe It or Not" has deemed to be the world's smallest bicycle - a bike that fits into the palm of Hunt's hand. Guests can also meet children's book characters Max the Bunny and Mittens.
1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Free. Registration is not required. (847) 438-3433 or eapl.org.
For Abe's a jolly good fellow, which nobody can deny!
Join the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College and various Elgin community organizations for a celebration of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. Guests can hear performances by the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Elgin Choral Union and the Elgin Children's Chorus as they dine on birthday cake made by students at the Culinary Arts Center at Elgin Community College.
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Free. (847) 742-2411.
Another 200-year-old birthday boy
Abraham Lincoln was not the only famous person who was born on Feb. 12, 1809. Naturalist Charles Darwin was born on the same day. Storyteller and science teacher Brian "Fox" Ellis stars as Darwin in honor of the 200th anniversary of his birth. As part of the hands-on program, Ellis displays fossils, plants and animal skins for the audience. Along with honoring Darwin's birth, the program celebrates the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin's famed theory of evolution in the book "On the Origin of Species."
7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. Free. (847) 543-1202.
A garage sale (just not in a garage)
Stop by Mount Prospect's annual Indoor Garage Sale to browse through two floors of bargain-priced items including antiques, artwork and children's toys.
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at RecPlex, 410 W. Dempster St., Mount Prospect. Free admission. (847) 640-1000 or mppd.org.
$10 and under
'Animal Tales and Dinosaur Scales'
The Child's Play Touring Theatre presents "Animal Tales and Dinosaur Scales," a unique collection of stories written by kids for kids. Stories include a fable about a lion and a cloud, and the adventures of a rabbit on a quest for carrots. Audience members are encouraged to sing along with the performers on the stage. For all ages.
Noon and 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. Tickets are $5-$7. (847) 635-1900.
Getting your house in order
See hundreds of innovative displays of cutting-edge products to help homeowners improve their homes at the Old House, New House Home Show.
Runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, at the Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $7. Youths younger than 18 get in free. (630) 515-1160 or kennedyproductions.com.
Singles to hit the dance floor
The Young at Heart Singles Club hosts an evening of ballroom dancing for all ages. Ladies are to dress semi-dressy to dressy. Men should wear sports jackets or suits; ties are not required. No jeans.
8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the American Legion Hall, 9757 W. Pacific, Franklin Park. Members are $7; guests $9. Hotline (630) 415-3449. For directions to dances, call (847) 678-7068.