Northwest suburban pets and nature
Events that involve pets, animals and plants, such as pet washes, adoption days, nature walks, microchipping, nature photography exhibits, nature tours, bird walks, calls for volunteers for nature-related work days, etc. Deadline is two weeks before event date.
May 15
Our House of Hope K-9 Rescue garage sale: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday May 15 and Saturday, May 16, 1816 St. Andrews Drive, Vernon Hills. Small furniture, household items, children's clothing, baby items, toys, games, books, more.
Benefits rescued dogs. ourhouseofhoperescue.net or (773) 552-4673.
Garden Club of Inverness luncheon: 11 a.m. Thursday, May 21, Inverness Golf Club. Installation of officers, luncheon. Deadline for reservations is Friday, May 15. Call Beth, (847) 934-7929.
May 16
The South Church plant sale: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 16, corner of Shabonee Trail and Maple Street, Mount Prospect. Variety of flowers, bedding and accent plants, vegetables, and herbs sold, individually and in flats, as well as baskets and pouches. Proceeds support the "Plant a Row" garden, which provides fresh vegetables to the CEDA Northwest Self-Help Center Food Pantry. thesouthchurch.com.
Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club Plant sale: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 16; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, May 17, Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Center, 3849 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove. Perennial and native plants contributed from members' gardens, heirloom tomato plants, assortment of herbs. Penny, (847) 540-8212.
Palatine Garden Club plant sale: 8 a.m. Saturday, May 16, Jewel parking lot at Hicks and Dundee roads. Locally grown perennials.
Buffalo Grove Garden Club Plant Sale: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive Buffalo Grove. The sale will feature a variety of annual bedding plants, perennials, baskets, planters, accent plants, savory herbs, grasses and popular varieties of tomato plants. Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions and assist in selecting plant material. For information, e-mail bggardenclub@comcast.net.
Four Paws Animal Foundation pet contest, bake sale: Registration from 10:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 16, Banbury Fair, 211 Railroad Ave., Bartlett. Judging begins at 12:30 p.m. National Pet Week celebrations includes contests, bake sale, pet photos. For entry categories, to donate baked goods, or for information, call (630) 289-0478
Park Ridge Garden Club plant sale: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, Hodges Park, Courtland and Vine, Park Ridge. Perennials, annuals, vegetables and herbs. Cash and checks only. (847) 692-2229.
Rolling Meadows Hometown Plant and Craft Sale: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 3200 Central Road, Rolling Meadows. Perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, fresh compost and leaf mulch. Crafters with outdoor and nature themed creations, kid's corner. Free admission. Carol, (847) 818-3200, ext. 230.
Wheeling Garden Club plant sale: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, Northgate and Dundee roads, Wheeling. Annuals and perennials. Helen, (847) 537-9279.
Music of Nature: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 16, Bartlett Nature Center, 2054 W. Stearns Road, James "Pate" Philip State Park. Combine your child's love of nature and music in one class. Ages 4-8 with or without adult. $15. Register at (630) 540-4800 or bartlettparks.org.
Annual/Perennial Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the northeast corner of Northgate and Dundee Roads, Wheeling. For information, call Helen, at (847) 537-9279.
Prospect Heights Garden Club plant sale: 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 16, Prospect Crossing Shopping Center, Rand Road and Thomas St., Arlington Heights. Perennial plant sale features over 2,000 plants, all from members' gardens, and a Garden Boutique filled with gift items pertaining to gardening. Benefits city beautification, conservation, and Dollar For Scholars Scholarship. Ann, (847) 253-1223.
Build a birdhouse: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, Public Works Center, 2305 Pembroke Ave., Hoffman Estates. Children ages 6-15 are invited to build a birdhouse. Participation is limited. To register, (847) 490-6800.
May 17
Bird Day: Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, May 17, Crabtree Nature Center, on Palatine Road, west of Barrington Road, Barrington. Spot migrating birds with the experts from Prairie Woods Audubon Society, view art work, survive the bird obstacle course, bird Bingo, more. (847) 381-6592.
Raptor Sunday: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, May 17, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Meet the great horned barn and screech owl, peregrine falcon and broad-winged hawk. $5 per car. (847) 428-6957.
All Breed Lurecoursing Fun Day: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, May 17, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton. Two runs $15-additional runs $7 if preregistered; two runs $20- additional runs $7 walk-ins. Lunch available for purchase. annes4@aol.com to register.
May 18
Arlington Heights Garden Club: Monday, May 18, Arlington Heights Memorial Library. Colleen Graudins and Toby Koch discuss why our soil is the way it is and what we can do to make it better. Kathy, (847) 259-5273 or kshend@aol.com/
May 19
Elk Grove Garden Club: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, Elk Grove Library, 1000 Wellington, Elk Grove Village. "Woodies 101-Underused and Small Trees and Shrubs. Free. Cath, (847) 593-0453 or cek379@sbcglobal.net.
Arlington Anglers Fishing Club: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, Dick's Sports Store, Schaumburg. Professional Walleye Tour fisherman, Larry Conn, shares his walleye techniques. Tom Curtin, (847) 639-7858 or Bob Diebold, (630) 688-0995 or arlingtonanglers.com.
May 20
Perennial Plant Sale: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 20-Sunday, May 24, Christian Liberty Academy. 502 E. Euclid Avenue, Arlington Heights. Proceeds benefit the athletic program. Sharon, (847) 385-2026.
Vegetable gardening basics: 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Horticulture educator Matt Kosteinick, from the University of Illinois Extension Services, discusses how to plan and plant a healthy garden. Register at (847) 392-0100 or ahml.info.
May 21
Lincolnshire Garden Club: 11 a.m. Thursday, May 21, Enzo and Lucia Restaurante located at 343 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. The Lincolnshire Garden Club will hold its annual spring luncheon and program. Chris Wagner of Red Oaks in Long Grove will demonstrate her silk flower creations. The cost for lunch and program is $28. Attendance is limited. For information, call Jan Stefans, at (847) 945-6575.
Prairie Woods Audubon presentation: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 21, Spring Valley Nature Center, Schaumburg. Joe Lill, vice president of the Chicago Audubon Society, explains the impact of the 1934 book, "A Field Guide to the Birds," has had on society ad the environmental movement. Free. Prairiewoodsaudubon.org.
May 23
Prairie Woods Audubon field trip: 11 a.m. Saturday, May 23, Volo Bog State Natural Area, Ingleside. Guided tour with nature expert. Advance registration required, call Pat, (847) 934-0407 or pprich39@aol.com.
May 24
Doggie scavenger hunt: May 24, Kriser's in the Arboretum of South Barrington. Scavenger hunt will take people and their dogs throughout the dog friendly stores in the mall. Includes adoption event, more. Coincides with the Arboretum's block party. (847) 844-1921
June 2
Chicagoland Shih Tzu Club: 8 p.m. Monday, June 2, Arlington Heights Public Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights.
Four Seasons Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 2 at a member's home. Meeting and brunch. Installation of officers, bring a dish to pass. Alana, (847) 438-3981.
June 5
Four Paws garage sale: Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6. Four Paws Animal Foundation is accepting donations of general household items, children's toy, books, pet items, etc., in good condition, to be sold at its annual garage/bake sale fundraiser to benefit rescue/adoption efforts. Call (630) 289-0478 for drop off locations and information.
Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday June 5, Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive, Hoffman Estates. Public is welcome to attend. nsaclub.org.
June 6
Barkaritaville: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, June 6, Bark Avenue Daycamp,1540 Hecht Road, Bartlett. Fundraiser for the West Suburban Humane Society, allows pet owners, prospective pet adopters and all-around pet lovers to enjoy a day of food, fun and DJ entertainment all while raising funds for the shelter and care of unwanted and homeless dogs and cats in the counties of DuPage, Will, Cook, Kane, Kendall, Lake and McHenry. $25 per person; $10 per dog; $15 for kids under 12; kids 2 years and younger are free.
Salt Creek cleanup: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday June 6, Elk Grove Village. Meet at Elk Grove High School along the creek at 9 a.m., to help clean up in and along Salt Creek. Volunteers will be provided garbage bags, gloves and pick up stix to use. Dress for the weather and possible muddy conditions. Waders and or canoes especially welcomed. Contact Nick, (847) 828-1141 or creekguy@comcast.net.
June 20
Picnic at the prairie: Noon-3 p.m. June 20, picnic shelter at Margreth Riemer Reservoir, Quentin and Palatine roads, Palatine. Prairie Woods Audubon Society is hosting their annual Picnic On The Prairie event to thank volunteers and the community for its support, dedication and hard work on the prairie and for the environment. Free hot dogs, chips, and lemonade; kids' prizes; free tours; tips on native plants.
Bike Path Kickoff: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 20 at Crabtree Nature Center, on Palatine Road, one mile west of Barrington Road, Barrington. Pedal by ponds and through woods as you try out the new 10-mile bike path. Whole Foods has a fueling station; REI has a Bike Safety Rodeo for kids a basic bike safety check for adults. (847) 381-6592.
June 24
Farmers market: Our Lady of the Brook Catholic Community will be the site of a weekly farmers market in Northbrook this summer. The market will kick off on Wednesday, June 24, and will be held every Wednesday through Oct. 14 from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. The market will feature dozens of vendors, selling the freshest produce, flowers, organic foods, artisan cheeses, baked goods and much more. There is plenty of free parking, and samples will be available. Our Lady of the Brook is located at 3700 Dundee in Northbrook, and can be contacted at (847) 272-5686 or at www.olbparish.org.
June 28
Park Ridge Garden Club Garden Walk: 2-6 p.m. Sunday, June 28, 408 S. Lincoln, Park Ridge. Featuring six gardens plus a raffle and light refreshments. $15. (847) 208-7269.
July 10
Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday July 10, Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive Hoffman Estates. Public is invited to attend. nsaclub.org.
July 19
Arlington Heights Garden Club Garden Walk and Unique Boutique: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, July 19. View six residential gardens of varying styles. $10, benefits scholarships and conservation programs. Free admission to the Unique Boutique, which features distinctive garden ornaments, crafts and perennials at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W Fremont, Arlington Heights. Kathy, (847) 259-5273 or kshend@aol.com.