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.
July 24
Parker in the Park: 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 24, Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. Discover the wonders of the environment with this interactive musical show by Parker and his friends presented by Theaterbam Chicago. $5, $4 for groups of 20 or more. Call (847) 202-5222.
Yappy Hour: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, July 24, Meineke Park, 220 E. Weathersfield Way, Schaumburg. Activities for adults, kids and dogs include a DJ, wine sampling, dog agility course, crafts for kids and special dog events. Adults $12-$18; ages 3-17 $3-$5; dogs are free. Call (847) 985-2143 or visit parkfun.com.
Animal Art: Drop in from 11:30-5 p.m. Friday, July 24, Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St. Children ages 9 and under can create an animal craft. Adult must accompany children. (847) 253-5675.
July 25
Butterflies for Children: Noon-2 p.m. Saturday, July 25, Vehe Farm, 23570 W. Cuba Road, Deer Park. Presented by Hampshire Farms, Charlene Breitlow from Monarch Waystation, and the Vehe Farm Foundation for the village of Deer Park. Learn about local butterflies and the plants they use for food. Dress for the weather, takes place rain or shine. Free, to register, (847) 331-0967 or info@funoutside.org.
Arlington Heights Farmers Market: 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25, Eastman Street between Arlington Heights Road and Evergreen, downtown Arlington Heights. Fresh produce, seasonal fruit, plants, cut flowers, breads, Pastries, cheeses, preserves, kettle corn, cheese cakes, dry pastas, sauces, focaccias and cookies, mushrooms, fruit butter, more. Call Claudia, (847) 421-1860.
Park Ridge Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 25, downtown Park Ridge. Fresh vegetables, fruit, flowers, cheeses, baked goods, pickles, salsa, honey, artisan soaps, dog treats, more. Barb, (847) 318-5217.
Adventure in Nature series: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 25, Citizens for Conservation office, 459 W. Route 22, Barrington. Topic, Trees: Children will study some of the trees found on the Savanna and look at the different parts of the trees and the variety of shapes. For children kindergarten and older; adults encouraged to attend. $3-$5 per child. Free for adults. Register one week before class at (847) 382 7283.
Prairie Hike: 10 a.m. Saturday, July 25, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, on Palatine Road, one mile west of Barrington Road, in Barrington. Enjoy and identify seasonal blooms on a 90 minute prairie hike. Free, to register, (847) 381-6592.
July 26
Mount Prospect Lions Club Farmer's Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday July 26, west Metra station parking lot, Route 83 and Northwest Highway, in downtown Mount Prospect. Fresh farm produce, food, nutrition products, crafts, health services, family activities, cooking demonstration series, more. For information, (847) 682-0880 or MtProspectLions.com.
Bugs and Butterflies: 2 p.m. Sunday, July 26, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Join Stillman's naturalist and search the nature center's woods and fields for butterflies, beetles, grasshoppers and other bugs. If you've got a bug net at home, bring it along. Free. (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org.
Gardeners of the North Shore walk: noon-5 p.m. Sunday, July 26. Free and open to the public. Landscape homes of five couples will be featured in the villages of Northbrook, Deerfield, Riverwoods and Morton Grove. For information, (847) 945-2837.
Favorite Unusual Plants: 10 a.m. Sunday, July 26, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Learn about some favorite underused or hard to find plants. Free seminar. For information, (847) 359-1080/
July 28
Creepy Crawly Bug program: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, Citizens for Conservation Headquarters, 459 W. Highway 22, Barrington. Ages 3-6 learn about bugs through stories, a walk in the grass and a craft. Outdoor program, dress accordingly. To register, (847) 382-1300 or barringtonarealibrary.org.
Aug. 1
Adventure in Nature series: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, Citizens for Conservation office, 459 W. Route 22, Barrington. Topic, Birds: Children hike to discover the birds that call Flint Creek Savanna home during summers, seeing the variety of birds that live on the prairie. For children kindergarten and older; adults encouraged to attend. $3-$5 per child. Free for adults. Register one week before class at (847) 382 7283.
Deer Grove Restoration Project Open House: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, Walter R. Sundling Junior High School, 1100 N. Smith St., Palatine. The Cook County Forest Preserve and Openlands will hold an open house to provide the public with specifics of the restoration effort for the Deer Grove East Forest Preserve in Palatine. (312) 603-4932.
Aug. 2
Bird Banding: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Aug. 2, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Watch Mark Spreyer, a licensed bird bander, measure, weigh and record data about resident and migratory birds. Birds are not caught in a predictable manner, so come prepared to hike the trails. Free. (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org.
Charity dog wash and bake sale: Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, Jimminy Clippers, 1850 Rand Road, Palatine. Wash $10; nail trim $5. All breeds welcome, no appointments necessary. Benefit Midwest Dachshund Rescue. Bonnie, (847) 358-5105.
Aug. 3
Chicagoland Shih Tzu Club: 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3, Arlington Heights Public Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights.
Aug. 6
Garden Club of South Barrington: Thursday, Aug. 6, car pool to St. Charles for a tour of Country Garden Cuisine Cooking school and to view extensive herb and vegetable gardens. Call Anita, (847) 277-7151.
Butterfly Fun at Vehe Farm: 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, Vehe Farm, 23570 Cuba Road, Deer Park. Ages 2-8 watch for butterflies, hear stories, and make a craft at the Betty McLaughlin Memorial Butterfly Garden at Vehe Farm. Bring a blanket to sit on. Presented by Hampshire Farms, the Barrington Area Library and Vehe Farm Foundation for the village of Deer Park. Register at barringtonarealibrary.org. (847) 382-1300.
Hoffman Estates Garden Club: 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. "Shrubs and Bushes" will be presented by John Heaton, a landscape and gardening expert and the owner of Knupper Nursery and Landscape in Palatine.
Aug. 7
The Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive, Hoffman Estates. Programs cover various aspects of amateur astronomy, for program details and club information visit nsaclub.org.
Aug. 9
Worm Bin workshop: 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Create your own worm bin to help make compost for your garden. $20. To register, (847) 359-1080.
Aug. 15
Almost Home Foundation: Bowl-A-Thon: 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, Elk Grove Bowl, 53 S. Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village. To register, events.org/bowling.
Adventure in Nature series: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, Citizens for Conservation office, 459 W. Route 22, Barrington. Topic, Our Islands: Children explore the environment around the ponds and see how the islands are good for the water and good for living things. For children kindergarten and older; adults encouraged to attend. $3-$5 per child. Free for adults. Register one week before class at (847) 382 7283.
Dog Days of Summer Festival: Saturday, Aug 15, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Bring your dog for a fun day of events including a dog parade at 10:30 a.m.; dog wash from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to benefit The Buddy Foundation; and dog grooming from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. by Jimminy Clipper's. For information, (847) 359-1080.
Aug. 19
Tri-Village Garden Club: Meets Wednesday, Aug. 19, Hanover Park Branch Library, 4300 Audrey Lane. Annual dues $15.
(630) 830-0118 or (630) 289-4253. trivillagegardenclub.org.
Aug. 20
Once Upon a Bird: 10 a.m. Thursdays, Aug. 20, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Hear bird stories and visit a live bird or work on a simple craft. Come dressed to be outside. The program will be done in less than an hour. If it is raining, the activity will be canceled. For ages 4-9. $2/child, adults free. To register, (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org
Aug. 22
Orphans of the Storm Pooch Parade: Saturday, Aug. 22, Jaycee Park, on Wilmot Road, across from Mitchell Pool in Deerfield. two-mile charity dog walk. Prizes, refreshments, dogs for adoption. $20. orphansofthestorm.org.
Summer lawn care: 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. John Heaton, lawn expert at Knupper Nursery presents a free and informative seminar on growing a healthy, weed-free, green lawn - spring, summer and fall. (847) 359-1080.
Aug. 23
Sunday morning bird walks: 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Mark Spreyer will lead a morning bird walk for ages 10 and over. Binoculars and field guides are a must. If you don't have any, don't worry, Stillman does. If it's raining, the activity will be canceled. Free. To register, (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org.
Aug. 29
Tool sharpening with Joe: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Aug. 29, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Bring your tools to Knupper for professional sharpening by Joe the Sharpener. Fees vary by size of tool, cash or check only. Call for details. (847) 359-1080.
Microchip Your Pet Day: By appointment, Saturday, Aug. 29, Loving Care Animal Clinic, 2633 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. $25. For appointments, (847) 670-8488.
Aug. 30
Bird Banding: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Aug. 30, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Watch Mark Spreyer, a licensed bird bander, measure, weigh and record data about resident and migratory birds. Birds are not caught in a predictable manner, so come prepared to hike the trails. Free. To register, (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org.
Sept 2
Animal Rabies Vaccine and Microchip Clinic: 10 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept 2, Oasis Mobile Park, 7500 Elmhurst Road, Des Plaines. Available to all dogs, cats and ferrets 3 months and older owned by Cook County residents with valid ID. Rabies vaccine $7 for one year, $21 for three years; microchip for dogs and cats, $10, ferrets, $9. Cash or check only, no credit or debit cards. (847) 871-1717 or cookcountygov.com.
Sept. 3
Garden Club of South Barrington: Thursday, Sept. 3, at the home of a member. A DVD presentation of Audrey Hepburn's Garden of the World Tour. Call Anita, (847) 277-7151.
Sept. 4
The Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday Sept. 4, Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive, Hoffman Estates. Programs cover various aspects of amateur astronomy, for program details and club information visit nsaclub.org.
Sept. 18
Prairie Woods Audubon Society: 5:30 p.m. bird walk; 7 p.m. meeting/presentation Thursday, Sept. 18, Spring Valley Nature Center, Schaumburg. Pat Winkelman, president of the Vehe Farm Foundation will speak about the farm in Deer Park.
Sept. 21.
Prairie Woods Audubon Society field trip: 3-5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, Illinois Beach State Park, Zion. Meet at the North Unit parking lot or at 2 p.m. at the Bank of Palatine, Northwest Highway and Plum Grove Road, to carpool. Cyndi, (847) 776-8713.
Sept. 26
South Barrington Park District Pet Fair: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, Arboretum Mall, routes 72 and 59 in South Barrington. Various pet businesses, local pet shops, veterinarians, animal communicator, animal massage therapy, adoption agencies, contests, training demonstrations, photos, prizes, more. For event information or to participate as a vendor, call (847) 381-7515.