NW Suburban pets & 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. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.

Aug. 7

The Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive, Hoffman Estates. For program details and club information visit nsaclub.org.

Full Moon Awakening Hike: 8-9:30 p.m. Friday Aug. 7, Reed Turner Woodland Nature Center, 3849 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Walk along Reed-Turner Woods trails to enjoy hidden mysteries in the night. Open to all ages, children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. Cost $7 per person. To register, call (847) 438-4743.

Aug. 8

Putts for Pups: Check in 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, Poplar Creek Country Club, 1400 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates. Chicagoland Dog Rescue's annual "Putts for Pups" golf event, dinner, raffle and silent auction to benefit homeless dogs. The cost it $65 for golf, $30 for dinner, or $90 for golf and dinner. Dinner begins with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. Chicagolanddogrescue.org or call (847) 524-0423.

Arlington Heights Farmers Market: 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, 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, Aug. 8, downtown Park Ridge. Fresh vegetables, fruit, flowers, cheeses, baked goods, pickles, salsa, honey, artisan soaps, dog treats, more. Barb, (847) 318-5217.

Meet and greet: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, PETCO, 60 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg. Come meet As Good As Gold Golden Retriever Rescue of Northern Illinois volunteers and their rescued goldens and learn about volunteer opportunities and adoption procedures.

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.

Pond Life - Get the Whole Scoop: 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Families will use long-handled dip nets to scoop the pond in hopes of catching crayfish, dragonfly larvae, tadpoles and other rarely-seen pond creatures. Dress in clothes and shoes that can get muddy. Free. (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org.

Mount Prospect Lions Club Farmer's Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday Aug. 9, 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.

Bugapalooza: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, Crabtree Nature Center, on Palatine Road one mile west of Barrington Road. Talk a close look at insects. Includes live insects, crafts and activities throughout the day. Free. (847) 381-6592.

Aug. 12

Lizard King at the Nature Center: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, Bartlett Nature Center, 2054 W. Stearns Road, Bartlett. Ages 3-10. Includes a take home project. Registration required, call (630) 540-4800 or bartlettparks.org.

Wheeling Garden Club field trip: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. The Wheeling Garden Club will host a business meeting and field trip, including the Model Railroad Garden, at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Admission to the Railroad Garden is $5 for nonmembers, free admission to club members. For information, call Chris, at (847) 537-8642.

Web of Life: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, Crabtree Nature Center, on Palatine Road one mile west of Barrington Road. Join a naturalist on a hike through various ecosystems at Crabtree to observe and identify animals and determine how these animals are important in Crabtree's web of life. Free. (847) 381-6592.

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.

Animal Rescue Fundraiser: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, 2192 Cary Road, Algonquin. Fur Keeps Animal Rescue and No Splitting Hares Rabbit Rescue will host food and drink vendors, a 50/50 Raffle, a D.J., a silent auction, face-painting, and an adoption event. Donations of supplies to fill a large animal crate are encouraged. For information, contact Rena, at (847) 742-4836, or gingerbreadqueen@msn.com.

Blood Suckers: 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, Crabtree Nature Center, on Palatine Road, one mile west off Barrington Road. The life fluid of most animals is a meal for others. Come and see why some creatures seek this unique food. Free. (847) 381-6592.

Aug. 16

Illinois Doberman Rescue adoptathon: Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, K-9 Playtime Inc., 403 Washington Blvd., unit 1, Mundelein. Visit ildoberrescue.com.

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: Schedule a time on Saturday, Aug. 29, Loving Care Animal Clinic, 2633 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Have your pet safely identified with a permanent microchip that gets injected under the skin, that animal shelters, police departments and animal clinics can scan to identify the animal. Dogs, cats, horses, birds, reptiles and exotics can be chipped; $25 per pet. To schedule an appointment call (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.

Oct. 1

Garden Club of South Barrington: Thursday, Oct. 1. Slide presentation, "Garden Rooms Without Walls." Speaker Shirley Remes, Better Homes and Gardens field editor, presents a program on how to create garden rooms in your yard. Call Anita, (847) 277-7151.

Oct. 2

The Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 2, Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive, Hoffman Estates. Programs cover various aspects of amateur astronomy, for program details and club information visit nsaclub.org.

Oct. 11

Prairie Woods Audubon Society: 3 p.m.-dusk, Sunday, Oct. 11, Stillman Nature Center, South Barrington. "The Big Sit." Bring a folding chair, munchies and beverage and sit and count the bird species. Meet at the dock/picnic area. Cyndi, (847) 776-8713.

Nov. 6

The Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive, Hoffman Estates. Programs cover various aspects of amateur astronomy, for program details and club information visit nsaclub.org.

Dec. 4

The Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 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.

Midwest Bass Busters: Bass fishing club is looking for new members at any experience level. No boat is necessary. Monthly meetings are held at The Where Else Lounge, Higgins Road and Lively Blvd., in Elk Grove Village. The club fishes one weekend a month from April-October. Call Len (847) 870-7070.

Garden Club of Inverness scholarships: Students who live in the area serviced by District 211 and Barrington High School and who plan to major in horticulture or environmentally related studies in college are invited to apply. Applications available at the guidance officers in District 211 and Barrington High School.

Plant a garden: Garden Plots are available free to residents interested in doing a little gardening. The plots are located in the rear of Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff, Arlington Heights. Space is limited. To determine availability, call (847) 392-6650 for information.

Nippersink Garden Club: A new garden club is forming to serve northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Members of the Nippersink Garden Club are coming together because of the love of gardening and the love of the Nippersink Creek area and waterways. Membership is open to all interested men, women and their children. Membership will be free and 2009 meetings are yet to be determined. Visit nippersinkgardenclub.org or contact Stacy at (262) 279-5992 for details.

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.

Be Citizens for Conservation volunteer: Citizens for Conservation restoration volunteers work from 9-11 a.m. every Thursday and Saturday. Jobs include: sowing legume seed, cutting brush, rescuing native plants and planting sedges. Meet at 459 West Highway 22 in Lake Barrington. Look for the white farmhouse with a silo across from Good Shepherd Hospital. Bring work gloves, dress for the weather, tools provided. For information, call (847) 382-7283.