Northwest suburban books & enrichment

Events related to books and events that enrich your mind, such as book signings, book club events, book sales, writers' group events, lectures, speakers, classes, forums and discussions. Deadline is two weeks before event date.

Sept. 1

Write it Now: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane. Creative writing support group for anyone who loves to compose and share works. (847) 259-6050.

Financial Savvy During Hard Economic Times: 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Join a team from Harris Bank for a presentation on the financial skills needed to cope in this economy. To register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Register for October computer programs: Registration for the Mount Prospect Library's October computer programs begins Tuesday, Sept. 1. For information about the programs or to register, stop by the library; visit mppl.org/events; or call (847) 253-5675.

Sept. 2

Food for Thought Book Discussion: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St. Discussion of best-selling novelist Jodi Picoult's "Nineteen Minutes." For information, (847) 253-5675.

Writers Workshop: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Writers can share and critique each others' work in a supportive atmosphere. To register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Sept. 3

Fall I Storytime lottery: Parents can register their children - birth through age 6 - for the Mount Prospect Public Library's Fall I Storytime programs through Thursday, Sept. 3. This session of storytime programs will run from Sept. 14-Oct. 23. Due tot the popularity of these storytime, registration is determined by lottery and is reserved for Mount Prospect Public Library cardholders. To participate in the lottery, sign up in person at the Youth Services desk, 10 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect. For information, (847) 253-5675.

Sept. 4

Pajama Storytime and Craft: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 13 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. The featured book will be "Splat the Cat" by Rob Scotton. For information call (847) 259-5704.

Sept. 6

Book discussion: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church, 1025 N. Smith Road, Palatine. The public is invited, free of charge, to discuss the book "Predictably Irrational: the Hidden Forces that Shape Our Decisions" by Dan Ariely. (847) 359-8440.

Sept. 7

Highland Park Group Hadassah North Shore: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie. Guided two hour tour of the museum, followed by a lunch discussion at Lakeside Congregation, 1221 Lake Cook Road, Highland Park. $26, tour, lunch and discussion; $18 lunch discussion only. Reservations due by Monday, Sept. 7, to (847) 205-1900.

Sept. 8

Quit smoking class: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, Cumberland Terrace Fieldhouse, 448 S. Warrington Road, Des Plaines. Quit smoking class for ages 18 and over, conducted by a certified hypnotherapist. $44-$55. (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org.

Do it Yourself Home Repair class: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. Ages 18 and over learn about glues, caulks, adhesives, tapes, paints, stains, how to repair a running toilet, patch drywall, and install a GFCI outlet. $18-$23. (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org.

Sept. 10

Nursing pre-admission exam: 10 a.m. Thursdays, Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 5 and Jan. 7; Friday, Dec 11; and Saturdays, Dec 5 and Jan. 9, Elgin Community College, Business Technology Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Pre-admission exam for student seeking to enter the professional nursing program. Registration required, visit nninonlinetesting.org/pax. Seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. $85. (847) 214-7219 or elgin.edu/testing.

"Ten Again-Coming of Age in Arlington Heights": 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm St. Join author and former John Hersey High School language arts teacher, Michael Bellito to discuss his fictionalized memoir. Book sale and signing after the program. Register at (847) 259-3500, ext. 35 or at phpl.info.

Sept. 12

Local author and illustrator Showcase: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 12, National-Louis University, North Shore Campus, 54202 Old Orchard Road, Skokie. Hosted by the Center for Teaching through Children's Books in partnership with the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Illinois Chapter. RSVP to CTCB@nl.edu.

Sept. 14

Route 66-Return to the Road: 1-2:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm St. Thirty years after starring in the CBS TV show Route 66, Martin Milner returns to the road for a journey on the Mother Road. After the film, Marci Glinski, recreation supervisor at the Prospect Heights Park District, talks about their upcoming Route 66 road-trip on Oct. 8, between Joliet and Braidwood, with interesting stops on the way. Register by call (847) 259-3500, ext. 35 or phpl.info.

Sept. 15

Mount Prospect Library Writers Group: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St. Writers of all genres discuss their works. Sponsored by Friends of the Library. $10 registration fee. Register and payment must be made in person. For information, (847) 253-56755.

Challah baking: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook, 755 Huehl Road, Northbrook. Chabad Women's Circle presents a mothers and daughters Challah baking evening. Learn the art of classic braiding and some specialties for Rosh Hashana. Also explore the meaning and significance of the Mitzvah of Challah. $8. RSVP to Miriam, (847) 564-8770 or ChabadNorthbrook.com.

NAMI class on mental illness: A 12-week class to help people understand and support individuals with mental disorders while maintaining their own well-being, will begin Sept. 15 in Barrington. Hosted by the Barrington area chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the class is 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Barrington High School. Registration needed; class is free. Call Maryrose at (847) 496-1415. namibarringtonarea.org.

Sept. 16

Historical Theatre-Richard and Pat Nixon: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm St. Veteran actors William and Sue wills bring to life the private side of Richard and Pat Nixon. Register at (847) 259-3500, ext. 35 or phpl.info.

Sept. 17

Clear Your Life of Clutter seminar: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. Seminar for ages 18 and over. Develop productive habit, stop wasting time, money and energy and take control of your life using hypnosis. $44-$45. (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org.

Sept. 19

Peace Day Celebration and Walk: Sunday, Sept. 19. Community -wide Peace Day Celebration, to commemorate International Day of Peace, includes 2 p.m. walk at The South Church, 501 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect; 3 p.m. ceremony, Mount Prospect village hall; 4 p.m. Peace Day celebration, at The South Church includes crafts, games, tree planting, food and live music. (847) 253-5010 or internationaldayofpeace.org.

Sept. 21

Travel Safe and Smart: 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21 or 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm St. Community education travel manager Linda Kerr discusses how to travel safe and smart. Hear new baggage and carry-on rules, how to stay healthy while traveling and everything to make your travel hassel-free. Register at (847) 259-3500, ext. 35, or phpl.info.

Sept. 23

Prospect Heights Book Review Club: Season begins 9 a.m. Sept. 23, at Rolling Green Country Club, 2525 E. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Breakfast and book review. Call Margie, (847) 398-8504.

Sept. 29

How to Take Great Family Photos: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm St. Award winning Daily Herald photojournalist George LeClaire teaches easy techniques to create exciting photographs of your children, grandchildren and family while reflecting their personality and environment. No experience required. Bring your digital camera. Register at (847) 259-3500, ext. 35, or phpl.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.

Start your job search at AHML: Business librarians Jason Kuhl and Barb Vlk man the Jobs Desk at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., weekdays from 1-4 p.m. to help residents start their job search at the library. Register for free weekday job programs like networking and resume review at ahml.info or stop by the Answer Center on the library's first floor. (847) 392-0100