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

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. 5

Arlington Heights Farmers Market: 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 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, Sept. 5, downtown Park Ridge. Fresh vegetables, fruit, flowers, cheeses, baked goods, pickles, salsa, honey, artisan soaps, dog treats, more. Barb, (847) 318-5217.

Garden Club of Lake Zurich fall plant sale: 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 5, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Features locally grown perennials from member's gardens and seasonal perennials. For information, (847) 550-0329.

BanburyFest: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, Banbury Fair, 211 Railroad Ave., Bartlett. Dog wash and bake sale fundraiser to benefit Four Paws Animal Foundation. $10. Also on Sunday, Sept. 6, a dress your pet contest and sidewalk parade will be held at 11 a.m. For information, (630) 289-0478.

Sept. 6

Mount Prospect Lions Club Farmer's Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday Sept. 6, 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.

Sept. 9

Wheeling Garden Club: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First St., Wheeling. Lori Hazelwood, Forester of the village of Wheeling, presents "Prepare Your Shrubs and Trees for the Winter." Business meeting follows the program. Public invited. Ken, (847) 537-8642.

Rolling Meadows Garden Club: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, Community Center, 3705 Pheasant Drive, Rolling Meadows. Mari Mackenbach presents "Arranging with Everlastings."

Mount Prospect Garden Club: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Learn about the life cycle of Monarch butterflies plus butterfly release. For information, call Ginny, (847) 398-1213.

Sept. 10

Canine Carnival: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 262 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. Includes games, raffles, dog body painting, fun house, photo opportunities, more. $5 per dog with one handler, who must be age 16 and over. Fee for additional friends and family is $1. Dogs must wear current tags and be leashed at all times. For information, call (847) 991-0333.

Native Seed Gardeners seed drives: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Thursdays and Saturday's and 3:30-5 p.m. Sundays, Citizens for Conservation headquarters, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Volunteers collect seeds from natural populations in the Barrington area. Visit NativeSeedGardeners.org.

Sept. 12

Bees, wasps and hornets: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Presentation includes life histories, local varieties and some useful tips. (847) 381-6592.

Fall Harvest celebration: 5-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, Citizens Park Pavilion, 511 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington. Hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, silent auction. Benefits Smart Farm of Barrington. $50. (847) 382-8040 or smartfarms.org.

Sept. 14

Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club meets: Monday, Sept. 14, Reed Turner Nature Center, 3851 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Club offers gardening programs, events, projects and filed trip to all levels of gardeners. For information, call Ivy, (847) 800-5000.

Sept. 15

Training to be Top Dog: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton, Ave. Alex Brooks of the Alex Brooks Canine Center in Des Plaines present an instructional seminar, "Training to be Top Dog: Guiding Your Pet to Good Behavior." Common dog training and behavioral issues will be discussed. Free and open to the public. To register, (847) 392-0100.

Sept. 16

Tri-Village Garden Club: Meets Wednesday, Sept. 16, Hanover Park Branch Library, 4300 Audrey Lane. Annual dues $15. (630) 830-0118 or (630) 289-4253. trivillagegardenclub.org.

Sept. 17

Garden Club of Inverness: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. William Buckley, president of the Illinois Beekeepers Association and a beekeeper, address the membership. All gardeners welcome. For information, call Beth, (847) 934-7929.

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. 20

Prairie Pik'n: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Learn about prairie restoration and help collect seeds with a naturalist in one of the center's local prairie fields. Hat, sturdy shoes and long pants recommended. (847) 381-6592.

HOGS for Dogs Charity Ride: 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, Heartland Animal Shelter, 2975 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Leisurely 75-mile observation ride to benefit Heartland Animal Shelter includes food, raffle, music and more. Ride ends at Jesse Oaks, 18490 E. Old Gages Lake Road, Gages Lake. For registration information, visit heartlandanimalshelter.net.

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. 22

Bird walks: 8 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 22 and 29, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Join the Natural History Society of Barrington to observe resident and migrating birds. Meet in the parking lot. (847) 381-6592.

Sept. 25

Field of Dreams Mane Event: 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, St. Charles Country Club, 1250 Country Club Road, St. Charles. Silent and live auctions to benefit Field of Dreams Horse Rescue and Adoption. $50, dressy casual, no jeans. RSVP before Sept. 25, to Chris, (847) 431-6302.

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.

Autumn Ramble: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Enjoy the last flowers of summer and the first colors of fall during a walk through woods and prairies. (847) 381-6592.

Northwest Suburban Astronomers star party: 7 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Sept. 26, Marengo Ridge Conservation Area, Shelter #2, wast side of Illinois Route 23 about two miles north of the town of Marengo. Look at stars, galaxies, nebulae and star clusters with the help of NSA member telescopes.

Sept. 29

Bird walks: 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Join the Natural History Society of Barrington to observe resident and migrating birds. Meet in the parking lot. (847) 381-6592.

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. 6

Four Seasons Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Oct. 6, at a members home. Kickoff meeting of the 2009/2010 season. Includes brunch, bring a dish to pass; discussion of 2009 garden successes; and perennial exchange. Alana, (847) 438-3981.

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.