NW suburban club briefs

News about club meetings and events. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.

DAR essay contest: The Twenty-first Star Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution announce its annual American History Essay Contest. All students, fifth-eighth grade are eligible. The 2009-2010 topic is "The Completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad." Deadline submission is Tuesday, Dec. 1. For guidelines and information, call Nancy Meyer at (847) 824-1150.

Choral membership: The Des Plaines Harmonaires seek new singers for its 2009-2010 choral programs. All levels of experience are welcome. No auditions or membership fees are required. Rehearsals are from 9:15-11 a.m. Thursdays at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1177 Howard Ave., Des Plaines. For information, call music director, Aplberta Fischer at (847) 699-0546.

Sept. 26

American Legion Oktoberfest: 6 p.m. cocktails; 7 p.m. dinner, Saturday, Sept. 26, American Legion Post, 208, 121 N. Douglas, Arlington Heights. $17 in advance; $20 at the door. Raffles and dancing follow. Call (847) 253-6632.

Square Wheels Square Dance Club: 7:30 p.m. round dancing; 8 p.m. square dancing, Saturday, Sept. 26, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 304 W. Palatine Road, Prospect Heights. Refreshments served, banner available through April 24. Admission $6. (847) 392-5512 or (847) 253-3206.

Nashville Songwriters Association: 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, Bartlett Public Library, 800 S. Bartlett Road. Songwriting workshop focuses on various aspects of the craft of songwriting and is suitable for songwriters of all levels and genres. Call Jeff Wilson, (847) 303-0737 or e-mail intproplaw@aol.com.

Sept. 27

Schaumburg Scrabble Club: 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. All welcome.

Wine Cheese and Conversation: 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, Lake Barrington Shores Recreation Center, 64 Old Barn Road. League of Women Voters of the Barrington Area and the Conversation Club of Lake Barrington Shores host "Wine Cheese and Conversation." Congressional representatives, state senators and representatives have been invited to present legislative updates and respond to questions about issues of concern to you. RSVP to Edith Maynard, (847) 304-6746.

Sept. 28

Mount Prospect/Prospect Heights Rotary Club: 12:15 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, Bogie's, 303 E. Kensington, Mount Prospect. Public is welcome.

Des Plaines Camera Club: 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, Community Room, Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Dempster/Thacker Street, Des Plaines. Club provides encouragement to members to expand their interest in photography. Meetings include workshops, lectures and demonstrations. Guest welcome. For information, chicameraclubs.org.

Square Spares and Pairs Square Dance Club: 7:30 p.m. Rounda; 8-10 p.m. Squares, Monday, Sept. 28, Park Ridge Senior Center, 100 S. Western Ave., Park Ridge. A Square dance club for couples and singles. For information, call Amelia, (773) 775-9427 or Al (708) 442-8646.

Oct. 1

Brotherhood of Harmony: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, Friendship Village Assembly Hall, 350 W. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Male a-cappella singing group for ages 18 and older. New members welcome. For information, (847) 985-9127 or (888) 494-8704.

Eli Skinner Chapter NSDAR: 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, Palatine Public Library, 700 N. North Court, Palatine. Sarah Scaravalle, bank manager and assistant vice president, Harris Bank Arlington Heights, presents, "Women and Identity Theft in Today's World." Refreshments served. Darlene, (847) 359-0839 or Amy, (847) 726-1778. DAR.org.

Oct. 2

Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, Hoffman Estates Park District Community Center, 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Open to the public. Free. nsaclub.org.

Oct. 3

Sons of the American Legion Palatine: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, American Legion Hall on Palatine Road. Call (847) 359-1606 or e-mail sal690.commander@gmail.com. Visit amlegion-palatinepost690.org.

Park Ridge Newcomers Kids Sale: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 260 N. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge. Kids clothing and equipments. parkridgenewcomersclub.org.

Lyric Opera chapters: 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, Mission Hills Country Club, 1677 Mission Hills Road, Northbrook. Highland Park/Deerfield and Northwest Suburban chapters of Lyric Opera of Chicago meet for a talk by noted opera scholar Patrick V. Casali on the differenced between Berlioz' "The Damnation of Faust" and Gounod's "Faust." Luncheon served. $45. Jerry, (847) 821-1267 or Murray, (847) 352-8876.

Oct. 4

Lyric Opera: 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, Barrington Hills. International soprano Kimberly Jones, accompanied by renown Mongolian pianist Maralgua Darjaa, performs. Wine and hors d'oeuvres follow the program. Lyric Opera members, $60; $75 for guests. Reservations, (847) 304-0422 or margitvogel@comcast.net.

Oct. 6

Polish Roman Catholic Union of America: 10 a.m.-Noon Tuesday, Oct. 6, 984 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Socialize, light refreshments, Bingo. (773) 782-2601.

Streamwood Woman's Club: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, Streamwood Police Department, 401 E. Irving Park Road, Streamwood. Fellowship with women, who work on local philanthropic projects and help the community. Open to women ages 18 and over, residency not required. Call Alison, (630) 673-1115 or amigala@comcast.ner.

Bartlett Woman's Club: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, Log Cabin, 102 N. Eastern Ave., Bartlett. Social followed by a general meeting and a presentation at 8:30 p.m. by certified laughter yoga trainer Rita Lopienski on "Laughter." For membership information, call Peggy, (630) 830-8407.

Northwest Suburban Needlearts Guild: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, Gloria Dei Church, 1133 Pfingston Road, Northbrook. Laura Cater Woods, acclaimed fiber and mixed media artist, will present, "The Elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water." Guests welcome. Needleartsguild.com.

Hawthorn Woods Women's Club: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, Village Barn, 2 Lagoon Road, Hawthorn Woods. Annual Love Fund Auction to benefit Love Fund charities, Lake Country shelters for women and children in crisis. hwwc.info. To donate auction items, call Marla, (847) 550-0755 or (847) 334-0755.

Oct. 7

Arlington Camera Club: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, Arlington Historical Society, 110 W. Fremont, Arlington Heights. Competition of member photos. Guests welcome. Call Patty, (847) 253-1471.

Oct. 8

Northwest Suburban Scooter Club: Meets 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. All Scooters welcome. For information and a ride schedule, visit northwestsuburbanscooterclub.com.

Oct. 9

Northwest Circle of Friends Social Club: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 for luncheon at The Grand Station Restaurant, 101 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $22 for lunch and a wellness program by Dr. Chang Haqn, a chiropractic physician and acupuncturist specializing in holistic health care. Reservations due Friday, Oct. 9. Call Michaelene, (847) 303-0312.

Oct. 12

Schaumburg Jaycees: 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, Fox and Hound, 1416 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Young persons leadership training organization (847) 879-1193 or schaumburgjaycees.org.

Oct. 13

Long Grove Lake Zurich Toastmaster Club: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, Ela Town Hall, Ela Historic Society, 95 E. Main St., Lake Zurich. Improve your speaking skills. All welcome. Glen, (847) 936-136 or Craig, (847) 304-2345.

Des Plaines Art Guild: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., Chicago. Chicago artist Gary Wick demonstrates the art of soft pastels as he creates realistic paintings from photographs. Members free; guests $3. Refreshments served.

Oct. 14

Elk Grove Jaycees: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, Elk Grove Village Bank and Trust, 75 Turner Ave., Elk Grove Village. Leadership organization for ages 21-41.

Oct. 15

AAUW Daytime Bridge Group: Meets Thursday, Oct. 15, at a member's home. $2 donation to the AAUE Education Foundation. Call Bobbie (847) 381-335.

Palatine Jaycees: Meet 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, Palatine American Legion Hall, 122 W. Palatine Road. (847) 604-0288 or info@palatinejaycees.org. palatinejaycees.org.

W.O.W.: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, Elks Lodge, 711 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. Widowed men and women of all ages are invited to attend the social gathering. Admission $5. Call Ron, (630) 653-5721.

Oct. 20

La Leche of Mount Prospect/Arlington Heights: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, Community Presbyterian Church, 407 N. Main St., Mount Prospect. Mother-to-mother support for breast-feeding mothers. Babies welcome. Jennie (847) 830-0570.

St. Joseph's Club of Italian Americans: Meets at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20, American Legion Hall, 121 N. Douglas, Arlington Heights. Men only. Visit stjosephsclub.com

Oct. 21

Arlington Camera Club: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, Arlington Historical Society, 110 W. Fremont, Arlington Heights. Critique workshop to discuss images from the competition with an eye toward improving them or learning why they work. Guests welcome. Call Patty, (847) 253-1471.

Morton Grove Group of Hadassah North Shore: Wednesday, Oct. 21, Château Ritz, 9100 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles. Fashion show luncheon. $18; $19 at the door for members. Call (847) 205-1900 or northshore@Hadassah.org.

Oct. 26

Buffalo Grove Afternoon Hadassah: 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, Grove Banquet Hall, 301 Weiland Road, Buffalo Grove. Musical entertainment by Regina Webster, acrress, comedienne and vocalist. $36. (847) 205-1900 or northshore@Hadassah.org.

Oct. 29

Bartlett Woman's Club senior luncheon: Noon Oct. 29, Oak Room at the Bartlett Community Center, 700 S. Bartlett Road. All area seniors are invited to this complimentary lunch with musical entertainment. Bring a canned or paper goods to be donated to the Hanover Wayne Township Food Pantry. For information, call Joyce, (630) 837-3177 or Peggy, (630) 483-0285.

Nov. 3

Palatine Kiwanis Club monthly lunch meeting: Monday, Nov. 3, Emmett's Ale House, 110 N. Brockway St., Palatine. palatinekiwanis.com.

Nov. 6

Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, Hoffman Estates Park District Community Center, 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Open to the public. Free. nsaclub.org.

Dec. 4

Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, Hoffman Estates Park District Community Center, 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Open to the public. Free. nsaclub.org.

Department 56 Collectors: Windy City 56'ers meet at 7 p.m. the first Monday from September to June at European Imports in Niles. For details, e-mail Kitty G ksgus17@sbcglobal.net or Al K dadchgo@comcast.net.

Bottle Decanter Collectors: Chicago Jim Beam Specialties Club meets noon-3 p.m. every third Sunday from September to June at the Wood Dale Park District. Dues are $20. Call (847) 824-1097 or Al K dadchgo@comcast.net

Illinois Fencers Club: Meets at Lions Park Recreation Center, 411 South Maple St., Mount Prospect. Mondays, 5-10 p.m.; Tuesdays, 6-10 p.m.; Thursdays, 5-10 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit illinoisfencersclub.org or call David St. George, (847) 356-5395.