Northwest suburban 50-plus calender

Events that specify they are for those who are over age 50, including trips, classes, support programs, fitness and lectures. Deadline is two weeks before event date.

Medicare Consultations: By appointment through Friday, Dec. 11, Barrington Area Council on Aging. The BACOA is scheduling Medicare Part D consultation appointments for those who want to change plans or need information about their current plan, call (847) 381-5030.

Memory screenings: As-needed basis, Prairieview Building at The Garlands of Barrington, 6000 Garlands Lane, suite 100, Barrington. The Barrington Area Council on Aging is offering free memory screenings designed to promote early detection and intervention for those concerned about memory loss. Each screening takes about 10-15 minutes. To schedule an appointment, call (847) 852-3890.

Mushball: 9 a.m.-noon Mondays and Wednesdays Jan. 11-April 7, Falcon Park Recreation Center, Palatine. Program for ages 50 and up who want to come indoors to play 14" mushball on indoor turf area. Bring a bat; bases and mushballs provided. For information/registration, (847) 991-0333.

Northern Illinois Mens Senior Baseball League: The Northern Illinois Mens Senior Baseball League is seeking players, who will be 45 or older in 2010, interested in possibly playing baseball next year. Play is on Sundays from May-August. For information, (847) 772-0554 or lawdrl990@yahoo.com.

Dec. 7

Learn about Chanukah: 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, Wheeling Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First St., Wheeling. Rabbi James Gordon of the Claremont Rehab and Living Center presents, "Everything You Wanted to Know about Chanukah. Drop-in. (847) 459-2670.

Schaumburg Grandparents as Caregivers: Meets 10-11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2, Our Savior Methodist Church, 701 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Meet other grandparents raising grandchildren, share concerns, talk about interesting topics, more. Free child care. For information, call Linda, (847) 640-9590.

BACOA senior lunch and activity program: 10:30 a.m. Bingo; lunch at noon Monday, Dec. 7, Barrington Park District, 235 Lions Drive, Barrington. Bingo, lunch, Wauconda High School Chorus performs. To register, call Linda, (847) 852-3892 before Nov. 17.

AARP Safe Driving Class: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7 and Tuesday, Dec. 8, Arlington Heights Senior Center, 1801 W. Central Road. Fee applies, to register, (847) 253-5532.

AARP Safe Driving Class: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7 and Tuesday, Dec. 8, Wheeling Township Centner, 1616 N. Arlington Heights Road. Fee applies, to register, (847) 359-7730.

Walking Club: Meets 9 a.m. Monday-Friday, weather permitting, High Point Park parking lot, Hoffman Estates. Free. heparks.org.

Pocket Pool Group: 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday, CCIA Senior Center, 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Free. (847) 885-7500.

Dec. 8

Piano recital: 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road. Phyllis Muhling presents a piano recital and sing along. Free, to register, (630) 213-0100.

AARP Safe Driving Class: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8 and Thursday, Dec. 10, Park Ridge Senior Center, 100 S. Western Ave. Fee applies, to register, (847) 692-3597.

Mount Prospect Senior Advisory Council: Noon Sunday, Dec. 13, Wellington of Arlington, 2121 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Annual Christmas Party open to all seniors. A Mae West impersonator will provide the entertainment and door prizes will be available. $20 payable in advance at the Village of Mount Prospect Human Services Department, 50 S. Emerson St., before Monday, Dec. 8. For information only, (847) 870-5680.

Center of Concern holiday party: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, Park Ridge Senior Center, 100 S. Western Ave., Park Ridge. (847) 823-0453.

Volleyball: 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, CCIA Senior Center, 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. $1 drop-in fee. (847) 885-7500 or hepark.org.

Community forum: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, dec. 8, Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First St., Wheeling. AgeOptions is creating a plan for senior services in suburban Cook County and would like your input. Hear about services offered; discuss your needs; stay for the feature presentation, "Making the Most of Your Health Care Plan." For informaiton, (708) 383-0258.

Goodie bag giveaways: 6-8:30 p.m. Wheeling Pavilion Senor Center, 199 N. First St., Wheeling. Come and make up goodie bags for last minute gifts. Supplies provided. Sign up at the senior center, $3 per bag; $5 per bag nonmembers.

Dec. 9

AARP Safe Driving class: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 and Thursday, Dec. 10, Des Plaines Senior Center, 515 E. Thacker, Des Plaines. To register, (847) 391-5717.

Holiday party: 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14, Chevy Chase Country Club, WHeeling. Join the Wheeling Pavilion Senior Center for its holiday party. Luncheon, musical entertainment, faffles and more. $26, register before Wednesday, Dec. 9. Code 8953. (847) 459-2670.

Dec. 10

Spiritual program: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road. Program of dance, song, drama, storytelling and refreshments. Free. To register, (630) 213-0100.

Holiday party: Thursday, Dec. 17, Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel, 933 Skokie Blvd. Lunch entertainment, raffles and prizes. $30 for Northbrook Senior Center members; $40 nonmembers. Register before Thursday, Dec. 10 at (847) 291-2988 or stop by the Senior Center at 3323 Walters Ave., Northbrook.

Card/Games Group: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, CCIA Senior Center, 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Free. (847) 885-7500.

BACOA lunch at Greencastle: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, 445 E. Main St., Barrington. All Barrington area seniors are invited to attend this Thursday lunch program and Senior Social. Lunch served at noon. $5. RSVP to (847) 381-5030.

Dec. 11

Volleyball: 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, CCIA Senior Center, 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. $1 drop-in fee. (847) 885-7500 or hepark.org.

Free legal consultations for seniors: 8:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, Prairieview Building at The Garlands of Barrington, 6000 Garlands Lane, suite 100, Barrington. Attorneys from Spagnolo & Hoeksema LLC, Hoffman Estates, meet with senior to discuss estate planning, wills, power of attorney or other legal issues. For appointments, call the BACOA at (847) 381-5030.

Christkindlmarket: Meet 10 a.m. CCIA Senior Center, 1685 W. Higgins Road, for a trip to Daley Plaza, Chicago, for the annual Nuremburg Christmas Market, Christkindlmarket. Lunch at the market or Water Tower. Car-pool from CCIA Senior Center to the train station on Springinsguth, Schaumburg.

Metal Vibration Instruments of Tibet and Nepal: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road. Music therapist discusses the instruments, what they are used for and shows how they are therapeutic. Register at (630) 213-0100.

Holiday open house walk: 1-5 p.m. Friday Dec. 11, Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road. Visit with Victory Centre residents, see decorated apartments and tour the senior living community. Supportive living building from 1-3 p.m.; Senior apartments from 3-5 p.m. (630) 213-0100.

Holidays with Bach, Handel and Corelli: 1-2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, Northbrook Park District Senior Center, 3323 Walters Ave. Musician Jim Kendros shares the holiday music of Bach, Handel and Corelli. $5 members; $8 nonmembers. To register, (847) 291-2988.

Sociable Singles 50+ Group: Meet 7:40 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, for an 8 p.m. concert at the Barrington Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. Barrington Madrigal Singers perform classic holiday songs. Refreshments served. (847) 289-4420.

Sociable Singles 50+ Group: Meet 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, Village Tavern, Long Grove, to shop. Then return to the Village Tavern at 5 p.m. for dinner. Must RSVP to (847) 289-4420 before Friday, Dec. 11.

Freedom, Forgiveness and Fellowship: 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, Wheeling Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First St. Ongoing support gourp for older adults who suffer from depression, feel sad or unhappy at time during their lives. Program, "Battling Depression-Hope for the Holidays." Call Jan, (847) 459-2670 for information.

Dec. 13

Holiday recital: 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road. Performers and students of Carol Irwin of A & A Music Academy in Hanover Park perform a holiday recital featuring voice and piano numbers. To register, (630) 213-0100.

Dec. 14

Sociable Singles 50+ Group: Meets 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, Russell's, 2885 Algonquin Road, Rolling Meadows. Call (847) 289-4420.

AARP Safe Driving Class: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14 and Tuesday, Dec. 15, Palatine Senior Center, 505 S. Quentin Road. Fee applies, to register, (847) 991-1112.

BACOA senior lunch and activity program: 10:30 a.m. Bingo; lunch at noon Monday, Dec. 14, Barrington Park District, 235 Lions Drive, Barrington. Bingo, lunch, program to be announced. $5. To register, call Linda, (847) 852-3892.

Sociable Singles 50+ Group: Meets 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, Russell's Barbecue, on Algonquin Road, in Rolling Meadows. Annual Christmas party includes grab bag, food and toy collection, more. For information, (847) 289-4420.

Dec. 15

Senior Tea: 3-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Dec. 15, Jan. 19 and Feb. 16, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court. Features, books, sharing and refreshments. Bring a book you've enjoyed, any topic, and share it. To register, (847) 358-5881, ext. 166 or palatinelibrary.org.

AARP Safe Driving Class: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15 and Thursday, Dec. 17, Skokie Park District, 4701 Oakton St. Fee applies, to register, (847) 933-4960.

Medicare counseling: By appointment Tuesday, Dec. 15, The Center of Concern, 1580 N. Northwest Highway, #310, Park Ridge. Call (847) 823-0453 or centerofconcern.org.

Sociable Singles 50+ Group: Meet 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 for dinner at the Donkey Inn, Plum Grove Road, Palatine. RSVP before Tuesday, Dec. 15, to (847) 289-4420.

Dec. 16

BACOA senior lunch and activity program: 10:30 a.m. Bingo; lunch at noon Monday, Dec. 7, Barrington Park District, 235 Lions Drive, Barrington. Bingo, Christmas luncheon, entertainment. $5. To register, call Linda, (847) 852-3892 before Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Dec. 19

Blood pressure/sugar testing: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 19, The Center of Concern, 1580 N. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge. No appointment needed. (847) 823-0453.

Dec. 20

Mt Nesters Hanukkah Celebration: 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, Beth Judea, Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove. Featuring a deli dinner and entertainment by ventriloquist Chuck Field and Friend. $14.50 per person. Membership dues are $20 for the year. You need not be a member of Beth Judea to be a member of the Mt Nesters Senior Club. Call (847) 634-08777.

Dec. 23

Sociable Singles 50+ Group: Meet 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, at the Illinois Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, for lunch and a self-guided tour. Museum closes at 4 p.m. Museum admission is $8; $6 seniors. RSVP to (847) 289-4420 before Wednesday, Dec. 23.

Ongoing

Sociable Singles 50+ Group: Meetings held at 6 p.m., second Monday of each month at Russell's Barbecue, 2885 Algonquin Road, Rolling Meadows. Meet new friends for weekly events including dinners, plays, walks, sports and travel. Call the hotline (847) 289-4420 for more information.

Aqua Arthritis: 10:15-11 a.m. and 5:45-6:30 p.m. Mondays, 10-10:45 a.m. Tuesdays, 5:45-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, and 10-10:45 a.m. and 11-11:45 a.m. Thursdays, Buffalo Grove Fitness Center 601 West Deerfield Parkway, Buffalo Grove. A Certified Arthritis Foundation Instructor will lead exercises designed to increase strength in muscles and joints. Attend per class or register for an eight-week session. Classes begin the week of Aug. 24. Registration is required. Call (847) 353-7526.