NW suburban family calendar

Events specifically for children or teens as well as those for, including classes, park and library programs, music, dances, family fitness events, battles of the bands. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.

Jan. 4Anime Club: 4-5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Grades 6-12 can enjoy a new Anime movie or series and Japanese snacks. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Twitterature Fest: Monday, Jan. 4-Sunday, Jan. 31, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court. Month-long Twitter book discussion for prizes. Can you discuss your favorite book in 140 characters or less? For informaiton, e-mail Megan at teens@palatinelibraryl.org to receive your Twitterature participation guidelines.Palatine Parks: The Palatine Park District is now taking registration for a variety of winter programs at the new Falcon Park Recreation Center, 2195 N. Hicks Road, which will open Monday, Jan. 4, with the Grand Opening Wednesday, Jan. 9. Winter programs include classes for children and adults, fitness, dance and athletics. For information, visit palatineparks.org/falconprograms.html.Jan. 5Twitter 101 Lab: 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court. Instructional lab will have you twittering like a pro. For grades seven-12. To register, (847) 358-5881 or palatinelibrary.org. Cocoa and Cookies: 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 5-Jan. 26, Ahlstrand Fieldhouse, 6900 Catalpa Road, Hanover Park. Ages 3-5 learn about season of winter through weather, animals, nature activities, crafts and games. Warm cocoa and cookies served each week. $24-$36. (630) 837-2468 or hpparks.org. District 23 Kindergarten: Prospect Heights School District 23 is accepting names of children, who will be entering kindergarten in the fall of 2010. Children must be age 5 by Sept. 1, 2010. A call to the school office at Betsy Ross (847) 870-3868 or Eisenhower (847) 870-3875 will result in a packet of information being sent to you regarding registration and orientation. Registration will take place from 1-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, at Betsy Ross School, 700 N. Schoenbeck Road and from 2-7 p.m. at Eisenhower School, corner of Camp MacDonald and Schoenbeck roads.Jan. 6Legos at the Library: 4-4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6 and Feb. 3, Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane. Build something related to a book-based theme or make whatever you want. Snacks provided. Ages 6 and up. Drop-in. (847) 259-6055 or rmlib.org. Kids Boot Camp: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 6-Feb. 10, Prairie Lakes, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. Games, races, and tournaments with exercise for ages 7-12. $35-$45. (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org. Parenting a Child with Special Needs: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, JCFS, 1156 W. Shure Drive, Arlington Heights. Parents support one another as they discuss the stresses and challenges involved in parenting children with special needs. Ongoing weekly group. $15 per session. For information, call Pamela, (224) 625-2804.Jan. 7After school crafts: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane. Ages 6 and up make cool crafts after school. Drop-in. (847) 259-6055.Jan. 8Wiggles and Giggles: 10-11 a.m. Fridays Jan. 8-Feb. 5, Community Center, 1919 Walnut Ave., Hanover Park. Ages 12-36 months can enjoy climbing, sliding, jumping and crawling on equipment. Parents stay with child. $18-$27. (630) 837-2468 or hpparks.org.Jan. 9Enchanted Kingdom Puppet Show: 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 9, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. A variety of characters from various fairy tales will appear. For ages 4-12. Tickets given out 30 minutes before program. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.If You Take A Mouse To School: 11 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 9, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. Emerald City Theatre performs a live version of the popular picture book "If You Take a Mouse to School," by Laura Numeroff. Ages 3-6 can register at www.ahml.info or call (847) 392-0100.Jan. 10Chess Tournament: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Indian Trails Public Library partners with the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation for their second annual chess tournament. All play levels welcome; for first-graders and older. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Jan. 11Improving Grades: 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Learn to use the library to ge better grades, improve test scores and have more fun while learning. Register at (847) 923-4437.Jan. 15Drop in crafts: 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane. Drop into the library and discover a fun craft. While supplies last. (847) 259-6055 or rmlib.org.Jan. 18Mini Golf at the library: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court. Drop in for a few rounds of golf on the library's indoor putting green. For information, (847) 358-5881 or palatinelibrary.org. Knit your own scarf workshop: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court. Mosaic Yarn Studio in Des Plaines guides participants through a simple scarf project. Bring knitting needles (size US 35, 19 mm). Register at (847) 358-5881, ext. 132 or palatinelibrary.org.Jan. 20JCC Camp Chi info night: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, Jacob Duman JCC at Woodland Commons, 370 Half Day Road, Buffalo Grove. (847) 763-3551.Jan. 30Mysteries of the Spellbinder: 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 30, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Magician Walter King Jr. will perform state-of-the-art illusions for participants in the winter reading program. Call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.Feb. 3Legos at the Library: 4-4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane. Build something related to a book-based theme or make whatever you want. Snacks provided. Ages 6 and up. Drop-in. (847) 259-6055 or rmlib.org.Feb. 10JCC Camp Chi info night: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, Bernard Weinger JCC, 300 Revere Drive, Northbrook. (847) 763-3551.March 2JCC Camp Chi info night: 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, Jacob Duman JCC at Woodland Commons, 370 Half Day Road, Buffalo Grove. (847) 763-3551.OngoingSalt Creek Park District preschool: The Salt Creek Park District offers preschool for children, who turned 3 after Sept. 1. If you child is potty-trained three and four day programs are available. Call (847) 259-6890 for information.Schaumburg High preschool openings: Schaumburg High School has several openings available during the 12:15-1:45 p.m. session of preschool. The preschool meets Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from early February until late May. Children must te 31/2-5 years old, toilet-trained and current immunization records must be provided. $100, plus a $25 registration fee. Call Emily Wydra at (847) 755-4736.Teen Center Des Plaines: The Des Plaines Teen Center and Game Room are open 2-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; and 1-5 p.m. Saturdays. For a schedule of special events or information, call (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org. Education registration: Congregation Kneseth Israel is now taking registration for the new school year. Torah school for pre-K-high school, adult education classes and an award-winning youth program 6-12 are offered. The synagogue is at 330 Division St., Elgin. For information, contact the synagogue office, (847) 741-5656 or visit the Web site, www.ckielgin.org.Help for preschool: A free or reduced tuition program for families with unemployed parents is being offered by Christ the King Lutheran Preschool, 100 W, Michigan Ave. in Palatine. A family with one unemployed parent will be offered half price tuition; if both parents are unemployed, the child will receive free tuition. This will remain in effect for as long as is necessary. This will allow the child a chance for fun and to be in a nurturing environment. It will allow the parents a chance to go on interviews, actively job search and some time to relax. Unemployment brings an extremely stressful environment for families, this will allow for break. The tuition relief is available for all preschool programs, including the afternoon KinderClub. In addition, free or reduced tuition is available to military families. Those deployed in the states will be offered half tuition rates; those deployed overseas, free. For more information, contact Valerie Schultz, director, at (847) 358-0230 or visit www.ByFaithAlone.org.Tutor. com: Youth Services Department at the Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm Street, Prospect Heights will have a new online service. Tutor.com connects to a real-time live tutor in an online classroom to work one-on-one on homework, studying, test prep, etc. Available daily from 2- 9 p. m. via the library's Web site phpl.infoBefore and After School Care program: Weekdays, 6-8:30 a.m. and 3:30-6 p.m.; nonschool days (except major holidays), 6 a.m.-6 p.m.; Lutheran Church of the Cross, 2025 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Open to children ages 5 through 12. For details, call (847) 437-5176.Jewish youth programs: Beth Judea offers programs for third-graders through high school students, regardless of their Jewish affiliation. Kadinkers is the youngest youth group and is for students in third - fifth grades. It meets once a month on a Sunday after Sunday school. Yearly dues are $18. Kadima is the youth group for students in sixth - eighth grades. Kadima meets once or twice a month. Yearly dues are $35. United Synagogue Youth is the youth group for all high school students. This teen group meets on a weekly basis for an assortment of activities. Yearly dues are $40. For more details on these groups, contact Aaron at (847) 634-0777, ext. 114. Beth Judea is located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove.Creative Corners Preschool registration: Registration is in progress for the Des Plaines Park District Creative Corners Preschool 3-year and 4-5-year classes at the Administrative and Leisure Center, 2222 Birch Street. Call (847) 391-5700 or visit desplaineparks.org.Preschool fall openings: The Elk Grove Park District has openings in its 2 1/2 and 3-year-old fall classes, 225 W. Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove Village. For registration or information, (847) 364-7224 or elkgroveparks.org. Queen of the Rosary preschool: Queen of the Rosary School, Elk Grove Village, is currently accepting registration for its 3- and 4-year-old preschool program. For information, to schedule a visit, or to register, call Claudia, (847) 437-3322.