Northwest suburban pets & 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. Deadline is two weeks before event date.

Snowshoeing at Spring Valley: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. anytime there is at least four inches of snow on the ground at Spring Valley, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Rental fee is $3 per pair for three hours or less and $6 per pair for the entire day. Novices must view a short videotape showcasing proper use and technique. For information, (847) 985-2100.

Jan. 23Restoration volunteers: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, Citizen for Conservation headquarters, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Brush cutting workdays. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring work gloves. For information, call CFC, (847) 382-7283.Coexisting with Coyotes: 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. Chris Anchor, chief biologist for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County discusses the behavior of coyotes. Part of the 2010 Citizens for Conservation Community Education series. Donation accepted at the door. RSVP to the CFC office at (847) 382-SAVE.Dave DiNaso's Traveling Reptile Program: 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. DiNaso will bring in several different reptiles for up-close viewing and share many interesting facts about each one. No registration required. Tickets will be given out 30 minutes before the program. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Jan. 27Dog training class: Eight-week course begins Wednesday, Jan. 27 or Saturday, Jan. 30, River Trails Park District, 550 Business Center Drive, Mount Prospect. Learn how to use positive reinforcement to teach your dog good behavior. To register, call (847) 255-1200 or rtpd.org.Jan. 29Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive, Hoffman Estates. Jeff Terry, assistant professor of Physics at the Illinois Institute of Technology presents, "Power is Everything." Free, open to the public. Visit nsaclub.org.Jan. 30Heartland Animal Shelter benefit concert: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, Northbrook Theater-Northbrook Leisure Center, 3323 Walters Ave., Northbrook. Peter Mayer performs thought provoking and lighthearted folk-style music to benefit the no-kill, nonprofit animal shelter. $25; $30 at the door; children $5. For tickets visit heartlandanimalshelter.net or call (847) 682-2286.Feb. 1Lake County Audubon Society: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, Libertyville Village Hall, 118 W. Cook St. Cyndi Duda's will present, " Bees, Beetles and Butterflies: Why Should We Care About Pollinators?" Free, public welcome. For information, call Chris, (847) 362-5134.Feb. 2Four Seasons Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. Alena Gust, club president, presents a demonstration on making mosaic-style garden items from broken plates and glass. Call Alena, (847) 438-3981or alenagust@comcast.net.Garden Club of Lake Zurich: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 22480 Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods. Carolyn Ulrich, editor of Chicagoland Gardening magazine, presents "Small Space Gardening," imaginative ways to create a lush, beautiful look in a restricted area. Guests welcome. For information, (847) 550-0329.Feb. 4South Barrington Garden Club: Thursday, Feb. 4, South Barrington Park District, 3 Tennis Club Lane, South Barrington. Cindy Tyley demonstrates useful ways to save time, energy and money while gardening in "Tips for the Lazy Gardener. Anita, (847) 277-7151.Hoffman Estates Garden Club: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Certified Arborist Chris Mest presents, " Tree Care and Pruning." All welcome.Feb. 6Microchip your pet: Saturday, Feb. 6, Loving Care Animal Clinic, 2633 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. To schedule an appointment for your pet, call (847) 670-8488. Reduced fee of $25 per pet applies and includes registration of the microchip.Feb. 8Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club meets: Monday, Feb. 8, 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.Feb. 10Wheeling Garden Club: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First St., Wheeling. Chris (847) 537-8642.Rolling Meadows Garden Club: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, Community Center card room, 3705 Pheasant Drive, Rolling Meadows. "Tomato Lady Speaks" includes snippets and tips from six generations of urban gardening. Focus is on organic, heirloom and the number one garden crop - tomatoes. For information, (847) 818-3200, ext. 230.Feb. 11Read to Rover: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Grades 1-5 can sign up in person at the Ask Here desk for a 15-minute one-on-one reading session with a dog. No parents or siblings allowed in the room during the session. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Feb. 15Arlington Heights Garden Club: 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Gloria, (847) 398-2079 or gardencentral.oeg/illinois/arlingtonheights.Feb. 16Arlington Anglers Fishing Club: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, Dick's Sports Store, Martingale Road, Schaumburg. Sun Times outdoors columnist Dale Bowman talks about Chicago area fishing opportunities. Bob, (630) 688-0995 or arlingtonanglers.com.Feb. 17Tri-Village Garden Club: Meets Wednesday, Feb. 17, Hanover Park Branch Library, 4300 Audrey Lane. Annual dues $15. (630) 830-0118 or (630) 289-4253. trivillagegardenclub.org.Feb. 18Garden Club of Inverness: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Michael Nowak, host of a gardening program on ECPT radio, entertain the club with his insights into the gardening world. All gardeners welcome. For information, call Beth, (847) 934-7929.Feb. 27Lincoln State Cat Club Show: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 and Sunday, Feb. 28, Harper College, Roselle and Algonquin roads, Palatine. Fiftieth anniversary show includes "Best in Show, education ring, over 20 vendor booths. $8; children under 6 free. Visit lscats.org.March 20Spring Flower Show: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday March 20, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Celebrate the arrival of spring with over 30 exhibitors, product demonstrations and free educational seminars all day. (847) 359-1080.Midwest Bass Busters: Bass fishing club is looking for new members at any experience level. No boat is necessary. Monthly meetings are held at The Where Else Lounge, Higgins Road and Lively Blvd., in Elk Grove Village. The club fishes one weekend a month from April-October. Call Len (847) 870-7070.Stillman Nature Center: Volunteers are being sought to help in a variety of areas including, landscape maintenance, birds of prey and more. (847) 428-6957 or stillnc@wildblue.net.