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.

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.Garden Club of Mount Prospect: 11:30 a.m. social time; 12:15 business meeting; 1:30 p.m. program Wednesday, Feb. 10, Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Bill Kruser, president of the Arlington Heights Camera Club and art commissioner for the village of Arlington Heights, speaks on garden photography. Bring garden photographs to share.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. 13Spay Day USA: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 and Sunday, Feb. 14, PetSmart, 162 S. Gary Ave., Bloomingdale. Almost Home Foundation will host an educational and informative event about lost cost spay and neuter facilities, promoting responsible pet ownership, and other resources. For information, call Deanne, (847) 977-9774.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. 20Gardening Prep Workshop: 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, Libertyville sports Complex, 1950 N. Highway 45, Libertyville. Licensed physical therapists from Creative Rehab Center for Sports, Wellness and Rehab will teach you how to get your body ready for the fun and satisfaction of gardening without the aches and pains. Learn to stretch, move, lift and strengthen specifically related to gardening. Free to the public, registration required, call (847) 367-1504.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.March 27Hound Egg Hunt: 11 a.m. Saturday, March 27, Towne Square, 150 W. Palatine Road, Palatine. For ages 16 and over with dog. Dogs hunt for eggs filled with treats and have a picture taken with the bunny $6 per dog in advance. Call (847) 991-0333 for information or to register. 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.