Cheap stuff: Fancywork Day, fossils, V-Day chocolates, 'Carnival'
Free Fancywork DayLearn about handicrafts, sewing and the art of keeping a beautiful home in Victorian times during Kline Creek Farm's Fancywork Day. Participants can learn about the skill of tatting (producing a series of knots to create lace) or watch crocheting, embroidery, hair work and quilting demonstrations. Expert crafters will be on hand to show how bobbin lace is made. Visitors can also try knitting and take home a pattern to make a small knitted purse. Info: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. Free admission. (630) 933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org.Facts on fossilsThe Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois is inviting the public to attend its program on Mayan Use of Fossils. Joel Palka, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois in Chicago and adjunct curator at the Field Museum, will discuss the Mayans and their cultural interest in fossils. Palka will also take a look at the history of Mayan writing and art.Info: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, in Building K, Room 131 at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Free and open to the public. Visit esconi.org.Say 'I do'Visitors wearing a wedding dress or wedding day tuxedo to the Field Museum of Natural History on Saturday, Feb. 13, can say "I do" to free admission. Whether your tux and/or gown is new or vintage, everyone is welcome to dress up and participate.Info: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. (312) 922-9410 or fmnh.org.Now that's a party!The Thunderbird Singles group hosts its free World's Largest Valentine's Singles Party in the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Woodfield in Schaumburg. One thousand or more singles are expected to attend this evening of dancing, raffles and get-to-know-you ice-breaking events. Snacks and drinks from six cash bars will be available.Info: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield, 1800 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg. Free admission. Call the Thunderbird Singles hotline at (847) 604-3446 or visit thunderbirdsingles.com.Choosing chocolatesLearn about and sample various types of chocolates in a Valentine's Day chocolate program at the Round Lake Area Public Library. Chef Mike Niksic will host the program that also features chocolate recipes to try at home. The program is designed for adults and teens.Info: 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at the Round Lake Area Public Library, 906 Hart Road, Round Lake. Free. Call (847) 546-7060$10 and under 'Carnival in Rio' danceThe Chicago area chapter of the USA Dance group hosts its Carnival in Rio dance party, featuring samba dance lessons for beginners and open social dancing. Info: Doors open at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison, Franklin Park. Samba lessons run from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. Social dancing runs from 8:15 to 11 p.m. Admission is $8 for members; $10 for non-members and $6 for students with an ID. Call (847) 577-9014 or visit usadancechicago.org.Celebrating the world!North Central College in Naperville invites guests of all ages to experience cultures from around the world at the 14th Annual International Festival. Sample authentic international cuisine, dance to various ethnic music and join in playing games and making crafts. Performers include the Wisla Polish Dancers and the McNulty Irish Dancers. Other highlights include a flag ceremony and an international fashion show. Guests are asked to bring their slightly used shoes to the event for donation to the not-for-profit Share Your Soles organization, a group that provides shoes to needy people around the globe.Info: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at North Central College's Merner Field House, 450 S. Brainard St., Naperville. Admission is $5. Children ages 3 and younger are free. Proceeds help support the college's scholarship program for international study. (630) 637-5132 or northcentralcollege.edu/show.Fireside FunStep back in time to play 19th century games and make crafts from the pioneer era during the Durant House Museum's Fireside Fun program. Authentically costumed docents will offer living history tours of the 1843 homestead. Guests can also visit the Pioneer Sholes School on site to see how youngsters learned so many years ago. Music: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at the Durant House Museum in the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve on Dean Street, one mile west of Randall Road and north of Route 64 in St. Charles. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Call (630) 377-6424 or visit ppfv.org.False18001200Learn about sewing and other craft skills at Fancywork Day at Kline Creek Farm.Courtesy of Kline Creek FarmFalse