Cheap stuff: Arlington art, Woodstock fiddle contest, Day of Peace

$10 and under Arlington artistsView the original works of 46 artists who live, work and enhance the arts within the community of Arlington Heights in the new "Arlington Artists on Display" exhibit, running through Jan. 2, 2011.1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum and Heritage Gallery, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Free, but a suggested donation of $2 is recommended. (847) 255-1225 or ahmuseum.org.Civil War itemsThe 30th Chicagoland National Civil War Collector Show and Sale hosts the traveling Abraham Lincoln Assassination Museum, along with Civil War artifacts, guns, cavalry swords and more. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester Road, Wheaton. $9; kids ages 16 and under are free. Free parking. (715) 526-9769 or zurkopromotions.com.Harvest Moon DanceThe New Beginnings singles group hosts its Harvest Moon Dance dance in the Hughes Center at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Schaumburg. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Guests are asked to bring food to share. 7:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 1001 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Tickets are $8. Call Joan at (847) 397-9643 for information.Smart Chicks Kick It TourSix authors of paranormal romance books will be on hand to meet with fans and discuss their writing in the literary Smart Chicks Kick It Tour, sponsored by Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville. Authors scheduled to appear at the event are Alyson Noel ("Dark Flame"); Kelley Armstrong ("The Reckoning"); Melissa Marr ("Radiant Shadows"); Jennifer Barnes ("Raised by Wolves"); Jackson Pearce ("Sisters Red") and Carrie Ryan ("Dead Tossed Waves"). 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, at Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Tickets to the event are free with the purchase of one the featured author's titles. Without book purchase, tickets are $5 each. Contact Anderson's Bookshop at (630) 355-2665. Visit smartchickskickit.com.Free Heritage Farm FestActivities for all ages are featured at the Heritage Farm Fest. Guests can find fresh produce at the farmer's market, see local dancers perform, pet animals at the petting zoo and hear live musical performances. Games, moonwalks and food are also featured. 8 a.m. to dusk, Saturday, Sept. 18, at Anderson Park, off Brown Road, Campton Hills. Free general admission. (630) 584-5700 or villageofcamptonhills.org.Fit as a fiddleWoodstock's Harvest Fest and Fiddler's Contest features plenty of fiddle music, a craft show, a farmers market, historical demonstrations and more.10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, in Woodstock Square, Van Buren and Benton streets, Woodstock. Free admission. Visit woodstock-il.com.Celebration of peaceThe Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva and the Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors invite the public to their community wide celebration of the International Day of Peace on Tuesday, Sept. 21. Chicago-based puppeteer Marilyn Price performs folktales and original stories for children, and adults can view and discuss two films, "The Day After Peace" and "Rethink Afghanistan." The event concludes with a program/discussion on preventing gang violence.Events begin at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21, at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, 102 S. Second St., Geneva. Free admission. (630) 232-2350. For a complete schedule, visit uusg.org or fvjn.org.Gergen's viewsCNN political commentator David Gergen presents a program on "The Obama Administration, Congress and the 2010 Mid-Term Elections" at Aurora University. Gergen will take questions from the audience.7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, in the Crimi Auditorium at Aurora University's Institute for Collaboration, 407 S. Calumet Ave., Aurora. The program is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, so reservations are required. Call (630) 844-4924, visit auartsandideas.com, or send an e-mail to artsandideas@aurora.edu.Fairs and festivalsEighth Annual Lake Villa Civil War Re-enactment and Living History Weekend, Lehmann Mansion, 485 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lake Villa: Camps and tours run 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, and Sunday, Sept. 19. Pancake breakfast planned for 7:30 a.m. Sunday. Relive the sights and sounds of the Civil War. Events include medical presentations, games, a pie auction on Saturday and a fashion show on Sunday. Admission is $5. lakevillahistory.org or lehmannmansion.com.CSBarks Festival, Armstrong Park and Aldrin Community Center, 391 Illini Drive, Carol Stream: Up to 500 dogs and their owners are expected at the CSBarks dog festival, featuring more than 30 vendors, dog Frisbee displays, fly ball demonstrations, an off-leash play area, pet health workshops and canine good citizen tests by the AKC. The festival runs from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19. Free. (630) 784-6100 or csparks.org/barks. Country Folk Art Festival, Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles: Free parking. Historic crafts, reproductions of American antiques, Halloween and Christmas items, whimsical folk art and some original antiques. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19. $8, children under 12 free. (630) 858-1568 or folkartfest.com.Elgin Short Film Festival, Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, red carpet arrivals; 7 p.m. film screening $5; 9 p.m. red carpet reception $20. WGN's Dean Richards is emcee. Top five films from various genres will be presented. Panel of judges and audience members cast votes for favorite. (847) 931-5900 or hemmens.org.Fall Family Fun Fest, Hawthorn Woods Aquatic Center, 94 Midlothian Road, Hawthorn Woods: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18. Admission is free; police department demonstrations and welcome from village officials. (847) 540-5228.Fall Fest Family Festival and Marketplace, Lake Park, on Lee Street between Howard Street and Touhy Avenue, Des Plaines: 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19. The event is sponsored by the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce Industry, the Des Plaines History Center, and Des Plaines Park District. Features live music, bands, food, open air market, Kidzone, carnival rides. The second annual Fall Fest Car Show will be held Saturday, Sept. 18. (847) 391-5700.Fall Fest, The Church of Holy Apostles, 5122 W. Bull Valley Road, McHenry: Americana meets Hispania from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, for adult-only bunco, 50/50 raffle and silent auction. $20 includes gift pack and desserts. Saturday, Sept. 18, kid's day featuring games, horse rides and more from noon to 3:30 p.m.; family Western/Hispanic dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. $10 adults; $5 ages 5-12; $30 family; 7 to 8 p.m. country style entertainment; 8 to 11 p.m. country music and dancing. Free. (815) 385-5673.Harvest Fest and Fiddler's Contest, Woodstock Square, Van Buren and Benton streets, Woodstock: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19. Farmers market, craft show, fiddling contest, historical demonstrations and more. Free. Visit woodstock-il.com.Harvest Jam 2010, 2330 W. Sunnyside, in front of the Queen of Angels Church, Chicago: Runs 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 19. Celebrate the upcoming fall season with carnival games, live bands, dancing, magic shows, pumpkin decorating, food and other family activities. Tickets available at harvestjam.com. Heritage Farm Fest, Anderson Park, off Brown Road, Campton Hills: 8 a.m. to dusk, Saturday, Sept. 18. Outdoor family fun. Farmer's market at 8 a.m., booths featuring local businesses and community organizations open at 10 a.m., local musicians and dancers take the stage from 11 a.m. to dusk. Enjoy a petting zoo, games and moonwalks. A variety of food will be available for purchase from local restaurants. Free. (630) 584-5700 or villageofcamptonhills.org.Heritage Fest, Route 72 and the bank of the Fox River, West Dundee: 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17; 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18; and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19. Entertainment, arts and craft show, games, children's activities, classic car show, business expo, antique fair, living history presentations, community breakfast and more. Free. Trolley service available Saturday and Sunday to festival from Spring Hill Mall. (847) 426-2500 or wdundee.org/heritagedays.Mount Prospect Bluesmobile Cruise Night, Mount Prospect Metra station, southwest corner of Northwest Highway and Route 83, Mount Prospect: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18. Themed classic car night. Visit downtownmountprospect.com. Oktoberfest Celebration, Slade and Brockway streets. downtown Palatine: Runs Friday, Sept. 17, through Sunday, Sept. 19. Hours: 4 p.m. to midnight Friday; noon to midnight Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free. Put on by Rotary Club of Palatine. Live entertainment, food vendors, beer service. Visit palatinerotary.com. Pioneer Day, Elk Grove Historical Museum, 399 Biesterfield Road, Elk Grove Village: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19. Join the historical society for an afternoon featuring military re-enactments, a petting zoo, schoolhouse lessons, various historic demonstrations, historic games and an historical society bake sale. Visitors can also stuff a scarecrow for $7, tour the farmhouse and view work by local artists in the barn. Admission is free. Activities take place on the museum grounds and pavilion lawn around the gazebo. Visit elkgroveparks.org.False14292000CNN political commentator David Gergen will speak on the Obama Administration and mid-term elections at Aurora University on Tuesday, Sept. 21. The program is free and open to the public.Courtesy of Aurora UniversityFalse