Northwest suburban pets & wildlife

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.

Wheeling Garden Club scholarship: Wheeling Garden Club is accepting application for scholarship assistance for local resident wishing to enroll in classes dealing with horticulture, entomology, trees, landscaping or residential gardening. Call Joyce at (847) 537-0567 for an application.

May 2

Citizens for Conservation native plant sale: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 2, CFC's headquarters, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Native plant, shrub, and tree sale. (847) 382-SAVE or citizensforconservation.org.

Planters and garden art truckload sale: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 2, Vehe Farm, 23680 Cuba Road, Deer Park. Hosted by PEO Chapter IM of Barrington. First come, first served. Cash and carry.

Bark in the Park: begins 9 a.m. Saturday, May 2, Chicago's Montrose Harbor. Walkers, and their canine companions, take part in a 5K walk. Also includes obstacle courses, Denise Zak Animal Intuitive, Hawk City K9 agility demonstrations, dog and human massage, a dog/owner look-alike contest, cutest pet tricks and a canine fashion parade. $25 for adults; $20 for children 12 and under. (312)-329-8726.

May 3

Bird Banding: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday May 3, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Watch Mark Spreyer, a licensed bird bander, measure, weigh and record data about migratory birds. For ages 8 and over. Free. (847) 428-6957.

Wildflower walks: 2 p.m. Sundays May 3 and 10, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Explore Stillman's woodlands in search of ephemeral beauties such as white trillium, may-apple, Virginia bluebell, and jack-in-the-pulpit. For ages over 10. (847) 428-6957.

Cinco de Meow: 5 p.m. Sunday, May 3, El Sombrero, 1100 S. Elmhurst Road, Mount Prospect. Fundraiser to benefit the animals at Heartland Animal Shelter. Mexican buffet, raffles, music, games, prizes, more. $25 per person. Reservations available at heartlandanimalsshelter.net or send check to Heartland Animal Shelter, 2975 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook.

Native plant sale: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Schaumburg Community Garden Club and Spring Valley Nature Center host. Native prairie plants, woodland wildflowers, grasses, native shrubs and other eco friendly gardening items. Find order forms at schaumburggardenclub.com. (847) 985-2100.

Native plant sale: Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, May 3, McHenry County College, Route 14, Crystal Lake. Hosted by The Wildflower Preservation and Propagation committee. Cash and carry only, no credit cards. (815) 342-5146 or theWPPC.org.

Backyards For Nature Fair: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Earth Day, Arbor Day celebration with activities for the entire family. Plant prairie plants, puppet show, earth friendly activities. (847) 985-2100.

May 4

Chicagoland Shih Tzu Club: 8 p.m. Monday, May 4, Arlington Heights Public Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights.

Garden Club of Mount Prospect luncheon: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, St. Emily's Church, 1400 E. Central Road, Mount Prospect. Annual luncheon fundraiser followed by raffle of plants and garden-related items. $18 before Monday, May 4, to Kathy, (224) 234-0327.

May 5

Four Seasons Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. Joyce Grattoni, past professor and chairwoman of the horticultural department at Harper College, creates a summer decoration for your front door. $25. Alena, (847) 438-3981.

May 6

Reseda Garden Club: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6. Caron Wenzel, professional environmental educator, speaks on "Green Living." (847) 358-5825.

May 7

Hoffman Estates Garden Club: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road. Kay Moats will discuss rhododendrons and azaleas. All welcome.

May 8

Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 8, Vogelei Barn, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Richard Doctor, Argonne National Laboratory, Energy Systems division, presents "The History and Science of the Greenshouse-Astronomical connections." nsaclub.org.

Flower and plant sale: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, May 8; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 9, Faith Lutheran Church, 431 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Annuals, border and potted plants, flats, baskets and planters from Arte Verde. Benefits the Capital Improvement Fund. (847) 253-4839.

May 9

Spring plant sale: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 9, Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Selection of annuals and perennials, containers, assorted vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets, more. (847) 298-3500.

Spring plant and flower sale: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 9, Trinity United Methodist Church, 605 W. Golf Road, Mount Prospect. Variety of hanging baskets, garden flowers, vegetables, ground cover. Master gardeners on hand to answer questions, bake sale. Benefits United Methodist Women's Missions. (847) 439-0950 or trinitymp.org.

Reseda Garden Club perennial sale: 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 9, entrance to the Reseda Housing area on Hicks Road. (847) 358-5825.

Elk Grove Garden Club plant sale: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 9, Farm House Museum, 399 Biesterfield Road, Elk Grove Village. Garden plants, annuals and perennials, vegetables and herbs, garden decorations and magazines.

Field & Flower Garden Club plant sale: 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 9, Jewel parking lot, 150 W. Main St., Barrington. Perennials are freshly dug from member's gardens. Come early for the best choices. (847) 382-1869.

May 7

Free information seminar: 8-8:45 p.m. Thursday, May 7, Hoffman Estates Animal Hospital, 1056 W. Golf Road, Hoffman Estates."Toxins and Your Pet" by Dr. Sandy Behm. (847) 310-8668.

May 10

Wildflower walks: 2 p.m. Sunday May 10, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Explore Stillman's woodlands in search of ephemeral beauties such as white trillium, may-apple, Virginia bluebell, and jack-in-the-pulpit. For ages over 10. (847) 428-6957.

May 13

Rolling Meadows Garden Club: 6:30 p.m. May 13, Community Center, 3705 Pheasant Drive, Rolling Meadows. Designing with Victoria presents "Principles of Four Season Design," will be presented. Learn how to design a mixed border of evergreens, shrubs, perennials, annuals and vegetables. Bring a picture of your garden. Carol, at (847) 818-3200, ext. 230.

May 14

Buffalo Grove Garden Club plant sale: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May, 16, Alcott Center, Buffalo Grove. Variety of bedding plants, perennials, baskets, planters, accent plants, savory herbs, grasses and tomato plants. Pre-order at bgparkdistrict.org/in_gardenclub before Tuesday, April 14. For information, bggardenclub@comcast.net.

Training to be Top Dog: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 14, Elk Grove Public Library, 1001 Wellington Ave. Free seminar open to the public on common dog training and behavioral issues by professional dog trainer Alex Brooks of the Alex Brooks Canine Center in Des Plaines. Registration require, call (847) 223-5313.

May 15

Our House of Hope K-9 Rescue garage sale: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday May 15 and Saturday, May 16, 1816 St. Andrews Drive, Vernon Hills. Small furniture, household items, children's clothing, baby items, toys, games, books, more.

Benefits rescued dogs. ourhouseofhoperescue.net or (773) 552-4673.

Garden Club of Inverness luncheon: 11 a.m. Thursday, May 21, Inverness Golf Club. Installation of officers, luncheon. Deadline for reservations is Friday, May 15. Call Beth, (847) 934-7929.

May 16

Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club Plant sale: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 16; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, May 17, Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Center, 3849 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove. Perennial and native plants contributed from members' gardens, heirloom tomato plants, assortment of herbs. Penny, (847) 540-8212.

Buffalo Grove Garden Club Plant Sale: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive Buffalo Grove. The sale will feature a variety of annual bedding plants, perennials, baskets, planters, accent plants, savory herbs, grasses and popular varieties of tomato plants. Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions and assist in selecting plant material. For information, e-mail bggardenclub@comcast.net.

Four Paws Animal Foundation pet contest, bake sale: Registration from 10:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 16, Banbury Fair, 211 Railroad Ave., Bartlett. Judging begins at 12:30 p.m. National Pet Week celebrations includes contests, bake sale, pet photos. For entry categories, to donate baked goods, or for information, call (630) 289-0478

Park Ridge Garden Club plant sale: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, Hodges Park, Courtland and Vine, Park Ridge. Perennials, annuals, vegetables and herbs. Cash and checks only. (847) 692-2229.

Rolling Meadows Hometown Plant and Craft Sale: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 3200 Central Road, Rolling Meadows. Perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, fresh compost and leaf mulch. Crafters with outdoor and nature themed creations, kid's corner. Free admission. Carol, (847) 818-3200, ext. 230.

Wheeling Garden Club plant sale: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, Northgate and Dundee roads, Wheeling. Annuals and perennials. Helen, (847) 537-9279.

May 17

Bird Day: Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, May 17, Crabtree Nature Center, on Palatine Road, west of Barrington Road, Barrington. Spot migrating birds with the experts from Prairie Woods Audubon Society, view art work, survive the bird obstacle course, bird Bingo, more. (847) 381-6592.

Raptor Sunday: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, May 17, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Meet the great horned barn and screech owl, peregrine falcon and broad-winged hawk. $5 per car. (847) 428-6957.

All Breed Lurecoursing Fun Day: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, May 17, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton. Two runs $15-additional runs $7 if preregistered; two runs $20- additional runs $7 walk-ins. Lunch available for purchase. annes4@aol.com to register.

May 18

Arlington Heights Garden Club: Monday, May 18, Arlington Heights Memorial Library. Colleen Graudins and Toby Koch discuss why our soil is the way it is and what we can do to make it better. Kathy, (847) 259-5273 or kshend@aol.com/

May 19

Elk Grove Garden Club: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, Elk Grove Library, 1000 Wellington, Elk Grove Village. "Woodies 101-Underused and Small Trees and Shrubs. Free. Cath, (847) 593-0453 or cek379@sbcglobal.net.

June 2

Chicagoland Shih Tzu Club: 8 p.m. Monday, June 2, Arlington Heights Public Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights.

June 20

Bike Path Kickoff: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 20 at Crabtree Nature Center, on Palatine Road, one mile west of Barrington Road, Barrington. Pedal by ponds and through woods as you try out the new 10-mile bike path. Whole Foods has a fueling station; REI has a Bike Safety Rodeo for kids a basic bike safety check for adults. (847) 381-6592.

June 28

Park Ridge Garden Club Garden Walk: 2-6 p.m. Sunday, June 28, 408 S. Lincoln, Park Ridge. Featuring six gardens plus a raffle and light refreshments. $15. (847) 208-7269.