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.

Aug. 15

Almost Home Foundation: Bowl-A-Thon: 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, Elk Grove Bowl, 53 S. Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village. To register, events.org/bowling.

Adventure in Nature series: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, Citizens for Conservation office, 459 W. Route 22, Barrington. Topic, Our Islands: Children explore the environment around the ponds and see how the islands are good for the water and good for living things. For children kindergarten and older; adults encouraged to attend. $3-$5 per child. Free for adults. (847) 382 7283.

Dog Days of Summer Festival: Saturday, Aug 15, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Bring your dog for a fun day of events including a dog parade at 10:30 a.m.; dog wash from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to benefit The Buddy Foundation; and dog grooming from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. by Jimminy Clipper's. For information, (847) 359-1080.

Animal Rescue Fundraiser: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, 2192 Cary Road, Algonquin. Fur Keeps Animal Rescue and No Splitting Hares Rabbit Rescue hosts food and drink vendors, a 50/50 Raffle, a D.J., a silent auction, face-painting, and an adoption event. Donations of supplies to fill a large animal crate are encouraged. For information, contact Rena, at (847) 742-4836, or gingerbreadqueen@msn.com.

Blood Suckers: 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, Crabtree Nature Center, on Palatine Road, one mile west off Barrington Road. The life fluid of most animals is a meal for others. Come and see why some creatures seek this unique food. Free. (847) 381-6592.

Arlington Heights Farmers Market: 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, Eastman Street between Arlington Heights Road and Evergreen, downtown Arlington Heights. Fresh produce, seasonal fruit, plants, cut flowers, breads, Pastries, cheeses, preserves, kettle corn, cheese cakes, dry pastas, sauces, focaccias and cookies, mushrooms, fruit butter, more. Call Claudia, (847) 421-1860.

Park Ridge Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, downtown Park Ridge. Fresh vegetables, fruit, flowers, cheeses, baked goods, pickles, salsa, honey, artisan soaps, dog treats, more. Barb, (847) 318-5217.

Four Paws Animal Foundation dog wash/bake sale: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, Banbury Fair, 211 Railroad Ave., Bartlett. Volunteers wash and towel dry your dog for a $10 donation to the organization. (630) 289-0478.

Nippersink Garden Club: 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, for a tour of the Tobias Organic Farm, 10715 Breezy Lawn Road, Spring Grove. Meeting follows at 11 a.m. at the home of Jan Erdmann in Spring Grove. Public is welcome. For information, nippersinkgardenclub.org or call Jan, (815) 675-6760.

Aug. 16

Illinois Doberman Rescue adoptathon: Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, K-9 Playtime Inc., 403 Washington Blvd., unit 1, Mundelein. Visit ildoberrescue.com.

Mount Prospect Lions Club Farmer's Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday Aug. 16, west Metra station parking lot, Route 83 and Northwest Highway, in downtown Mount Prospect. Fresh farm produce, food, nutrition products, crafts, health services, family activities, cooking demonstration series, more. For information, (847) 682-0880 or MtProspectLions.com.

Aug. 18

Elk Grove Garden Club: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, Elk Grove Village Public Library, 1001 Wellington Ave. Pat Miller discusses Body Smart Gardening. For information, call Cathy, (847) 593-0453 or cek379@sbcglobal.net.

Aug. 19

Tri-Village Garden Club: Meets Wednesday, Aug. 19, Hanover Park Branch Library, 4300 Audrey Lane. Annual dues $15. (630) 830-0118 or (630) 289-4253. trivillagegardenclub.org.

Aug. 20

Once Upon a Bird: 10 a.m. Thursdays, Aug. 20, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Hear bird stories and visit a live bird or work on a simple craft. Come dressed to be outside. The program will be done in less than an hour. If it is raining, the activity will be canceled. For ages 4-9. $2/child, adults free. To register, (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org

Aug. 22

Orphans of the Storm Pooch Parade: Saturday, Aug. 22, Jaycee Park, on Wilmot Road, across from Mitchell Pool in Deerfield. two-mile charity dog walk. Prizes, refreshments, dogs for adoption. $20. orphansofthestorm.org.

Summer lawn care: 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. John Heaton, lawn expert at Knupper Nursery presents a free and informative seminar on growing a healthy, weed-free, green lawn - spring, summer and fall. (847) 359-1080.

Aug. 23

Sunday morning bird walks: 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Mark Spreyer will lead a morning bird walk for ages 10 and over. Binoculars and field guides are a must. If you don't have any, don't worry, Stillman does. If it's raining, the activity will be canceled. Free. To register, (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org.

Aug. 29

Tool sharpening with Joe: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Aug. 29, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Bring your tools to Knupper for professional sharpening by Joe the Sharpener. Fees vary by size of tool, cash or check only. Call for details. (847) 359-1080.

Microchip Your Pet: Schedule a time on Saturday, Aug. 29, Loving Care Animal Clinic, 2633 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Have your pet safely identified with a permanent microchip that gets injected under the skin, that animal shelters, police departments and animal clinics can scan to identify the animal. Dogs, cats, horses, birds, reptiles and exotics can be chipped; $25 per pet. To schedule an appointment call (847) 670-8488.

Bark for Life: 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, Sugar Grove Dog Park. First American Cancer Society Bark for life of Fox Valley includes one-mile walk for dogs and their owners., vendors, doggie camp, contests, more. Benefits research, cancer education, patient services, advocacy efforts of the American Cancer Society. (630) 879-9009 or barkforlifefoxv5alley.com.

Aug. 30

Bird Banding: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Aug. 30, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Watch Mark Spreyer, a licensed bird bander, measure, weigh and record data about resident and migratory birds. Birds are not caught in a predictable manner, so come prepared to hike the trails. Free. To register, (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org.

Sept. 1

Four Seasons Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Sept. 1, at a members home. Kickoff meeting of the 2009/2010 season. Includes brunch, bring a dish to pass; discussion of 2009 garden successes; and perennial exchange. Alana, (847) 438-3981.

Garden Club of Lake Zurich: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 22480 Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods. Program: "Gardener's Gripe Book" by Abby Adams will be presented by Carolyn Stein Stillman. For information, (847) 550-0329. Guest welcome.

Sept 2

Animal Rabies Vaccine and Microchip Clinic: 10 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept 2, Oasis Mobile Park, 7500 Elmhurst Road, Des Plaines. Available to all dogs, cats and ferrets 3 months and older owned by Cook County residents with valid ID. Rabies vaccine $7 for one year, $21 for three years; microchip for dogs and cats, $10, ferrets, $9. Cash or check only, no credit or debit cards. (847) 871-1717 or cookcountygov.com.

Sept. 3

Garden Club of South Barrington: Thursday, Sept. 3, at the home of a member. A DVD presentation of Audrey Hepburn's Garden of the World Tour. Call Anita, (847) 277-7151.

Sept. 4

The Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday Sept. 4, Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive, Hoffman Estates. Programs cover various aspects of amateur astronomy, for program details and club information visit nsaclub.org.

Sept. 5

Garden Club of Lake Zurich fall plant sale: 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 5, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Features locally grown perennials from member's gardens and seasonal perennials. For information, (847) 550-0329.

Sept. 17

Garden Club of Inverness: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. William Buckley, president of the Illinois Beekeepers Association and a beekeeper, address the membership. All gardeners welcome. For information, call Beth, (847) 934-7929.

Sept. 18

Prairie Woods Audubon Society: 5:30 p.m. bird walk; 7 p.m. meeting/presentation Thursday, Sept. 18, Spring Valley Nature Center, Schaumburg. Pat Winkelman, president of the Vehe Farm Foundation will speak about the farm in Deer Park.

Sept. 21.

Prairie Woods Audubon Society field trip: 3-5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, Illinois Beach State Park, Zion. Meet at the North Unit parking lot or at 2 p.m. at the Bank of Palatine, Northwest Highway and Plum Grove Road, to carpool. Cyndi, (847) 776-8713.

Sept. 26

South Barrington Park District Pet Fair: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, Arboretum Mall, routes 72 and 59 in South Barrington. Various pet businesses, local pet shops, veterinarians, animal communicator, animal massage therapy, adoption agencies, contests, training demonstrations, photos, prizes, more. For event information or to participate as a vendor, call (847) 381-7515.