NW suburban pets and 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. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.
Oct. 10
Arlington Heights Farmers Market: 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, 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, Oct. 10, downtown Park Ridge. Fresh vegetables, fruit, flowers, cheeses, baked goods, pickles, salsa, honey, soaps, dog treats, more. Barb, (847) 318-5217.
The Big Sit: 3 p.m.-sunset Saturday, Oct. 10, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. With the help of Prairie Woods Audubon, Stillman hosts the "Lazy Birder's" field trip. No walking required, sit by the late and let the birds come to you. Ages 10 and older. Free. (847) 428-6957.
Northwest Suburban Astronomers star party: Saturday night, Oct. 10, Afton Forest Preserve, 13600 Crego Road, DeKalb County. Look at stars, galaxies, nebulae and star clusters with the help of NSA member telescopes. nsaclub.org.
Creating a Bird Habitat: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Learn how to identify and attract Gold Finches, Chickadees, Cardinals, Blue-Jays and more to your yard and what food sources to provide them. To register, (847) 359-1080.
Pet blessing: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, Clare Oaks Retirement Community, 825 Carillon Drive, Bartlett. Pets must by leashed or in carriers. Or bring a picture of your pet to the ceremony. No reservations needed. For information/directions, call (630) 372-1946.
Citizens for Conservation Workday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct 10, CFC office, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Pick seed from remnant stands of native plants. Bring a sack lunch, a drink and work gloves. (847) 382-7283.
Oct. 11
Mount Prospect Lions Club Farmer's Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday Oct. 11, 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.
Prairie Woods Audubon Society: 3 p.m.-dusk, Sunday, Oct. 11, Stillman Nature Center, South Barrington. "The Big Sit." Bring a folding chair, munchies and beverage and sit and count the bird species. Meet at the dock/picnic area. Cyndi, (847) 776-8713.
Tree I.D.: 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Stillman's naturalist shows you how to identify our Midwestern trees. Easy to remember tips and simple handouts. Come prepared to be out in the weather. Free. (847) 428-6957.
Fall Forest Frenzy: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington, on Palatine Road, one mile west of Barrington Road. Discover the magic of fall color with the Great Leafdini, identify leaves by playing fall bingo and create your own leaf masterpiece to take home. Free, register at (847) 381-6592.
Oct. 12
Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club meets: Monday, Oct. 12, 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.
Autumn Ramble: 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, on Palatine Road, one mile west of Barrington Road, Barrington. Enjoy the seasonal changes while learning some natural history on this 90-minute hike. (847) 381-6592.
Pet health seminar: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, Hoffman Estates Animal Hospital, 1056 W. Golf Road, Hoffman Estates. "That Darn Cat!- Everything You Should Know about Litter Boxes." Free seminar by Dr. Jeff House, board certified feline specialist. Refreshments served. Register at (847) 310-8668.
Oct. 13
Bird Walk: 8 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Join the Natural History Society of Barrington to observe resident and migrating birds. Meet in the parking lot. (847) 381-6592.
Oct. 14
Wheeling Garden Club: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First St., Wheeling. Joann Loebel presents, "Bulbs Through the Season." Business meeting follows the program. Public invited. Chris (847) 537-8642.
Rolling Meadows Garden Club: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, Community Center, 3705 Pheasant Drive, Rolling Meadows. Guest speaker Kathy Vitalo, owner of Herbally Yours in Willow Springs, presents a lecture featuring tasting, smelling and identifying herbs. (847) 818-3200, ext. 230.
Garden Club of Mount Prospect: 12:30 p.m. meeting; 1:15 p.m. presentation Wednesday, Oct. 14, Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Program: "Bulbs Through the Seasons." Ginny, (847) 398-1213.
Oct. 15
Native Seed Gardeners seed drives: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays; 3:30-5 p.m. Sundays, Citizens for Conservation headquarters, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Volunteers collect seeds from natural populations in the Barrington area. Visit NativeSeedGardeners.org.
Garden Club of Inverness: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Garden consultant and garden designer presents a program entitled, "Herbs I Have Known and Loved." All gardeners welcome. For information, call Beth, (847) 934-7929.
Oct. 17
Fall Color Walk: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, on Palatine Road, one mile west of Barrington Road, Barrington. See fall colors on this 60-minute hike. Free. (847) 381-6592.
Plant a Pumpkin workshop: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, Knupper Nursery and Landscape, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Plant up hollowed out pumpkin with colorful annuals. Knupper's provides everything you need including the pumpkin, potting soil and flowers. $25. Bring gloves. Register at (847) 359-1080.
Loving Care Animal Clinic anniversary celebration: Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2633 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Dr. Joanne L. Carlson and her staff celebrate the clinic's 10th anniversary with an open house including guided tours, pet costume contest, games, raffle prizes, refreshments and goody bags. (847) 670-8466.
Oct. 18
Raptor Sunday: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Meet the great horned and screech owls, a peregrine falcon and broad-wigned hawk. Kids have a chance to dissect owl pellets. Bring a camera. $5 per car. (847) 428-6957
RottOberfest: 11 .m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, Central Park, 1519 St. Paul Ave., Gurnee. Charity fundraising event sponsored by True Hearts of Rottweiler Rescue includes silent auction, raffles, rescue parade, doggy dress up game, musical squares, obstacle course and awards. $10. (847) 302-60 51 or thorr.org.
Oct. 21
Tri-Village Garden Club: Meets Wednesday, Oct. 21, Hanover Park Branch Library, 4300 Audrey Lane. Annual dues $15. (630) 830-0118 or (630) 289-4253. trivillagegardenclub.org.
Oct. 24
Twilight Wildlife Hike: 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Take an evening hike or sharpen your senses to the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors. Campfire and s'mores included. For ages 6 and older. Free. Reservations to (847) 428-6957
Oct. 25
Festive Fall Decorations:: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Sue Kowall and Sue Allman help you design a centerpiece or door decoration featuring bittersweet, grapevine wreaths and a other colorful products from Mother Nature. Free for members; $8 for nonmembers. (847) 428-6957
Owls, Bats and Spiders: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, on Palatine Road, one mile west of Barrington Road, Barrington. Dissect an owl pellet, listen to bat call and meet a spider up close. Free, registration required. (847) 381-6592.
Oct. 28
Zoo animals: 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road. Bob LaBarre, amateur photographer, gives a slide show on zoo animals. Register at (630) 213-0100.
Oct. 31
Putting Your Garden to Bed: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, Knupper Nursery and Landscape, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Tips on preparing you garden for winter. Learn which perennials to cut back and which to leave for winter interest. Advice on pruning, mulching and preparing and protecting perennials and roses for winter. (847) 359-1080.
Nov. 3
Four Seasons Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. Don Guzman hosts an informative an interesting presentation on native infusion landscaping. Alena, (847) 438-3981or alenagust@comcast.net.
Nov. 5
South Barrington Garden Club: Thursday, Nov. 5. Annual meeting and dramatization. Carolyn Stein Stillman provides costumed dramatization of "My Book of Flowers" by Grace Kelly. For information, call Anita, (847) 277-7151.
Nov. 6
The Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive, Hoffman Estates. Programs cover various aspects of amateur astronomy, for program details and club information visit nsaclub.org.
Nov. 10
Pet health seminar: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, Hoffman Estates Animal Hospital, 1056 W. Golf Road, Hoffman Estates. "From Shabby to Chic!" Free seminar by Dr. Megan Williams covers basic pet care from nail trims and cleaning ears to giving medications. For owners only, no pets. Refreshments served. Register at (847) 310-8668.
Nov. 25
Agility classes: Begins 7 p.m. Nov. 25, Agility Junkies, 22N073 Pepper Road, Lake Barrington. Class for beginners. (847) 381-2222 or agilityjunkies.com.
Dec. 4
The Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 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.
Dec. 6
Yule Log Open House: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Make a festive seasonal decoration our of natural materials. Kids are welcome, but no scout groups. Free for members; $5 per log for nonmembers. For reservations, (847) 428-6957
Dec. 10
South Barrington Garden Club Holiday luncheon: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, Seville Banquet Center, 700 S. Barrington Road, Streamwood. Lunch program, flora l demonstration, silent auction, raffles. $35. Call Anita, (847) 277-7151.
Jan. 1
New Year's Day walk: 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 1, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Walk along Stillman's trails. Ages 10 and over. Free. (847) 428-6957
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.
Garden Club of Inverness scholarships: Students who live in the area serviced by District 211 and Barrington High School and who plan to major in horticulture or environmentally related studies in college are invited to apply. Applications available at the guidance officers in District 211 and Barrington High School.
Plant a garden: Garden Plots are available free to residents interested in doing a little gardening. The plots are located in the rear of Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff, Arlington Heights. Space is limited. To determine availability, call (847) 392-6650 for information.
Nippersink Garden Club: A new garden club is forming to serve northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Members of the Nippersink Garden Club are coming together because of the love of gardening and the love of the Nippersink Creek area and waterways. Membership is open to all interested men, women and their children. Membership will be free and 2009 meetings are yet to be determined. Visit nippersinkgardenclub.org or contact Stacy at (262) 279-5992 for details.
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.
Be Citizens for Conservation volunteer: Citizens for Conservation restoration volunteers work from 9-11 a.m. every Thursday and Saturday. Jobs include: sowing legume seed, cutting brush, rescuing native plants and planting sedges. Meet at 459 West Highway 22 in Lake Barrington. Look for the white farmhouse with a silo across from Good Shepherd Hospital. Bring work gloves, dress for the weather, tools provided. For information, call (847) 382-7283.