Cook Co. animals, plants 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. Deadline is two weeks before event date.

Nov. 28

Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claws: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 28 to Dec. 19, The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers, Arlington Heights. Get holiday pictures taken with the whole family, including pets. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit thebuddyfoundation.org.

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.

Nov. 29

Wing Ding Fling Fest: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, Alumni Club of Schaumburg, 871 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg. The Buddy Foundation's inaugural Wing Ding Fling Championship. For a $25 donation, get two drinks, a buffet, a sampling of wings from area restaurants, and a chance to watch the Bears play the Vikings on the big screen. There will also be an auction and raffle benefiting the shelter's animals. For information about the event, call (847) 397-3100. Visit thebuddyfoundation.org.

Dec. 1

Read and Feed Food Drive: Through Tuesday, Dec. 1, donate food pantry items when you check out or return library books at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave.; on the Book mobile or at the Reading Room of the Arlington Heights Senior Center, 1801 W. Central Road. Items donated will be delivered to the food pantry at Wheeling Township. Donations of dog and cat food are also being accepted for donation to The Buddy Foundation. For information, visit ahml.info or call Deb Whisler, (847) 5-06-2613.

Four Seasons Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Holly's home. Christmas party buffet. Bring a grab bag gift and a dish to share. Call Alena, (847) 438-3981or alenagust@comcast.net.

Festive Florals: 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, South Barrington Park District, 3 Tennis Club Lane. Joyce Grattoni teaches participants how to make a holiday arrangement with fresh greens, flowers, berries and bows. Light refreshments and cash bar. Registration deadline is Tuesday, Dec. 1. $32-$35. (847) 381-7515 or sbpd.net.

Garden Club of Lake Zurich: 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Dec. 1, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 22480 Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods. "Top Tens for Zone 5," presented by Joann Loebel, author and landscape design consultant. Guests welcome. (847) 550-0329.

Dec. 2

Winter Container Garden workshop: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Create an outdoor winter container garden. All materials provided, bring gloves and pruners. $45. Register at (847) 359-1080.

Dec. 3

Garden Club of Inverness holiday luncheon: 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, Medinah Country Club, Medina. Holiday luncheon and fundraiser. Joyce Grattoni, floral designer, creates holiday floral pieces to be used at home or to give as gifts. $50. For reservations/information, contact Diane at dgarcea@comcast.net.

Des Plaines Garden Club: 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, Frisbie Senior Center, 52 N. Northwest Highway, Des Plaines. Bob Nicholson discusses "Basic Design Tips." Program is "Fun with Flowers," featuring how to decorate a Styrofoam cone tree with sweet gum balls, seed pods and fir cones. Bring a holiday themed item for the raffle. Call (847) 299-0412.

Dec. 4

The Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive, Hoffman Estates. Annual swap meet, bring your astronomical items to sell or trade. For program details and club information visit nsaclub.org.

Dec. 5

Winter Container Garden workshop: 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Create an outdoor winter container garden. All materials provided, bring gloves and pruners. $45. Register at (847) 359-1080.

Little Paws, Big Hearts holiday dinner: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, The Meadows Club, 2951 W. Golf Road, Rolling Meadows. Dinner dance and silent auction to benefit Almost Home Foundation's rescued dogs and cats. $45. Chuck at almosthomefoundation.org. To donate an item for the silent auction or door prize contact Deanne at deannemarkos@sbcglobal.net.

Holiday open house: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Musical entertainment, crafts, live reindeer, hayrides, holiday floral displays and Santa. Bring your camera. Free. (847) 298-3500.

Four Paws Animal Foundation pet photos: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Hanover Park Animal Care Center, 1920 Ontarioville Road, Hanover Park. Pet photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, bake sale, holiday gift bazaar. $10 donation for photos. Benefits the organization's rescue/adoption efforts. For appointments, call (630) 289-0478. Walk-ins also welcome.

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, 7

Winter Container Garden workshop: 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Create an outdoor winter container garden. All materials provided, bring gloves and pruners. $45. Register at (847) 359-1080.

Dec. 9

Wheeling Garden Club: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First St., Wheeling. Chris (847) 537-8642.

Garden Club of Mount Prospect: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Annual holiday program includes refreshments and social time, business meeting, program by Paul Seils, designer and owner of Busse Flowers and Gifts. Call Mary, (847) 635-6239.

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, floral demonstration, silent auction, raffles. $35. Call Anita, (847) 277-7151.

Dec. 12

Santa Paws: 10:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 12, Palatine Hills Club House, 512 W. Northwest Highway, Palatine. Bring your furry friend out for a picture with Santa. First-come, first-served basis. $5 per dog. Must register. For information, call Lisa, (847) 991-0333.

Dec. 14

Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club meets: Monday, Dec. 14, 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.

Dec. 15

Arlington Anglers Fishing Club: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, Dick's Sports Store, Martingale Road, Schaumburg. Wild game dinner. Guest speaker Tony Pignatello from Lil Piggy Baits and Rooster Haven Hunt Club speaks about fall fishing and the upcoming hunting season. Bob, (630) 688-0995 or arlingtonanglers.com.

Dec. 16

Tri-Village Garden Club: Meets Wednesday, Dec. 16, Hanover Park Branch Library, 4300 Audrey Lane. Annual dues $15. (630) 830-0118 or (630) 289-4253. trivillagegardenclub.org.

Dec. 19

All Creatures Animal Hospital holiday fundraiser: Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 1210 Route 22, Lake Zurich. Have your pet's picture taken with Santa. Bring cat/dog food for the Fremont Township Food Pantry or $5 for the Canine Cancer Campaign.

Dec. 21

Arlington Heights Garden Club: 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Joyce Grattoni presents, "Floral Design-Fresh Permanent Botanials and Dried." Guests welcome. Call Gloria, (847) 398-2079 or gardencentral.oeg/illinois/arlingtonheights.

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

Jan. 5

Four Seasons Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. Call Alena, (847) 438-3981or alenagust@comcast.net.

Jan. 21

Garden Club of Inverness: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. All gardeners welcome. For information, call Beth, (847) 934-7929.

March 20

Spring Flower Show: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday March 20, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Celebrate the arrival of spring with over 30 exhibitors, product demonstrations and free educational seminars all day. (847) 359-1080.

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.

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