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.

Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claws: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, through 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.

Dec. 12

Environmental Scene Investigation: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Follow tracks, examine droppings, listen to animal sounds and see if you can solve these indoor mysteries. Free. (847) 381-6592.

Restoration volunteers: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Citizen for Conservation headquarters, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Brush cutting workdays. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring work gloves. For informaiton, call CFC, (847) 382-7283.

Jazz Nativity for the Whole Family: 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Saint Luke Church, 1500 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Fundraiser for the Anti-Cruelty Society and Lakeview Pantry, pets are invited to attend. Activities include a holiday bazaar and pet meet and greet from 3-4 p.m. and 5-6 p.m.; pet blessing at 3:30 p.m.; and Jazz Nativity from 4-5 p.m. Parking and admission are free. For information, (773) 472-3383 or stlukechicago.org.

Dec. 13

Let it Snow: 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, Crabtree Nature Center, Forest Preserve District of Cook County, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Take a close looks at the beauty of snowflakes and then construct a snowflake catcher to take home. Make your own frosty treats. Free. Register at (847) 381-6592.

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

Flint Creek Wildlife Open House: Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 20, Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabiltation and Educational Habitat, 130 S. Forest Ave., Itasca. Holiday open house and photos with Santa and the hawk. Visit flintcreekwildlife.org or call (847) 842-8000 for information.

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. 20

Bundles and Bark: 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, Crabtree Nature Center, Forest Preserve District of Cook County, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Learn how to identify trees without their leaves. Free. (847) 381-6592.

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 Botanicals and Dried." Guests welcome. Call Gloria, (847) 398-2079 or gardencentral.oeg/illinois/arlingtonheights.

Dec. 27

Who-o-o-o's Out There?: 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, Crabtree Nature Center, Forest Preserve District of Cook County, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Discover the world of owls in their natural settings. Meet the newly acquired Screech owl, examine owl pellets. Register at (847) 381-6592.

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.

Garden Club of Lake Zurich: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 22480 Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods. Shirley Remes, a field editor for Better Homes and Gardens magazine presents, "Garden Rooms Without Walls." Guests welcome. (847) 550-0329.

Jan. 7

South Barrington Garden Club: Thursday, Jan. 7, South Barrington Park District, 3 Tennis Club Lane, South Barrington. David Brooks presnets, "Backyard Birds and Bird Feeding." Anita, (847) 277-7151.

Jan. 8

Chicago Muskie Show: Noon-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, Harper College, Roselle and Algonquin roads, Palatine. $20 three-day pass, free for children under 13. Tickets at the door. (847) 328-6200 or chicagomuskieshow.com.

Jan. 13

Wheeling Garden Club: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First St., Wheeling. Chris (847) 537-8642.

Jan. 21

Garden Club of Inverness: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. South African native Joyce Basel takes the club on a virtual tour of Namibia. All gardeners welcome. For information, call Beth, (847) 934-7929.

Feb. 4

South Barrington Garden Club: Thursday, Feb. 4, South Barrington Park District, 3 Tennis Club Lane, South Barrington. Cindy Tyley demonstrates useful ways to save time, energy and money while gardening in "Tips for the Lazy Gardener. Anita, (847) 277-7151.

Feb. 18

Garden Club of Inverness: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Nichael Nowak, host of a gardening program on ECPT radio, entertain the club with his insights into the gardening world. All gardeners welcome. For information, call Beth, (847) 934-7929.

Feb. 27

Lincoln State Cat Club Show: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 and Sunday, Feb. 28, Harper College, Roselle and Algonquin roads, Palatine. Fiftieth anniversary show includes "Best in Show, education ring, over 20 vendor booths. $8; children under 6 free. Visit lscats.org.

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.