Animals, plants and nature

To have an event listed in this calendar, e-mail the details at least two weeks in advance of the event or registration deadline to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com. Please put "Animals and plants" in the subject line.

Oct. 17

Adventures in Nature-night walk: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, Citizens for Conservations office, 459 W. Highway 22, South Barrington. Take a family walk on the Savanna at night. Children must be accompanied by an adult, bring a flashlight. Free. (847) 382-7283.

Oct. 18

Party with the stars: 5:30-9 p.m. Oct. 18, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Bring the family and check out lunar landscapes, the moons of Jupiter and other celestial wonders with the help of telescopes provided by members of Northwest Suburban Astronomers. Bring a flashlight. Free. (847) 428-6957.

Halloween Pet Parade: Noon-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, 220 E. Weathersfield Way, Schaumburg. Event entirely for dogs includes, pet costume parade, dog agility course, Frisbee catch competition, free play area, pet adoptions, concessions, special treats, more. All dogs must have current shots. Attach shot records to registration form or bring to Meineke. Resident fee is $1 per person, $4 per dog; nonresident fee is $2 per person, $6 per dog. Call (847) 490-7015.

Chicagoland Dog Rescue's Pumpkins and Pooches: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 18 and 25, Petco, 672 S. Barrington Road, Streamwood. Pumpkins, taffy apples and apple cider available, games for kids and dogs, raffles, Halloween pooch or kid photos. chicagolanddogrescue.org or call (847) 259-6458.

Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards prairie restoration workdays: 9 a.m.-noon. Saturday, Oct. 18, Shoe Factory Woods parking lot, entrance on west side of Route 59 between Golf and Shoe Factory roads, Hoffman Estates. No experience needed, come when you can. Fall activities include seed collection and brush control. Meet at (847) 836-7443, or poplarcreekprairiestewards.org.

Citizens for Conservation Special Workday: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, meet at 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Look for the white farmhouse with a silo across from Good Shepherd Hospital. Once a year all-day workday in Harvard, Ill., to pick seed from remnant stands of native plants not commonly found in the Barrington area. Bring a sack lunch and something to drink. Wear long pants, bring work gloves, and dress for the weather. Please note that there are no bathroom facilities near the prairie where volunteers will be working. (847)-382-7283.

Oct. 25

Palatine Park's Howl-O-Ween party: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Oct. 25, Ost Field, on Colfax, behind the Community Center, 250 E. Wood St., Palatine. Bring your canine friends, trick-or-treating, photo opportunity, Howling House of Terrier, pooch costume parade. When registering, dog owners must show a current rabies tab. All dogs must be kept on a leash. For information or to register, (847) 991-0333.

Anti-Cruelty Society Howl-o-ween event: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 25, Navy Pier, Festival Hall B, 600 W. Grand Ave., Chicago. Bring your costumed canine and enjoy the walking track, obstacle course, pet massages, dog yoga, animal rescue and CPR demonstrations, pet psychics and behavior specialists. Local celebrities, raffle prizes, vendors, adoption events, more. Free and open to the public.

Halloween Pooch Parade: Noon Saturday, Oct. 25, Bartlett Park, Oak and North avenues, Bartlett. Bring your pooch in costume, dog parade, prizes, doggy trick-or-treat. $8; $12 nonresident. Advance registration. (630) 540-4834.

Chicagoland Dog Rescue's Pumpkins and Pooches: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Petco, 672 S. Barrington Road, Streamwood. Pumpkins, taffy apples and apple cider available, games for kids and dogs, raffles, Halloween pooch or kid photos. chicagolanddogrescue.org or call (847) 259-6458.

Holistic Animal Well-Fair: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25; Golf Mill Shopping Center, 239 Golf Mill Center, Niles. Shows healthful ways to care for pets and healthy pet foods, holistic remedies, pet toys and products. Call (708) 721-3973.

Animal House Shelter Woof O Ween benefit: Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Cody :& Carl's Blvd., 756 W. Northwest Highway, Barrington. Costume contest, prizes. Registration in the contest requires a donation to Aminal House Shelter. Judging at 1 p.m. fundraising@animalhouseshelter.com.

Doggy Trick or Treat: Saturday, Oct. 25; Dogs under 30 pounds, 10-10:45 a.m. and dogs over 30 pounds, 11:15 a.m.-noon; Pirates' Cove Theme Park, 901 Leicester Road, Elk Grove Village. Dogs will trick or treat for goodies, have their picture taken, participate in a costume parade and ride the Safari Express Train Ride. Dogs must be leashed at all times. Cost: $10 for Elk Grove resident dogs and $15 for nonresidents. Call (847) 437-9494.

Oct. 26

Blessing of the animals: 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, St. Paul United Church of Christ, 401 E. Main St., Barrington. Pet blessing, contests, prizes, refreshments. Bring your animal friends, in costume. (847) 381-0460.

Prairie Woods Audubon Society bird seed sale: Annual fundraiser to benefit the Palatine prairie. For information or to download an order form, visit prairiewoodsaudubon.org.

Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards prairie restoration workdays: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Oct. 26, Shoe Factory Woods parking lot, entrance on west side of Route 59 between Golf and Shoe Factory roads, Hoffman Estates. No experience needed, come when you can. Fall activities include seed collection and brush control. (847) 836-7443, or poplarcreekprairiestewards.org

Nov. 1

Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards prairie restoration workdays: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 1, Shoe Factory Woods parking lot, entrance on west side of Route 59 between Golf and Shoe Factory roads, Hoffman Estates. No experience needed, come when you can. Fall activities include seed collection and brush control. (847) 836-7443, or poplarcreekprairiestewards.org.

Nov. 2

Illinois Doberman Rescue Football fundraiser: 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, Crossroads Tavern and Eatery, on Irving Park Road, in Wood Dale. $15 per person, registration required. Send checks payable to Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus and mail to: Susan Lakics, 985 W. Pine Ave., Roselle, IL 60172. ildobermanrescue.com.

Nov. 7

South Barrington holiday decoration and wreath sale: Order deadline is Friday, Nov. 7; pickup from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 22, at the South Barrington Community Center. Download forms at sbpd.net or e-mail Paula at treblig13@aol.com for information.

Nov. 15

Adventures in Nature-Who's Been Here?: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, Citizens for Conservation office, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Explore the Savanna and look for clues to see who has been there by what was left behind. (847) 382-7283.

Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards prairie restoration workdays: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 15, Shoe Factory Woods parking lot, entrance on west side of Route 59 between Golf and Shoe Factory roads, Hoffman Estates. No experience needed, come when you can. Fall activities include seed collection and brush control. (847) 836-7443, or poplarcreekprairiestewards.org.

Nov. 23

Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards prairie restoration workdays: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Nov. 23, Shoe Factory Woods parking lot, entrance on west side of Route 59 between Golf and Shoe Factory roads, Hoffman Estates. No experience needed, come when you can. Fall activities include seed collection and brush control. (847) 836-7443, or poplarcreekprairiestewards.org.

Nov. 29

Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards prairie restoration workdays: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 29, Shoe Factory Woods parking lot, entrance on west side of Route 59 between Golf and Shoe Factory roads, Hoffman Estates. No experience needed, come when you can. Fall activities include seed collection and brush control. (847) 836-7443, or poplarcreekprairiestewards.org.

Nov. 30

Yule Log open house: 2-4 p.m. Nov. 30, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Susan Allman will show you how to make this festive seasonal decoration out of natural materials. Kids are welcome but no scout groups please. Advance registration required. Members, free; $2 nonmembers. Call (847) 428-6957.

Dec. 6

Adventures in Nature-holiday crafts: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday Dec. 6, Citizens for Conservation office, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Children can make a variety of present for family members. (847) 382-7283.

Dec. 7

Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards prairie restoration workdays: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Dec. 7, Shoe Factory Woods parking lot, entrance on west side of Route 59 between Golf and Shoe Factory roads, Hoffman Estates. No experience needed, come when you can. Fall activities include seed collection and brush control. (847) 836-7443, or poplarcreekprairiestewards.org.

Dec. 13

Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards prairie restoration workdays: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 13, Shoe Factory Woods parking lot, entrance on west side of Route 59 between Golf and Shoe Factory roads, Hoffman Estates. No experience needed, come when you can. Fall activities include seed collection and brush control. (847) 836-7443, or poplarcreekprairiestewards.org.

Dec. 21

Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards prairie restoration workdays: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday Dec. 21, Shoe Factory Woods parking lot, entrance on west side of Route 59 between Golf and Shoe Factory roads, Hoffman Estates. No experience needed, come when you can. Fall activities include seed collection and brush control. (847) 836-7443, or poplarcreekprairiestewards.org.

Jan. 1

New Year's Day walk: 10 a.m. Jan. 1, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Walk along Stillman's trails and view nature. Over age 10. (847) 428-6957.

Ongoing

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.

Four Paws calendars: Four Paws Animal Foundation is now selling 2009 calendars for $12.50, which depict some of the organization's rescues as well as family pets as a fundraiser to help support their adoption and rescue efforts. Order forms for the calendars can be obtained at Banbury Fair and Heartland Animal Hospital, both in Bartlett; Hanover Park Animal Care Center; and Health Emporium in Streamwood. Forms can also be downloaded from fourpawsfoundation.petfinder.com.