Kids, teens and family
Chorus concert: 7 p.m. today; Mead Junior High School, 1765 Biesterfield Road, Elk Grove Village. Seventh- and eighth-grade students perform. (847) 357-6000.
Encore! Sings: 7 p.m. Tuesday; Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Buffalo Grove Park District's traveling performing ensemble presents Broadway melodies, movie themes, rock and roll and children's favorites. Register online at www.ahml.info under "programs" or call (847) 392-0100.
Homeschool open house: 1-3 p.m.; Tuesday; Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton. Meet other homeschoolers in the area, see new books and Web sites. Treats and prizes. Free. No registration needed. (847) 392-0100.
How to Write Comics: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Russell Lissau, writer of "The Batman Strikes!" and "Hope: New Orleans" will run a hands-on workshop about writing comic books. For information or to register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Parent orientation: 7-8 p.m., Wednesday; Algonquin Middle School, 767 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Open to fifth-grade Forest, Plainfield, Orchard Place, and South parents to meet with sixth-grade teachers and administrators. (847) 824-1205.
Puppet opera: 6:30 p.m. Wed.-Fri. through May 24, Park Central, 3000 Central Road, Rolling Meadows: Opera in Focus presents rod puppets choreographed to recorded music, acts and scenes from Puccini's "Madama Butterfly." $7-$12. (847) 818-3220.
PTA recognition dinner: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Mead Junior High School, 1765 Biesterfield Road, Elk Grove Village. Presentation of scholarships, dinner. $15. For tickets, call Mary Kay Prusnick at (630) 736-5737 or Debbie Loughman at (847) 301-9394.
Celebrate Learning Night: 7:15-9 p.m. Thursday, Link Elementary School, 900 S. West Glenn Trail, Elk Grove Village. Book fair and library display. (847) 357-5300.
Jamma Tales: 7 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Pajamas are welcome for this storytime, open to ages 2 to 5 and caregivers. Registration is not required. For information, call (847) 634-3650 or visit www.vapld.info.
High School Coffee House: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Open mic night and karaoke jam for local high school students. For details or to register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Fishing Derby: 9 a.m.-noon; Saturday; Lake Park, Lee and Howard streets, Des Plaines. Hot dogs, soft drinks, prizes. Open to all children and families. Hosted by the Optimist Club of Des Plaines. (847) 337-3228
District 54 annual Bilingual Family Gathering: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Muir Literacy Academy, 1973 Kensington, Hoffman Estates. Call event coordinator, Yolanda, at (847) 357-5072 for information.
Des Plaines Community Fair: 8 a.m.-noon Saturday; Mountain View Adventure Center, 510 E. Algonquin Road, Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker Street, and the Juno Lighting Parking Lot, across from Mountain View Adventure Center.
Events include: Pooch, Pet and Pedal Parade, "Touch a Truck," car seat safety check, mini health fair, arts and crafts booth, bike registration, Jewels the Clown doing face painting, miniature train rides, etc. www.desplainesparks.org. (847) 391-5700.