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.

Lincolnshire Garden Club benefit: 7-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at a member's home in Lincolnshire. The Lincolnshire Garden Club's 33rd annual benefit and auction, "A Spirited Tapas Evening," with a raffle, silent and live auctions a bake sale and botanical notecards. Tickets are $25. New members are always welcome. For details, call Jan Stefans at (847) 945-6575.

Long Grove Apple Fest: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 3-5, at the crossroads of Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin roads, Long Grove. Seasonal gifts and foods, including cider doughnuts, caramel apples, brown-bag apple pies and apple popcorn. Live entertainment. Call (847) 634-0888 or visitlonggroveonline.com/apple.html.

Blessing of the Animals: 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, Church of the Holy Apostles, 26238 N. Highway 59, Wauconda. Pets (and people) of all varieties are welcome to receive a special blessing. For information, call (847) 526-7148 or e-mail nbrueckbauer@stmichaelsbarrington.org.

Noll Trail Ribbon-Cutting: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, Noll Park, on North Huntington Drive, off Butterfield Road, Mundelein. Ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Noll Park Trail Access. Enjoy refreshments, and meet project partners. Park and enter the trail at the Noll Park tennis courts. For details, call (847) 566-0650 or visit mundeleinparks.org.

Forest preserve opening: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, Nippersink Forest Preserve, on Belvidere Road, west of Cedar Lake Road and east of Fairfield Road near Round Lake. Celebrate the opening of Nippersink Forest Preserve with activities including fishing, wagon rides, nature hikes, birds of prey demonstrations, crafts and games for kids, music and refreshments. Activities created especially for children include face painting, a wildlife touch table, and nature mystery hikes. For information, visit LCFPD.org or call (847) 367-6640.