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. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.

Citizens for Conservation seed collection: Thursdays and Saturdays 9 -11 a.m.; and Sundays 3:30-5 p.m., 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Volunteers of all ages are invited to help collect seeds from a wide variety of native plants. (847) 382-7283.

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 www.fourpawsfoundation.petfinder.com.

Nov. 9

From Hoghouse to Smokehouse: 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, Spring Valley's Volkening Heritage Farm, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Portrayal of how traditional farm families preserved the meat raised on the farm for consumption throughout the winter months. Admission $2; $8 per family. (847) 985-2100 or parkfun.com.

Nov. 12

Winter Garden Containers: 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12; Rolling Meadows Park District Community Center, 3705 Pheasant Drive. Peggy Garvin will assist members and guests on how to make a Winter floral arrangement. Supplies, including containers, winter evergreens, pine cones, holly berries and twigs included. Fee: $15. Call (847) 818-3200, ext. 230.

Nov. 14

Green Thumbs of Barrington Garden Club: 12:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway, Barrington. Guest speaker David Brooks, professional naturalist at Spring Valley Nature Center in Schaumburg. Vicki, (847) 526-5998.

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. 21

Time Travelers Theatre Ensemble: 6-8 p.m. Fridays Nov. 21, Jan. 9, Feb. 20, March 6, April 3 and May 1, Schaumburg Tennis Plus, 1416 N. Payne Road, Schaumburg. Theatre ensemble performs monthly comedy in the form of scripted and improvisational skits, songs and games with audience participation. Call (847) 490-7020 or visit parkfun.com for information.

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. 25

A Stinging Business: 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road. Victory Centre resident Ted Sirek talks about his 20-year hobby of beekeeping and honey making. Free, open to the public, reservations encouraged. (630) 213-0100.

Nov. 28

"Annie Warbucks": 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Sequel to "Annie" based on the book by Thomas Mechum. (847) 490-7020 or parkfun.com.

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.