Lindenhurst Park District notes

Drawing and Cartooning: In this class the park district will teach any child how to draw. Topics range from animals, landscapes, still lives, and art history. Students will also learn how to create silly characters and funny expressions and draw cartoon sequences. All materials are provided. Every session has new lessons. Class is from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 4 to Nov. 8 for ages 6 to 12. The cost is $56 for residents, $64 for nonresidents.

Brookfield Zoo trip: Take a trip to Brookfield Zoo with the park district on Columbus Day. Lunch will be at the Safari Grill where participants can get an "animeal." End the day with a ride on the carousel. Bring spending money for lunch and souvenirs. This trip is for ages 6 to 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday. The cost is $32 for residents, $40 for nonresidents.

American Girl Halloween Clothes: Enjoy designing a special Halloween blanket, decorating an outfit, and creating a special piece of jewelry for an American Girl Doll or any similar-sized doll. This class is for ages 6 to 12, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 13. The cost is $31 for residents, $38 for nonresidents.

Halloween Cake Decorating: Each child will decorate his or her own cake, chef's hat, cake box, and cupcakes with special Halloween colors and toppings. All parent/child classes will decorate two cakes. For ages 3 to 12 with parent on from 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 13. The cost is $33 for residents, $41 for nonresidents.

Men's Basketball League: Registration for the Adult Men's 18 & Over Basketball League is taken by team only. Teams will play seven regular games and a single elimination post-season tournament. A captains' meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Lake Forest Health and Fitness Institute. The league is for men 18 and over and plays from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays, starting Nov. 6. The cost per team is $450. For information, call Dave Mohr at (847) 356-6011.

Haunted Trail and Bonfire: The Lindenhurst Park District's Haunted Trail and Bonfire will be held Oct. 20 at Forest View Park, 513 Forest View Drive, Lindenhurst.

Visitors to the Haunted Trail will walk along a curvy tree-lined path in the dark, lit only by luminarias, never knowing what could be lurking along the path, and passing through 12 different scenes.

The Haunted Trail will be open from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. and admission is a $1 donation per person. For the less brave the event also feature wagon rides through McDonald Woods Forest Preserve for $1 or one canned food item per person from 3 to 6 p.m. Costume Judging Contests for ages 3-5, 6-8, and 9-11 will be held at 3:30 p.m.; prizes will be awarded. The event will also include refreshments, face painting, moonwalk and kids games, and pumpkins and gourds from Millburn Tree Farm for sale.

At dusk the Lake Villa Volunteer Fire Department will start a bonfire and apple cider heated in a cauldron will be served. In case of unsafe weather, the festivities will take place at 5 p.m. at the Lindenhurst Park District Community Center. For more information call the Lindenhurst Park District.

Home Decorating Contest: The park district is looking for the scariest house in Lindenhurst with the Halloween Home Decorating Contest. To register, call or stop by the park district office by 5 p.m. Oct. 22. Houses must be registered to be judged. Judges will be out around 7 p.m. Oct. 23. This contest is for Lindenhurst residents only. The top three houses will win prizes.

Healthy eating: This is not a cooking class, but rather a class in managing all aspects surrounding feeding a family. Look at the substitutes of take out, fast food, and overly processed grocery items to change them into freshly prepared meals. Participants will have an opportunity to purchase resources at class to guide them in the process. This class is for ages 18 and over from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 24. The cost of the class is $30 for residents, $37 for nonresidents. This class will be held in Grayslake, but participants can sign up at the Lindenhurst Park District.

Halloween Costume Party: Come tithe park district's Halloween party in costume. Take part in activities, snacks and games. For ages 3 to 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26. The cost is $17 for residents, $21 for nonresidents.

Halloween Party: Come to the park district's annual Halloween Party at noon Oct. 30. Wear a costume or not. Just bring a dish to pass or a dessert for the group. Sign up at the front desk and tell them what you would like to bring. There will be games and prizes. The cost will be $2.

Belly Dancing: Belly-dancing increases core strength and tones legs and arms, and is a low impact alternative to weight lifting and aerobics. Anyone can join and everyone will work new muscle groups. Veils will be provided. For beginning to advanced exercisers. No prior background in dance is necessary. For ages 15 and over from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Nov. 6 to Dec. 18 (no class Nov. 20). The cost of the class is $48 for residents, $55 for nonresidents.

Afternoon Spanish Club: Kids will learn words in the context of actions and commands, and learn to recognize a wide range of words and phrases before beginning to speak, with plenty of review in each class to help participants remember what was introduced last time. Small classes permit all children to participate actively. This class is for 3½ to 6 years old, from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. The next session is Nov. 7 to Dec. 12. The cost is $64 for residents, $73 for nonresidents.

Adult 6-on-6 Volleyball: The park district's Adult Volleyball League offers both competitive and recreational divisions. Winners from each league will receive a plaque and $100 credit toward next year's sign up. League play will begin Nov. 29 and conclude March 14. Registration deadline is Nov 16. Registration is taken by team only and on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be a team captains' meeting at 6 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Community Center. The league is for ages 18 and over and plays from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Thursdays. The cost is $325 per team.

Facility Rentals: The Lindenhurst Park District Community Center is available for groups of 5 to 50 for parties and special occasions. The park district offers low rates, tables and chairs, and a clean and smoke-free environment. Call the park district for details.

Special Recreation Services: Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County provides recreational programs and services for individuals with special needs for the residents of Lindenhurst, Round Lake, Waukegan, and Zion Park Districts. Fall Program Highlights include: Amish Country Vacation, Halloween Bash, Bowling, Fright Fest, Movie Club, Dances, Diner's Club, Lincoln Park Zoo Trip, Navy Pier, Indoor Mini Golf and more. For information, call the Lindenhurst Park District, at (847) 356-6011 and ask for Katie Koske.

Before & After School: The program is designed for children entering kindergarten through sixth grade. The park district offers care Monday through Friday, or on a daily basis. Their schedule follows District 24, 33, 34 and 41 school calendars. The program is open every school day of the year and offers extended care to meet parents' working hours. Children will participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, including homework time, crafts, gym time, games, free time, group activities, movies, pajama parties and special activity days. No same day registration or drop ins are allowed. For information, call (847) 812-3738.

Moms in Motion: New moms can bring their strollers and walk the park district's state-of-the-art, temperature controlled, suspended indoor walking track from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays year-round. There is no instructor for this class. Indoor track fees are charged.

Senior Coffee Club: Relax and enjoy some coffee, doughnuts and company from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. the first and third Monday of the year in the Senior Room. Walk-ins are welcome; registration is not necessary. Bring a friend. For ages 55 and over on. It's $1 per visit.

Senior Aerobics: Ages 55 and over can keep fit and active with low-impact exercise set to a fitness video from 8:45 to 9:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Senior Room. Registration is not required. The fee is $1 per visit.

Cards and Games: Come play a card game or board games at 1 p.m. Thursdays in the Senior Room. Participants may bring a favorite game if they like. Free for those 55 and over.

Mahjongg: The ancient Asian tile game of mahjongg is played at 9:45 a.m. every Monday in the Senior Room for anyone who is interested. Participants who have a game are asked to bring it in.