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Things to do Dec. 20-26: ‘The Nutcracker,’ Christmas concerts, light shows and more

Posted in Chicago Botanic Garden, Entertainment on December 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Friday, Dec. 20

“The Nutcracker”: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, and 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 21-22, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $20-$32. rauecenter.org.

Judith Svalander Ballet School’s “The Nutcracker”: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21; and 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. Experience Clara’s magical journey with Svalander’s ballet company. $31-$51. woodstockoperahouse.com.

Saturday, Dec. 21

Presto! Holiday Concert: 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Schaumburg’s award-winning youth orchestra is joined by the ensembles of the Schaumburg Choral Program in a program of seasonal music. $20-$30. ci.ovationtix.com/35209/production/1204355.

Ruth Page’s “The Nutcracker”: 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $15-$28. ruthpage.org.

The Illinois Brass Band will perform its annual “Holiday Classics” concert on Saturday, Dec. 21, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles. | Courtesy of Illinois Brass Band

Illinois Brass Band “Holiday Classics”: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles. The program includes traditional carols, holiday fanfares, classics and jazzy updates of Christmas favorites. $15; $5 for ages 18 and younger; $35 per family of two adults and up to four kids. illinoisbrassband.org.

Bagpipes & Bonfire on Winter Solstice: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at Peck Farm Park shelter, 4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva. The Winter Solstice event includes a bonfire, a bagpipe show and a hot beverage. Kids must be accompanied by a registered adult. $10-$15 for adults; $5-$7 for kids. Register at genevaparks.org.

Sunday, Dec. 22

Home for the Holidays: A Musical Celebration with Barrington High School Alumni & Friends: 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington. Holiday music. $20. barringtonswhitehouse.com.

Scott Smith’s All Animal Expo: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Bimonthly show that hosts vendors from the Midwest. $3-$8. allanimalexpo.com.

Illinois Brass Band “Holiday Classics”: 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at First United Methodist Church, 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. The program features traditional carols, holiday fanfares, holiday classics and jazzy updates of Christmas favorites. $15; $5 for ages 18 and younger; $35 per family of two adults and up to four kids. illinoisbrassband.org.

Northwest Symphony Orchestra’s “Messiah” Sing-A-Long: 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at First Presbyterian Church, 302 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. Join members of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra in its performance of “Part 1 Messiah” and concluding with “Hallelujah Chorus.” Soloists will perform and there will be chorus interludes that include audience participation. Freewill offering appreciated. northwestsymphony.org.

Monday, Dec. 23

Ed Hall’s Woodstock Christmas Guitar Night: 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. A holiday tradition returns in honor of Ed Hall. Three internationally acclaimed musicians will present an evening of arrangements for the guitar, as well as popular holiday favorites. $35-$40. woodstockoperahouse.com.

Ongoing

Long Grove Vintage Holidays: Through Tuesday, Dec. 24, in downtown Long Grove. Holiday walk, horse-drawn carriage rides on weekends, Santa in the village, caroling around town and more. longgrove.org/festival/holiday-season.

Santa House: 5-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 19-20; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21; and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, in the Brink Street Market, Crystal Lake. Visit with Santa Claus. downtowncl.org/events.

Santa at Fashion Outlets of Chicago: 2 p.m. daily through Tuesday, Dec. 24, at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago, 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont. Visit with Santa. fashionoutletsofchicago.com.

Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic: 3-9 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, Dec. 19-22, and Thursday through Tuesday, Dec. 26-31, at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Features over 2 million twinkling LED lights, themed lighting areas, Santa visits through Sunday, Dec. 22, Holiday Market, treats and sips and seasonal attractions. Zoo admission and parking fees apply. Advance tickets are required. brookfieldzoo.org//HolidayMagic.

Stroll through an array of illuminated displays through Jan. 5 at Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. | Courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Lightscape: 4:30-9:15 p.m. select dates through Sunday, Jan. 5, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Take a nighttime stroll through illuminated displays. $32 for members, $34 for nonmembers for adults; $17/$19 for kids 3-12 in advance; $37/$39 for adults, $22/$24 for kids the day of. chicagobotanic.org/lightscape.

ZooLights: Time slots start at 4:30 p.m. select dates through Sunday, Jan. 5, at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago. More than 3 million lights, including hundreds of luminous LED displays and festive experiences. $7-$10; free on select Mondays. lpzoo.org/event/zoolights.

Joffrey Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”: 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 and 6 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 27, plus 2 p.m. Thursdays, Dec. 19 and 26, Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Saturday, Dec. 28, at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $36-$187. joffrey.org.

Steve Connell plays Ebenezer Scrooge in the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre’s production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” | Courtesy of the Metropolis Performing Arts Center and Jen Heim Photography

“A Christmas Carol”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 19-20; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21; and 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Appropriate for ages 5 and older; kids 3 and younger will not be permitted. $20-$45. metropolisarts.com/event/christmas-carol-2024.

Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas”: 8 p.m. Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 5 p.m. Sundays; 1 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, through Dec. 29, at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Showbiz buddies and military comrades Bob Wallace and Phil Davis stage a winter pageant to save a struggling Vermont inn owned by their old commanding officer. Ticket prices start at $63. marriotttheatre.com.

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Things to do Nov. 15-21: Morton’s IllumiBrew, Brookfield Zoo’s Reindeer Run and more

Posted in Chicago Botanic Garden, Entertainment, Topics Of Interest on November 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »

By Luke Zurawski  Daily Herald

Friday, Nov. 15

McCormick Tribune Ice Rink: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, through Feb. 2 at Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago. 90-minute sessions. Free, but tickets are required. Skate rentals: $16 Monday through Thursday; $20 Friday through Sunday and holidays. chicago.gov.

Chicagoland Antique Advertising, Slot Machine & Jukebox Show: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15; 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; and 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at the Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. See a selection of antique slot machines, jukeboxes, advertising memorabilia, gumball and penny arcade machines, music boxes, pinball machines, antique video games, vinyl records and more. Friday is early-bird preview. Admission is $8 for Saturday or Sunday, $12 for both days, $50 for a three-day pass for adults; free for kids. chicagolandshow.com/attendees.

Stroll through an array of illuminated displays at Lightscape, running Friday, Nov. 15, through Jan. 5 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. | Courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Lightscape: 4:30-9:15 p.m. select dates Friday, Nov. 15, through Jan. 5 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Take a nighttime stroll through illuminated displays. $32 for members, $34 for nonmembers for adults; $17/$19 for kids 3-12 in advance; $37/$39 for adults, $22/$24 for kids the day of. chicagobotanic.org/lightscape.

See more than 3 million colorful lights at the annual ZooLights celebration at Lincoln Park Zoo Friday, Nov. 15, through Jan. 5. | Courtesy of Lincoln Park Zoo

ZooLights: Time slots start at 4:30 p.m. select dates Friday, Nov. 15, through Jan. 5 at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago. See more than 3 million lights, including hundreds of luminous LED displays and festive experiences. $7-$10; free on select Mondays. lpzoo.org/event/zoolights.

IllumiBrew: 5:30-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Sample seasonal beers, ciders and meads from Chicago-area breweries stationed along the Illumination trail. Stop at warming areas along the way. Snacks and hot beverages available for purchase until 9:30 p.m. Tickets, which are $95, $85 for members, include 15 three-ounce beer samples and a tasting glass. Designated driver tickets are $50, $45 for members. mortonarb.org.

Mom Prom: 7-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Dancing, music, snacks and beverages. For 21 and older. Registration required. $45-$55 (includes two drink tickets). parkfun.com.

“Annie Jr.”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15-16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Children’s Theatre of Elgin and Fox Valley Theatre Co. production based on the comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning musical. $14-$16. cteelgin.com.

“A Christmas Story: The Musical”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 15 to Dec. 1, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. Theatre 121’s musical reimagines classic scenes from the original film. No matinee on Nov. 16. $15-$33. woodstockoperahouse.com.

“The Christmas Express”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 15-24, at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., 8th floor, Elgin. Elgin Theatre Company’s production of Pat Cook’s play is a nostalgic story of eccentric small-town characters wisecracking their way to finding the true wonder of Christmas. $23-$25. elgin-theatre.org/the-season.

“You Can’t Take It With You”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15-16, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at ECC SecondSpace, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. ECC College Theatre’s production of the classic screwball comedy by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. $12-$15. eccartscenter.org.

“The Odd Couple”: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 15-24, at the Performing Arts Center at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. Mismatched roommates Oscar (a sloppy sports writer) and Felix (a fastidious news writer) come together in this comedy classic directed by Brian Gill. $15-$25. events.harpercollege.edu.

Saturday, Nov. 16

Body Mind Spirit Celebration: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at the Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Festival of all things holistic with over 150 vendors, 80 presenters and more. Tickets start at $15 for a two-day pass. bmse.net.

Mini Comic Con: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Books, comics, movies and games, with activities, giveaways and an artist alley. Costumes are encouraged. Free. vapld.info.

“Illumination: Tree Lights” returns to the Morton Arboretum in Lisle Saturday, Nov. 16, through Jan. 4. | Courtesy of The Morton Arboretum

Illumination: Tree Lights: 4:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, through Saturday, Jan. 4, at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. See 17 displays of lights set to music highlighting the beauty of trees in winter along a 1-mile, ADA-accessible, paved path. Roast marshmallows for s’mores and enjoy a hot seasonal beverage from the concession tents along the trail. New this year is an Illumination sensory evening Dec. 3. The exhibition is closed select Mondays and Tuesdays and on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Tickets: mortonarb.org.

Brookfield Zoo’s 2-mile Reindeer Run takes place Saturday, Nov. 16. |Courtesy of CZS Brookfield Zoo

Reindeer Run: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Run the two-mile course entirely within Brookfield Zoo and be the first to see the lights of Holiday Magic. Strollers welcome. Members $30; nonmembers $35. Register: brookfieldzoo.org/ReindeerRun.

Monday, Nov. 18

Pet Nights: 4-7 p.m. Mondays, Nov. 18 to Dec. 2, at Fashion Outlets of Chicago, 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont. Leashed cats and dogs are welcome to join their owners for photos with Santa. Fashion Outlets of Chicago will donate $10 to PAWS Chicago for each Santa visit during Pet Nights. Free. fashionoutletsofchicago.com.

“Songs From The Bench”: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, and 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Kaitlyn Davis in concert with songs by Carole King, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Jason Robert Brown and more. Tickets start at $75. marriotttheatre.com.

Wednesday, Nov. 20

Holiday Twilight Shop: 4:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, in downtown Arlington Heights. The Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce’s ninth annual event features holiday carolers, drinks specials, local gift card giveaways and more. $20 in advance; $25 the day of; $30 includes raffle and one drink. arlingtonhcc.com.

Thursday, Nov. 21

Bliss Holiday Boutique & Luncheon: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at Makray Memorial Golf Club, 1010 S. Northwest Hwy., Barrington. Vendors, live holiday entertainment and lunch. Hosted by the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Biz Net. $45. business.barringtonchamber.com/events.

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Wait for winter to remove dead trees

Posted in Chicago Botanic Garden on October 12, 2024| Leave a Comment »

The loss of large shade trees will increase the amount of sun for your garden. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

By TIM JOHNSON | Chicago Botanic Garden

I have two maple trees that have died and need to have them removed. What kinds of issues do I need to consider as I move forward with a contractor?

— Gloria Valentin, Barrington

It’s sad to lose specimen shade trees. If the dead trees do not pose any safety hazards, then consider waiting until winter or late fall to remove the trees to lessen the impact on your garden. You may be able to secure better pricing if the work is done in the winter. Any branches that fall on the garden, in addition to the crew walking around to perform the work, will knock down adjacent perennials if done during the growing season. Most would likely be just fine next year especially since it is late in the season. Any damage done to existing perennials would spoil the appearance of a portion of the garden for the remainder of the fall season. You do not describe where the trees are located on your property — access to the site with large equipment will be a factor in reducing costs to remove them. Putting plywood down before driving in large equipment and avoiding work when the ground is wet will be best practice. There will be less soil compaction if the ground is dry or frozen when the work is done.

Shrubs, groundcovers and perennials within a foot or so of the stumps will likely be destroyed or damaged when ground out so you may want to temporarily relocate them. If the stump is two feet or more in diameter it would be good to clear a space that is two to three feet away from the stump. Have the stump ground to at least 12 inches in depth if you want to plant new perennials in the same location. The more soil depth the better for the new perennials. New trees and shrubs with a large root ball will probably need to be planted adjacent to the old stump and you should plan on cutting through old roots from the trees while planting. A sharp axe works well for cutting out larger roots. You can also cut the trees flush to the ground and plant adjacent to the stumps without grinding them out.

The grinding process will leave a large mound of chips mixed with soil that will need to be removed and replaced with topsoil. Be sure to remove the wood chip and soil mix down to the bottom of the hole left by the grinding process. If you plan to have the stumps ground out this winter, you should transplant any valuable perennials and shrubs that are next to the trunk of the tree this fall in preparation for removal of the tree stumps this winter. The stump grinding can be piled up in the back corner of the yard to decompose over a couple of years leaving you with topsoil to reuse in your garden.

The loss of large shade trees will increase the amount of sun for your garden, which will affect the performance of the existing plants. If there are other adjacent trees that provide shade for the beds, then the impact will be less. It is a good idea to plan ahead to determine the need to relocate plants that may end up being in too much sun next year and replace them with more sun-loving plants. Trees and shrubs in gardens grow over time and gradually increase shade. As light decreases over time, some plants can start to struggle and when a tree is removed the light levels return to more optimum levels for the plants. If you are unsure of the impact the tree removal will have, then observe how the plants respond to this change in your garden over the growing season and adjust their locations as you see problems with too much sun.

For more plant advice, contact the Plant Information Service at the Chicago Botanic Garden at plantinfo@chicagobotanic.org. Tim Johnson is senior director of horticulture at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

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Focus on fall planting and transplanting

Posted in Chicago Botanic Garden, Going green, Topics Of Interest on October 7, 2024| Leave a Comment »

It’s fall, which means it’s time to plant and replant perennials, trees and shrubs. Fall conditions, which include warm soil, moderate air temperature and rain, help plants reestablish their root systems. | Courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden

By Tim Johnson | Chicago Botanic Garden

I have been seeing more powdery mildew (a disease that causes a grayish, powdery film on leaves) in gardens. While this fungal disease is typical in late summer, there’s no need for concern this late in the growing season. Instead focus on fall planting and transplanting.

Common plants that can get powdery mildew are lilacs, phlox, bee balm, zinnias and nannyberry viburnum. Fungicides can help control powdery mildew if applied before the infection becomes severe but is generally not worth doing. It’s a good opportunity to consider replacing any plants prone to powdery mildew with more mildew-resistant varieties or moving the infected plants to an area of the garden that has better air circulation.

Fall is a great time for planting and transplanting perennials, trees and shrubs. In general, trees and shrubs do not need to be pruned when transplanted to compensate for loss of roots during transplanting. Fall conditions, which include warm soil, moderate air temperatures and rain, help plants reestablish their root systems. Evergreens benefit from planting early in the fall to minimize the chance of winter burn — foliage turns brown. Winter burn can occur if evergreens do not get established before winter sets in. Try to get them planted before mid-October and continue watering them weekly or as needed until the ground is frozen. They should not go into winter under stress from being too dry. Mulch is also important to install for fall plantings — use 2 to 3 inches of mulch for trees and shrubs and 1 to 2 inches for perennials and ground covers. It is best to keep the mulch away from the crown (base) of the plants.

Water any plants you are planning to transplant a couple days before you do the work if conditions are very dry. This will reduce stress on the plants.

Good soil preparation is important for successful planting. I prefer to amend the entire planting area or bed instead of individual planting holes. One can amend the surface soil around a new tree or shrub but it’s best not to amend the backfill. Evenly incorporate 2 to 3 inches of compost into existing garden soil.

Weeds can be sprayed in the fall with success if you are mindful of the weather. Herbicides are most effective when temperatures are consistently above 55 degrees and weeds are actively growing. Spot spray the weeds to minimize the amount of herbicide that you use.

Tim Johnson is director of horticulture at Chicago Botanic Garden, chicagobotanic.org.

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Labor Day Weekend Festivals: Buffalo Grove Days, Long Grove’s Irish Days, Kane County Flea Market  and more

Posted in Chicago Botanic Garden, Entertainment, Fundraisers, Organizations, Topics Of Interest on August 30, 2024| Leave a Comment »

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Already in progress

Buffalo Grove Days: Carnival hours: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29; 6-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30; 1-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 31-Sept. 1; and 1-6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2, at Mike Rylko Community Park, 1000 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove. Carnival, live entertainment, bingo, blood drive on Saturday, craft fair and business expo from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and noon to 4 p.m. Monday, kids’ entertainment, Buddy Baseball exhibition game at 5 p.m. Saturday, parade at noon Sunday, Duck Race at 5:15 p.m. Sunday, food, drinks and more. Music includes Billy Elton at 6:30 p.m. and Hi Infidelity at 8:30 p.m. Friday; 7th heaven at 3:30 p.m., Big Band Baby at 6 p.m. and Boy Band Night at 8 p.m. Saturday; Sun Chasers at 3:30 p.m., Anchors Away at 6 p.m. and Chicago Experience at 8 p.m. Sunday; and The Unresolved at 11 a.m. and Cruzin’ the Loop at 12:30 p.m. Monday. Free admission. bgdays.com/.

Shakespeare in the Park: 6:45 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 29-31, at Memorial Park Bandshell, 225 Karlskoga Ave., Wheaton. Wheaton College Arena Theater presents Shakespeare’s comedy “As You Like It.” Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Free. wheatonparkdistrict.com or wheaton.edu.

Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Festival runs Friday through Sunday, Aug. 30-Sept. 1, in Sunset Park. | John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com

Friday, Aug. 30

Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Festival: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30; 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31; and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills. 23rd annual festival includes carnival, food and beer tents, live music, craft fair, wine tasting and kids’ activities. Classic/custom car show from 5-9 p.m. Friday. Parade steps off at 11 a.m. Saturday at Sunset Skate Park, heading along Haligus to Miller Road, right on Miller to Sunset Park. On Saturday, community picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wine tasting tent from 4-10:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, a round-robin pickleball tournament at 9 a.m.; Sunset Market featuring local artisans, crafters and businesses from 1-8 p.m.; and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Music from That’s What She Said at 7:30 p.m. Friday; Dueling Pianos at 1 p.m., Johnny Russler & the Beach Bum Band at 4 p.m., Voyage at 6:30 p.m. and Too Hype Crew at 9 p.m. Saturday; and Beyond the Blonde at 3 p.m., In the Stix at 5:30 p.m. and 7th heaven at 8 p.m. Sunday. Free. summersunsetfest.com.

Fortnite Esports Tournament: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, at Esports Zone, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Esports Tournament featuring Fortnite. Bring your own controller. $17. heparks.org/event/fortnite-esports-tournament-aug-30.

Elgin Summer Movie in the Park: Dusk Friday, Aug. 30, at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. Family activities before the movie “Marvels” screens at dusk. Concessions will be available from local nonprofits. Free. elginil.gov/1775/Summer-Movies-in-the-Park.

Blake Kilbourne of Carrollton, Ga., performs a freestyle act with his dog Surf during the Ashley Whippet World Championships at Naperville’s Nike Park in 2021. This year’s competition is Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 31-Sept. 1. | Patrick Kunzer for the Daily Herald, 2021

Saturday, Aug. 31

Ashley Whippet World Championships: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 31-Sept. 1, at Nike Park, 288 W. Diehl Road, Naperville. Disc dog competition with dogs and their owners that have qualified from competitions from all over the world. Free. ashleywhippet.com/world-championships.

Bristol Renaissance Faire: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday through Monday, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, off I-94 at the Illinois/Wisconsin border in Bristol, Wisconsin. Step back in time with food, games, costumes, theme weekends and more. $40 for adults; $15 for kids 5-12; and free for kids 4 and younger. renfair.com/Bristol.

Members of the Academia de Danza Aztlan perform during last year’s Schaumburg Septemberfest parade. This year’s parade is at 10 a.m. Monday. | Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com, 2023

Septemberfest 2024: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 31-Sept. 1, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2, on the grounds of the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, 101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Carnival, live entertainment, bingo, craft beer and wine, pony rides arts and crafts show, Taste of Schaumburg and fireworks at 10 p.m. Sunday, and a parade at 10 a.m. Monday. Music from Phillip Phillips at 8:30 p.m. Saturday; Plain White T’s at 8:30 p.m. Sunday; Taylor Nation Tribute at 1:30 p.m. and 7th heaven at 8:30 p.m. Monday. Free admission; shuttle bus service available. villageofschaumburg.com.

Dog Show: 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Mike Rylko Community Park, 1000 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove. All amateur dogs can enter events such as best costume, biggest or smallest dog, best groomed, best trick, best treat-catcher, best tunnel run and waggiest tail to win prizes. No advanced registration. Free for all dogs and owners. bgparks.org/dog-show-2.

Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Parade: 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31. Steps off from Sunset Skate Park, heading along Haligus to Miller Road, right on Miller to Sunset Park. summersunsetfest.com/parade.

Long Grove Irish Days runs Saturday through Monday, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, with Irish dancing, music, food and more. | Courtesy of Long Grove Irish Days

Long Grove’s Irish Days: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1; and 11 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2, at Long Grove Fountain Square, 228 Robert Parker Coffin Road, Long Grove. Annual celebration of Irish culture featuring live music, food, drinks, dog contest, Men’s Best Legs in Kilt contest, Irish dance groups and more. Free admission and parking. longgrove.org/festival/irish-days.

Kane County Flea Market: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Over 600 dealers display and sell antiques and collectibles indoors and outside. $6; free for kids younger than 12. kanecountyfleamarket.com.

Love On The Lawn Festival: 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. Third annual family event with DJs, food, local vendors, a kids’ corner, a vintage cars and bikes show and more. $25-$30; free for kids younger than 10. Tickets: $30 general admission; $60 VIP; free for kids younger than 10. lotlfest.com.

Bluesmobile Cruise Nights: 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, in the East Commuter Lot at the southeast corner of Northwest Highway and Maple, Mount Prospect. Classic cars, entertainment and more. Free. mplions.org/event/cruise-nights.

Wauconda Street Dance: 5-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, on Main Street, Wauconda. Two stages of live music, food, drinks, bags tournament and more. Headliners include DJ Mikey Mike from 5-11 p.m., BB & The Honey at 9 p.m. and Gina Gonzalez & The Wingmen at 9:30 p.m. and more. Free. waucondachamber.org.

Sunday, Sept. 1

Bennet Taft Wiffle Ball Classic: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at Washington Park, 350 E. Irving Park Road, Itasca. Second annual charity tournament for all ages benefiting the BT8 Foundation, with all proceeds going toward awarding a high school scholarship, helping the food pantry and other community needs. $100 per team of four. Register at bt8foundation@gmail.com.

The Illinois Mycological Association Display & Sale will take place Sunday, Sept. 1, at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. | Courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Illinois Mycological Association Display & Sale: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Burnstein Hall, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. See 50 to 100 varieties of mushrooms foraged from area forests in the days prior to the show. Members will answer questions regarding mushrooms and fungi. Merch for sale includes mushroom-related books, T-shirts and more. $12.95-$20.95. chicagobotanic.org.

Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Sept. 1-2, at Wheeler Park, 822 N. First St. (Route 31), Geneva. 48th annual festival with six stages of live music and storytelling with 17 featured performers: Bob Bovee, Margaret Burk, Debra Cowan, Sara Grey, Donna Herula, Connie Kaldor, Oba William King, Kray Van Kirk, Crys Matthews, Mustard’s Retreat, Sam Robbins, Spencer and Rains, Steam Machine, Chris Vallillo, Jack Williams; on Monday only, Mark Dvorak and February Sky. Hands-on workshops, kids’ zone, arts and crafts vendors and food vendors. On Sunday, there will be an old-fashioned barn dance at 6 p.m. and “Spine-tingling Tales” at 7:30 p.m. Two-day pass: $60 or $35 for students and seniors; day pass $35 or $20; $80-$150 for a family; free for kids younger than 12. fox-valley-folklore-society.square.site/.

Buffalo Grove Days Parade: Noon Sunday, Sept. 1, in Buffalo Grove. The parade will head south on Buffalo Grove Road from Thompson, west on Deerfield Parkway, ending at Mike Rylko Community Park. Free. bgdays.com/activities.

Burger Throwdown: Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at Buffalo Creek Brewing, 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove. The area’s burger food trucks battle it out for the best burger-maker title. Plus, live music, outdoor games and free activities. Ticket includes burger samples and a beer. buffalocreekbrewing.com.

Septemberfest Fireworks: 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, on the grounds of the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, 101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Free. villageofschaumburg.com.

Monday, Sept. 2

Septemberfest Parade: 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 2, on Summit Drive, Schaumburg. The 2-mile, two-hour parade travels northbound on Summit Drive toward the festival grounds at the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center. Free. villageofschaumburg.com.

Wednesday, Sept. 4

South Elgin Summer Concert Series: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at Panton Mill Park, 10 N. Water St., South Elgin. Beyond the Blonde, a tribute to P!nk, Gwen Stefani and Lady Gaga, will perform. Free. southelgin.com.

Thursday, Sept. 5

South Elgin Lunchtime Concert Series: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at Panton Mill Park, 9 N. Water St., South Elgin. The Beaux — Beatles to Bon Jovi will perform. Free. southelgin.com.

Plaza Concert Series: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at Wheeling Town Center, 351 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling. Ravinia Ramblers will perform. Food and beverages for purchase. Free. thewheelingtowncenter.com/events.

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‘No Mow May’ is a little helpful, but native plants are better, experts say

Posted in Chicago Botanic Garden, Citizens for Conservation, Going green, Organizations, Topics Of Interest on April 29, 2024| Leave a Comment »

By Jenny Whidden | Daily Herald

Several suburbs will see hundreds of unwieldy lawns next month as homeowners partake in “No Mow” programs, which exempt residents from local mowing codes in the name of providing shelter and food for early spring pollinators.

The hands-off lawn care practice, which originated in England, has been gaining traction across North America over the last five years, and suburban communities such as Westmont, Glenview, Lombard and Northbrook are gearing up for another year of “No Mow” programs, including “No Mow ’til Mother’s Day” and “Slow Mow May.”

While the trend has been celebrated for bringing awareness to the needs of pollinators, local experts say in reality, “No Mow” only helps the critters marginally. The key is the trend’s origin. Organizers say a spring lawn that grows longer and lets flowers bloom provides habitat, nectar and pollen for pollinators like native butterflies and bees. But turf grass and common flowering weeds are not native here in America.

Fine fescue, a species of grass native to Europe, is one lawn alternative being studied at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Conservation scientist Becky Barak said it’s a good option for those looking for a one-to-one substitute for traditional turf grass because it looks a lot like regular grass — but it doesn’t have to be mowed as frequently and it doesn’t need as much water. | Courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden

“(In England), the idea makes a lot of sense. Things like dandelions and clover and a lot of those things are actually native over there, and are adapted to the pollinators,” said Jamie Viebach, a horticulture educator with Illinois Extension’s Naperville office. “Over here, those things are all considered weeds — they’re not native. Our pollinators are not adapted to use them as well.”

And while the habitat provided after a month of not mowing can offer shelter for pollinators and other insects, the critters will nevertheless be in for a rude awakening under the mower’s blades come June 1.

Scientists at the Chicago Botanic Garden are researching a wide range of alternatives to traditional turf grass. The alternatives, which include fine fescue, native sedges and custom mixes of natives grasses and wildflowers, are sampled in these plots. | Courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden

Diane Blazek of the National Garden Bureau, a nonprofit gardening education organization based in Downers Grove, added that leaving your lawn unmowed for the month could also reap unforeseen consequences, such as encouraging pests and weeds, and even harming your turf grass.

That’s not to conclude the practice is entirely unhelpful. Experts say “No Mow” does bring awareness to the plight of pollinators struggling to find food and shelter in an increasingly urbanized world.

“Pollinators are in decline not only in Illinois but worldwide,” according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “Habitat loss, pesticide use, mites, competition from nonnative species and diseases are killing pollinators.”

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Embrace the beauty of bird watching in winter

Posted in Audubon Society, Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago Tribune, Organizations, Topics Of Interest on January 14, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Crab apple

Crab apples provide fruit for birds in fall and winter. (Robin Carlson)

By Tim Johnson | Chicago Tribune

I have become interested in bird watching and would like to attract more birds to my garden and would appreciate some guidance on how to do so.

— Jeremy Atkinson, Barrington

Thanks for the question, Jeremy. We love to see people getting interested in bird watching — and winter is a good time to plan to enhance your garden with plants that will attract birds all year long. It takes more than feeders, birdhouses, and a bird bath along with some flowers for a truly bird-friendly garden. Birds need a complete habitat that includes food, shelter, nesting areas, and perching spots. A good garden for birds tends to have more of a natural look to it. I’d start by designing your garden so that there re different vertical levels, each attracting and providing something important to different bird species. Some birds prefer the canopy of tall trees while others perch in the understory trees and shrubs. Different species of birds will have varying requirements and preferences for nesting, eating, and shelter, so try to create as many of these levels as possible in your backyard garden to attract a larger variety of birds. Even open areas of soil can be beneficial by providing an area for birds to take a dust bath.

Another good idea is to select plants that provide food for birds at different times of year. Fruits of different plants will ripen in different seasons. For example, serviceberries provide spring-ripening fruit, red-twig dogwood in summer, and hawthorns and crab apples provide fruit in fall and winter. Perennials like purple coneflower and grasses such as a prairie dropseed provide seed for another food source. Sunflowers are quick-growing annual flowers with seeds that birds love. And nectar-producing plants such as penstemon, bee balm, and columbine are attractive to hummingbirds.

Birds also need year-round shelter, so include a mix of evergreens in your garden. When you can, leave some dead branches on living trees to provide zones for the birds to perch on — but prune any dead branches that are safety hazards, of course.

Leave the leaf litter in your garden beds next fall as an easy and environmentally friendly method to recycle material and help meet some of a bird’s basic needs. Other organic materials such as small twigs, fallen seeds, fruits, and berries should be left in the litter too. Many insects will thrive in the leaf litter, which attracts insect-eating birds. Try building a brush pile that is practical in your available garden space ranging in size from 3 to 8 feet tall and 6 to 20 feet wide to provide even more shelter for birds and arrange the materials to create spaces for them. A larger brush pile will be used more.

There are many kinds of seeds and feeders to choose from if you decide to start a feeding program. Squirrels can be a nuisance and eat more seeds than birds do, so choosing a squirrel-resistant feeder is very important. We’ve had good luck with a cylindrical squirrel-resistant feeder at my home. Take time to do some research as different species of birds prefer different types of seeds and feeders, and no one type is preferred by all birds. Ideally, you should avoid buying bags of mixed birdseed as they tend to contain a lot of filler like red millet, which most birds won’t eat. The filler ends up on the ground where it rots. Place your feeder in an open area where it’s easy to see, 10 feet or so away from the protective cover, and convenient to refill. If the feeders are too close to large plants, then squirrels will have easy access to them. Be consistent with feeding birds as they will become accustomed to your feeder and stick around. Stamp the snow down under the feeder to accommodate ground-feeding birds such as doves and dark-eyed juncos. To maximize the number of species that visit your feeders, you’ll want to offer a variety of food installed at different heights above the ground.

Black oil sunflower seeds will attract a wide variety of birds including cardinals, woodpeckers, blue jays, goldfinches, purple finches, chickadees, titmice and nuthatches. Safflower seeds will also attract a wide variety of birds with the advantage of squirrels, blue jays, starlings, and crackles not liking this seed. Nyger is a good seed to attract goldfinches; it’s a very small black seed best used in a feeder specifically designed for it, which can be hung under an eave and near a window so you can enjoy it. A few more good options: White millet seed can be spread on the ground to attract ground-feeding birds. Suet is another option for feeding birds. Suet is rendered animal fat usually mixed with seeds and dried fruit and sold in small cakes. It’s best used in a cool, shaded area in amounts that the birds can eat in a few days to keep it from spoiling, which makes it a great option for winter feeding.

For more plant advice, contact the Plant Information Service at the Chicago Botanic Garden at plantinfo@chicagobotanic.org. Tim Johnson is senior director of horticulture at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

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