Suburban Parent August 2015

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Ss PU AM l cia it io

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Back to school

• Make your own granola bars I 2 • Schools teaching yoga I 3 • Special needs preparations I 4 • What’s new in backpacks I 6 • Apps for back to school I 12

A product of NICHE Publications, a division of Daily Herald I WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2015

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Edible explorations

s u b u r b a n pa r e n t

Help kids get to the head of the class Ah August! When school bells ring again and we try to get our kids back into the habit of learning.

If you need a little something to help clear the cobwebs from the gray matter, Deanna F. Cook’s latest cookbook, “Cooking Class,” will do the trick.

Cook, a former editor at Family Fun magazine, has more than a dozen family and kid-centric cookbooks to her credit. In this latest book from Storey Publishing, she sets out to draw kids ages 6 to 12 into the kitchen with more than 50 easyto-follow recipes and kitchen crafts.

The book is organized into lessons, starting with a review of good habits (wash your hands, Deborah Pankey & Henry Gabriel measure carefully, clean up when you’re done — handy reminders for parents as well), definitions of common cooking terms (mince vs. dice) and how to set a table and fold a napkin for a pretty table setting. Then, of course, come the recipes, each accompanied by color, step-by-step photos and plenty of helpful tips.

The most challenging thing about the cookbook was deciding which recipe to try first. Henry and turned every page, passing up tempting fare including Tiny Tomato Toasts (bruschetta), lunch box-loving Quiche Cupcakes and Very Vanilla Pudding before setting our sights on Grab-and-Go Granola Bars.

Granola bars are a pretty important brick in my family’s food pyramid. They head to school with Henry for a midmorning snack and get tossed into the teen’s backpack for a quick bite before practice. My husband has been known to eat one (even two) for breakfast and I generally have one in my purse for those afternoons when I don’t have time for lunch. Whip up this homemade version and you’ll get all the hearty, oat goodness without the sodium, preservatives and high fructose corn syrup in store-bought versions.

Henry says: I love granola bars. They’re an easy snack that’s optimized for any occasion. The recipe in the book was easy to follow; all the recipes are broken down into smaller steps. You don’t even bake these; they cook on the stove. I put chocolate chips on the granola bars, but you could stir in nuts or raisins. I want to try Sleepover Party Pancakes next.

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• Deborah Pankey, former food editor at the Daily Herald, is the mother of two boys. Her youngest, Henry, is a seventh-grader who is slowly coming out of his picky eater phase.

“Cooking Class” by Deanna F. Cook pulls together 50 recipes that will entice kids ages 6 to 12 into the kitchen.

Courtesy of storey PublisHing

Volume 6, Issue 8 August 12, 2015 Suburban Parent A product of NICHE Publications, a division of Daily Herald 155 E. Algonquin Road Arlington Heights, IL 60005 (847) 427-4300

Chairman, CEO and Publisher Douglas K. Ray President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Stone Assistant Vice President and Director of Strategic Marketing and Innovation M. Eileen Brown NICHE Editor Kay Long Graphic Designer Ana Hinkhouse Courtesy of storey PublisHing

These are no-bake bars that stay fresh for a week if stored in the refrigerator.

Grab and Go Granola Bars 3

tablespoons butter, plus more 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for the pan 3 cups quick-cooking rolled ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar oats ¼ cup honey ¼ cup chocolate chips Butter an 8-inch square baking pan and set it aside.

Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, honey and vanilla extract. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Turn off the heat.

Pour the oats into the pot. Stir very well for 5 minutes.

Spread the oat mixture into the pan. Press it into the pan with your hands to make it even (you may need to rub a little butter on your palms so they don’t stick to the bars). Press hard!

Press the chocolate chips into the top of the bars. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled (about 1 hour).

Bring to room temperature, then ask an adult to help you cut it into 12 bars with a sharp knife. Wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap, aluminum foil or waxed paper. (If you store them in the fridge, they’ll stay fresh all week long.) Decorate with personalized labels.

Serves 12.

Cook’s notes: You can substitute ¼ cup of any of these mix-ins for the chocolate chips: raisins, shredded dried coconut, dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, mini M&Ms, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, puffed rice cereal. Or try a combo with several of these mix-ins or any others that catch your fancy.

“Cooking Class” by Deanna Cook (2015, Storey Publishing)

Division Sales Manager, Entertainment & New Business Development Mike Evans Director of Advertising Pete Rosengren

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health

3

Yoga keeps kids ‘engaged, energized’

by Mary Jekielek Insprucker

Benefits of youth yoga

Daily Herald Correspondent

• Builds confidence • Assists neuromuscular and vestibular system development • Reduces stress and anxiety • Develops discipline • Aids balance and focus • Increases flexibility and good posture • Initiates self-control • Builds conflict resolution properties relaxation. Yoga helps lower blood pressure, reduce heart disease, strengthen balance, enhance flexibility, increase concentration and helps with mental issues including

See Page 11

Students, above and right, practice yoga at Terrace Elementary School in Des Plaines. “The yoga experience proved to be very good for the children’s focus, self-control and mental and physical wellbeing,” said Mindy Ward, director of community relations at Des Plaines Elementary District 62.

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“Wow, yoga is awesome and very, very fun,” said 8-year-old Kate O’Neill from Lake Zurich.

That’s right, 8 years old. If you think yoga is a bunch of adult women dressed in Danskin idling the day away in weirdly twisted positions, think again. Yoga and its benefits are not just for adults anymore!

According to National Health Interview Survey data, 3 percent of kids in 2012 were doing yoga, up from 2.3 percent in 2007.

“Yoga Kids” is a movement across the county. It can be found in studios, park districts, libraries, community centers and backyards everywhere.

The Hindu discipline incorporates breath control, simple meditation and the adoption of specific bodily postures practiced for health and

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education

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Parent-to-parent: A special connection

s u b u r b a n pa r e n t

Making a successful back-to-school transition

What should be an exciting rite of passage for a child can often be a time filled with worry and trepidation. If your child has special needs, back-to-school time can pose an especially difficult transition time for you both. A Sherry new classroom Manschot plus new teachers plus new mix of classmates plus new expectations can equal one apprehensive, anxietyriddled student and one very frustrated parent. Don’t wait until the first day of school to help prepare your child for a successful transition. With a little preparation now you can make this rite of passage less overwhelming for both your child and yourself. Together,

you can ace this assignment!

Know your child, know yourself “Children have a history with past transitions. If you bring up going back-to-school too early some don’t want to talk about it while others are excited,” says Colleen Hanson, a clinical social worker who has spent many years in the school system and is now in private practice. “Really think about which group your child is in.

This will give you a clue as to how and when to begin the transition.

“Keeping your own personal stress level down can also help manage the anxiety level of your child,” recommends Hanson. “As a parent, your level of uneasiness reflects back to them. If they sense your nervousness, it can make

them nervous too. So try to stay calm, positive and use positive phrasing when talking about anything related to back-to-school.”

school days bedtime now to make it easier when school starts.”

Get organized at home

All the “new” can bring unpredictability. With the help of a social story, your child can begin to visualize those first days of school. Include the day’s routine from the time they wake up in the morning until they go to bed. Morning may include: getting dressed, breakfast and getting on the bus. School time may include: classroom time, gym, lunch and recess. Be sure to highlight your child’s favorite part of the day. After school time may include: an afternoon snack, homework time, play time, dinner and bed. Talk about the various parts of the day.

Encourage your child to talk about any parts that may be stressful for them. Reviewing this social story often enough will build familiarity.

“Be sure to structure your home environment to support the changes that come with a new school schedule,” suggests Hanson. “For instance, consider setting up a spot for doing homework and decide where you want backpacks to go.” She also recommends thinking about the morning and bedtime schedules.

“Rushing can certainly create more anxiety. Plan on a little extra time in the mornings until everyone gets used to the new schedule. Think about limiting the electronics and starting to move closer to the

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Create a social story

Arrange early visit Arrange to visit the school and meet the teacher before the official start of school.

Without the chaotic energy of classmates running around, your child can have the luxury of taking his/her time to focus on the surroundings. Visiting with the teacher one-on-one offers an opportunity to get that yearlong relationship off to a good start. Have your child share some of their favorite likes and dislikes with the teacher. If you think it would help, take pictures of the classroom and your child with the teacher to add to your social story.

Partner with your teacher There may be an inclination at the teacher visit for you to share your thoughts, concerns and issues. Let the visit be about your child bonding with the teacher. Instead, make a separate appointment for you and the teacher to meet.

It’s an opportunity for you

and the teacher to build your own relationship. This is the perfect time to discuss the best way to establish two-way communication, your child’s particular idiosyncrasies, what you have found works and what doesn’t, how the classroom is run, potential conflicts that might arise, how they will be handled, etc.

Review the IEP It’s been a great summer and you have had a break from having to be on top of your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Now is the time to review it and check in with the school to see that all the accommodations and services are in place. It is also a good time to revisit your goals.

After school schedule reshuffle After school activities and appointments can upset any routine and become the most stressful time period for anyone. Depending on how much is going on and how your child responds to it, a separate picture schedule can be useful. Include therapies, organized activities, and down time. Reviewing this prior to when the new routine starts can help alleviate stress down the road.

Back-to-school shopping This can either be fun or frustrating. If your child enjoys picking out new school supplies or clothes, make them a part of it. Go early and avoid crowds. If it is something that your child dreads, simply pick up the essentials and be done with it.

Classmate bonding One of the blessings and curses of a new school year is that it comes with a new mix of classmates. Sometimes the dynamics change slightly and other times it can be dramatic.

Hanson has seen a variety of

education

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Working with your special needs child about how their schedule will change when school starts up again will help them with the transition.

Checking the baggage If you have struggled with teachers, specialists or administrators in the past, new relationships can undoubtedly be the trickiest part of a new school year. Just as a new school year brings a fresh start for your child, it can also be one for you

and your child’s team. “It is a delicate balance for everyone,” says Hanson. “Bringing an open, positive attitude can go a long way in understanding and being in tune with each other.”

Here’s to a successful new school year for both your child and you!

• Colleen Hanson, MSW, LCSW, has over 18 years of experience working in private practice, and in public, therapeutic, and private schools. She works with children, adolescents, adults and families specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders, Asperger’s Disorder, ADHD and social cognitive learning challenges.

She can be reached at www. colleenhansontherapy.com.

• Sherry Manschot is the marketing/public relations manager at Western DuPage Special Recreation Association. She leads a parent network of special needs families at WDSRA. Manschot can be contacted at sherrym@wdsra.com.

More information about WDSRA can be found at wdsra.com.

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ways parents try to help their child bond with classmates.

Reconnecting with classmates outside of school can provide a friendly face on that first day. Peer buddies can add comfort but aren’t usually in place for the first day of school.

Sometimes sensitivity training can be arranged. Hanson has seen both parents and child talk with a class to share information on the disability, needs and behaviors. It can offer a very approachable way to introduce a child and answer any questions classmates may have.

It all depends on your comfort level and relationship with the teacher.

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These packs have your back by andrea Guthmann

Express yourself

Summer’s flown by, and it’s time to get organized. First assignment? A place to put those school supplies that’s both fun and functional.

Go to the head of the class in these stylish packs that include some favorite characters, new trends and old-school classics.

Feel free to think different and be different. Empowering kids to express themselves, that’s the idea behind Chooze, best known for its line of mismatched Mary Janes, sold at high-end shoe retailers, like Nordstrom. It also makes an ingenious reversible backpack, with a different design on each side. You can’t let your child choose everything in life, but this choice is all up to them!

Small packs ($25) are for pre-K kids, larger packs ($44) for first grade and up; available at choozeshoes.com and Nordstrom.

s u b u r b a n pa r e n t

Wild things Got a kid who digs dinosaurs?

Your pint-size paleontologist will go wild for this backpack. L.L. Bean’s Discovery line of animal backpacks will make any kid feel brave, whether they’re into sharks, bears, butterflies or dolphins. Parents and kids alike will love the backpack’s glow-inthe-dark graphics. Monogram service available for $8 at stores and online. $40, available at L.L. Bean stores and llbean.com.

Talking points Got a kid who’s mad about Minions? You might find them despicable, but kids finds them lovable. If you can stand the chatter, this backpack actually says a few phrases and lights up.

Don’t worry, the 3 AAA batteries will run out soon enough! $30, available at Claires stores and at claires.com.

Team spirit Score points for style and school spirit as you cheer on your favorite college or professional team in one of these sporty backpacks, available in a kaleidoscope of school colors.

Game on! $35, available at Campus Colors, campuscolors.com, and at Campus Colors stores in Hinsdale and Kildeer.

Flower girls Got a flower child? Let her personality blossom with this perennial favorite, a classic Vera Bradley backpack. She’ll likely say, “Cest magnifique!” when she sees this gorgeous Parisian Paisley pattern. Ooh, la, la! $109 Campus Backpack in Parisian Paisley, available at Vera Bradley stores and verabradley.com.

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Checks, please!

L.L. Bean knows even squares can have a ball.

That’s why they’ve taken classic preppy plaid and added neon green to the color scheme. The result? It’s hip to be square! Extra points for L.L. Bean’s unbeatable lifetime warranty. $50 Deluxe Plus Book Pack available at L.L. Bean or llbean.com.

Face bookbag Today’s digitally-dazed kids give this one a like. For many teens and tweens, emojis are the fav way to communicate. So put on a happy face … or share any one of these other emotions with an emoticon backpack. It’s LOL! $30 Emoji backpack available at Claire’s and claires.com.

Keep it simple Maybe your kid doesn’t want to be the center of attention?

Go back to basics with a blue or black version of this basic pack that holds everything. An expandable exterior pocket is perfect for days when you need to bring along after-school gear (it’s also great for storing dirty or wet clothes). A padded compartment holds up to a 17-inch laptop and multiple interior pockets keep things organized.

The pack has reflective trim for nighttime use and is made of tough water-resistant material. $55 Manifest Daypack available at columbia.com or at Columbia Sportswear’s Michigan Avenue store in Chicago.

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A RESOURCE GUIDE TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Submitted by College of DuPage

university and enable you to earn B.A. and B.S. degrees at a significantly reduced cost.

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We give you plenty of opportunities to put your education into action. Our innovative programs and cutting-edge facilities foster hands-on learning so you are better prepared for the needs of today’s industries. AdditionCurrently, College of DuPage offers 170 ally, through study-abroad programs, interncareer and technical education certificates ships or experiential studies, you can compleand nine associate degrees. ment your classroom learning with real-world • An education that won’t break the bank. experiences across the globe.

By starting at COD, you can save on average We know it is easier to learn more when $32,000 compared to starting at a four-year you feel like you belong. That’s why our campublic university, and on average $63,000 pus is diverse, supportive, active and percompared to a private university. You can sonalized. With more than 50 student clubs, save even more with College of DuPage’s a successful athletic program, artistic and visionary 3+1 program. This program allows social outlets, you can connect with others you to attend COD for your first three years, and find opportunities to get involved. You’ll and then transfer to a partner university to find a place to fit in at COD—and when complete your fourth year. Advanced classes you graduate, you’ll find even more ways to are taught on COD’s campus by the partner stand out.

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When it comes to your education, we believe you should never have to compromise quality for convenience or cost. Think that’s impossible? Not at College of DuPage.

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How parents can ease child’s college transition

Wednesday, august 12, 2015

s u b u r b a n pa r e n t / o n c a m p u s

Metro Creative Services

College is the first taste of true independence many young students experience.

Whereas mom and dad were always around to make sure kids were out the door on time and homework was done, that safety blanket is no longer there once kids move into their dorm rooms.

The transition to college life can be exciting.

But while students typically welcome that transition with open arms, parents often worry about how their children will handle their suddenly more independent life. Parents who want to help their kids make as smooth a transition to college life as possible can take steps during their children’s senior year of high school to help them adjust to their new surroundings and responsibilities more easily.

• Let kids fly solo on school day mornings. New college students have to make many adjustments upon moving into their dorms, and getting themselves out of bed each morning and off to class on time is one such change.

Parents worried that their students will sleep in when mom and dad are not around to remind them to wake up can start letting kids fly solo on school day mornings during their final year of high school.

Let kids set their alarms, prepare their own breakfasts and get out the door on time all on their own. By the time their freshman year of college arrives, kids will know how to handle their mornings by themselves.

• Teach kids how to develop budgets. Another problem many first-year college students encounter is an

Parents who want to help their kids make as smooth a transition to college life as possible can take steps during their children’s senior year of high school to help them adjust to their new surroundings and responsibilities more easily. inability to effectively manage their money. Whether you plan to give kids an allowance while they are in school or intend for them to work part-time for their spending money, use senior year of high school as an opportunity to show kids how to budget their money.

If they don’t have accounts already, open bank accounts in your youngster’s name, and insist that he or she start paying for his or her expenses via these

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accounts. Resist the urge to give high school kids gas money or money for shopping trips if they have already spent their allowances so they can learn how to effectively manage money between paydays. In addition, teach kids about the right and wrong ways to use credit cards, including the importance of paying balances in full and on time.

• Let kids handle more standard responsibilities.

Adults tend to take more mundane responsibilities like making doctor’s appointments or grocery shopping for granted. But kids likely have no idea how to handle such tasks. Parents can encourage their high school seniors to make their own medical appointments.

In addition, take kids along on grocery shopping trips, explaining how to find sale items and which foods to buy and which to avoid. Nutrition is not always foremost on the minds of college freshmen, but those who understand the importance of healthy diets are more likely to buy nutritious meals than junk food.

• Emphasize time management. Today’s high schoolers are busier than ever before, so many may already be prepared for the juggling act that is college life. But college students have more free time than their high school counterparts, so parents can emphasize the importance of managing that free time wisely as opposed to spending it lounging on the couch or napping.

The transition from high school to college can be both exciting and difficult. But parents can get a head start on that transition by encouraging their youngsters to be more independent during their final year of high school.

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COM 101 IS A REQUIREMENT A 300-seat lecture hall isn’t.

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You won’t find a huge lecture hall and teaching assistants at College of DuPage. What you will find: A 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio—so you get up-close and personal interaction with the real-world professionals you’ll call your professors.

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health

11

Hammocks can intensify benefits of children’s yoga From Page 3

Fourteen-year-old Joselyn Wurth from Lake Zurich uses aerial yoga as “a form of medicine,” according to her mother, Rhonda Young. appropriately, and go back open-minded.”

Mountain, chair and warrior poses had similar effects at North Elementary School and Terrace Elementary School, both in Des Plaines.

“The yoga experience proved to be very good for the children’s focus, self-control, and mental and physical well-being,” said Mindy Ward, director of community relations at Des Plaines Elementary District 62.

“We found children performed better and learned relaxation and control techniques crucial to success.”

Youth aerial yoga has also found a place on the map in recent years. It involves performing a series of exercises inspired by yoga, Pilates, calisthenics and aerial acrobatics in a hammock-like apparatus.

For some kids, aerial yoga can be more beneficial than a mat yoga practice due to the engagement of the senses helping to maintain the focus of a child throughout the practice. It is challenging in a mat practice to maintain a younger child’s attention in order to receive the most benefits offered from yoga.

“With the heightened intrigue to learn and understand how to use the hammock as a fun prop, as an instructor, I have discovered that children are very dialed in and attentive throughout the class,” said Holly Johnson, owner of Aviana Yoga.

“The favorite pose for everyone though is hands down, Corpse Pose in the hammock, offered at the closing of each class for a time of meditation and relaxation. Children have reported that they feel the most at ease and at peace than anywhere else while cocooned inside the bright and bold colors.”

Rhonda Young of Lake Zurich put her 14-year-old daughter, Joselyn Wurth, in Johnson’s aerial yoga class to address some health needs. Joselyn is diagnosed with ADHD combined and language delay.

“I always look for something that gives her an outlet and I welcome a broad range like yoga,” said Young. “It’s a form of medicine.”

Indeed, there is a strong therapeutic component to aerial yoga. Disguised as a fun and playful art, it offers children with special needs a way to grow and discover an outlet for balance.

“During the aerial yoga practice, the hammock lends itself as a prop for support in helping to guide the body, which may be lacking in muscular activation, or potentially stiff from over activation, through various range-of-motion exercises to help stimulate the activity of the brain and the connection to the body for a better sense of balance and body intelligence,” Johnson said. “The compression of the fabric across the skin and hugging of the body stimulates

Yoga fun at home • Spend quality time with your children doing yoga • Spice it up by taking the workout outside • Develop themes for each practice • Challenge, but also keep poses doable to avoid lack of interest • Develop a ritual so kids know what is expected and can perfect • Demand attention, but also allow for creativity • Make it game-like • Make sure there is an element of relaxation, not overexertion the parasympathetic nervous system to surrender into a space of relaxation and ease.”

“I felt very happy and relaxed,” said Wurth. “It helped me deal with having to go to summer school.”

Kristin O’Neill involved her daughter, Kate, in aerial yoga for something different, and found added benefits.

“She met new girls; boosted her confidence, and found even when her limits are tested she could accomplish things if she worked hard,” said O’Neill.

With all its advantages, perhaps Kate sums it up the best.

“The flips were awesome and yoga is just really cool.”

Wednesday, august 12, 2015

aided focus, reduced stress and bickering, increased attention and allowed for a positive learning environment. Wheeling High School, Rolling Meadows High School and Prospect High School in Mount Prospect have all realized these benefits from incorporating yoga in dance classes, P.E. classes, and even in cross-country and track teams.

The Vanguard School in Arlington Heights utilized yoga effectively every Friday.

Youth stressors include academic and social pressures, bullying, popularity, college test scores and overstimulating environments, just to name a few.

Recognizing these stressors is what inspired social worker Deanna Ligman to bring yoga to the Academy at Forest View in Arlington Heights.

“Research supports yoga as a positive way to cope with stress,” said Ligman.

Ligman explained students would come to yoga eyes wandering, fidgeting, angry or upset, and leave calm and easy.

Teachers reported when the students returned after a session, they were collected and selfaware of their social and emotional needs.

“Their minds are noisy and yoga teaches them to quiet their minds,” Ligman said. “There is not bullying at our school, but if bullying was a conflict, they would learn how to step back from it; process it more

Kate O’Neill, 8, of Lake Zurich says aerial yoga “is just really cool.” s u b u r b a n pa r e n t

depression.

Also trending now throughout the country — bringing yoga into the classroom. Mindful Practices, a school wellness organization that empowers teachers and students through yoga, partners with more than 70 Chicago-area schools each year. Additionally, they trained a group of teachers and youth at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights on how to provide yoga and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) instruction to preschool students in their school district.

“Yoga in the classroom can be easy and effective,” said Carla Tantillo-Philibert, founder of Mindful Practices and author of “Cooling Down Your Classroom.” “If students’ behavior is frenetic, teachers learn strategies to bring about a sense of calm and focus. If students are lethargic, yoga can be used as an energizing movement tool. Breathing exercises are also particularly useful prior to test-taking.”

Mindful Practices’ SEL and Yoga programming implemented in schools between February and June 2015 had preliminary findings showing increased student self-awareness, understanding of emotions and selfregulation in third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students. Teachers in the study reported that student attendance increased on days when SEL activities were taught (19 percent agreeing at week 4 that attendance increased on SEL days, to 59 percent on week 12). Teachers also reported their professional development/training in SEL strengthened their teaching of SEL (31 percent strongly agreeing on week 4 to 49 percent on week 12).

“Ultimately, the goal is to add in movement and mindfulness ‘minutes’ or breaks throughout the day to keep students engaged and energized about learning,” Tantillo-Philibert said. “Students also learn how to build stronger self-awareness and interpersonal skills, which are lifelong assets.”

Yoga practice in some northwest suburban schools have

education

12

Apps for Kids: Back to school

by Chelsey boutan

During the summer it’s easy for your kids to have fun, but it’s also easy for them to forget concepts they learned in school. Review and help your kids feel confident about going back to school with these three iPad apps.

Touch and Write

s u b u r b a n pa r e n t

Touch and Write makes learning to write actually fun.

With this app, your child can write with ketchup, syrup, chocolate pudding and even whipped cream.

Cost: $2.99 Ages: 4 and up

phonics and pronunciation. The app promises that 15 minutes a day will improve your child’s reading skills and confidence.

Cost: Free Ages: 5 and under

First Day of School – Little Critter

Learn with Homer Learn with Homer helps your child learn to read by building on over 50 skills including spelling,

Your child can feel better about school starting by helping Little Critter get ready for his first day.

This interactive app encourages your child to learn new vocabulary and personalize the story by narrating it.

Cost: $1.99 Ages: 5 and under

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Goodall’s story inspires young animal lovers by terri schlichenmeyer

Summer’s almost over and, when you go back to school, there’s one thing you’re going to miss: your dog.

Or your cat, your gerbil or your horse. Your best bud for the summer, the friend you played with all vacation long, the pal that inspires you to want to learn more about animals and their care. Learning is what one scientist did, and in “Untamed: The Wild Life of Jane Goodall” by Anita Silvey, you’ll read about her.

Jane Goodall loved animals almost from the day she was born.

Growing up near London, she had all kinds of pets: earthworms, dogs, chickens. “Jane loved all creatures great and small,” says Silvey, but most of all, she loved chimpanzees. She wanted more than anything to go to Africa to see them.

Though most of her early life was spent near the grounds of a London-area manor filled with animals, Goodall and her family moved to Bournemouth, England, during World War II, to a coastal area where it was safer. Even there, Goodall made friends with all creatures; she started a club for animal lovers.

Once she graduated from high school, though, “Jane didn’t really know what she wanted to do for work.” She trained as a secretary but found the job “exceedingly dull.”

When an old friend whose family owned a farm in Africa invited her to visit, Goodall was beside herself with excitement.

It was a dream come true!

Of course, once she got to Africa, Goodall wanted to stay but she needed a job. When someone suggested she visit Louis Leakey, a renowned scientist later known for his work in paleontology, it became the perfect opportunity for both of them. Jane got the job, and more: Leaky had been thinking about sending someone to study chimpanzees in the wild, but he needed the right person

“Untamed: The Wild Life of Jane Goodall,” by Anita Silvey, foreword by Jane Goodall (2015, National Geographic), $18.99, 96 pages. to do it.

“On ... July 14, 1960,” says Silvey, “Jane Goodall set off for Gombe Stream Game Reserve’s… rugged country.”

Her “one goal: to find the region’s elusive chimpanzees and to observe them for as long as she could.”

It was a goal that launched a career that’s made a difference in the world.

Long ago, back in the beginning of time, I wanted to be a veterinarian someday. I’ll bet that same thought has crossed your young pet-lover’s mind, too. “Untamed” is a good way to show her that domestic pets needn’t be her only clientele.

From the cover (look at that adorable chimp!) to her notes at book’s end, author Anita Silvey gives science-minded children something inspirational in Goodall’s story. Taking the tale beyond Gombe then, Silvey shows us what Goodall is doing today, and kids will learn how they can get involved.

I appreciate that young readers will be challenged here, both with what Silvey says and how she says it; a sharp 9-yearold might tackle this book, though its content is meant more for kids a little older.

With its pictures, its story, “field notes,” maps and more, “Untamed” will be a book they’ll enjoy monkeying with.

education

Make school day mornings easier

Parents can take several steps to make sure school day mornings go more smoothly. school lunches, lay clothes out for yourself and your children, and make sure kids have their backpacks packed and ready to go before they go to bed. Each of these things may only take a few minutes, but when left for the morning, they can add up to a substantial amount of time.

• Encourage youngsters to pick up the pace. Some people are morning people, while others dread setting their alarms for early morning hours. Kids who fall into the latter group may drag their feet in the morning, but parents should offer encouragement when kids are moving slowly in the morning. Allowing

your frustration to show may only make kids less fond of mornings, so remind them as nicely as possible that everyone has a schedule to stick to if they seem to be dragging their feet.

• Keep the television off. If watching the television is ingrained in your morning routine, try going a few days without it to see if this makes it easier to get out the door on time. Kids might grow distracted by morning cartoons, and even adults may get caught up in morning news shows or other forecasts.

Eliminating television from your morning routine can save time and also may help your family grow closer, as you will have more distraction-free time to speak to one another. In addition to turning off the television, resist the urge to turn on your devices or scan work emails when getting ready in the morning.

Parents know that school day mornings can be hectic. But there are several ways to make such mornings go more smoothly so everyone gets where they need to be on time.

Create a helpful homework atmosphere for your child • Designate a homework zone in a distraction-free area of your home. Designate a room in your home that is quiet and well lit so kids can do their homework free from distraction.

• Choose the right location for the homework room. Avoid rooms adjacent to the kitchen and living room, as these rooms tend to be popular and subject to heavy foot traffic.

But don’t choose a room that’s too far away from the hustle and bustle, such as the basement, so they don’t feel punished and you can check on them occasionally.

• Keep the homework room clean. A cluttered homework room may be less appealing to children, and such disorganization also can distract kids from

the tasks at hand. Encourage kids to keep their homework rooms clean, and help them clean up if need be.

• Let kids rest or relax before starting their homework. Another element of a good homework atmosphere is letting kids unwind between getting home from school and cracking open the books.

Between arriving home from school and starting on their homework, give kids a healthy snack that can provide an extra jolt of energy they can use once they start their homework.

• Evaluate how the homework zone is working.

If they are struggling, ask them if there is anything about the current setup they dislike and address those issues accordingly.

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s u b u r b a n pa r e n t

School day mornings can be hectic, as getting kids ready for school and out the door on time is not always easy. Working parents may find school day mornings especially difficult, as their own work schedules can make mornings feel even more rushed. Fortunately, parents can employ several strategies to free up time in the morning so everyone starts their days off in a more relaxing atmosphere.

• Wake up earlier. Sleep might seem like a precious commodity, but waking up just 10 to 15 minutes earlier can remove some of the stress from weekday mornings without costing you a lot of sack time.

Let kids sleep in until their normal wakeup time, using your extra 10 or 15 minutes to shower or enjoy your morning cup of coffee before the house is abuzz with activity.

• Tackle certain chores the night before. Delaying certain chores until you wake up makes for a hectic morning, so tackle as many morning chores as possible before you go to bed for the night. Prepare

13

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Wednesday, august 12, 2015

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the list

14

Your guide

to family fun

in the suburbs

Wednesday, august 12, 2015

s u b u r b a n pa r e n t

THEATER “Beaches,” Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace: Wednesday, Aug. 12, through Sunday, Aug. 16. This pre-Broadway production of “Beaches” is a new musical based on the novel by Iris Rainer Dart and the film of the same name. Performance schedule: 1:30 p.m. ($45) Wednesday; 1:30 p.m. ($45) and 8 p.m. ($55) Thursday; 8 p.m. ($60) Friday; 5 p.m. ($60) and 8:30 p.m. ($60), Saturday; and 2 p.m. ($60) and 6 p.m. ($55) Sunday. Student group tickets start as low as $30 and tickets for senior citizens start at $40 for matinees. Dinner and show packages are also available. Tickets: Drury Lane Theatre box office at (630) 530-0111, TicketMaster at (800) 745-3000, or www.drurylane.com.

“Moon Over Buffalo,” Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St. at Vail Avenue, Arlington Heights: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13; 8 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 14; 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15;, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16. Get an inside look at life backstage in the 50s in this madcap comedy. George and Charlotte Hay’s careers as big time stars are fading as the family performs in Buffalo, New York — a far cry from the bright lights of Broadway. But when a big time producer wants to see Charlotte for a movie role, can they get their act together in time to make a good impression? Tickets: $38 and can be purchased online at MetropolisArts. com or by calling the Box Office at (847) 577-2121.

“October Sky,” The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire: Thursday, Aug. 26, through Sunday, Oct. 11 (preview Thursday, Aug. 19). The World Premiere of this new musical is based on the Universal Pictures film “October Sky” and the best-selling novel “Rocket Boys” by Homer H. Hickam, Jr. It was 1957, and Sputnik lit up the October sky over the small Appalachian mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia.

Homer Hickam, the teenage son of a coal miner, is determined not to end up like generations before him. Inspired by the world’s race to space, Homer and his buddies begin to light up the starry skies with their homemade rockets and dreams of glory. This rich and emotional story is for anyone who ever dreamed of something better and reached for the stars.

Performance schedule: 1 and 8 p.m.

Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 4:30 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 5 p.m. Sundays, with select 1 p.m.

Thursday shows. Tickets $50-$55, including tax and handling fees. Free parking is available at all performances.

To reserve tickets, call The Marriott Theatre Box Office at (847) 634-0200

or go to www.ticketmaster.com. Visit www.MarriottTheatre.com for more information. Dinner/theater tickets also available by calling the box office.

“Oklahoma,” Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora: Thursdays through Sundays, Sept. 16 to Oct. 18. Set in the turn-of-the-century Oklahoma Territory, tensions are mounting between the local farmers and cowboys over the use of land. In the midst of it all is the rugged cowboy Curly who’s fallen for the strong-headed farm girl, Laurey. Despite their fiery spirits and at times tumultuous relationship, the two are destined to start a new life together in the soon-to-be state called Oklahoma. It’s filled with some of the most recognized songs in theater including “Beautiful Morning,” “Surrey with the Fringe,” “People Will Say We’re in Love,” and of course, the resounding “Ok-la-hom-a,” — all performed by the Paramount’s full orchestra. Tickets: $41-$56. (630) 8966666 or paramountaurora.com.

ON STAGE Opera in Focus: Opera in Focus, 300 W. Central Road, Rolling Meadows: 4 p.m.

Wednesdays and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays.

Puppeteers perform over 30 operas in the Kungsholm tradition through elegant puppets. Tickets: $12 adults; $11 seniors 60 and older; $7 for children 12 and younger. Advanced registration required, call (847) 818-3220, ext. 186 or visit perainfocus.com.

Laugh Out Loud Theater: 601 N. Martingale Road, Suite 171, Schaumburg: 7:30 (all ages) and 9:30 p.m.(adults) Fridays and Saturdays. Improvisational comedy in the style of “Whose Line is it Anyway?” Admission: $12-$18. Contact: (847) 240-0386 or LOLtheater.com.

MUSIC ARRA, Sunshine Park, 220 Sunrise Ave., Willowbrook: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13. Enjoy classic rock in an outdoor venue. Free. Contact: (630) 654-1428.

Sing-A-Long Frozen, RiverEdge Park, Aurora: 6:30 p.m. (gates open) Saturday, Aug. 16; 7:15 p.m. (preshow activities); 8 p.m. (movie). Rain or shine. Disney’s “Frozen” shattered records, won a few Academy Awards and introduced the world to one of the greatest songs in cinema history. Now, get ready to sing along to this incredible movie that’s fun for the whole family.

It’s the story of sisterhood and snowmen, royalty and reindeer and, most importantly, true love appearing in the ways you least expect. The Frozen fun starts with games for the kids, Anna and Elsa costume contests and tons more. Then, when the sun goes down, the Park fills with voices young and

old singing along to “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” “Love Is An Open Door” and, of course, “Let It Go.” Bring your kids, friends, neighbors, friendly neighborhood snowman … oh, just bring everyone. Free. For this event, there will be limited bench seating available directly in front of the stage on either side. Bag chairs are allowed to be set up in this area. The rest of the park is general admission for bag chairs. Bag chairs and blankets are also allowed on the grassy hill.

U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America, Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19.

Shades of Blue jazz ensemble performs.

Free. Contact: (630) 668-5161.

Close to You: The Music of The Carpenters, Fox Valley Repertory, 4052 E. Main St., St. Charles: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. Singer Lisa Rock of Grayslake and her six-piece band are bringing the music of The Carpenters back to the stage with their spot-on renditions of Carpenters classics. Tickets are $32, and can be purchased by calling the Box Office at (630) 584-6342 or by visiting FoxValleyRep.org.

Woody James Concert, Cantigny Park, Bandshell, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton: 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5. If you favor the country-western sound — and the tunes of Johnny Cash in particular — then this act is for you.

Woody James, a Kendall County native, is a 23-year-old singer and guitarist who can really deliver the goods. Lawn seating; chairs and blankets welcome.

Free with paid parking ($5).

Concert: Pirates Over 40, Cantigny Park, Bandshell, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton: 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6. This band’s special blend of tropical sounds and rhythms is best described as Caribbean Rock. All ages will enjoy this unique and carefree style of music. Lawn seating; chairs and blankets welcome. Free with paid parking ($5).

Concert: Chicago Skyliners, Cantigny Park, Bandshell, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton: 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7 Celebrate Labor Day with one of the top Big Bands in Chicagoland. The Chicago Skyliners, formed in 1988, feature contemporary arrangements of traditional big band hits, including the music of Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Sammy Nestico, Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson. Lawn seating; chairs and blankets welcome. Free with paid parking ($5).

The Festival Chorus, Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine: 7:30 to 10 p.m. Mondays. Accepting adult vocalists. No auditions, voice placement only. Contact: president@festivalchorus. org.

CONTESTS Back-to-School Contest, All Chocolate Kitchen (A.C.K.), 33 S. Third St., Geneva: Contest ends Friday, Aug. 21. Acclaimed pastry guru Chef Alain Roby celebrates your favorite teachers with a Facebook contest. Participants must message A.C.K.’s Facebook page, explaining why their teacher is exceptional. The winning teacher will receive an A.C.K. gift basket with eight new chocolate and nut covered apples and A.C.K.’s signature toffee for a value of over $100. Chef Roby was named 2013’s Pastry Chef of the Year by Chicago Culinary Museum and Chefs Hall of Fame. For more information, visit www.AllChocolateKitchen.

com or call (630) 232-2395.

PLANTS & ANIMALS Munchin’ Monarchs, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle: 12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. Try your hand at feeding monarch butterflies and get an up close look at these winged wonders. Contact: (630) 968-0074.

Nature Connects: Art with Lego bricks by Sean Kenney, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle: 7 a.m. to sunset daily in August. Marvel at 13 larger-than-life displays created from nearly half a million Lego bricks. Walk the arboretum’s tree-lined grounds on the east side to find nature-themed sculptures crafted

by Lego artist Sean Kenney, including a monarch butterfly boasting an eight-foot wingspan and an enormous hummingbird sipping nectar from a colorful trumpet flower. Free with arboretum admission. Contact: (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.

Thursday Family Nights, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays in August. Be sure to explore the Children’s Garden, Maze Garden, and Tree House Tales. Enjoy live music, kid-friendly fare, and entertainment after-hours in the Children’s Garden. No registration required. Free for members, arboretum admission is $5 for nonmembers after 4:30 p.m.

Contact: (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb. org.

Festival of Flight, Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways, Brookfield: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. daily through Labor Day Monday, Sept. 7. Guests can watch birds soar, swoop, and dive as they demonstrate their natural flight abilities during the Festival of Flight show. The 30-minute presentations are held west of the zoo’s Tropic World habitat.

Zoogoers can look on in amazement as a grape is tossed for a trumpeter hornbill to catch in midair and as an Eurasian eagle-owl soars inches above them.

Laughter will be hard to control when an Amazon parrot mimics human speech, and the audience can watch the skill of a red-legged seriema as it demonstrates its natural behavior of capturing prey.

During the presentation, guests will also feel the wind in their hair as the Andean condor with its 10-foot wingspan soars just above their heads, and members of the audience may want to open their pockets, as a crow scans the crowd for donations that help support endangered species in the wild.

General zoo admission is $16.95 for adults, $11.95 for children 3-11 and seniors 65 and older. Children 2 and younger are free. Parking is $10. For further information about Festival of Flight, visit www.CZS.org/upcomingevents or call (708) 688-8000.

Butterflies and Blooms, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Visitors can immerse themselves in an outdoor butterfly garden with hundreds of live tropical butterfly species from around the world. A field guide is available to help identify dozens of species in the exhibit. Visitors also can observe butterflies hatching through a window into the pupa emergence room. Contact: (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org.

FUN & GAMES Perseid Meteor Shower Star Party, Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton: 6 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, rain or shine. Cantigny Park will host an out-of-this-world experience in partnership with Chicago’s Adler Planetarium. Astronomers and casual stargazers alike look forward to the Perseid meteor shower every year in the late summer night sky. The meteors or “shooting stars” are best viewed around Aug. 9-13. Will feature stargazing, live music, a scavenger hunt for kids, hands-on science activities and presentations by an Adler astronomer.

Meteors are viewable with the naked eye but telescopes will be set up on the Cantigny Parade Field for close looks at stars and planets. Picnics are welcome and Bertie’s Café will stay open until 9 p.m. for snacks and ice cream. General admission tickets are $15 for adults, $9 for children ages 3-11. Contact: adlerplanetarium.org/perseid, (312) 322-0332 or email supportadler@ adlerplanetarium.org.

“Monsters University,” Veterans Park, Church and Main, Bensenville: Dusk Friday, Aug. 14. Enjoy this familyfriendly movie under the stars. Free.

Contact: (630) 766-7015.

Farm to Fork Dinner, Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg: 5 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 22. Register by Wednesday, Aug. 19 at (847) 985-2100.

Promotes farm-to-table movement supporting local farms and food producers. Participating restaurants include Dukes Ale House from Crystal Lake, Goose and Fox from Chicago, Sweet Memories caterers, Frank’s Karma Cafe and possibly others. Farm fresh produce from Spring Valley’s Heritage Farm. Local beers and wines.

Tickets: $30 per person. Contact: (847) 985-2100 or parkfun.com.

Hero Dash, James Pate Philips State Park, 2054 W. Stearns Road, Bartlett: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. The Bartlett Park District hosts a 2-mile run/walk with superhero challenges.

Advance registration by noon Friday, Aug. 14 includes superhero action pack.

Advance registration fee $25 for first person, $20 for each additional person in a group. Same-day fee is $35 for first person and $30 for each additional person in a group. A superhero pack is not guaranteed. Free movie, “Big Hero 6,” follows at dusk. Contact: (630) 5404800 or lifecenterfitness.org/events.

“Big Hero 6,” James Pate Philips State Park, 2054 W. Stearns Road, Bartlett: Dusk Saturday, Aug. 22. Free movie is open to the public and follows Hero Dash. Free popcorn will be served.

“1, 2, 3 … Spanish for Me!” Cantigny Park, Education Center, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton: 2 to 2:45 p.m.

Wednesdays, Sept. 2, 9, and 16. This is a new program for children ages 3-5.

Cantigny educator Edith Roman will help kids learn a second language through familiar songs, games and crafts. The theme is “Body Parts.” Cost: $18; parking free. Register at Cantigny.org or call (630) 260-8162.

Sprouts Parent-Child Program, Cantigny Park, Education Center, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton: 10 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 2 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 3, 10, and 17. Children ages 3-5 years are invited to explore seasonal nature topics

the list through stories, hands-on activities, nature walks and crafts. The theme for this 3-session class is Backyard Bugs.

Cost: $18; parking free. Register at Cantigny.org or (630) 260-8162.

Revolutionary War Reenactment, Cantigny Park, Parade Field, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 13. History will come alive as hundreds of talented living history actors from the Northwest Territory Alliance converge on the park. Witness mock battles and experience life in the 18th century by strolling through a large encampment of soldiers and civilians. “Rev War Weekend” is one of Cantigny’s most popular annual events — it’s fun, educational and free. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

History Alive! Series: American Revolution, First Division Museum, Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton: 1 to 3 p.m. every Thursday throughout the summer. Children ages 6-12 are invited to learn about a different military topic each week.

Kids can dress in a soldier’s uniform, interact with interesting artifacts and participate in games and crafts. No signup necessary, just drop in. Free with paid parking ($5).

Theatre-Hikes at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle: 1 p.m. weekends in August. Hikers can play along in a game of “Clue: The Musical,” where they get to select the killer’s weapon and room in which the murder takes place. Each performance lasts about 3½ hours. We recommend participants wear comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing and bring a chair or blanket, water bottle and insect repellent. $10 for adult member, $20 for adult nonmember, $5 for child member, $10 for child nonmember. Contact: (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.

Los Bilinguitos: Waukegan Public Library, 128 N. County St., Waukegan: 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 3:30 p.m.

Sundays. Children, ages 4-7, can listen to bilingual stories, sing songs and create craft projects in the art center. No registration required. For details, call (847) 623-2041 or visit waukeganpl.org.

Family Fun Night: Hastings Lake YMCA, 1995 Grass Lake Road, Lindenhurst: 7 to 9 p.m. the first Friday of every month. Spend quality time together as a family and meet

Anime Club: Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling: 4 to 6 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month. Teens in grades 6-12 can enjoy a new Anime movie or series and Japanese snacks.

For information, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Family Storytime at the Branch, Indian Trails Library District Prospect Heights Branch, 99 Palatine Road, Prospect Heights: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Join the library every Tuesday at the Branch for storytime in English and Spanish.

Everyone is welcome. No registration required. Free; for information, www. indiantrailslibrary.org.

STEAM, grades 3-6, Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 Elm St., Prospect Heights: 4 to 5 p.m. on the third Friday of each month, STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. The library’s STEAM program motivates children, in grades 3-6, to learn science, technology, engineering, art/design and math concepts by engaging them in hands on projectbased activities. For information, (847) 259-3500 or www.phpl.info.

STEAM, grades K-2, Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 Elm St., Prospect Heights: 4 to 5 p.m. on the first Friday of each month, STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. The library’s STEAM program motivates children in grades K-2 to learn science, technology, engineering, art/design and math concepts by engaging them in hands on projectbased activities. For information, contact (847) 259-3500 or visit www. phpl.info.

STEAM, ages birth-kindergarten, Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 Elm St., Prospect Heights: 11 to 11:30 a.m. on the first Monday of each month. STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. The library’s STEAM program motivates children ages birth-kindergarten, with an adult, to learn science, technology, engineering, art/design and math concepts by engaging them in hands on project-based activities. For more information contact the Prospect Heights Public Library at (847) 2593500 or visit their website: www.phpl. info.

Sat. Aug. 15 10 am-10 pm

Sun. Aug. 16 11 am-6 pm

Tickets

Adults $15 Children Age 6-15 - $7 Children Age 5 & Under - Free Two full days of Family-Friendly Events, Demonstrations and Activities

• Renaissance Faire/Jousting • Barrel Racing Competition • Charros/Dancing Horses • Cowboy Storytellers • Kids' Pony Rides • Vendors and Much More

Tiny Tot Saturday Mornings: Orbit Skate Center, 615 S. Consumers Ave., Palatine: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Saturdays. Enjoy time with your children 10 and younger at the Tiny Tot Session every Saturday morning.

Skate, play and have a mini-lesson for just $6 including skates. Non-skating parents can be out on the floor. For informaiton, www.orbitskate.net/ schedule/tiny-tot-saturday-mornings.

Gaming Sundays: Poplar Creek Library, 1405 S. Park Ave., Streamwood: 12:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. All ages are invited to bring your friends and games to play or join the Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon and other players. Snacks provided, no fees or registration. Call (630) 4834928 for information.

Kane County Fairgrounds 525 S. Randall Road • St. Charles www.FestivalOfTheHorseAndDrum.com

Wednesday, august 12, 2015

All Ages Youth Basketball Skills Training, St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church, 133 S. Roselle Road, Palatine: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Northwest Knights, a program under Integrity Youth Sports NFP, offers weekly skills training on Tuesday nights, open to all players ages 8-17 who want to improve their basketball skills.

Practices cost $20 for 90 minutes of training from AAU and NCAA certified coaches. Visit www.facebook.com/ nwknightsbasketball.

other families while having fun at the YMCA. These nights are free and open to the entire community. Visit www. hastingslakeymca.org.

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Model Railroad Garden, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Garden-scale trains traverse bridges and trestles, past miniature scenes of America’s best-loved landmarks and beautiful gardens planted to scale.

Tickets: $6, $5 for seniors, $4 for kids ages 3-12, free for kids under 3. $1 discount for members. Contact: (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org.

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Wednesday, august 12, 2015

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