Celebrate our state’s bicentennial with a special birthday cake and history lesson at Elgin’s Gail Borden Library on Oct. 28.

Events @ a Glance: Mind & Spirit Calendar

There’s so much to do in our region! Here’s a look at upcoming lectures and educational enrichment.

Celebrate our state’s bicentennial with a special birthday cake and history lesson at Elgin’s Gail Borden Library on Oct. 28.

September

Library Book Sale
Sept. 13-16, Thu.-Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m. Choose from thousands of books and media items for sale; proceeds support library programs and events. Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove, Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.

Archaeological Awareness
Sept. 16, noon-4 p.m. Learn about stone grinders, flintknappers and other artifacts. Try your hand at throwing an atlatl; bring your own arrowheads or prehistoric tools for identification by professional archaeologists. Powers-Walker House, Glacial Park Conservation Area, 6316 Harts Road, Ringwood, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.

American Craft Expo Preview
Sept. 20, 5:30-9 p.m. Enjoy an evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a sneak peek at the American Craft Exposition. Artwork may be purchased. Proceeds support increased access to psychiatric services at NorthShore University Health System. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, (847) 835-5440, chicagobotanic.org.

Supernovae Lecture
Sept. 21, 8 p.m. Todd Thompson, Professor of Astronomy at Ohio State University, speaks about Supernovae, Neutron Stars and the origin of heavy elements. Fermilab, Ramsey Auditorium, Kirk Road & Pine Street, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.

Comic Book Mania Convention
Sept. 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Activities for comic book and pop culture fans of all ages include special panels for aspiring comic book artists, face painting and prizes for attendees in costume. More than 40 comic book artists and writers in Artist’s Alley. Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.

Dahlia Exhibition
Sept. 29-30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Ranging from under 2 inches to over a foot in diameter, these gorgeous blooms come in a wide variety of colors and forms. Experienced gardeners tell how to grow beautiful dahlias. Central States Dahlia Society and Southtown Dahlia Club, Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, (630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.

October

Essential Oils
Oct. 2, 6:30 p.m. Learn how to use oils to improve your health and quality of life by managing pain, improving balance, increasing focus, reducing stress and building your immune system. Reg. online. Grand Oaks Recreation Center, 1401 W. Ill. Rt. 176, Crystal Lake, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.

A Cosmic Perspective
Oct. 12, 8 p.m. Jill Tarter, Chair Emeritus at the SETI Institute (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), lectures on “Searching for Aliens, Finding Ourselves.” Scientific exploration tries to answer the question that Enrico Fermi asked his luncheon companions in 1950, “Where is everybody?” Fermilab, Wilson Hall, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.

Astronomy Program
Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Dec. 14, 8-10 p.m. Learn about outer space, the sky and the universe; then stargaze. Ages 12 and up. Skokie Valley Astronomers, Edward L. Ryerson Welcome Center, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods, (847) 968-3320, lcfpd.org.

Tri-Cities CROP Hunger Walk
Oct. 13, 8 a.m. Help raise funds to end hunger in the U.S. and around the world. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1145 N. 5th Ave., St. Charles, (630) 673-5885, crophungerwalk.org/saintcharlesil.

Creative Living Series: Bob Odenkirk
Oct. 18, 9 a.m. coffee and conversation, 10 a.m. program. The writer and executive producer of television’s “The Simpsons” shares insights on the inner workings of animation and comedy writing. Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.

Day at the Dole
Oct. 21, 10 a.m. Experience history, art and music as you tour the mansion, lunch in the Sage Gallery and enjoy a concert in the Listening Room. Reg. online. Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 455-8000, lakesideartspark.org.

Life of the Metis
Oct. 28, 1-3 p.m. Experience the lives and cultures of the French-Canadian traders and the Native Americans who lived in this area in the 1600s; make a clay pinch pot, weave a cattail mat and listen to stories. Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.

Illinois Birthday Bash
Oct. 28, 2-3 p.m. On Dec. 3, 2018, the state of Illinois will be 200 years old. Celebrate with cake and learn about Illinois’ early years, historical happenings and famous residents, past and future. Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.

November

Veterans 5K Run/Walk
Nov. 3, 7-10 a.m. This 15th annual event benefits the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans. Reg. online. Cantigny, Wheaton, (630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.

Friendsgiving on the Farm
Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m. Savor open-air dining with locally sourced food and wine pairings, reminiscent of the parties thrown by Col. McCormick on Red Oaks Farm. Reg. at (630) 260-8260. Cantigny, Wheaton, (630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.

Second Saturday: Giving Back
Nov. 10, noon-3 p.m. At this month’s Second Saturday drop-in family program, volunteers create Veterans Day cards for the Hines VA Hospital; other activities to benefit local nonprofits. McCormick House Gold Theater, Cantigny, Wheaton, (630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.

Creative Living Series: Joseph R. Ferrari
Nov. 15, 9 a.m. coffee and conversation, 10 a.m. program. The DePaul University professor examines the factors that cause us to procrastinate and shares how they can be overcome. Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.