Hawthorn Summer Programs Include HEI and Music Camp

Hawthorn offers some great summer learning opportunities, including the Hawthorn Enrichment Institute and Hawthorn Band and Orchestra Camp. For information, including registration materials, please visit the Summer Programs Quicklink.

Libertyville Kids Day - March 20

Libertyville Kids Day is a free indoor carnival planned for Saturday, March 20 from 9 a.m. to noon at The Chapel, 1200 American Way, Libertyville, IL. Includes inflatable recreation area as well as a visit from special guest Noah Munck "Gibby" from Nickelodeon's iCarly show. For information, visit www.LibertyvilleKidsDay.com.

Sente Holds Park Clean Up Day - March 27

State Rep. Carol Sente invites community members to a Park Clean-Up Day at Century Park on Saturday, March 27 from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information, please see the event letter.

Watch for Your Census in Mid-March

The 2010 Census is an important time to stand up and be counted. Information from the census helps determine funding amounts and priorities for our community. Census forms should arrive at your home in mid-March. Please take time to complete and return your census. For more information, including some interesting interactive activities, visit www.2010.census.gov.

HAC 2010 Summer Camps

The Afterschool Club offers a variety of summer camp experiences, including sessions right at Hawthorn Elementary South. For information, check the Summer Camp flyer, visit www.afterschoolclub.com, check the Summer Programs webpage, or call 847-548-2445.

Bright Start College Savings Info and Contest - due April 30

The Bright Start College Savings Program provides a tax-advantaged way for families to invest money to help pay for a child's education. For more information, please review the updated Bright Start brochure. You can also enter to win a $500 deposit in a Bright Start account as well as $500 in school supplies. Enter by April 30. For information, check the contest flyer. Information is also available by visiting www.brightstartsavings.com or calling 1-800-565-7353.

Mobile Mexican Consulate in Mundelein - March 31 to April 3

Casa Guanajuato Mundelein is sponsoring a visit from the Mobile Mexican Consulate to assist people in receiving their Mexican Consular ID and/or Mexican Passport. Representatives will be available at Hispana Nueva Vida, 1405 S. Lake Street, Mundelein, from March 31 through April 2 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and April 3 (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.). For information, check the flyer or visit the Illinois/Chicago Mexican Consulate website at www.consulmexchicago.com.

Celebrate 65 Years of Golden Books at the Lake County Discovery Museum

This spring and summer, the Lake County Discovery Museum will be celebrating the 65th anniversary of Golden Books. The "Golden Legacy" Exhibit of original art will run from March 20 to August 22. For more information, visit www.LCFPD.org/GoldenLegacy or call 847-968-3400. Be sure to download the web coupon for a $1 off the cost of museum admission.

7 Reasons to Leave the Party Parent Program - March 18

On Thursday, March 18, from 7:15-8:30 pm, Vernon Hills High School will host "7 Reasons to Leave the Party," an award-winning program for parents of teenagers aimed at altering perceptions and saving young lives. This program has been conducted statewide for several years by the Illinois Judges Association (IJA). Two judges will present personal and legal consequences that teens face when they attend parties, drink alcohol, take drugs, and have sex. Their program is born of frustration and based on true tales from the state's courtrooms. The "7 Reasons to Leave the Party" is the judges' attempt at preventative law. Using examples from actual court cases, the judges focus their presentation on providing 7 good reasons to leave a party where drugs or alcohol are present. The presentation will also encourage parents to be proactive and provide their children with ideas on how to avoid getting in to serious trouble, and more importantly, to avoid harming themselves. The presentation will also feature a panel of area high school students speaking to parents about what really happens at parties. These students will provide insight and tips for parents on how to be, or not to be, a "cool parent." For more information, please check the flyer or contact Detective Jim Koch by telephone at 847-932-2003 or james.koch@d128.org.

Cook Library Springtime Opportunities - Writing Contest Entries Due by April 8

Check out the Cook Library springtime reading clubs and all of the fun special activities, including the Family Storm Chaser Adventure (March 18), Training to Be Top Dog (April 10), Wimpy Kids can Write! (April 15), and so much more. There are lots of drop-in story and craft times, 'tween times for kids in grades 4 to 6, and lots more. Students in grades 4 through 8 are encouraged to enter this year's writing contest. Entries are due by April 8. For more information on any of these programs, check the Spring Newsletter, call 847-362-2352 x183, visit www.cooklib.org, or stop in the Evergreen Library or Temporary Library Center.

Carthage Soccer Summer Camps

Boys and girls age 6 to 18 are invited to attend the Carthage Soccer Camp, held at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Campers are organized by ability and age, and both resident and commuter campers are welcome. Girls and Jr. Kickers runs from June 20-24; Boys, Jr. Kickers and Day Camps run from July 5 to 8. For information, visit www.carthage.edu/soccercamp, or contact director/head soccer coach Steve Domin (sdomin@carthage.edu or 262-551-5930).

Reptile Rampage in Lake Forest - March 14

The Lake Forest Parks and Rec Department's Discover Center invites you to experience Reptile Rampage on Sunday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This unique event features more than 75 reptile specialists and nature organizations from around the Midwest, including the Lake County Forest Preserve, The Field Museum, the St. Louis Herpetological Society, the Chicago Herpetological Society and more. Jim Nesci will bring Bubba II, a famous 8-foot American Alligator! Cost is only $5 per person and all proceeds support the excellent work of the Wildlife Discovery Center of Lake Forest. Location is the Lake Forest Recreation Center Gym at 400 Hastings Road. For information, check the flyer or check out the Wildlife Discovery Center webpage.

MHS Hockey Club Looking for 8th Graders

The Mundelein High School Hockey Club is looking for future Mustangs. For information about the program, check the club flyer, contact Chester Ozog (ozoghome@comcast.net or 847-949-6716) or Paul Lohr (lohrx4@comcast.net), or visit www.mundeleinmustangs.com.

Mundelein Junior Football & Cheer - 2010 Season Registration

Mundelein Junior Football and Cheer invites children ages 6 through 8th grade to be a part of the program. For important dates, check the flyer For more information, visit mjfl.org, or call John Long (847-561-2247) or Tami Forman (847-949-1089).

VH Park District Pointers - March 2010

Check out the March issue of VH Park District Pointers for great activities, including a Nerf football clinic, spring lacrosse leagues, the daddy-daughter dance on March 19, Hoppin' Holiday Hunt on March 27, Pool Passes, community baseball/softball, and adult softball and sand volleyball play. Attention young thespians: The Improv Playhouse Showstoppers are getting ready to present Mulan. For more information on any of these opportunities, check the Pointers, visit www.vhparkdistrict.org, or call 847-996-6800.

MJFL Cheer Clinic - March 13

The Mundelein Junior Football League (MJFL) invites you to attend the 2010 MJFL Spring Cheer Clinic on Saturday, March 13. Participants will be grouped by grade level -- K through 4 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 4 through 8 from 3 to 6 p.m. For information about the clinic or the MJFL organization, check the clinic registration form, visit www.mjfl.org, or contact Tami Forman at 847-949-1089 or tami.forman@att.net.

CAP Family Skate - March 13

The Community Alliance Project (CAP) invites you to a Family Skate on Saturday, March 13 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Glacier Ice Arena in Vernon Hills. Proceeds fund community-based youth programs. For more information, check the flyer or call Tom Ritter at 847-996-6802.

Mundelein Parks Summer Camps

Mundelein Parks offers two day camp experiences - Discovery Camp for ages 5 to 8, and Explorer Camp for ages 9 to 12. For information, check the Day Camps roster, call 847-566-0650 or visit www.mundeleinparks.org.

PTO Presents "Just Because It Isn't Wrong, Doesn't Make It Right" - March 11

Barbara Coloroso, internationally recognized speaker and author of "Just Because It Isn't Wrong, Doesn't Make it Right: Teaching Kids to Think and Act Ethically" and "The Bully, The Bullied and the Bystander" is presenting a parent program at 7 p.m. on March 11 at Hawthorn Middle School South. Registration is free, but please sign up no later than February 28. (Make a night of it by using the coupons found on the registration form. Your purchase will help support programming like this.) Space is limited - reserve your spot today! For more information, please visit the Hawthorn PTO Families In Touch webpage. This program is sponsored by the Districts and PTOs of Hawthorn, Libertyville, Oak Grove and St. Joseph School, as well as Omni Youth Services and Gurnee Counseling Center.

VH Park District Pointers for February

The Vernon Hills Park District February Pointers newsletter has lots of ideas for family fun, including the March 19 "Just the Two of Us" daddy/daughter dance, the Hoppin' Holiday Hunt on March 27, Spring Training for baseball pitchers, table tennis lessons and open play time, and more. You'll also see all of the afterschool enrichment opportunities that the Park District provides in our four elementary buildings, including Mad Science, Young Rembrandts, CheckMate Chess Academy and Top of Your Game fitness. Coming up in the Spring Session - the new Sunshine Crafts class! For more information on any programs, call the VH Park District at 847-996-6800 or visit www.vhparkdistrict.org.