Oak Park Newspaper

Free Readers Ensemble

Wm. B. Sullivan Realty & Co.
Estate Planning and General Law

RAVINIA
"A Great time in a
Wonderful Place" SJC

Adopt a Pet, Come for a Visit

CAGIS Archaeological
Consulting Services

A-GUST OF FAMILY ENJOYMENT IN AUGUST AT THE MORTON ARBORETUM

New: Outdoor Movies; Concerts; Live Theatre; Major Animal
Houses Exhibition

LISLE, IL (June 8, 2009) – The animals are issuing you an invitation
to drop in for you summer “staycation.” And there are rock concerts, family concerts, live theatre, movies, and much more at the Arboretum in August.

ANIMAL HOUSES
Adventure, delight, and surprise all come together with “Animal Houses,” a major outdoor exhibition of eleven whimsical, imaginative animal dwellings. Each house, built to human scale, invites visitors inside. You can perch on a heron’s nest, tiptoe through a coyote
den, tunnel through an ant colony, climb like a spider on a web, and much more! Kids have so much fun, they don’t even realize they’re learning about how animals rely on trees for survival. Grab a free Adventure Guide with cool games inside, and by voting for your favorite house, you’re entered into a drawing for special prizes. All ages. Sara Lee Foundation is the Healthy Lifestyles Supporting Sponsor of Animal Houses. May 22 – November 15, 2009: 7 a.m.
– 7 p.m. or sunset (whichever is earlier)

Leave the driving to us on “Animal Tram,” a two-hour, interactive
tour of the Animal Houses. The tram stops for 20 minutes each at the woodlands, wetlands, and prairie, allowing visitors to explore the Animal Houses on foot. Tickets are $9/adult, $8/child; discounts for Arboretum members. All Ages, Visitor Center area. Daily May 22–September 7: 1–3 p.m. Weekends and Columbus Day
September 8–November 15: 1–3 p.m.

ANIMAL HOUSES-RELATED EVENTS
Examine antlers, touch fur, and check out the bones of deer in the drop-in activity, “Deer Tales.” Julie Sacco from North Park Village Nature Center will be here to chat about the habits and habitats of these wild woodland creatures. All ages, the Children’s Garden.
August 23: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (weather permitting) Kids use a maze drawing to discover how deer move about and look for food, and then
they color the maze and take it home. In the drop-in activity, “Where the Deer Roam,” find out why deer keep wandering from place to place. All ages, the Children’s Garden Workshop.
Daily in August: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Make a monarch butterfly to take home, and discover fascinating
facts about these beautiful, graceful, colorful insects in the drop-in activity, “Monarchs in Motion.” All ages, the Children’s Garden.
Daily in August: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. (weather permitting)

Who goes there? Find out what animals and plants live in and near
the Animal Houses in the woodlands area of the Arboretum when nature guides explain it all in “Habitat Happenings." All ages, Big Rock Visitor Station. August 22-23: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Can’t get enough of the fascinating factoids on animals, their habitats, and trees? Take a class to learn more on how animals navigate, how prairie restorations affect animals, how squirrels react to changes in the landscape, or choose from other courses in natural history, ornithology, horticulture, nature photography, and botanical art and illustration for children and adults related to the Animal Houses exhibition. Visit www.mortonarb.org or call 630-719-2468 for a full list. All ages, Thornhill Education Center. Through August – dates and times vary.

AUGUST CONCERTS
Fabulous concert acts hit the stage in August.

Just revealed: Shawn Colvin, whose folk and pop performances earned the singer-songwriter multiple Grammy awards, has joined the August 22 concert line-up. Colvin cracked the Billboard Top 10 with “Sunny Come Home.” Also that evening, one of the most beautiful folk and country voices: Grammy Award-winning artist Nanci Griffith.
Griffith, who may be best known for hits such as "From a Distance," has been a star for the past three decades. Tickets, $45 - $47, are available at www.mortonarb.org or 630-725-2066.
August 22: 7 p.m.

It’ll be two terrific rock bands in one great show: Plain White T’s is a pop/rock band from Villa Park that won international acclaim for its Grammy-nominated acoustic hit, "Hey There Delilah." Also performing that evening: Lovehammers, a long-time favorite on
Chicago's rock scene. Marty Casey, star of the hit TV show Rock Star: INXS, leads Lovehammers through a unique mix of pop, grunge, and punk. Tickets, $28 - $30, are available at www.mortonarb.org or 630-725-2066. August 21: 7 p.m.

On August 23, fans will be saying Let's go Wildcats! It's time for Disney's High School Musical: Summer Celebration! featuring favorite songs from all three hit High School Musical movies, including "We're All In This Together," "Fabulous," and "Now or Never."
Kids will sing and dance along to more than 15 chart-topping songs
with a cast of performers as your favorite East High characters!
This non-stop celebration will have audiences rocking the house with Wildcat spirit! $25 - $27 for individual tickets; $90 for
Family Four-Pack; available at www.mortonarb.org or 630-725-2066.
August 23: Two shows: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

AUGUST THEATER AND FILM
Want something more than dinner and a movie? Try bicycling, games, crafts, food, and a flick! In “Flicks In the Forest,” you’ll see the awesome, animated feature, Over The Hedge, as you relax outdoors amid the majestic Arboretum trees. This hilarious, family-oriented movie features animals that must cooperate to protect their homes. Prior to the show, bicycle on vehicle-free roads, buy a picnic dinner
hot off the grill, make a nature craft, and play some outdoor games
at twilight. All ages. Tickets, $6-$9 (food is extra), are available at www.mortonarb.org or 630-725-2066. August 7: Movie at 8:30 p.m.

Bring the whole family for a thrilling play based on what’s been called the best children’s book of the past 200 years. Charlotte’s Web is the July-August “Theatre-Hike.” The show features the extraordinary spider, Charlotte, who’s determined to save the irresistible young pig, Wilbur, in a beautiful tale about the value of friendship. The show unfolds in multiple locations; the audience hikes to each spot to see a new scene. All ages, the Thornhill Shelter. Tickets, ranging from $10-$25, are available at www.mortonarb.org or 630/725-2066.
Weekends in July and August: 3–5:30 p.m.

Oscar- and Tony Award-nominated playwright David Mamet’s work The Duck Variations is this year’s “Theatre-Bike” performance. Two men in their 60s meet in a park and strike up a conversation about the ducks before them, a discussion that shifts to law, friendship, death, and the dimensions of human nature. After the play, the audience enjoys cocktails and snacks. This show is suggested for mature audiences only. Attendees must bring their own bicycle. The cast presents a scene in one location, after which audience and cast bicycle to a second location for a second scene, and the process repeats. Tickets are $42-$45, available at 630/725-2066 or www.mortonarb.org. The Morton Arboretum gratefully acknowledges Bicycles Etc., the Theatre-Bike sponsor.
July 5, August 2, and September 6: from 5–7:30 p.m.

If bicycling is not your thing, enjoy Duck Variations as a low-impact Theatre-Hike: a non-strenuous walk that’s suitable for wheelchairs or walkers. Show only, no cocktails afterward.
Tickets $17-25, via 630/725-2066 or www.mortonarb.org
July 4, August 1, and September 5: from 5–7:30 p.m.

OTHER AUGUST EVENTS
In what’s become a popular event for little girls to dress up: Take
your little girl to an enchanting afternoon of fairy stories, sparkly crafts, and special treats. Bring her dressed in fairy wings and skirt,
or purchase some here. Tickets are $10-15, reservations are required. Call 630-719-2454. Ages 4 and up, The Arboretum Store.
August 1: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Enjoy a fascinating collection of Charles Darwin’s works that supported his theory of natural selection as the driving force of evolution. See archival photos, copies of the titles that Darwin wrote, lithographs, botanical prints, and plant diagrams in the exhibition,
“Darwin’s Flowers: Unlocking Natural Selection.” All ages, Sterling Morton Library. July through January, 2010: Tue–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Tiptoe through the titles! You’ve seen book fairs for adults, why not one for kids? This children’s book fair invites kids to explore the culturally-diverse world around them through a special array of nature titles, in “Barefoot Book Fair.” Some of these books include a read-along or sing-along CD. They’re a great way to ease your way back to school. All ages, The Arboretum Store August 1: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Take your friends to hear a fun story in “Arbor Reading.” All ages,
the Children’s Garden amphitheater. The theme for August is “Wandering Animals.” Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays June–August: 11–11: 20 a.m.

Do you like surprises? How about an activity that’s full of variety
and kept under wraps until you come by? In the drop-in program “Anything Goes,” visitors might go on an insect hunt, play outdoor games, make nature-inspired crafts, or more. All activities are unique
and educational. All ages, The Children’s Garden Tuesdays and Thursdays in July and August: 1–1:20 p.m. (weather permitting)

Take a trek with us beyond the Children's Garden gates during the drop-in activity, “Into the Wild.” Explore the natural habitats that surround the garden while singing songs, playing games, and pretending to be animals. Hikes last approximately 45 minutes.
All ages, the Children’s Garden.
July 2 and 16, and August 6 and 20: 1–1:45 p.m. (weather permitting)

Bargain hunters will love this. At The Arboretum Store’s semi-annual clearance sale, jewelry, home and garden items, books, holiday merchandise, and more will be discounted. Shop early for the best selection. All ages. August 8–9: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Don’t miss an opportunity to see Cheryl Holz, whose unique and stunning mixed-media collage paintings incorporate natural and hand-made materials resulting in exquisite pieces of art that "convey the beauty and fragility of our environment." It’s part of “Artists
Take Root Trunk Show,” a series of nature-inspired shows from local artists. All ages, The Arboretum Store.
August 2: Noon–3 p.m.

The Morton Arboretum gratefully acknowledges ComEd, sponsor of Youth and Family Programs for 2008/09.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,117 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission – the planting and conservation of
trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time or sunset, whichever is earlier. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October,
and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February.

www.mortonarb.org