Get Out: Sailing, Coupon Tips, Free Grilling Tools for Dads, More

Des Plaines Patch’s community event calendar lists tons of stuff to do.

When/Where: Friday, June 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood Ave. Why Go: View the acclaimed drama/thriller independent film Take Shelter (2011) about a father and husband who struggles with mental illness and protecting his family. Pricing: Free. When/Where: Saturday, June 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E Thacker St, in Des Plaines. Why Go: The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 39-02, based in Des Plaines, will teach this class about reading nautical charts. Charts contain information on dangerous areas, aids to navigation, harbors, wrecks, water depth, bottom type and magnetic variations affecting the compass. This course will provide the recreational …

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Suburban Stadiums: Prairie Lakes Community Center

Over the last five years the center has made an effort to offer more diverse programming.

This is the third installment of Des Plaines Patch’s newest series: Suburban Stadiums. Each week will feature a different local athletic facility, from fitness centers to neighborhood parks. We’ll dive into its history, current offerings and provide a calendar of major events that it will host. Prairie Lakes Community Center With a wide variety of programs and classes, the Prairie Lakes Community Center seemingly has an activity for everyone. Indoor and outdoor jogging tracks are just one example of how Prairie Lakes seeks to be Des Plaines’ athletic center year-round. History and Facility: The Des Plaines Park District took the first step in constructing the community center when it bought 36.5 acres of land in June of 1988. A little less…

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Grab & Go Kid's Planner: Make Tasty Homemade Ice Cream, See Madagascar Live!

We found a wizardry exhibit, an ice cream making class and a concert with local musical enthusiasts.

This week we found homemade ice cream and an 'infectiously' delightful concert, among other events.  Family Best Bets of the Week Homemade Ice Cream Class Where/When: Chicago Botanic Garden; opens Saturday, Mar. 19, 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m., 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Why Go: Learn about the plants used to make all of your favorite ice cream flavors and make a batch of your own! Pricing: $17 per child/ Garden Plus member, $20 per child/nonmember Community Concert Band Concert Where/When: Prairie Lakes Theater, opens Sunday March 20, concert begins at 3 p.m. Why Go: Come hear the band (comprised of local and area musicians) play everything from old classics to your favorites from the latest movies. Pricing: Adults $5; Seniors and Students $3; Family (Two …

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Grab & Go Kid's Planner: Get Your Sea Legs On With a Boating Class, Bring Out Your Inner Artist With Crafts

We found a Fantastic Friday, a bird class (it's more fun than it sounds) and great place to create St. Patrick's Day decorations.

This week we found a musical, a boating class, a game night and more! Family Best Bets of the Week Fantastic Friday Where/When: Leisure Center, Friday March 11 Why Go: Special Friday fun with games, movies, art and crafts, and more for kids ages 5-12. Pricing: Resident $10; Non-Resident $13 Hairspray, the Musical, At Maine East High School Where/When: 2601 W. Dempster, Park Ridge. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 11 and Saturday March 12 Why Go: See a diverse school present a wacky, fun musical about how a pleasantly plump girl integrated a high school in 1962 just because she loved to dance. Pricing: $10, purchase tickets online or call 847-692-8500 Pattern Wizardry Exhibit Where/When: Kohl’s Children’s Museum; runs through May 9, Friday-Saturday …

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Des Plaines Kids Lacing Up for a Fun Saturday Night

The Des Plaines Youth Commission will host Middle School Fun Night Dec. 11, including basketball, dodge ball and crafts.

Middle school students from all over Des Plaines have an opportunity to meet, hang out and play games this month. And some of the kids are helping to organize and run the event. The Youth Commission, a city-funded organization of commissioners and advisory board of middle school and high school students, will host Middle School Fun Night at Prairie Lakes Community Center Dec. 11. Fun Night includes a three-on-three basketball tournament, dodge ball and other sports and activities. Bridget Burger, a sophomore at Maine West High School who has volunteered on the commission for four years, joined, in part, because her sister Kelly also participates, and she had fun attending events with her. Burger said Middle School Fun Night provides a …

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Make a Difference Day, Time Running Out to Donate to Our Soldiers

Season of Service committee seeks personal care and food items for service men and women overseas.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2992 has joined "forces" with the Des Plaines Healthy Community Partnership's Seasons of Service committee for a Make a Difference Day project.  Together they are collecting personal care and food items for our service men and women that are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Collection sites include City Hall, the Des Plaines Public Library, Prairie Lakes Community Center, Frisbie Senior Center and Oakton Community College.  The soldier's wish list includes such items as:  lip balm, body powder, baby wipes, duct tape, dental floss, sun block SPF 30+, hand/foot warmers, Gatorade, vacuum packer or canned pasta, chili, stew, salmon, tuna, chicken pouches, etc. A more detailed list is available at …

Doing it up in Des Plaines

Stretch and Strength at Prairie Lakes Community Center

Local Editor Lisa Cisneros heads over to the community fitness center for some yoga and strengthening.

Hey Des Plaines! For our next installment of Doing it up in Des Plaines I headed over to the Des Plaines Park District Prairie Lakes Fitness Center, 515 E. Thacker St., for a Saturday afternoon Stretch and Strength class. The Fitness Center offers a variety of classes and programs aimed at all fitness levels. Besides Stretch and Strength, they also offer yoga, Pilates, martial arts, Zumba, step classes, one-on-one personal training, Irish Dancing and even a Bollywood inspired dance class, among many others. All fitness and dance classes are taught by professionals and like all programs, are available to residents and non-residents alike.  Stretch and Strength incorporates a yoga warm-up, followed by a cardio segment and closes with toning …

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