Big Week: Feb. 24-March 3

Leprechaun Trap Contest

Brookfield Public Library challenges kids to build a better leprechaun trap during its Leprechaun Trap Contest from March 1-16. Make a leprechaun trap at home to catch the mischievous magical creatures who always seek a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Then take a photo and email it to youthservices@brookfieldlibrary.info to enter the contest and win prizes.

Winners will be notified on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. Visit here for more information.

Clap for the wolf man

The Chicago Zoological Society continues its winter virtual lecture series on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. with Rick McIntyre, the acclaimed author of the “Alpha Wolves of Yellowstone” book series.

McIntyre, who has recorded more sightings of wild wolves than any other person in history, will speak about his new book “The Reign of Wolf 21.” This true story is about a wolf pup whose father was shot and killed the day he was born.

Wolf 21 and his seven siblings were raised by a single mother and a young adult male that joined the pack and helped her. Later, 21 left home and joined a neighboring pack as their new alpha male.

Online reservations are required and can be made by clicking here.

Drive-thru pancake breakfast

Boy Scout Troop 24 will host its annual pancake breakfast — with a twist — this year on Saturday, March 6 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Riverside Presbyterian Church, 116 Barrypoint Road in Riverside.

Due to the pandemic, the event will be drive-thru in 2021. Instead of sitting inside at tables, customers will remain in their cars and present or purchase tickets at one tent before proceeding to pick up their meals at a second tent.

Tickets are $6 each in advance or $7 at the tent. Kids under 5 eat free. For advance tickets and information visit online.

Recycle batteries, phones at LTHS

Through Friday, March 5, the Lyons Township High School Recycling Club will host a battery and old phone recycling drive.

All LTHS students, families and community members are invited to drop their used batteries and old cell phones in the labeled collection boxes in the lobby of each campus. The North Campus is at 100 S. Brainard Ave in LaGrange. The South Campus is at 4900 S. Willow Springs Road in Western Springs.

Spent A, AA, AAA, C, D and 9-volt batteries will be accepted at no cost.

Grown-up game night

Riverside Public Library invites adults only to participate in its final online Grown-up Game Night on Friday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. on Zoom.

Put the kids to bed and join in playing some Jackbox favorites. You’ll need to watch Zoom on one screen while playing along on a mobile device.

Register for the program by clicking here.

And more

• Lyons Township High School invites the community to enjoy an exhibit of student artwork online. The virtual exhibit features pieces of art in various mediums and from all levels, including drawings, paintings, photographs, jewelry, textiles, video and sculpture.
• Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., invites you “The Kitchen Sink,” a group show which runs through April 3 in the Freeark Gallery. The exhibition features the work of artists Bimbola Akinbola, Alex Bradley Cohen, Mari Eastman, Cassidy Early, Zehra Khan, Kelly Neibert and Sophie Treppendahl. Free. Appointments required. Hours are Thursday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Email info@riversideartscenter.com to schedule an appointment.
• Chicago Zoological Society’s animal care staff presents “Bringing to Zoo to You” Facebook Live chats each weekday at 11 a.m. through February. If you can’t tune in at 11 a.m., you can watch the videos later on on Brookfield Zoo’s Facebook page or YouTube channel..
• North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., offers a number of virtual programs through Facebook Live, conference calls and the teleconferencing app Zoom. Programs include Makerspace Mondays on Facebook Live and YouTube on March 1 at 7 p.m. and Game Night Wednesdays on March 3 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

There’s also Spanish Language Book Club/Club de Lectura Espanol via Zoom discussing “El Atraco” by Daniel Silva on Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m. and Stretching and Meditation via conference call (800-747-5150, code 1453322) on March 1 at 6:30 p.m.

RSVP to bodenl@northriversidelibrary.org or visit the library’s online calendar for adult Zoom meeting access info..

• Brookfield Public Library offers virtual classes and programs for patrons of all ages throughout the week. Most youth activities will be presented live on the library’s Facebook page. For adults, there’s Chair Yoga via Zoom on Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. Visit the library’s online calendar to register for Zoom programs.
• Riverside Public Library presents Sunset Meditation on Zoom with Koru teacher Gina Barsotti on Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. To obtain Zoom access info, visit the library’s online calendar.