Late summer or early fall is the best time to sow grass seed, according to a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. For the home gardener, grass seeding during this time window means one less chore to have to do in the spring. It is also one that can help fill the late dog days of summer.

When Lynda A. Markut’s elderly parents downsized from their family’s farm to a more manageable home, she couldn’t understand why they were having such a hard time packing up their belongings and transplanting to a nearby residence.

Five-year-old Matthew Smith hardly ever goes anywhere without first donning his favorite Super Mario Bros. T-shirt. The color of his shorts or pants is irrelevant, and he’s lucky if he manages to slip on one sock.

City of West Chicago will host a Mexican Independence Day Parade and Celebration from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14.

Antiques lovers, shoppers, browsers and designers are invited to the 50th Anniversary Hinsdale Antiques Show, “Celebrate!” The milestone event takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12, 13 and 14, at The Community House in Hinsdale, 415 W. Eighth St., Hinsdale.

The longest-running show of its kind in the region, it is renowned for attracting the country’s top exhibitors in period English, Continental, American and Oriental pieces.

Show attendees will find a fresh floor-plan configuration for the entire show, which features three days of special events and education, as well as opportunities to start and to add to personal collections.

Steel Beam Theatre in downtown St. Charles announces auditions for children ages 9 to 16 for the play “Legend of Pocahontas” from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at 111 W. Main St.

The Hemmens announced that through a special arrangement with Cirque Mechanics, its 2008-2009 season will begin a day early with "Birdhouse Factory" at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25.

If heat and humidity have wilted your garden’s vibrancy and left it hungry for an infusion of color and zip, now’s the perfect time to examine some curative options.

Liz Omura, curator of the Idea Garden at Cantigny Park, the former Wheaton estate of the late Col. Robert R. McCormick, shares her tricks for reinvigorating a late summer garden and subtly transitioning into fall.
 

The All-Nite Flea Market opens at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, and runs until 4 a.m. at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton.

Madison Jan Peot was born June 26, 2008, to Andrew and Alison Peot.

Anthony Joseph Ninni and Joseph Michael Ninni were born July 2, 2008, to Joseph and Renee Ninni of Geneva.

In honor of Batavia’s 175th anniversary, Bethany Lutheran Church will offer a heritage service at 9 a.m. Aug. 24, and will feature the Augustana service that was presented to the Lutheran Synod in Rock Island on April 23, 1925.

A ribbon-cutting with the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce and open house is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4. Food will be catered by Cindy’s Custom Catering. Frank’s Employment is a full-service staffing firm, filling the needs of business and industry since 1957.

 In-home parent coaching and education now is just a phone call away for residents of the suburbs.

LivingWell Cancer Resource Center, 1803 W. State St., Geneva, is offering the fifth of  six presentations in its special Surviving Survivorship health series from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27.