Arts and Entertainment

Music

“The Girl in the Train” Chicago Folks Operetta, Friday to Sunday, Sept. 12 to 14 and 19 to 21, The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Includes singers from the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Chorus and Grant Park Chorus. $25 adults, $22 seniors. For tickets, call Ticketmaaster at (312) 902-1500, www.ticketmaster.com.

Youth strings auditions Fox Valley Youth Strings holding auditions for new ensemble designed to provide the first orchestral experience for young string musicians. Students should be playing at a level equal to Suzuki mid-book 2. Auditions are scheduled by appointment at Aurora Christian School, 2255 Sullivan Road. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Jamie Palmer at (630) 879-8018, www.fvyso.org.

Orchestra auditions Fox Valley Youth Symphony holding auditions for its 2008/09 season. String, brass, woodwind and percussion musicians needed. Auditions are scheduled by appointment at Aurora Christian School, 2255 Sullivan Road. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Jamie Palmer at (630) 879-8018, www.fvyso.org.

Orchestra auditions Senior Suburban Orchestra seeking musicians for 2008-09 season. Openings in oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, trumpet, trombone, percussion, violin, viola, cello and double bass. For more information, call Lori Davis at (630) 530-2910.

Youth orchestra auditions West Suburban Youth Orchestra seeking middle and high school musicians for 2008-09 season. Auditions held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 350 E. Madison St., Lombard. $25 audition fee for new members. For more information or to schedule an audition, visit www.wsyo.org.

Chorus seeks new members The Choral-Aires, an award-winning Sweet Adelines Chorus, seeks new members and invites local women who like to sing, to attend chorus practices from 7 to 10 p.m. Mondays at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, 367 Spring Road. For information, call Jane Toftey at (630) 665-8387.

Art

“Women’s Wisdom” exhibit Featured artist series, through September, Gallery 200, 200 Main St., West Chicago. A variety of media highlighting the mixed media work of the art program from the People’s Resource Center of Wheaton. Reception 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5. (630) 293-9550.

Miscellaneous

National Preparedness Month U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “Ready” Campaign is sponsoring the fifth annual National Preparedness Month in September, with support from more than 2,700 coalition members, including Winfield Township Citizen Corps Council. Information available on how to prepare for an emergency can be found at www.winfieldtownship.com.

Cruzin’ Winfield Monday, Sept. 15, Jewell Road, immediately north of the railroad tracks on the west side of Winfield Road, Winfield. For more information, call (630) 682-3712, www.cruzinwinfield.com.

Mexican cooking demonstration 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, Winfield Public Library, 0S291 Winfield Road. Chef Christopher Thielman will teach how to prepare four Mexican dishes. Registration required at (630) 653-7599.

Clubs

Naperville Area Alpha Delta Pi Alum Group Ice cream social, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, home of member Ginni Palansky, 3800 Glendenning Road, Downers Grove. All participants should bring their favorite sundae topping to share. All area alums are invited. For more information, call Ginni at (630) 969-0522.

West Chicago Masonic Lodge 7 p.m. every first and third Wednesday, 181 W. Washington St. (630) 231-9551.

Support groups

Low Vision support group 2 to 3:30 p.m. every second Sunday, Central DuPage Hospital, conference room 1 and 2, 25 N. Winfield Road, Winfield.

Mended Hearts support group 7:30 to 9 p.m. every third Monday, Central DuPage Hospital, Conference Room 1, 2 and 3, 25 N. Winfield Road, Winfield. (630) 933-4234.

Gastric Bypass support group 6:30 to 8 p.m. every third Monday, Central DuPage Hospital, Conference Room A, 25 N. Winfield Road, Winfield. (630) 933-4234.

Nutrition support group 6:30 p.m. every third Wednesday, Central DuPage Hospital, Conference Room A, 25 N. Winfield Road, Winfield. (630) 933-4234.

ThyCa DuPage Thyroid cancer support group, 7 to 9 p.m. every third Thursday, Central DuPage Hospital, 25 N. Winfield Road, Winfield. (877) 588-7904, www.thyca.org.

Workshops/seminars

Women’s classes “Women Who Wonder Why,” 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wayne/Winfield Area Youth/Family Services office, 27W031 North Ave., West Chicago. Discussion of concerns and issues important to women. $25 per session. Pre-class consultation, $13. Register at (630) 231-7166.

Foreclosure/short sale home buyer seminar 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, The Pioneer Club, 27W130 St. Charles Road, Carol Stream. Local attorney, lender and realtor will show how to buy the best home at the lowest cost. Reservations required at (888) 413-9152, Ext. 32.

Fundraisers

Fundraising brunch Kindness Inc., 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, Anvil Club, 309 Meier Road, East Dundee. Doors open at 1 p.m. Brunch, silent auction, 50/50 cash raffle and gift bag raffle. $60 in advance, $70 at the door. A table for six is $300. Proceeds benefit Kindness Inc., a no-kill animal shelter in Elgin. For tickets or more information, call Susan at (847) 697-5543.

Golf outing fundraiser Catholic Charities, noon Monday, Sept. 15, Prairie Landing Golf Club, West Chicago. $350 includes greens fee, lunch, golf cart, driving range, buffet dinner, raffles. Shotgun start begins at noon. Contests for men and women golfers. Proceeds support Catholic Charities Transitional Housing Program for homeless families, “Brighter Futures.” For more information or tickets, call (708) 329-4022, www.catholiccharities.net/brighterfutures.

Special events

Family Fun Day 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, Entree Kitchen, 26W276 Geneva Road, Winfield. Family activities including taste testing game, bean bags, dirt cup desserts. New customers that register for the event are invited to assemble a free meal. All customers are welcome to sample items from the September menu and prepare meals at a cost of $18 for six servings. Registration required at (630) 668-4450.

Health fair 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, Cardinal Fitness of West Chicago, 1987 Franciscan Way. Demonstrations, vendors, organizations providing tips on healthy living and wellness. Free. (630) 293-1100.

Mexican Independence Day parade and celebration 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, City of West Chicago. Parade starts at 1 p.m. at Joliet St. and Augusta Ave. Activities follow in downtown area including clowns, music, pinatas and food. For more information, call (630) 293-2200, Ext. 170.

Old Mill Fall Fest 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, The Peotone Mill, 427 W. Corning Ave., Peotone. Hosted by the Peotone Historical Society. Entertainment and exhibits on the first and second floors of the mill. Raffles, bake sale, Lamb’s Farm preserves, Kettle Korn, pure maple syrup from Funk’s Grove and gifts. Demonstrations, displays and sales include millwright stone ground products, herbs and soaps, dream catchers, spinning wheel, lacemaking, quilt making, beekeeper with honey, wheel-thrown pottery, clock maker and locally-found Native American artifacts. Children’s attractions include face painting, rope making, cream separation and butter churning. Free. For more information, call Helen Bieronski, (708) 258-6797.

Western DuPage Special Recreation Association inclusion family event 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. “Barnyard Bash” will allow community to meet members of the inclusion team, support staff and network with other families that have children with special needs. Food, games, crafts, entertainment. Registration required at (630) 681-0962, www.wdsra.com.

Religion

Family hymn sing 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, Wheaton Evangelical Free Church, 520 E. Roosevelt Road. David Gauger, master trumpeter and professor of Sacred Music at Moody Bible Institute, will be featured. Free-will offering. (630) 668-6490.