Northbrook Park District

• Reprints

Updated: February 6, 2012 8:11AM

Northbrook Sports Center open house

A Skating Open House welcomes all ages to the Northbrook Sports Center from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday. The free family event includes on-ice games, demonstrations by ice athletes, a shoot-the-puck contest, prizes and free skate rentals. For more information, call (847) 291-2993.

Free Winter
Carnival

The Northbrook Park District invites all ages to the annual Winter Carnival from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Meadowhill Park, 1479 Maple Ave. The free family event offers snowboarding and dogsled demonstrations, ice skating, a snowshoe obstacle course, chili cook-off and tasting, family games and a bonfire with s’mores. Reds Garden Center, Sunset Foods and Chipotle are event partners. For more information visit nbparks.org or call (847) 291-2995.

Wellness Workshop: Extreme Health Makeover

Do you want to lose weight, feel better and sleep more? A Wellness Workshop on Saturday will show adults five ways to improve their lives in 40 days with tools from best-selling author Dr. Ben Lerner. The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the fee covers materials ($40/ resident, $50/ non-resident). For more information, visit nbparks.org or call (847) 291-2995.

Northbrook
Community Choir

The winter session of the Northbrook Community Choir begins on Monday with rehearsals from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Monday nights at the Leisure Center. The group is open to all adults who love music and singing. There are no auditions, but registration is required. Choir founder Sue Young is back to direct the choir. For more information, visit nbparks.org or call (847) 291-2995.

Zumba Gold Toning: free demo

Adults can try a free demonstration of Zumba Gold Toning at 1 p.m. on Monday. The class combines upbeat Latin music with a lively workout — sitting or standing. Instructor Alison Margolis will answer questions and refreshments will be served.

Summer Drama early fee deadline

The popular Summer Drama Workshops offer an ‘Early Registration $aver Rate’ until Monday. Families that pay in full qualify for a 10 percent discount on the Early Fee price. The Performing Arts Department offers nationally recognized workshops for children in grades 1-10, led by professionals. For more information call (847) 291-2367.

Red Cross
baby-sitting

Students can learn safe baby-sitting techniques from certified Red Cross instructors in a three-week session on Tuesday evenings, beginning on Jan. 10. Classes are at the Leisure Center from 5:30-8:45 p.m. and open to ages 11-15 years. For more information, visit nbparks.org or call (847) 291-2995.

Cosmic Skating

Cosmic Skating offers cool fun from 8 to 10 p.m. on Friday nights in January at the Northbrook Sports Center, with music, special effects and theatrical lighting. The program welcomes students in 6th grade or higher and adults; the fee is $6 for adults and $5 for students. For more information visit nbparks.org or call (847) 291-2995.

Cross-country
ski lessons

Learn the basic moves of cross-country skiing, and develop speed and technique with lessons at Sportsman’s Country Club. Lessons are from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays in January, weather permitting. Ages 14 and older are welcome, and equipment rental is available. For information visit nbparks.org or call (847) 291-2351, ext. 3.

Candlelight Skiing

Candlelight skiing offers an evening adventure on freshly groomed trails from sunset to 8 p.m. on Jan. 14 at Sportsman’s Country Club, subject to ski conditions. Skis are available for rent, and food and beverages will be available. Bring a group! For information, call Sportsman’s Golf Shop at (847) 291-2351, ext. 3.

Little Jammers
basketball league

Jan. 18 is the deadline for early, discounted registration for Little Jammers, a new mini-basketball league for children in kindergarten and first grade. Children will learn basic skills with smaller balls and lower hoop heights at the new Greenbriar Gym. Kindergarten teams are co-ed, and first graders have separate teams for boys and girls. Volunteer coaches are needed. For more information visit nbparks.org or call (847) 291-2980.

“Bunnicula”
on stage

Reserved seats are on sale for “Bunnicula,” opening on Jan. 21 at the Northbrook Theatre. The musical comedy is based on the well-loved children’s book series about a vampire bunny. Performances are at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays through Feb. 25. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 online or at the door, with party packages available. After each performance, the audience can meet the professional cast. Tickets are on sale at northbrooktheatre.org, in the Leisure Center, and by phone at (847) 291-2367.

School’s Out
Fun Trip

Children can enjoy a day at Rink Side Sports in Gurnee on Jan. 16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) with the Northbrook Park District. The sports complex offers ice skating, laser tag and an arcade. The trip welcomes ages 5-12, and extended care is available. Sign up at nbparks.org or any registration office. For more information, call (847) 291-2995.

Senior Center trips

The Senior Center is accepting registration for the following trips:

Jan. 18: “A Chorus Line” at Paramount Theatre; Jan. 31: Horseshoe Casino; Feb. 8: “Gypsy” at Drury Lane Oakbrook; Feb. 29: “Viva Vegas” at Fireside Theatre. For reservations or information, call (847) 291-2988.

Summer Camp
discounts

Registration is underway for 2012 Summer Camps and Workshops, and most programs offer a discount for early registration. The Northbrook Park District offers 10 weeks of camps with half-day and weekly choices, extended care, and specialty programs. For more information visit nbparks.org or call (847) 291-2995.

Open art studio

Looking for a place to be creative? Art studio time is free to Northbrook residents from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights at the Leisure Center. Adults can paint in the company of others; the Park District provides tables, stools and easels. The fee for nonresidents is $5 per day. Artists can register at nbparks.org or any registration office or just drop in for the weekly sessions. For more information, call (847) 291-2995.

Winter/spring
programs

A Daddy-Daughter Dance, Family Sports Nights and indoor soccer are coming this winter from the Northbrook Park District. Details are in the Winter & Spring Recreation Guide. Registration is accepted at nbparks.org, the Leisure Center and Northbrook Sports Center. For more information call (847) 291-2995.

Park Board 2012 meeting schedule

The Northbrook Park Board of Commissioners has announced a list of monthly meetings scheduled for 2012. Regular meetings take place on the fourth Wednesday of the month, unless otherwise noted. The schedule is as follows:

Jan. 18 (third Wednesday); Feb. 22; March 21 (third Wednesday); April 25; May 23; June 27; July 25; Aug. 22; Sept. 19 (third Wednesday); Oct. 24; November (no meeting scheduled); Dec. 5 (first Wednesday).

The monthly meetings are held at 7 p.m. in the Little Theatre of the Leisure Center, 3323 Walters Ave., Northbrook, and the public is welcome to attend. Agendas for the monthly meetings are posted online at nbparks.org in the Board meeting section.