Visit the Chicago Flower & Garden Show – The Peoria Park District’s Vagabond Tours will take a day trip to the Chicago Flower & Garden Show at Navy Pier on Monday, March 7. Enjoy a fun-filled day that’s sure to chase those winter blues away.

The fee is $68 per person, which includes transportation to the show and back, with two Vagabond Tours escorts. The bus departs at 7:00 a.m. and return at 9:00 p.m. A Dutch treat dinner stop will be made on the way home. Call 681-2863.

Home Educator Classes at the Peoria Zoo – The Peoria Zoo offers classes for children ages 5-13 who are home educated. Each month a new topic is covered that help to meet state education standards. Parents are welcome to attend but not are required. If classes fill, alternate dates may be available. Fee for each class: $5/$9. Call (309) 681-3513.

Softball is a Hit – The Park District offers two different programs. Adult Slow-Pitch Softball. This 14-game season starts April 11. Leagues offered Sunday thru Thursday evenings.

Fees for Men’s 12″: $350 for residents/$380 for non-residents. Fees for the Co-Rec 12″, Men’s 16″ and Co-Rec 16″: $275 for residents/$305 for non-residents. Teams registering after March 25 must add $25. Player fees: $17 for residents/$24 for non-residents.

The new Short Season Slow-Pitch Softball league offers a shorter, seven-game season that runs from May 8 through June 19. Games will be played Sunday evenings.

Both the short-season Men’s 12″ and Co-Rec 12″ have team fees of $185 for residents/ $200 for non-residents. Player fees: $11 for residents/$16 for non-residents.

Zoo After Dark – WHO’s out after dark at the Peoria Zoo? Meet animals up close, learn about night houses and nocturnal animals on March 25 or April 29. Tours begin at 7:00 p.m. The cost is $20 per person or $15 for Zoo members and includes Zoo admission. Call (309) 686-3364.

Zoo Tours Announced – Behind the Scenes tours on March 26 at 9:00 a.m. This hour long tour takes you into areas the public doesn’t normally get to see, you can learn more about the animals. Cost is $20 per person and includes Zoo admission. Call 686-3513.

Beginner Hockey Clinic at Owens Center – Owens Recreation Center’s Beginner Hockey Clinic Session One begins March 19 and goes through April 16. Sessions are open for ages 3-6 and 7-13 for both girls and boys who are interested in learning the basics of hockey. Ages 3-6 meet at 9:45 am, ages 7-13 meet at 10:30 am. Cost of the session is $40 for residents/$45 for non-residents.

Session One teaches the fundamentals of skating and introduce the skaters to sticks and pucks. Skaters should have taken either 4-week beginner or an 8-week skating lesson. Call 686-3368. Session Two begins April 23 and you should have attended Session One or passed Skating Star level 2 or Super Skates level 1.

Chris Vallillo in Concert – The Forest Park Nature Center will host a concert by Chris Vallillo on March 12, at 7:00 p.m. Vallillo is a nationally acclaimed singer/song-writer/folk artist. Payment for reserved seating can be made at the Trailhead Nature Store.General admission seating is at the door. Concert fees are $7 for adults/$6 for children 12 and under. C.O.R.E. members receive a $1 discount. Call 686-3360.

Home Party Bazaar at the Riverplex – The RiverPlex will host a Home Party Bazaar on March 19, from 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Products from many home-based parties under one roof. Call 282-1508 for details or to be a vendor.

Youth Lacrosse – Register now for Youth Lacrosse League for grades 2-8. Lacrosse is a fast-paced & exciting game that is surprisingly easy to learn. A new Central Illinois Lacrosse League has formed and Peoria Lightning will take part.

The Youth Lacrosse League begins March 28. The teams will meet Mondays & Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00 p.m. The fee is $120. An option to rent equipment is available but supplies are limited. Sign up at Glen Oak Pavilion. Call 681-2866.

Remarkable Reptiles at Peoria Zoo – Peoria Zoo will present Remarkable Reptiles March 19 from 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Regular Zoo Admission applies. Call (309) 681-3513.

SEE “FOUR SHILLINGS SHORT” IN CONCERT

MARCH 26 AT FOREST PARK NATURE CENTER

The Peoria Park District’s Forest Park Nature Center will present a concert by Four Shillings Short on Saturday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m.

With an ever-increasing array of instruments—including hammered dulcimer, mandola, mandolin, tinwhistle, woodwinds, sitar, banjo, percussion and vocals—the music of this group is always varied and captivating. This concert is part of Forest Park Nature Center’s 2011 Songs from the Woods Concert Series, a series of monthly musical events featuring some of the best singer-songwriters and folk musicians to be found anywhere. Tickets are available at the Nature Center’s Trailhead Nature Store. General admission seating is also available at the door. Concert fees are $7 for adults and $6 for children age 12 and under. CORE members receive a $1 per person discount. For more information, contact Forest Park Nature Center, (309) 686-3360.