Business Briefs

See how Mother Earth inspires art. Celebrate nature with the "Nature Artist's Guild Exhibit" from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 7 and 8. This collection of 150 works of art inspired by the arboretum's grounds will be on display for the nature lover's delight. The artists will be on hand to share and demonstrate techniques at the Thornhill Education Center.

State-of-the-art techniques along with paint, decorations and more turn an ordinary gourd into a unique work of art. Birdhouses, rattles, drums and home décor items all made from gourds by the talented artists from the Illinois Gourd Society will be available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 1.

Walk around Meadow Lake and see which famous faces local Girl Scout troops put on these nature-themed scarecrows in the "Scarecrow Trail" from 7 a.m. to sunset Nov. 1. Pick out your favorite and vote at the Visitor Center.

Snickers, M&M's and candy sprinkles make a delicious combination for some taffy apples. Create one at the Taffy Apple Bar from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Visitors Center.

The journey of coffee jolts to life in the photographic exhibit "The Birth of Coffee" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 11 in the Special Events Room. Meet the people and places that rely on coffee production for survival and see how trees play a crucial role not only in the coffee but in the lives of those who produce it.

Navigate through an enlightening collection of evolutionist Charles Darwin's works including archival photos, copies of titles written by Darwin, lithographs, botanical prints and plant diagrams in "Darwin's Flowers: Unlocking Natural Selection" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, now through January, at the Sterling Morton Library. See the botanist side of Darwin and how his intense fascination with botany supported his theory of natural selection.

Unless otherwise specified, all arboretum events and destinations including the Children's Garden are free with arboretum admission: $11 ages 18-64, $10 ages 65 and over, $8 ages 2-17, free for children under 2. Discounts on Wednesdays. Arboretum briefs