The North Shore Harmonizers welcomed guests and new members to their Sept. 25 practice, held from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Augustine's Church, 1140 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette.

The North Shore Community Theater of Wilmette held the first of two auditions for "Little Shop of Horrors" from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Wilmette Community Center.

A Fashion Week event sponsored by the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce combined art, food and fashion Sept. 10.

The threat of foul weather moved the event from the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden indoors to Nichols Hall, but the final "Grapes & Hops" gathering of 2008 drew more than 200 guests to the Chicago Botanic Garden to sample a variety of wines and beers.

Kokyo Taiko Drum Troupe from the Buddhist Temple of Chicago performed for hundreds at the Chicago Botanic Garden Aug. 17 as part of the Malott Japanese Garden Summer Festival.

The Lake County Greek Festival returned August 15-17 after a two year absence with an important addition to the celebration: the new St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.