Athlete heads to China for Special Olympics
Mount Prospect resident Marc Janovics has headed to Shanghai, China, for the Special Olympics World Summer Games.
The gymnast is part of the Illinois delegation of Team USA, which left O'Hare Wednesday.
The group of nine Special Olympics athletes and seven coaches was sent off by Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn.
The Special Olympics World Summer Games will host 7,000 athletes from 165 countries, including 399 members of Team USA.
The games, which include competitions in 24 sports, will begin with the spectacular opening ceremonies on Tuesday and will continue through Oct. 11.
Sew and sew: The Mount Prospect Sister Cities Commission is planning an official visit to its sister city, Sevres, France.
The trip lasts from Monday through Oct. 4, with the delegation of 14 including Mount Prospect Mayor Irvana Wilks, former Mayor Gerald "Skip" Farley and several members of the Sister Cities Commission.
One of the highlights will be a quilt exchange.
For several years, the Mount Prospect Historical Society's Sew-Be-It Quilters have been exchanging works with the "Patchworkers" of Sevres. For this trip, Mount Prospect's quilters are sending seven works that are part of a "challenge" to create pieces with a "Tree" theme.
While the delegation is in Sevres, these and other works will be displayed in an exhibit held by the "Patchworkers." Rachel Toeppen, commission member and one of the Sew-Be-It Quilters, will be delivering the quilts as part of the delegation.
A date to remember: Tomorrow is Daddy-Daughter Date Night at the Mount Prospect Park District's Friendship Park Conservatory.
There, between 5:45-8:30 p.m., the park will turn into an enchanted forest, replete with fairies and kings.
Guests will enjoy games, crafts, dinner and dancing under the stars. Wand, wings and silk flower wreath are part of the magic.
Visitors are encouraged to dress in their favorite fairy gown or costume.
The fee is $49 per couple ($18 for each additional girl) and includes a photo package of each couple. Register under the girl's name only.
Friendship Park Conservatory is located at 395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. For more information, dial (847) 640-1000.
Other park district news: On Saturday, the Mount Prospect Park District is presenting the Family Cycle Challenge. Groups will bicycle seven miles to nine location throughout the park district. Each location will present a challenge in the form of puzzles to solve, clues to uncover or obstacles to overcome. Each task must be completed before moving on.
The event will begin and end at Lions Recreation Center, 411 S. Maple St., starting at 10 a.m.
The fee is $5 per person in advance or $7 per person on the day of event. For more information, call (847) 632-9333.