Skaters to test their mettle in international contests
A long tradition of winning got even longer this season for the Chicago Jazz, a synchronized skating club whose home base is Rolling Meadows. Two of its teams have again earned the chance to compete internationally in March.
The Junior level (ages 14-18) enters the World Challenge Cup in Rouen, France, next week. It will be the seventh straight year the girls have qualified, and the team is one of only two from the U.S., says coach Lisa Darken.
The Juniors took first place at Nationals earlier this month.
The Novice skaters (ages 12-14) also took first. They'll be traveling to Sweden to compete for the Leon Lurje Trophy. "They skated the program of a lifetime at Nationals," Darken said.
The Chicago Jazz started as the Jazz Babies in 1998 and has grown into a national powerhouse. Its relationship with West Meadows Ice Arena began when the facility was built in 1997, Darken said.
Team members come from all over the suburbs, many from the Rolling Meadows/Arlington Heights area, she said. Some have gone on to collegiate competition.
Junior team members have been practicing vigorously each day before their departure on Tuesday -- after a brief respite for homework tonight, Darken said.
Open auditions for the Chicago Jazz are held in April. "If you've got a strong individual skater background, you can earn a spot," Darken says. More information about the team is found at www.chicagojazz.com.
Get Seussed: Calling all Sneech and Lorax fans. Saturday's the day to mark the 104th birthday of Dr. Seuss at a Rolling Meadows library celebration of reading.
Games, crafts and birthday cake are part of the popular family event, which is in its seventh year, said Lucia Khipple, director of Youth Services and the library's assistant director.
You can pick up free tickets in the youth department for the 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. time slots. Or just drop in anytime Saturday -- something is sure to be going on.
Among the activities are Seuss book readings, face painting, crafts like making a "Cat in the Hat" hat, and games like Pin the Socks on the Fox. Children also can get their picture taken with a Seuss character, then decorate a frame for it.
About 30 members of the Rolling Meadows High School National Honor Society are returning this year to lend a hand. "This is a terrific and reliable group," Khipple said. "They are so helpful, we couldn't do it without them."
Theodor Geisel would be pleased, too.