There's still time
In a recent column, I wrote about Natalie Himmel, the seventh-grader at St Mary's School in Elgin recently selected to participate as a member of the People to People Sports Ambassador Program to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji this summer.
After that column ran, I received an e-mail from a very excited Natalie, reporting that the deadline for sponsors had been extended to June 1.
Those interested in helping Natalie reach her goal of raising $4,500 toward her trip can make donations at freewebs.com/nhimmel.
So far, Natalie has raised almost $3,000. But the trip will cost $7,000, which includes all transportation, tuition, accommodations, meals and educational activities.
Over 18 days, Natalie -- who enjoys running, basketball and volleyball -- will join a group of student-athletes from across the country who will meet Olympic athletes, learn new sports, sightsee in Sydney (my hometown and Australia's largest city), and learn the culture of Fiji.
Sounds like the experience of a lifetime to me.
Rescheduled: For those who attended the recently postponed public hearing for a proposed Wal-Mart SuperCenter in West Dundee, a new time, date and place has been set.
The village planning and zoning commission will convene for a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. May 12 at Randall Oaks Club, 4101 Binnie Road.
A crowd of about 150 people packed into the April 28 meeting, leaving dozens of other outside of village hall.
To comply with the Open Meetings Act, village staff and commissioners voted to continue the meeting until a larger venue was found to accommodate the large turnout.
Wal-Mart's request for site variances will be the only item on the agenda.
The world's largest retailer is asking for taller light poles, wider driveways and larger -- but fewer -- islands in the parking lot of the development. It's proposed to be at the corner of Huntley Road and Elm Avenue, on the outer ring of Spring Hill Mall.
The 183,000-square-foot development will include a discount store as well as a full-service supermarket. The tire and lube center was scrapped.
Residents and audience members may file formal objections, which require evidence and cross-examination.
Public comments are limited to five minutes per person, and Village Manager Joe Cavallaro said about 16 people had signed up to speak at the initial meeting.
No formal objections had been submitted.
Farm fresh: Visit the Old Dundee Farmers Market every Saturday from May through October. Held rain or shine, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 319 N. River St., a variety of vendors showcase their wares, from fresh vegetables to antiques to crafts to plants.
Contact June Boeckh at 847-742-3432 for more information or to participate.