All invited to stop by fire department's open house
The Mount Prospect Fire Department is holding its 14th annual open house on Saturday, at police and fire headquarters, 112 E. Northwest Hwy., in downtown Mount Prospect. The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The open house will feature a live fire sprinkler demonstration, a tour of the station house, a fire safety awareness trailer, fire-fighting demonstrations, fire safety movies, the state fire marshal's K-9, a 911 simulator, a YMCA climbing wall, fire safety information and, of course, Ronald McDonald.
Lunch will be provided by the Mount Prospect Kiwanis Club.
Smoke detectors: The fire department is reminding residents to make sure their smoke detectors are in working order. It is also working with Tuccio's Fresh Italian Kitchen, 106 W. Northwest Hwy., to help reinforce the message through the "Test Your Smoke Detector" program. During Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 8-12, two program participants per night will be called and asked to sound their smoke detectors. If their detectors are working, they will receive a free pizza courtesy of Tuccio's. Residents can register for the "Test Your Smoke Detector" program by visiting the fire department's section of the village Web site, www. mountprospect.org or by mailing their family name, home phone number and home address to the Mount Prospect Fire Department, Attn: Test Your Smoke Detector, 112 E. Northwest Hwy., Mount Prospect, IL 60056.
Days of wine and ribbons: Vino 100 held a successful ribbon-cutting last week. Mayor Irvana Wilks and members of the Mount Prospect chamber were among those in attendance. In addition, Rick Haskins from Platinum Distributing provided a special selection of wines to sample. Dave's Specialty Foods provided a chocolate fountain, cheese and various appetizers. Store owner Jennifer Martinez said the response from customers has been positive, particularly appreciating the "Vino 100 Wine Barometer." The barometer is based on a series of tests by wine experts to help customers find the wine that suits their taste buds. The store is the first to open on the retail ground floor of The Emerson, the condo/retail combo that recently opened on the site of the former village hall, right across from the current one at Emerson Street and Busse Avenue.
High school music: Prospect High School's Marching Knights took first place honors among a field of 16 Midwest bands at the 29th Annual Lancer Joust Marching Band Competition at Lake Park High School in Roselle on Saturday. In addition, the Knights were awarded honors for general effect in the finals competition and, in the preliminaries competition, first place for its class (AAA), music performance, general effect and percussion.
The Lancer Joust was the Knights' first competition of the season. "It was a good start for the band's season" said Chris Barnum, Prospect's director of bands. "We still have a lot of work to do to complete and fine tune our show" added Barnum. This year's show, titled Marching Metamorphosis, features familiar music from Sousa, Walton, Tchaikovsky and Hindesmith.
The Knights will host their own marching band festival, the 13th Knight of Champions, on Oct. 6 at Gattas Memorial Stadium on Prospect's campus at 801 W. Kensington Road, Mount Prospect. Sixteen Midwest marching bands will compete for top honors while the Knights will perform an exhibition of their award-winning show. Gates open for the festival at 3 p.m. and performances will continue through 10 p.m. For information on participating bands, schedule and festival tickets, visit the Knights at www.prospectband.com.