November 13 – November 19

LOOSE LEAF COLLECTION: The high winds around town emptied the trees of their leaves and the Village of Mount Prospect will help with the cleanup. The fall loose-leaf collection program ends on Friday (Dec. 4) .Residents may set out loose leaves to be picked up by Public Works crews at the curb on scheduled collection days. Leaves should be raked onto the pavement one foot from curb line one day prior to the scheduled collection day. The program is for leaves only; leaf piles will not be collected if the piles contain grass clippings, or other yard material. Additionally, burning leaves in Mount Prospect is a violation of Village code and is not allowed under any circumstances. Turning leaves into mulch is another great idea. Instead of raking them into the street, pack them around perennials and on flowerbeds as insulation against the cold. Vegetable gardens profit as well. Spread the leaves on top, then rototill them into the soil to enrich it for the next year’s crop. Leaves are also a valuable addition to a well-maintained compost pile.

PANDEMIC CANCELS GALA: The annual Celestial Celebration honoring and recognizing Mount Prospect’s Shining Stars will not take place this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Special Events Committee is working on creative ways to honor the people and businesses who make Mount Prospect the great community it is. Nominations are still welcome until midnight on Monday (Nov. 30.)Visit https://www.mountprospect.org/boards-commissions/shining-star-awards-nomination-page

CONVERSATIONS IN ENGLISH: Practice your conversational skills virtually with native English speakers on Thursday (Nov. 19) from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Residents of Mount Prospect or Elk Grove Township are eligible. Pre-registration is required. For more info, call 847/506-4930.

TOYS FOR KIDS DONATIONS: Help make the holiday a little brighter for Mount Prospect children and families by donating toys or gift cards. Last year alone, the program assisted more than 300 children from over 100 families. Due to the pandemic, a few changes include serving those residents that have been assisted throughout this year in the Emergency Assistance Program. The Fire and Human Services Department will distribute the items at a drive-through event to maintain safe social distancing. Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any of the following Mount Prospect Fire Stations: Fire Station 12: (1601 W. Golf Rd.), Fire Station 13: (111 E. Rand Rd.) vestibule off of Rand Rd., and Fire Station 14 (2000 E. Kensington Rd.). They will accept donations through Friday (Dec. 11). This year they are specifically focusing on donations for children ages 7-13. Gift cards to major department stores is encouraged for older children up to age 17. For more info, visit www.mountprospect.org or call 847/870-5660.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS: Wheeling Township, in cooperation with Operation Support Our Troops, America Inc., is holding its annual Donation Drive. Due to COVID-19, they are only accepting financial donations and cards, letters and pictures in lieu of food and personal items. Make checks payable to Operation Support our Troops – American, Inc. Please note that OSOT is a 501© 3 not-for-profit organization, meaning your donation is tax deductible. The most coveted items in care packages are letters of encouragement or drawings from school children. NO HOLIDAY CARDS, please. Only cards, letters or pictures that can be used throughout the year are requested. Address the letter or card to “Dear Military Person.” Please do NOT seal any letters or cards. Checks and cards/letters can be mailed to (or dropped off) at Wheeling Township (1616 N. Arlington Heights Rd. AH 60004 from now through Monday (Nov. 30). Township hours are 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

KEEP IT SHORT: Are you tired of reading novels that are so long you have a difficult time lifting the book? How about reading a short story? Retired high school English teacher, Ron Crowley-Koch moderates a discussion of three short stories every other month. Due to the pandemic it is held via Skype. The next discussion is on Tuesday (Dec. 15) at 7 p.m. While still a month away, we are sharing the information now to whet your appetite! The meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of every other month at 7 p.m. Interested participants should email Ron Crowley-Koch at ronck42@gmail.com. The links to the three stories plus instructions on how to enter the discussion on Skype will be emailed to you. Questions? Email them to the address above.

All information for This Week in Mount Prospect is gathered from various local news sources.