This Week in Mount Prospect

WINTER BOOK SALE: Grow your home library by shopping the Mount Prospect Friends of the Library Winter Book Sale this weekend. Find great bargains on books, CDs, DVDs and audiobooks. Members Night is Friday (Jan.18) from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. The General Public can browse and shop on Saturday (Jan.19) from  9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Sunday (Jan. 20) from Noon – 4 p.m. at the Main Branch (10 S. Emerson St.) Consider joining the Friends. The annual membership fee is $5 for individuals, $10 for a family, and $25 for a Good Friend. Stop by the Registration Desk in the Lobby to join. Funds raised through the sale help the Friends support additional Library programs, events, and services.

BINGO: Break out of the winter doldrums with a fun game of Bingo on Friday (Jan. 18) 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church (657 Algonquin Rd. DP.) Doors open at 6 p.m.; entry is free with game cards. Food and drink is available for purchase. For more info, 847/827-6656.

SHINING STAR TICKETS: Recognize and celebrate Mount Prospect’s community leaders by purchasing your Shining Stars Gala tickets before Sunday (Jan. 20.) The Gala will be held on Saturday (Feb. 2) from 6 p.m. – Midnight at The Cotillion Banquets (360 S. Creekside Dr., Palatine.) Enjoy dinner, an open bar, and dancing with music provided by Orchestra 33. Tickets are $65/person before Jan. 20 and $75/person after. Ticket deadline is Wednesday (Jan. 30) For more info and to purchase tickets visit: www.mountprospect.org/shiningstars.

JAN SCHAKOWSKY’S OFFICE: Meet privately with a representative from the office of Ninth District Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky on Wednesday (Jan. 23) anytime between 2 – 5 p.m. at the Main Branch of Mount Prospect Public Library (10 S. Emerson St.) Ask questions about immigration, visas, Medicare, Social Security, veterans’ benefits and other federal services. Representatives from the Congresswoman’s office visit every Wednesday. This meeting is held in Room 130 on the first floor.

DIST. 214 AND BOSCH OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS: Students seeking certificates in fields such as welding, HVAC, plumbing and automotive technology at a two year college following graduation, have the opportunity through funding provided by Dist. 214 Education Foundation and the Bosch Community Fund. A minimum of one student from each of District 214’s six comprehensive high schools will be selected annually for the financial award. The Bosch Community Fund focuses primarily on enrichment of STEM education and the advancement of environmental sustainability initiatives.

THE TIME IS NOW: As much as we all enjoy holiday decorations, Mount Prospect Village code requires that temporary exterior lights be removed 60 days after a holiday. In addition to maintaining the look of your neighborhood, the requirement serves as a benefit to you as well, as the ultra violet (UV) rays from sunlight can deteriorate low gauge wire over time, as can ice and wind. After you remove the lighting, inspect it for wear before storing it for next year. Any damaged lights should be recycled to prevent causing a fire if used again.

HOLIDAY LIGHT RECYCLING: The Village is accepting unused and non-working Holiday string lights and extension cords. The materials in the string lights and extension cords will be reclaimed and reprocessed into new products. Most importantly, they will be kept out of the landfill. Drop off your unwanted Holiday string lights and extension cords Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m.  – 5 p.m.  at the Mount Prospect Public Works Department (1700 West Central Road) For more info, call 847/ 870-5640. The Village cannot accept garland, live greens, wreaths, or other non-recyclable materials.

KEEP HYDRANTS CLEAR: Every winter fire hydrants become buried by the snow. This creates a situation where it becomes difficult for the Fire Department to locate and
use the hydrants. You can help the fire department by ensuring the hydrant near your home or business is kept free from snow on all sides. Please keep a clear path from the street to the hydrant as well.

COYOTE MATING SEASON: According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, coyote breeding season peaks in late February or early March. While we are not at that calendar date yet, there have been sightings in suburban neighborhoods. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind: keep unattended cats and dogs indoors or in completely enclosed runs (especially at night) and do not assume a fence will keep a coyote out of your backyard. Accompanying your leashed pet outside, keeping dogs on short leashes while walking outside (the Division of Wildlife recommends a leash no longer than 6 feet), and leaving noisemakers such as whistles and horns on hand to scare away coyotes that may enter your yard will also help. Most importantly, do not allow a coyote get in between you and your pet or child and yell, clap hands, blow a whistle and try to make yourself look larger if you have a close encounter with a coyote.

ILLINOIS TAX FORMS: According to the website, electronic filing options will be available on Monday (Jan.28.)

NEARBY HAPPENINGS:

—-ART OF WILL EISNER: See the work of one of the most significant artists in the history of comic books and comics studies at an exhibit Monday through Thursday (Jan. 22 – Feb. 21) from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Art Exhibition Space, Building C at Harper College (1200 W. Algonquin Rd. PAL.) This is a free event. For more info, visit www.harpercollege.edu/arts.

INTERNET MEETUP SPOT: The Schaumburg Police Department has a designated location for internet purchases and exchanges in the front parking lot under video surveillance at the police department. They have also partnered with OfferUp as a registered site using a green sign indicating MEETUP SPOT at 1000 W. Schaumburg Road when participating in the exchange. For more information about the initiative, call the village at 847/895-4500 or dial 311 from within the village.