Tour de Villas

Have you ever tried to take a shortcut from Thacker Street to Algonquin Road? When I first moved to Des Plaines, I recall trying to save some time by cutting through on neighborhood streets. Instead of saving time, I spent what seemed like hours trapped in the Villas.

While this neighborhood makes a horrible shortcut, it makes a great race track for the first Tour of "De Villas" bicycle race. The races will begin at 8:30 am on July 3. The course will follow a 1-mile oblong on Grant Drive.

Neighborhood races begin at 11:15. Kids under 10 can race for free in the neighborhood races beginning at 11:15. Be sure to bring a non-perishable food item for the Food Pantry.

To get ready for the big race, check out these books about bikes and bike riding.

Kids' Easy Bike Care: Tune-ups, Tools & Quick Fixes

Tour de France

BMX Greats

Bicycle Race

The Bicycle

Who Was Stanley Anyway?

Who was this Stanley we've been hearing so much about? You know, the one that has caused the library and the local streets to be nearly deserted for three hour periods of time (or is that three periods at a time?). He's the one who donated the Dominion Challenge Trophy way back in 1892. That trophy is now known as the Stanley Cup.

I was curious, so I did a little research about Lord Frederick Arthur Stanley. He was Canada's sixth governor-general, and he loved hockey. Several of his children, including his daughter Isobel, played hockey. The Stanley Cup has been added to so that there is room each year to inscribe the name of the NHL champion team, including the names of the players and coaches. Currently, there are more than 2,000 names on the cup. Lots of local fans hope the Chicago Blackhawks will be the next to have their names added.

We have lots of great books about hockey for you to enjoy. Z Is For Zamboni is fun for an adult to share with a child. For older children, try Ice Time: the Story of Hockey. To learn to play,try Hockey Skills: How to Play Like a Pro.

Play Ball!

With park district and major leagues of T-ball, Baseball, and Softball beginning, kids will be heading out of doors and out onto the field. This year, send them out there with an understanding of teamwork and sportsmanship. Stop by the Youth Services department to pick out a book from our Sports Booklist before heading out to a park for practice!

Also, if your family enjoys playing ball, head out to play ball USA on Graceland or the Des Plaines Park District and get in some batting practice. You can stick to in-door practice until the weather gets nice!

Don't forget to 'Play Ball' with your family, and have fun out there!

Is Your Child a Sweeper?

Is your child a sweeper, a keeper, or perhaps, a striker? If you know the answer to that question you are probably a soccer parent, and if you don't know the answer, you may become a soccer parent in the future. If you want to help your young child move beyond what is sometimes called "herd ball", there are many opportunities in the community to learn more about this popular sport.

One exciting and inexpensive way to learn is by watching the Maine West High School boys soccer team play. They are having a great year, so put on your Columbia blue and gold and cheer them on. The next match is during Homecoming Week on Tuesday, Oct. 6 against intradistrict rival Maine East.

Your child may not be the next Freddy Adu (a professional soccer player at age 14), but you can have fun developing your skills together. Instructional soccer programs are offered through the Des Plaines Park District, Mt. Prospect Park District, and the Latoff YMCA. Volunteer coaches are often needed, so you and your child could have fun at practice together.

The library offers great print and video resources, such as How to Improve at Soccer and Just Kickin' It.

In case you're still curious, a sweeper is a defender that plays close to the goal, the keeper is the goalkeeper, and a striker plays offense close to the opponent's goal.

Have fun and keep on dribbling!