Davenport, who also serves on the village’s Architectural Design Review Board and Comprehensive Plan Ad Hoc Committee, aims to finish the marathon in less than three hours in his second attempt.  He also wants to do good, by raising money for Noah’s Hope, the foundation established on behalf of two Downers Grove children who are fighting Batten’s Disease, an incurable and rare genetic disorder.

“In addition to your prayers of support, I’m asking that you support me by making a donation to ‘Noah’s Hope’,” Davenport wrote in an e-mail. “Noah and his sister Laine (Van Houtan) are battling Batten’s disease.  Batten Disease is always terminal, usually between the ages of 8 and 12. Fewer than 450 children in the United States have Batten Disease and as a result it receives very little research attention.”

Davenport, a father of four, said he has been thinking of the Van Houtan family throughout his training. ” I keep a picture on my desk as a daily reminder,” he said.

“I’ll be wearing a wristband during the race to remind me that no matter how much pain I endure, it’s nothing compared to the battle that little Noah and Laine are fighting,” he said.

To donate to Noah’s Hope, click here. And best of luck to Davenport Monday in Beantown.

He/she pointed out that the Downers Grove Park District added a new program this year, inviting kids to spend Saturday morning, March 27, with the “Spring Bunny,” although the name reportedly wasn’t chosen in an effort to be politically correct. Meanwhile, the Kiwanis Club was holding its annual Easter Egg Hunt at McCollum Park.

For some observers, the attempt to scrub Christian associations from what were originally pagan practices has an ironic symmetry. For them, the post-PC era can’t start soon enough.

Count me among those  who not only confess to being members of  “faith-based communities,” but also are willing to acknowledge that the traditions of some of those communities — helped along now and then by the marketing geniuses of Madison Avenue — have become deeply woven into our culture.

Why not just accept and embrace that, without bending over backwards to call a Christmas tree a “seasonal conifer” or an Easter basket a “spring basket?”  It’s not an insult to those who don’t observe the holidays in question. It’s not a plot to convert anyone to a belief they don’t willingly choose.

The U.S. constitution allows schools to include  Christmas carols in their holiday choir performances and park districts to host Easter Egg Hunts in public parks, as long as no one is strong-armed into adopting a certain religious belief or practice.

There’s a big difference between calling a guy in a rabbit suit the Easter Bunny and requiring all participants at such an event to be card-carrying Christians.

It’s okay to acknowledge that religion plays a role here, for at least some of us and has all the way back to the beginning. As long as decisions about what that religion is, and how it is practiced, are left up to the individual.

And on that note, I’ll wish everyone a “Happy Easter.” Or a “Good Spring Break.”

The information was posted last week on the recommendation of the Environmental Concerns Commission, which reviewed the coyote issue in January at the request of the village council, said Doug Kozlowski, village communications director. Others have also raised the issue with the council in recent months.

While there haven’t been any local coyote attacks or a discernible increase in the number of coyotes in Downers Grove, the ECC advised the village to increase public awareness of the dog-like animals, which “have pointed ears, yellow eyes, a slender muzzle and a drooping bushy tail with a black tip,” according to the Village Web site.

“They are usually a grayish brown with reddish-colored fur behind the ears and around the face,” the site states. “A study by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Willowbrook Wildlife Center reports that coyotes in DuPage County average about 25 pounds, though their heavy coats may make them look larger.”

Coyotes apparently pose the most danger to domestic animals when in mating season, which runs from February through April.  The village recommends keeping on a leash during this time as male coyotes are more likely to attack even large dogs during this time.

As for residents who might encounter one of the animals, the Village recommends they shout, clap or throw something in the coyote’s direction.

“Acting aggressively helps re-instill a fear of humans in coyotes,” the site says.

Residents are also encouraged to call 911 if an animal appears threatening or the Willowbook Wildlife Center at 630-942-6200 for further information.

Good drama, with Lysacek skating first in his set and Plushenko wrapping up the competition. And following the medal ceremony, good comedy thanks to NBC-5′s determination to find a local angle on Lysacek’s victory.

After the usual shots of cheering friends and neighbors, the reporter interviewed Lysacek’s foot doctor, presumably because a recent stress fracture in his left tootsie prevented Lysacek from attempting a quad in the competition.

There you go, Evan.  One minute you’re being crowned Olympic royalty, the next minute your feet of clay are the talk of the town.

As one guy tweeted last night: ” Why does the local press keep interviewing Evan Lysacek’s doctor, who just plugged his own website? Lame source for an interview, IMHO.

In mine, too.

At any rate,  Halloween seemed a little off this year. We were so busy, and it was so rainy, in the days before the holiday that we waited until the last minute to make the pumpkin run. Big mistake. Due to rainy conditions? lower inventories? greedy consumers? there was not a single garden-variety orange pumpkin to be had at Wannemakers, Clover’s, TJ’s, Dominick’s or Jewel Saturday.

We settled for a squash, a dusty orange Cinderella pumpkin and a creamy white version of the old stand-by.  And they were actually kind of fun. The washed-out Cinderella pumpkin revealed an electric orange interior when carved. The white pumpkin looked suitably ghostly and the squash made an awesome cat-o-lantern when laid on its side — and stayed perfectly lit all night.

But the foot traffic seemed way down this year, which was a huge surprise for a Saturday Halloween. As always, I worried at the last minute that we wouldn’t have enough candy and sent hubby to the store for “one or two more bags.” He came back with six — a punishable offense in this household where the stay-at-home mom/worker prefers not to be confronted by that sort of temptation.

Sent a huge bagful to a Halloween party with my son, who helpfully returned home with same.

Anybody else left with major reserves of Halloween candy? Or were the trick-or-treaters out in  force in your neighborhood?

First there is the club’s second annual Game and Trivia Night from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Loyal Order of Moose, 1030 Warren Ave.  Twenty-five tables of eight will compete to outplay the competition, while also partaking in door prizes, raffles and auctions.

Tickets, which include four hours of unlimited beer, soda and snacks, are available at $30 each or $200 for a table of eight at www.dgjwc.org. Proceeds will fund scholarships and support several social service organizations including CASA, Family Shelter Services, FISH and PADS.

Now, if having a babysitter is a prerequisite for attendance at Game and Trivia Night and other evening activities, you’ll be happy to hear that the Juniors are hosting a Babysitting Clinic from 8:30 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Downers Grove Fire Station 2, 5420 Main St.

Downers Grove sixth-, seventh- and eighth- graders are invited to participate in the course, which will include lectures and demonstrations relating to the responsibilities and functions of a babysitter during routine and emergency situations. Speakers will include a Downers Grove firefighter, police officer and paramedic.

The $15 registration fee includes snacks, all materials, a certificate of completion, and (with parental approval) your name made available to Juniors as a potential babysitter. If available, please bring a baby doll to practice diapering. Class is limited to 45 participants.

Registration forms are available through Sarah Karrow at (630) 971-0127 or dskarrow@yahoo.com and through the club Web site. Completed forms plus a $15 registration fee must be mailed by Sat., Nov. 7, to: DGJWC, P.O. Box 344, Downers Grove, IL, 60515-0344. Please make checks payable to the Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club or DGJWC.

Several events are planned for the next week in downtown Downers Grove, home of that perfect Halloween backdrop, the Main Street Cemetary.

Many of these events are old and dear favorites. I don’t think we missed a parade during our family’s little kid years . What kid doesn’t like marching through town in a costume and trick-or-treating the stores on the way home?  The window-painting event was another beloved Halloween activity we were sorry to outgrow out at my house.

As for the pancake breakfast, it’s the major fundraiser for HGNA, an organization I’ve happily participated in for four years. This year, the guys are manning the griddles again and several amazing raffle prizes are awaiting winners, including an iPod Touch package from Best Buy, a ladies’ Bulova watch from K.S. Mathis Jewelers and a $100 gift card from the Lemon Tree. Many other generous sponsors make this event possible, including Ballydoyle, McDonalds Corp., Caribou Coffee and the Community Bank of Downers Grove.

Other fun activities include the annual Moonlight Madness shopping night — a chance to get a jump on holiday shopping, maybe? — several story times at the World Repertory Theatre and a weekend pumpkin patch. The schedule of events follows.

Friday, Oct. 23

5pm-10pm: The annual Moonlight Madness shopping night, when the sales get greater as the night gets later.

5 p.m.-9 p.m.: Pumpkin Patch at the corner of Mochel Drive and Curtiss Street. This attraction is sponsored by The Farm in Westmont with proceeds will go to the Lighting Bolts Hockey Team

Saturday, Oct. 24

8 a.m.-11 a.m.: Helping Girls Navigate Adolescence Pancake Breakfast at Ballydoyle Irish Pub .

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Halloween Window Painting for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade. The sponsors, the Downers Grove Rotary Club and the Downtown Management Corp., supply the paints while the young artists supply their brushes and a food donation for the F.I.S.H. Pantry.

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Pumpkin Patch at the corner of Mochel Drive and Curtiss Street.

9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: “Downers Grove’s Other Cemeteries” at the Downers Grove Park District Museum, 831 Maple Ave. Registration required.

10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.: “Spooky Tales for All Ages” at the New World Repertory Theatre, 923 Curtiss St. Admission is $5

2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: “Downtown Doggie Scavenger Hunt,” Happy Dog Barkery, 5118 Main St.

Sunday, October 25

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: SAFE trick-or-treating at downtown stores.

12:30-1:30 p.m.: Costume Parade sponsored by the Downers Grove Noon Lions Club. Marchers meet at the parking lot west of the Main Street Train Station and across from Caribou Coffee at 12:30 p.m. then proceed down Main Street to Fishel Park.

1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: “A Victorian Halloween,” Downers Grove Park District Museum, 831 Maple Ave.

Note: Downtown merchants will be accepting F.I.S.H. Pantry donations all weekend long.  For more information please visit www.downtowndg.org or contact Erin Venezia at evenezia@downtowndg.org or 630-725-0991.

The professionally timed event will benefit a variety of enrichment and educational programs at the school.  Top performers will be awarded prizes. A free raffle will round out the morning.

The 5K begins at 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 17 from the school at 1435 Jefferson St. The 2.5K starts 20 minutes later.

Participants can pre-registration at www.signmeup.com/66988 or www.hillcrestschoolpta.org. Fees are $25 per participant, which includes a t-shirt and goody bag. T-shirts are only guaranteed to pre-registered racers.

Registration is available the day of the race beginning at 7 a.m. Starbucks coffee, bagels from Great American Bagel, and fruit, granola bars and bottled water from Whole Foods, Willowbrook, will be available.

Children 12 and under race for free. Fees also are waived for participants who raise $75 in donations.

And while you’re planning your autumn exercise, consider also signing up for the annual Bonfield Express Turkey Trot 5K run/walk. This year’s event will take place on at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26, beginning at 920 E. Curtiss St.

Registration is $25 for individuals and $85 for families of up to four members.  Last year, more than 3,200 people participated in the race, which memorializes Jim Bonfield, a South High School teacher, coach and dean for died in 2003 from complications of Hodgkin’s Disease, leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis.

Proceeds of the race go to scholarships and other programs aimed at developing community commitment in student volunteers. The Bonfield Express foundation has distributed $103,000 in scholarships to D99 students since the race took flight five years ago.

Matt’s dad Michael Rheintgen said the fund will be used to make life better for children and families battling leukemia. “I was at the hospital when the doctor and I had to tell him that there was nothing more they could do and that he was going to die,” Rheintgen recalled in an email. “I don’t know how he did it, but he quickly dealt with the reality and found peace.

“Words cannot say how much we will always miss him.”

The fund will use the money it raises to donate toys and video games to hospital pediatric wards and provide financial support such as gas cards to parents whose children suffer from the disease. He is in the process of developing a mission statement for the fund and filing as a charity.

Donations to the Matthew Rheintgen Memorial Fund are being accepted locally by the Chase Bank.

The village is one of 20 towns where “residents live a long life, there are lots of doctors and hospitals nearby, and you can pursue an active lifestyle,” according to Money.

The article opens with a glowing description of the Downers Grove Park District facilities and our “vibrant downtown full of restaurants and shopping” before attributing its “hotspot” status to its proximity to Chicago.

Interestingly, only one of the top five finishers is a sunbelt city, Anaheim, Calif., which topped the list. Others were 2) North Hempstead, N.Y.; 3) Fort Lee, N.J.; and 4) Yonkers, N.Y.

Now let’s hear from some retirees: Is DG a good place to while away those Golden Years?