NAPERVILLE NEWS BLOG
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Thanks for scrolling down to find red action date alerts at "Here's the Latest."
Thanks, Jaycees, for all the sunshine and family fun
on display during Last Fling and the Labor Day Parade!
“When a community like ours pulls together, we can do some tremendous things,”
said Mike Kreger, 2010 Last Fling Co-Executive Director.
Slow down to catch up on happenings and hot topics, here, there and just about everywhere in Naperville, Illinois...
If this visit is the first time you've clicked on PN's News Blog, welcome and thanks for reading. If you read this page and our monthly calendars regularly, you'll become acquainted with an active community where residents and business owners are determined to sustain good schools, healthcare, beautiful parks and public safety.
Our message is constant in Positively Naperville. We try to adapt to the changes of the seasons with a goal to help readers connect to the good things happening here as we urge all residents to pay attention.
We encourage readers to drive the speed limit; keep sidewalks free of obstructions; exercise; enjoy a diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and seafood; and cherish freedom.
We nudge you to support local businesses and family farms, the arts, Municipal Band concerts, fundraisers and benefit auctions when you can; be innovative, creative and thoughtful; and strive to sustain our quality of life by participating and connecting at some level in this exceptional city.
Discover local amenities and parks as you explore outdoors. Stay focused on what you do best.
Thank you for shopping locally! Whenever possible, help spread the word about the businesses you like best. Locally-owned and operated small businesses create jobs. America's business is business and so is Naperville's. We know you know, but we'd like to remind you anyway. Get to know local services, retail businesses, restaurants and hotels within the city's borders that welcome your inquiries and your business. They're also the businesses that step up to support local charities and other community initiatives. Remember also that many Naperville businesses offer home delivery and online services, too.
The Naperville Riverwalk! And be sure to stroll the Riverwalk to enjoy the ever-changing colors this summer as wild flowers and perennials enhance the winding path in all its glory. Or sit on one of its many park benches and watch all the visitors and other wildlife attracted to this natural treasure along the DuPage River. Or rent and ride paddleboats, too, from Jaycees Marina.
Think dinner at one of Naperville's restaurants and the show at one of North Central College's theater venues this weekend!
North Central College! We've experienced many concerts, art exhibits, parks, nature walks, lectures, workshops, sporting events and more that are put on at no charge. Many are presented in the venues at North Central College and are updated and posted as you scroll down this page. Others are listed on our monthly online calendars.
Naperville Municipal Band Summer Concert Series is finished! Summer band concerts are held at 7:30 PM, on Thursdays from June through the second week in August. Since 1859, the band has been performing FREE concerts in Central Park, located between Benton and Jefferson. Thanks for a great season!
Naper Settlement! Visit yesterday today and discover Naperville's story at the city's 19th century outdoor history museum, located in heart of downtown, just steps from the Riverwalk and the Naperville Municipal Center at Webster and Aurora.
Moser Tower Tours ($3) & Carillon Concerts at Rotary Hill! Tour the Millennium Carillon/Moser Tower from 10AM-4PM on Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 21, with Friday tours thru Aug. 20. Climb the 253 steps of Moser Tower or ride the elevator to the observation deck for a spectacular view that stretches for miles. Learn about the history of Naperville, the Riverwalk and the Carillon at the Visitor Center. For more information, call (630) 848-5000 or visit www.naperville-carillon.org.
Now! Note to Vote from Park District! Now through Fri., Sept. 10, you can vote for the Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower as part of the Metropolitan Planning Council’s “Secret Corner of Chicagoland” contest. The Carillon is one of 25 entries. One vote per person is allowed. Online votes received will determine a fan favorite and three additional winners will be selected by a panel of “Placemaking experts.” Winners will be announced Sept. 17 and be featured in an exclusive Chicago Architecture Foundation tour this autumn. Cast a vote at http://polldaddy.com/poll/3571892/.
Updated now note! Naperville has two places listed in a poll for "What Makes Your Place Great? Your Secret Corner of Chicago" contest! The Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower and Naper Settlement. INFO: http://www.napervilleparks.org/webpages/content.aspx?pagecontentid=10001140
Cast your vote at http://polldaddy.com/poll/3571892.
DuPage Children's Museum! Exhibits welcome youngsters to learn while playing at the DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St. Alert! DuPage Children's Museum will be closed for annual maintenance and new exhibit installation from Sept. 1-12. The museum will re-open on Mon., Sept. 13, with a new exhibit, The Play’s the Thing! ACT II.
Voter Registration thru Oct. 5! From now until October 5, U.S. citizens and Naperville residents with two proofs of identification, one with a photo, can register to vote in the Nov. 2 General Election for the candidates featured o Election Central. According to history, the great philosopher Plato wrote, "One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." Plato lived how many centuries ago? Thanks for visiting our Election Central where you can learn about the candidates running to serve you; how, when and where to register to vote; and opportunties to "meet and greet" the candidates from now until Nov. 2. It's never too early to begin becoming an educated voter. Thanks for taking an interest in your city, county, state and nation.
Going forward! We are keenly aware that these are challenging times for many of our families, friends and neighbors. That's why we try to weave some light-hearted good nature into our calendar dates and daily lives. We even post birthdays when we find them. Whether or not you notice, we'd like everyone to relax and smile more and perhaps not be in such a hurry, especially this season when so many local roads and a section of the Riverwalk are being rehabilitated. Patience is a virtue.
Thanks for reading! Be sure to visit our monthly calendars where events and birthday wishes are posted in brief. And thanks for reading daily newspapers, too!
---PN
P.S. Updates for this weekend... If you don't find what you want as you scroll the info below, visit our monthly calendars or City Notes, also on this Web site.
Our September 2010 calendar is filled with brief notes about this month's events, including many hyperlinks that lead to more info.
P.S.S. If you live outside the delivery area, PDFs of our monthly publication can be downloaded from our companion Web site at www.pnmonthly.com.
P.S.S.S. If you're on Facebook, you might want to be a fan of Positively Naperville. We send out brief reminders regularly to keep you apprised of local happenings.
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Here's the latest...Take a scroll for happenings today updated daily!
Victors! Three cheers for Jaycees Bed Races; St. Pat's nuns win again
The popular Bed Races that made their
revival at Naper Days again came back to
Porter Street behind Naper Settlement on
Sat., Sept. 4 during the annual Naperville
Jaycees Last Fling, the four-day family
festival held to celebrate theend of the
good old summertime.
With six entries vying for the top spot, Nuns
on the Run were victorious, nosing out the
Young Professionals of Naperville. Other
entries included bed racers from Expert
Plumbing, South Naperville Chamber, North
Central College's Red Bike Theatre and
Exelon.
Jeffrey Ross served as the emcee. For more info, contact Ross at jr@jeffreyworks.com.
Editor's Note: Thanks to Co-chairmen Mike Kreger and David Byrne and the entire Jaycees Last Fling Committee, Labor Day Parade Committee, volunteers and sponsors for bringing such a fun family event and all that sunshine to downtown Naperville.
Today! It's back to business for Naperville City Council at 7PM, Tuesday
The next Naperville City Council meeting will take place at 7PM on Tues., Sept. 7 in Council Chambers of the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. Residents and interested parties can view the latest City Council agenda and corresponding information in Adobe Acrobat PDF format at http://tinyurl.com/28bl8gk.
Each meeting features a public forum session for questions or comments from the public on items not on the formal agenda. The forum is limited to 30 minutes and individual speakers are limited to three minutes. Persons who would like to address the City Council during the public forum must sign up at the City Clerk’s office before 7PM on the day of the meeting and provide their name, address and topic of discussion. A list of public speaking guidelines, along with more information about citizen participation at the City Council meetings, is available at www.naperville.il.us/council.aspx.
Council meetings can also be viewed live on the city’s website. This service, available at www.naperville.il.us/granicus.html, allows viewers to watch video and hear audio of City Council meetings as they are happening. Once the meeting is complete, the video will be archived on the website for access at future times.
Meetings are also broadcast live and re-broadcast on the city’s government access television station WCNC (Channel 6 – WOW, Channel 10 – Comcast and Channel 99 – AT&T). A full schedule of re-broadcast times is available at www.naperville.il.us/wcnc.aspx.
For more information on the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us.
Playoffs begin Sept. 8! The Kane County Cougars are in the playoffs
The Kane County Cougars' victory Saturday night combined with Beloit's loss puts the Cougars in the playoffs for the sixth time in eight years as an A's affiliate. Now they'll be playing for the 2010 Midwest League Championship
Game 1 of the 1st round begins at 6:30PM, Wed., Sept. 8, at Elfstrom Stadium.
At 6PM, Sun., Sept. 5, the Cougars take on Wisconsin and can clinch the top spot with a win or a Clinton loss.
For more info about postseason tickets for the exciting playoff season, visit www.kccougars.com/20100825playoffs.html.
Sept. 18! Knox Century Bike Ride Early Bird Registration ends Sept. 10
Looking for a fun family activity? How about a bike ride? Join the fun and help benefit Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry at the third Knox Century Bike Ride on Sat., Sept. 18.
The ride will begin at Knox Presbyterian Church, 1105 Catalpa Rd. in central Naperville, and wind through residential neighborhoods and into the rich and picturesque farmland southwest of town.
Choose from the 100-kilometer (62-mile) “Metric” Century, 28-mile Loop, or 14-mile Family Ride, an easy loop within Naperville. Food and water will be available at all rest stops, and SAG wagons and bike-riding route monitors will be available to help in emergencies.
Preregister by mail for $25 per rider, a $10 discount. Forms and payment must be received no later than Friday, September 10 to qualify for the reduced enrollment fee.
Visit www.knoxpres.org to download Registration and Waiver forms. A parent or guardian must sign the waivers of all children under 18 and ride. Any children under age 13 must be accompanied by a rider at least 18 years old. On-site registration for $35 per rider is available from 6:30 to 8:30AM, Sept. 18 at the Start/Finish line at Knox.
For more information, contact Jody Bender at (630) 355-3663 or jbender@loaves-fishes.org.
Watch! Local boards and commissions will review Downtown2030 Plan
In September, both the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) and Plan Commission are scheduled to review sections of the Draft Naperville Downtown2030 Plan. Both meetings are open to the public. Interested residents, property owners, business owners and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend and provide feedback.
Transportation Advisory Board
8AM Sat., Sept. 11
Council Chambers, Naperville Municipal Center
400 S. Eagle Street, Naperville, IL
TOPIC: 2030 Plan Transportation Recommendations
Agenda Packet will be available beginning Wed., Sept. 7, 2010
Plan Commission
7PM, Wed., Sept. 15
Council Chambers, Naperville Municipal Center
400 S. Eagle Street, Naperville, IL
TOPICS: 2030 Plan Land Use and Building Design Recommendations
Agenda packet will be available beginning Fri., Sept. 10, 2010
Nov. 26! Friends of Little Friends Electric Parade seeks entries now
Little Friends is currently seeking applications for entries to participate in the Friends of Little Friends Electric Parade that kicks off the Hometown Holidays celebration in downtown Naperville during Thanksgiving weekend. Applications must be received by Fri., Oct. 22.
This year’s Friends of Little Friends Electric Parade will be held at 4:30PM on Fri., Nov. 26. This festive holiday event features a spectacular collaboration of lighted and musical floats and Santa’s big arrival in preparation for the busy holiday season. Following the parade, Santa Claus will flip the switch and light more than 300,000 holiday lights transforming downtown
Naperville into a winter wonderland.
The parade will begin at Centennial Beach on Jackson Avenue. The route continues east on Jackson Avenue, north on Webster Street and west on Van Buren Avenue to Eagle Street.
Community organizations are encouraged to participate. Entry fees are $50 for local for-profit companies and area non-profit agencies can participate for free. A number of sponsorship opportunities are also available. Applications for the parade are available on the Little Friends Web site, www.littlefriendsinc.org<http://www.littlefriendsinc.org> or by contacting
Special Events and Volunteer Manager Cally Edwards at (630) 281-1882 or via
e-mail at credwards@lilfriends.com.
Healing Field of Honor! American flag exhibit will return, just not in 2010
In recent months and even today, a number of residents have inquired about the Healing Field of Honor, wondering if the all-community exhibit featuring 2,009 American flags last year would be set up on Rotary Hill again during the week of Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
At the end of last year’s event, the Healing Field Committee decided that because of the unique significance of the Healing Field of Honor to recognize all service men and women in the United States, past, present and future, the awesome exhibit could lose its impact and not be appreciated quite as much if it were set up every year. Plus, their will be considerable costs in planning time, labor and additional American flags, since most supporters took home their flags with commemorative tags after the weeklong event.
According the Chairman Dave Wentz of the Naperville Exchange Club, who led the community-wide initiative, "We also realized that if we want it at Rotary Hill, the Exchange Club and the Naperville Park District would work together to decide when the next Healing Field event will occur."
Note that commemorative prints of a painting of the event by Marianne Lisson Kuhn are available for $100 each at Window World in Naperville on North Aurora Road. For more information, contact Dave or Shelly Hampton at wowchicago@aol.com.
"We appreciate the continued interest in the special way to honor the military and everyone who has ever served our nation," said Wentz. "I can tell you that the Healing Field of Honor will definitely return to Naperville. It just won’t be this year."
This week and more! North Central college presents its arts calendar
Now-Sept. 26, Free Public Art exhibit: "Personal Demons" by artist Heather Freeman in Schoenherr Art Gallery at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. The images in "Personal Demons" combine human and animal forms through the use of print, drawing, painting, photography and other media, and Freeman's works explore the language and symbolic forms of science and where those intersect with mythic, religious and popular iconography. Call (630) 637-5375 for gallery hours. Visit http://northcentralcollege.edu/x52727.xml for details.
Sept. 5-Oct. 14, Free Art exhibit: North Central College will host the exhibit, "The Other Side of the Earth," by artist Chun Arthur Wang in the College's Oesterle Library Gallery, 320 E. School St. Wang is associate professor of fine arts at Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio, where he teaches drawing and watercolor. Call (630) 637-5375 for gallery hours. Visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/show for details.
7PM Fri., Sept. 10, Music: North Central College's The Union and Students In Free Enterprise will host a benefit concert with noted musicians to raise funds for Guatemalan coffee farmers whose homes and fields were razed by deadly mudslides from Tropical Storm Agatha last May. The concert will take place at The Union, 129 W. Benton Ave. and feature local artists Kevin Andrew Prchal, Ryan O'Neal from Sleeping at Last, Jeremy Keen and Brendan Losch. The suggested donation is $10/adults and $5/students at the door. For more information contact Jeremy Gudauskas at (630) 637-5417 or visit www.TheUnionNetwork.com.
7PM Fri., Sept. 10, Music: Naperville's ThinkGlobal Arts Foundation kicks off its annual Celebration of Peace 2010 program with a Concert for Global Peace, featuring jazz and classical Indian violin maestro L. Subramaniam, along with his son Ambi, in North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. An internationally acclaimed musician, Subramaniam has accompanied several philharmonic orchestras and been nominated for a Grammy Award. The concert is in partnership with Sri Annamacharya Project of North America and Sri Venkateshwara Swami Temple. Tickets are $50, $20 and $15; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469). For more information contact Revati Natesan at (630) 697-4441.
These events, performances and exhibits are among many ongoing programs at North Central College to enrich and broaden the cultural and academic outlook for the College and community. For a comprehensive schedule of musical performances, theatrical and dance productions, art exhibits and lectures, visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/show or call the box office at (630) 637-SHOW (7469).
For very special performances this month and next at North Central College, see ad PAGE 3 of the September issue of Positively Naperville coming soon!
Now! It’s a Feline Frenzy at Naperville Area Humane Society
Naperville Area Humane Society (NAHS) announces Feline Frenzy, a new adult cat adoption promotion. During the month of September, an approved adopter can take home any adult cat (age 6 months and older) for just $75; that’s 40 percent off the normal adoption fee of $125.
“Our annual adopt-a-thon held just a few weeks ago proved to be a great success, especially for our adult cats,” said Angie Wood, executive director at NAHS. “To capitalize on that effort, we’re continuing to offer a reduced adoption fee through the end of September for adult cats. The homeless cat population is at crisis levels nationwide, and the Naperville area is certainly no exception. For every cat we can place in a loving home, we have a space available for another in need.”
At NAHS, all cats have received an initial vet exam, age-appropriate vaccinations, and a microchip. They are also FeLV/FIV negative and are spayed or neutered before going home. For more adoption information, please visit the NAHS web site at www.NapervilleAreaHumaneSociety.org or call (630) 420-8989.
Naperville Area Humane Society is a private, not-for-profit organization founded in 1979 to develop and implement animal welfare programs and services within Naperville and the surrounding area. Its goal is to protect animals and to prevent animal suffering. While providing shelter and adoption programs for homeless animals, NAHS also strives to educate the community on compassion, respect, and kindness toward all living things.
Now! Are you considering a run for City Council or Mayor? Petitions for candidacy are now available; filing period begins Nov. 15
Petitions for candidacy for the 2011 Naperville municipal election are now available in the City Clerk’s Office at the Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. Expiring positions include one four-year position for Mayor and four four-year positions for Councilman. To qualify as a candidate you must be a registered voter of the City of Naperville and have resided within the corporate limits of the city for at least one year.
Petitions for nomination are filed with the City Clerk’s Office. The filing period will take place from 8AM to 5PM Mon., Nov, 15, 2010, through Mon., Nov. 22, 2010, excluding weekend days.
A Consolidated Primary Election will be held on Tues., Feb. 22, 2011, if more than four candidates file for any one office. The Consolidated General Election will be held on Tues., April 5, 2011.
For more information regarding petitions for candidacy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (630) 305-5300. For more information on the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us.
To date, Mayor George Pradel and Councilmen Kenn Miller have announced they are running for the elected position as Mayor. Other hopefuls have picked up packets, but so far, no one else has announced he or she is running for mayor or city councilman.
Educate! Web site cites ways to promote real Illinois budget reform now
On Aug. 23, the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its monthly luncheon at the Holiday Inn Select, featuring a non-partisan educational opportunity to learn why it's more important than ever to vote in the Nov. 2 General Election.
Chamber President John Schmitt welcomed Miles White and R. Eden Martin of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago to discuss the Illinois Is Broke Coalition. This initiative is going to be one of the most important grassroots efforts the Chamber has ever partnered with in our history, noted Schmitt.
More than 150 luncheon attendees were encouraged to visit www.illinoisisbroke.com for facts about retirement benefits, pensions and budget deficits. Consider joining business leaders, chamber members, social service agency directors and other Illinois residents, all of whom are concerned about the state's financial crisis.
To contact candidates and elected officials with proposals to fix the state budget and reduce costs, visit PN's Voter's Guide at General Election Candidates.
Congratulations in order! SugarToad is recognized by Wine Spectator; pair its wine selection with farm focused, seafood driven menu
SugarToad received the Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator Magazine! This award is given to a well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Typically, these lists offer at least 100 selections.
Note that this recognition is quite an honor, especially for a restaurant that will mark its second anniversary in September 2010.
Enjoy the bounty of summer with wine and drink specials when Thursdays bring half-priced wines (bottles up to $75) and Three Brothers beer specially priced at $3. Specialty cocktails, including seasonally inspired drinks, are $6.
Live Music Thursdays! Promoting Thursday as the new Friday, SugarToad now kicks off weekends a day early with live music on the patio, weather permitting, or inside from 6:30-9:30PM.
Harvest Dinners are back! Also, the SugarToad menu features a selection of three-course Harvest Dinners for $40, Monday through Saturday, prepared with the best ingredients, sourced locally and prepared with sophisticated simplicity.
Since September 2008, SugarToad's reputation has grown as a regional American restaurant featuring a farm-focused menu inspired by the passion and care that go into bringing the highest quality products directly to your table.
Brunch, lunch or dinner; SugarToad offers a warm, inviting casual fine dining setting that sets the tone for a memorable experience.
All items on the menu are sourced and grown locally, some in SugarToad's very own onsite garden at Hotel Arista.
Where's Hotel Arista? The Hotel Arista is located at 2139 CityGate Lane in CityGate Centre, just east of Route 59 at I-88 in Naperville. An easy route is to take River Road south to Raymond Road all the way to Ferry Road. Turn west and follow Ferry Road to enter CityGate Centre near the entrance to the spacious parking deck.
Now thru Nov. 2! Chamber members begin to weigh in on pros and cons of districts and term limits
During the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative meeting at the Hotel Arista on Aug. 8, the local business community again was informed about an initiative of the Naperville Voters Education League to place a couple of referendum questions on the Nov. 2 ballot.
As a member and representative for the Naperville Voters Education League, attorney Gerry Cassioppi explained that two ballot questions under study for more than a year by the Naperville Voters Education League likely will be on the ballot.
After a lengthy discussion among city council members about term limits in June, the July 20 meeting resulted in a 6-3 vote among council members to ask voters to approve or deny limiting the number of 4-year terms the mayor and council members could serve to three.
Cassioppi also explained how the second question was advanced by a petition-signing campaign organized by NVEL. Signed petitions will create a question on the ballot regarding a district system for the city with five district-based council members and three at-large members. The mayor will serve at-large.
Though some questions were raised about term limits, most legislative committee members in attendance had more issues and questions about districts. The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce voted Monday to form a task force to study the pros and cons of the issue.
Afterward, the task force will make a recommendation to the legislative committee and the chamber's board of directors that may or may not be accepted.
Now is the time for all local voters to become engaged with the issues of term limits and districts, also known as "wards." Become educated when the opportunities are presented.
Cassioppi said the NEVL intends to host discussions and debates this fall to hash out all the pros and cons, noting that NCTV17 covered the discussion and interviewed several Chamber members after the meeting.. He added his group likely will enlist the help of the Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation.
To keep tabs on events and discussions, visit www.napervillevoter.org.
Today! Sidewalk improvements begin on Ogden Ave., expect some lane closures during off-peak hours thru mid-September
Pedestrian signal modifications and sidewalk improvements along Ogden Avenue are expected to begin on Tues., Aug. 10, 2010. The improvements will occur where Ogden Avenue intersects with Washington Street, Loomis Street, Columbia Street, Iroquois Avenue, Naperville-Wheaton Road and Naper Boulevard. The project is slated for completion in mid-September, weather permitting.
The planned project requires occasional traffic lane closures on Ogden Avenue. All lane closures will be implemented during off-peak hours between 9AM to 3PM. Portions of the sidewalk along Ogden Avenue will be temporarily closed while the work is in progress. At times during the project, pedestrians may need to seek alternate routes.
For more information on the Ogden Avenue Corridor Enhancement Initiative, visit www.naperville.il.us/ogdenstudy.aspx.
Now! NJWC seeks new members
The Naperville Junior Woman’s Club is looking for energetic, enthusiastic women to join its philanthropic club. Each year members give thousands of hours of service to the community and thousands of dollars to various charitable organizations including Safety Town.
For more info, visit www.napervillejuniors.org or call the NJWC hotline at (630) 575-9567.
Save the dates! Several 2010 Fall Winter Clothing Exchanges set dates
Organizers of a major fundraiser at three schools in which all proceeds from sales help fund the respective school’s programs, including classroom supplies and school libraries have set their dates.
The fundraiser also supports families within the surrounding communities and all unsold items are donated to local charities.
The dates are: Highland Elementary School Infant/Preschool Clothing Exchange (size infant-6), Sept 23-24; Ellsworth Elementary School Children’s Clothing Exchange (size 5-20), Sept 30-Oct 1; and Naper Elementary School Adult Clothing Re-Sale (Men, Women, Juniors),Oct 7-9.
For more information: highlands.clothing@gmail.com / ellsworth.clothing@gmail.com / naper.clothing@gmail.com. Times will be announced soon.
Veterans! Naperville Township formed Veteran and Senior Affairs Team
Naperville Township has created a Veteran and Senior Affairs Team (VSAT) to assist the local Veteran and Senior population regarding benefits they are entitled to receive.
During the July Naperville Township Board Meeting, Township Trustee David Wentz presented a motion to create the VSAT as a way to better coordinate with DuPage County, area Veteran’s facilities, other local veterans and community groups to build better awareness and access for current services being offered to veterans and seniors.
With unanimous support, the team now has the ability to communicate, coordinate and interact with the area Veterans Hospitals and clinics, elected federal, state and county officials who currently serve Naperville Township, the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs, the DuPage County Veterans Assistance Commission, and DuPage County Department of Human Resources-Senior Services.
The new initiative also will coordinate efforts with the Community Career Center, Judd Kendall Post 3873, American legion Post 43, local retirement homes and other local community groups to build awareness of services, programs and benefits available to both Veterans and seniors.
In addition to Wentz, team members are Gary Vician, Naperville Township Supervisor; Fred Spitzzeri, Naperville Township Trustee; Michael Connelly, Illinois State Representative 48th District; Darlene Senger, Illinois State Representative 96th District; John Zediker, DuPage County Board – District 5; John Clifton, Hines VA Hospital; Jenny Dawley, Naperville Township Director of Senior Services; Jan Barbour, Naperville Township Veterans Community Relations;
and Mike Barbour, Naperville Township Veterans Community Relations.
Vician said that while Naperville Township has always provided assistance to the seniors in the township, many Veterans who are seniors are unaware that the government may provide medical care, education assistance, burial and memorial assistance, pension and disability compensation, employment services, home loan guarantees, survivor benefits and an array of other services.
Vician also noted that any medals earned and not received by veteran can be acquired even at this late date. Also, discharge papers, the DD214, that all veterans know they must have to receive any benefits can be duplicated if it has been lost or destroyed.
The Naperville Township offices are located near the Moser Covered Bridge along the Riverwalk at 139 Water St. and Webster in downtown Naperville.
For more information, call Naperville Township Supervisor Gary Vician at (630) 388-4401, Senior Services Director Jenny Dawley at (630) 357-8058 or Township Veterans Community Relations coordinators Mike Barbour or Jan Barbour at (630) 357-2786.
Did you know? The Field House Family YMCA is now called Y Sports Complex and AAU & Club Basketball are coming in April 2011
The Y Sports Complex, formerly known as the Field House Family YMCA, has been under the
new leadership of Matt Lund for about one year now, and has a new facility name that better fits with the quality of programs and services offered.
More specifically, the Y Sports Complex is evolving into a destination location for children, teens and adults to play sports on many different levels. "Our goal is to create a safe and fun learning environment where friendships are formed, team camaraderie is built both on and off the court and to promote personal growth by instilling confidence and a positive self-image. We have achieved this with our current basketball programs but knew there was an opportunity to offer a more competitive basketball program as well," said Matt Lund, Sports Director.
The AAU and Club Basketball program will run from April 2011 through July 2011. The program
will be available for 4th through 11th graders. Practices will consist of 2 per week and will be held at the Y Sports Complex or a surrounding ara school. The Y will host tournaments throughout the summer which will be considered some of the games club participants will play in and will also travel to cities within a 3 hour drive time to play games. The program cost will be all inclusive and will cover program, tournament and practice fees along with practice and game uniforms and traveling gear.
Tryouts will be at the end of February and March 2011 at the Y Sports Complex, 31W290
Schoger Dr., Naperville. Watch for more details in flyers, Y program catalogs, e-newsletters and more in the next few months.
New athletic performance training at Y Sports complex, too...The Y Sports Complex
also has recently invested $70,000 through a grant to purchase new equipment to help support athletic programs. The complex has evolved into a more extensive operation providing non-competitive and more competitive program options including a new athletic performance training program geared for anyone and everyone regardless of age, gender, skill level or athletic goals.
Whether someone is trying to make a team, make varsity, be a team captain, get a scholarship, turn pro or just be as fit as possible, In late August, 2010, the Y Sports Complex will start offering customized performance training programs to youth, middle school, high school, adults, elite athletes and teams.
With an updated weight room and the addition of an athletic/personal training performance area, athletes will be able to work-out with highly trained staff in a well-equipped and comfortable area. Training can be done one-on-one or in small groups to ensure best results.
Core training programs are available for ages 9-11, 12-14, 15+ and group or team training.
The 9-11 year old program focuses on skill development, getting the body primed for new information, new movements and new challenges in a 60 minute session. The 12-14 year old program focuses on developing certain patterns, progressing and maintaining athletic movement while refining and ingraining fundamental skills of speed, agility and power in a 60 minute session. The 15+ age program focus is on fine-tuning technique, patterning speed, agility and power,
building the total athlete where training begins to resemble sporting demands in this 60 minute session. Group and team training consists of delivering challenging workouts that are organized, educational, progressive and customized for an entire group. Trainings are at the Y Sports Complex and focus on speed and multi-directional skill development. Included also is medicine
ball strengthening, bodyweight resistant power and enery system development and speed ratioing.
For more information about programs at the Y Sports Complex, contact Matt Lund, Sports
Director, (630) 585-5100 or mlund@heritageymca.org.
Sept. 22! 2010 KidsMatter Volunteer Fair will be held at Municipal Center
KidsMatter will host its Annual Volunteer Fair for students in grades 6 through 12 from 5:30-7:30PM on Wed., Sept. 22, at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 Eagle Street.
Students from all area middle schools and high schools are invited to participate in this free Fair. This year special highlights include mini-workshops on helping students compile a service profile for college applications and resumes as well as for family volunteering. Family service opportunities will also be available. Parents are welcome to accompany their students.
At the Fair, students will have an opportunity to connect with representatives from over 25 local agencies/organizations that offer volunteer service opportunities for youth. We are pleased to have Naper Settlement, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Naperville Public Library, Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, American Cancer Society, DuPage Children's Museum, Feed My Starving Children, the Fry Family Y and Naperville Park District, to name just a few.
For more information about the Volunteer Fair, contact Katie Russell, KidsMatter Program Manager, at (630) 527-6562 or visit www.KidsMatter2us.org.
Going forward! City Council voted to put term limits on Nov. 2 ballot
It may be vacation time for some and the lazy, hazy days of summer for others, but somehow it seems crazy that the Naperville City Council ended up with so much on its plate for July.
The agenda was chock full of old and new business including Smart Grid text amendments, downtown street vendor policy, two possible referendum items (advisory for pension reform and term limits for elected city officials) for the November ballot, Central Park design changes, red lights, and much more that will be detailed in this space shortly.
For one thing, however, new designs for Central Park were directed back to the drawing board. And in a 6-3 vote, council approved language for a referendum item to be placed on the November ballot to limit terms for elected city offiicials to three consecutive terms. Now the community has to decide the pros and cons before the General Election on Nov. 2.
For the complete agenda or to find where to watch the rebroadcast, visit www.naperville.il.us, click on "Government," then "Agenda & Minutes."
Editor's Note: Thanks to all of our elected officials for their service to our community.
Sept. 13! Mayor’s Golf Outing will celebrate 30 years of giving back to local charities
When local residents step up to the tee on Mon., Sept. 13, 2010, they will help mark the 30th anniversary of the Naperville Mayor’s Golf Outing. This annual event was started in 1980 with Mayor Chet Rybicki and Bill Brestal of Dommermuth, Brestal, Cobine & West Ltd.
“This began as a means to allow the Mayor the opportunity to give back charitably throughout the year. We felt a golf outing would be a fun way of doing that,” said Brestal in a press release.
The very first golf outing was held at Cress Creek Country Club with 125 golfers. Brestal remembers that “back then, it was all about friends and fun – we never cared if you could golf, as long as you were having a good time and giving back to our community.”
Today, all levels of golfers continue to be welcome. This year’s outing will be held at Springbrook Golf Course with an opportunity to golf in either the morning or the afternoon.
Thirty years later, Brestal’s office is still planning the outing. “We have a policy of always being involved and giving back to the community. We continue this tradition because it is a way for our employees to actively give through a fun, community event,” Brestal said.
“This day holds special meaning for me,” says Mayor George Pradel. “It really makes an impact on the charities that benefit from our outing. Over the years, Chet Rybicki, Peg Price, Sam Macrane and myself have had the honor of donating over $1.5 million to worthy causes. We couldn’t do that without the tremendous community support we’ve received through the years.”
This year, golfers will be swinging for DuPage Children’s Museum, Little Friends, Inc., Our Children’s Homestead, Safety Town, Samaritan Interfaith, Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, and the YMCA’s Strong Kid’s Campaign.
Individuals and businesses can support this event either through golfing, sponsoring, or donating a raffle prize. For more information on the Mayor’s Golf Outing contact Dommermuth, Brestal, Cobine & West Ltd. at (630) 355-5800 or visit the Web site at www.mayorsgolfouting.org.
Editors's Note: A long list of local charitable golf outings slated this season, including the Mayor's Golf Outing, is also posted on this Web site.
Apply now! ESLP offers free GED and career training this fall for ages 17-21 who left high school before finishing
ESLP students can learn about environmental science from S.C.A.R.C.E – School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education.
Classes are now forming for the Early School Leaver Program (ESLP) for the Fall Semester, 2010.
ESLP is a unique program offering free GED preparation, workplace skill-building, and specific career training for DuPage residents aged 17-21. Young people who leave high school before graduating too often find themselves in a rut. ESLP is designed to jumpstart motivation through incentives and build confidence through skill development. The Early School Leaver program is funded by the Workforce Development Division of DuPage County (Workforce Investment Act).
For more information, call (630) 691-7577 or visit http://www.daoes.org/esl.html.
Apply now! City of Naperville Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee seeks new member
The City of Naperville’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) is seeking one new member. BPAC is composed of nine members who serve two-year staggered terms. The committee’s purpose is to guide, support and advise the City of Naperville on bicycle and pedestrian issues. Applications must be submitted by Friday, September 10, 2010.
More information about BPAC and the membership process will be presented during a BPAC meeting at 7PM, on Monday, August 16, in Room 247 of the Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. Interested residents may download the membership application online at www.naperville.il.us/bpac.aspx.
Related bike news! Working in accordance with the City of Naperville, The Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown, the one that meets at 4:44PM on Wednesdays at Hugo's Frog Pond, recently granted $5,000 for new bike racks that will placed at four strategic locations throughout the downtown central shopping district. PN will keep readers posted upon their arrival.
Congrats! Rockin' for the Troops proves it doesn't get much better on a summer night outdoors... Where? At Cantigny Park in the Midwest!
On July 17, Operation Support Our Troops Illinois presented the 5th Annual Rockin’ for the Troops to raise money for its mission: to support all aspects of America’s military, from enlistment to veteran, and their families. Award-winning performers came from all over the nation to perform at one of the best settings to display American spirit in the Midwest.
The benefit concert, a collaborative effort by Navistar Corporation, Cantigny Park and OSOTIL, features award-winning and critically acclaimed actor Gary Sinise (Det. Mack Taylor in CSI: NY and Lt. Dan Taylor in Forrest Gump) and his band, The Lt. Dan Band.
Music by the Naperville Municipal Band, Blue Moon Swamp, Nashville recording artist and well- known military advocate Rockie Lynne and Gary Sinise and The Lt. Dan Band brought crowds to their feet.
Save the third Saturday in July 2011 for the next Rockin' for the Troops!
The cause continues...donations always needed! As they do around the clock throughout the year, organizers collected items at the event to help fill care packages to send to the military overseas. In fact, they collected 2,753 pounds of donations for the troops!
Items listed on the top 10 most requested include Slim Jims, jelly (32 oz or less; NO Glass Please), mayonnaise (individual packets), crackers (1# box or less), nasal spray/eye drops, cereal bars, foot powder (20 oz or less), body wash (18 oz or less), microwave popcorn, anti itch and antibiotic creams.
For more information about Operation Support the Troops Illinois, how volunteers have raised more than $2 million to help veterans' initiatives and to send more than 29,000 care packages ($25 per box for shipping) to deployed military, visit www.osotil.org.
Alert! Emerald ash borer found at Brush Hill Park and Commissioners Park as the City and Park District take preventative action
With the increased presence of the emerald ash borer in Naperville, the Naperville Park District has a strategy in place to minimize the loss of trees in its parks.
“Trees infested with the disease will be removed, and select ash trees that are healthy will be treated with insecticide and monitored monthly,” explained Director of Parks Kevin Finnegan. “We are currently monitoring more than 100 ash trees across the District.” A few ash trees were recently removed at Brush Hill Park on Naperville’s north side and at Commissioners Park on the south side.
Park District staff is working with the City of Naperville’s forestry division to monitor trees throughout the city.
A representative from the forestry division was in the West Wind neighborhood on July 8. He said signs of the emerald ash borer are throughout neighborhoods in the city.
The Naperville Park District will continue to plant new trees of a variety of species to replace ash trees that are lost. Lowe’s provided a $13,200 grant to assist in this effort.
The Naperville Park District welcomes additional donations from individuals and organizations to assist in planting new trees in the parks. Those interested in donating a tree as part of the Remembrance Program are encouraged to call the Park District at (630) 848-5022.
Residents with questions about the emerald ash borer are encouraged to check the City of Naperville’s website at http://www.naperville.il.us/ashborer.aspx.
SOS! Hesed House has posted a list of special needs this summer
Hesed House is in extreme need of the following items: Disposable diapers sizes 3, 4, 5, 6;
wipes; Wal-Mart Gift Cards; and Jewel Gift Cards.
Because Hesed House can purchase food more inexpensively when buying in bulk, the nonprofit organization can also use freezers and a large refrigerator to store larger quantities.
Hesed House also could use non-perishable food items including cereal, soup, canned fruit, brownie mix and baby formula.
Other Items on the Hesed House Wish List include gift certificates or gift cards (Walmart/ Jewel/Target), gas powered pressure washer, copy paper, new underwear and socks, disposable razors, belts (men's and women's) and your prayers!
For more information, contact Tom Zimmerman at Hesed House at (630( 897-2156 ext. 535.
The folks at Hesed House added, "Thank you in advance if you can help us!"
This Weekend! CityGate Grille hosts live music on Fridays and Saturdays
CityGate Grille, located just off of Route 59 and I-88 in Naperville, offers signature cocktails, a Mediterranean-inspired menu, and live music every Friday and Saturday night from 8PM to midnight. For more information, visit www.citygategrille.com.
Thanks! Fisher House at Hines VA Hospital makes national headlines /
This Fisher House was funded in part by Operation Support Our Troops IL
A friend of PN just sent a link to a story in USA Today (July 6, 2010) about the Fisher House at Hines VA Hospital. That's one of 45 "homes away from home," built to accommodate the housing needs of families of veterans who are receiving treatment at hospitals on military installations.
Though the story does not mention all the contributors who helped build the home, the Fisher House featured in the story was funded in part as a result of the Naperville Healing Field of Honor and Operation Support Our Troops Illinois.
Here's the USA Today link:
During the Naperville Healing Field of Honor tribute to all veterans, held on Rotary Hill from Nov. 8-14, 2009, in conjunction with Veterans Day, the Naperville community and 20 sponsors sold 2,009 American flags to raise $50,000 that was matched by Operation Support Our Troops Illinois to help fund the home.
Operation Support Our Troops also had previously contributed funds to the Fisher House at Hines, raised from its Rockin' for the Troops concerts.
Twelve Fisher Houses currently are being planned, some under construction, throughtout the nation. Even more homes on military installations are needed to help relieve financial burdens for military families.
Thanks again to the Naperville community for your support of the troops and their military families, past, present and future.
Heart warming! Exchange Club of Naperville and Ribfest organizers found another way to show their big hearts for a bunch of special kids
Los Lonely Boys performed Special Acoustic Concert for young audience
On the afternoon of July 1, opening day of Ribfest, 2010 Steering Committee Member Don Emery stepped up on the stage of Wentz Concert Hall to introduce Los Lonely Boys for their special acoustic performance for underprivileged kids.
According to Emery, this very special private concert was for exactly the people that Ribfest helps, underprivileged kids and young adults. And he explained.
“We had booked Los Lonely Boys for one of our opening night acts, but then they had a chance to play at the Taste of Chicago a few days before playing Ribfest and as part of our negotiations, their management offered this concept. Working quickly with the community, we were able to secure the world-class Wentz Concert Center at North Central College and find a way to make it happen.” The one stipulation was that the attendees of this private concert be kids that typically can’t attend Ribfest or are underprivileged in some way.
"That’s where Diane Simmons came in. As Chair of the Allocation Committee for the Exchange Club, Diane went to work offering tickets to some of the organizations that serve young people and are also recipients of the funds generated by Ribfest," Emery said.
“It was great being able to coordinate more than 400 young people to attend this wonderful opportunity” said Simmons, noting that NCO, the Ray Graham Association and the Heritage YMCA helped to fill the audience for the concert that Los Lonely Boys performed at no additional charge.
The Band consists of three brothers, Henry, Jojo and Ringo Garza, who have long been big supporters of charitable works. Hailing from San Angelo, Texas, they play a style of music which they dub “Texican Rock n’ Roll” and they credit their father for being their inspiration along with musical mentors like Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Santana, but LLB has a sound that is most definitely their own.
Caution! Remind youngsters to stay clear of retention ponds, streams and rivers that might pose threat due to high water from recent rains
The City of Naperville released a reminder for residents regarding the threat that retention ponds and other bodies of water pose at this time of year. Parents should caution their children about the dangers of playing in or near retention ponds and other waterways.
The Naperville area has experienced a significant amount of rain throughout the past few weeks, resulting in a high level of water in area rivers and ponds.
“I strongly urge everyone to please stay away from any body of water, which includes retention ponds and rivers,” Emergency Management Coordinator Joe Henderson said. “Exercising caution and safe behavior is the best way we can prevent tragedy. Water levels can rise rapidly with a seemingly small amount of precipitation, and after heavy rains, fast moving water can quickly create an unsafe situation. These areas are not safe to be in or around.”
Children should be told that retention ponds, rivers and any other body of water are not areas to play in or around at any time of the year.
For more information on Emergency Preparedness, including a downloadable copy of the city’s Emergency Preparedness Guide, visit www.naperville.il.us/nema.aspx.
Editor's Note: With school closed, more bicyclists and children at play, be mindful to drive the speed limit (25 mph unless otherwise posted) and come to a complete stop at all stop signs. Patience is a virtue.
Ongoing! Red IndieBound Naperville logo is sign of independents that will find a place in the Jaycees Last Fling Labor Day Parade
Members of IndieBound Naperville want you to look for their entry in the Jaycees Last Fling Parade on Labor Day, Mon., Sept. 6.
The group of independent business owners will be identifiable by red t-shirts emblazoned with the red logo that can be seen in the windows of approximately 100 local merchants. IndieBound members include bookshops, restaurants, coffee shops, candy shops, men's clothing stores, women's boutiques, catering businesses, pet shops, pharmacies and other small locally-owned businesses that have built the character and charm that exists from downtown to dozens of shopping plazas throughout town.
Since October 2008, when Becky Anderson of Anderson’s Bookshop called a small group of like-minded business owners and independent thinkers together to learn about the national booksellers IndieBound initiative, Naperville's organization has grown "leaps and bounds" with members who meet regulary to network ideas and promote other independents. Their purpose is to identify and unite independent businesses in the community with posters featuring the red IndieBound Naperville logo and to raise customer awareness regarding the benefits to the community of patronizing local independent businesses.
Several levels of membership exist, but the most visible one is to buy into the concept of displaying the red IndieBound Naperville logo. For $30, independent businesses can sign up to display the bright red logo of distinction.
Added benefits come during linked promotions that take customers throughout Naperville to shop. Members also meet to share ideas, employee and customer rewards promotions, advertising opportunities and more.
Independent service businesses, retail shops, private schools and restaurants are welcome to join the network and /or to attend meetings to learn more about IndieBound Naperville.
For more information, contact Sally Blackburn at sally@anderbook.com or (630) 750-0317 or visit www.indieboundnaperville.org.
Always! Naperville Junior Woman's Club seeks new members
The Naperville Junior Woman’s Club is looking for energetic, enthusiastic women to join our Club. Each year our members give thousands of hours of service to the community and thousands of dollars to various charitable organizations including Safety Town. Watch for info about new member meetings coming soon.
To find info on all meeting locations and more, call NJWC hotline at (630) 575-9567 or visit www.napervillejuniors.org.
Today! Shop and dine around town just for the fun of it
Looking for a special last-minute gift? Gift ideas for weddings, graduations, birthdays and anniversaries are on display all around town in Naperville stores from Anderson's Bookshop to Dean's Clothing to English Rows Eye Care. For instance consider a world atlas or a Naperville coffee table book or a personalized picture frame. Gift cards and gift certificates for sunglasses, spas, restaurants, clothing shops and running shoe stores also are suitable gifts that please most dads.
Better yet, consider a gift for the sweetheart in your life that includes you, paired with wines. SugarToad monthly 5-course cooking classes ($40 per person, plus tax and gratuity) are fun for couples and since they began in February have attracted almost as many men as women.
For info, visit www.sugartoad.com.
Check out PN's advertisers, locally-owned and operated small businesses, and maybe a unique or creative idea will pop into your head for concert tickets at one of North Central College's theater venues or a large photo collage personalized at Minuteman Press or a gourmet food basket with a thick cut of meat from Casey's Foods or a Naperville t-shirt from Oswald's and so on.
Also note, the Canterbury Shoppe has some unique Naperville items, including some game gifts featuring sports teams. The popular gift shop is closed, however, and will be reopening in a new location the first week in July. Find the Canterbury Shoppe in the Jefferson Hill Shops.
Downtown Naperville gift cards also provide choices, valid at over 125 shops and restaurants in the central business district. Find them Saturday and Sunday available for purchase by credit card at Heaven on Seven or Two Bostons. For info, visit www.downtownnaperville.com.
Be sure to visit PN's July 2010 calendar in case you're looking to see what other events are scheduled this week that just might mark another milestone in life.
Editor's Note: The PN photo with American flags above from the 2009 Healing Field of Honor was used on Flag Day, June 14, by James M. Tarbox, Editor of The History Channel Magazine, in a story titled "Flag Day is the Day to Unfurl All its Glory."
Thank you, readers! Greetings to PN are appreciated, some are posted
This month we have received a number of Greetings to PN via our columnists, reminding us how the publication can connect the community and beyond. Greetings to PN and Naperville Nostalgia are two of the most popular sections of this Web site. Save them to visit and read on a rainy day.
Recent Sightings! Co-exist while not feeding wildlife; see photos of red fox near Naperville Public Safety Center
PN was in Lisle June 7! Folks from Lisle, Naperville and other communities continued to sound off about Navistar, jobs
Job creation is the biggest need in Illinois and Navistar wanted to grow its business into the old Lucent facility in Lisle. Visit the Hot Topics for PN's impressions regarding the June 7 meeting at the Lisle Village Hall as well as a letter from Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce President John Schmitt that tells about Navistar's change of heart (scroll down to third entry). Search for other related stories online that appeared in the Daily Herald, Chicago Tribune and Naperville Sun.
Did you know? Navistar's foundations were laid in 1831, the same year that Naperville was settled by Cap. Joe. Naper. That year Cyrus McCormick invented the mechanical reaper. In 1902, McCormick’s company merged with four other enterprises and incorporated as International Harvester Company. Local farmers recall the International Harvester brand as their trucks first hit the road to deliver farmers’ goods to market in 1907. In 1987, International Harvester became Navistar. A visit to their lobby in Warrenville is an enlightening showcase of the vehicles they produce for the world.
Ticket sales in progress! North Central unveils star-studded 2010-2011 Fine & Performing Arts Season, including Chicago Symphony
A star-studded lineup of classical, jazz and contemporary artists fills the 2010-2011 Fine & Performing Arts Season at North Central College.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Frankie Valli, Blues Traveler, Ramsey Lewis, Rachel Barton Pine, the Vienna Boys Choir, David Sanborn and Del McCourey with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band are just a few highlights of North Central College’s most sensational season to date. Brian Lynch, fine arts director. touts the season lineup as one that will "have something to please every fine arts-loving audience member.”
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which performed in Wentz Concert Hall when the Fine Arts Center opened in November 2008, returns on Oct. 21 as part of the College’s sensational Homecoming celebration.
Patrons may purchase discounted preferred seating for five shows in each of the Performing Arts, Jazz, Classical, Contemporary and A la Carte Series. Series ticket packages are available now. The A la Carte Series allows patrons to choose their seats at a reduced rate when purchasing tickets to five or more shows in any series or additional events.
Individual ticket sales begin at 10AM, Monday, June 14. Call the box office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix to buy tickets.
FYI: NIFB was named 2010 Food Bank of the Year by the Feeding America network of food banks. NIFB expressed grateful to our family of friends and supporters who helped make this crowning achievement possible. NIFB serves the Naperville community via Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry, as well as food pantries at Calvary Church and St. Thomas of the Apostle. On May 29, SugarToad at the Hotel Arista hosted a Roast-n-Toast for the NIFB, a fun family event that raised $3,000.
Every day! Naperville displays all-American spirit for freedom
The Naperville community is blessed with a patriotic spirit that remembers the red, white and blue from Memorial Day to Independence Day to Veterans Day.
In fact, to give students, residents and visitors a chance to pause, reflect and remember our country's rich history every day of the year, Exchange Club Freedom Shrines have been placed in local schools, the Judd Kendall VFW, DuPage County Administration Building and many other prominent places, including outside the back entrance of the Naperville Municipal Center near the Sept. 11 Memorial.
Every Freedom Shrine is a permanently mounted collection of 30 historic American documents, featuring inspirational writings such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States and the Gettysburg Address.
When you stroll the Riverwalk, consider a stop at the Sept. 11 Memorial and the Freedom Shrine behind the Naperville Muncipal Center where our city's patriotism is always showing.
God bless America and all who serve in the military, past and present. Peace.
—PN
FYI: This Web site features two pages dedicated to Naperville's American Spirit.
PN's push! Remember to support your favorite eateries and shops, especially the locally-owned, independent ones
The month of June began with two less eateries than Naperville had at the beginning of May. Two popular restaurants that hosted meetings and fundraisers closed their doors since the last time we went to press with this community publication---Zaidi's Restaurant at 83rd and Route 59 and Creme de la Crumb on Washington St. near 87th. are now vacant, signs of the uncertain economy. And a little later, the T.G.I. Friday's also closed off Naperville/Wheaton Road.
Many Internet postings expressed utter surprise and disappointment at the loss of the independently-owned restaurants. Some folks made comments similar to "It was on my list. I always planned to go there, but didn't get there."
Word of mouth is the best advertising! Be sure to patronize the places you like to shop and dine, especially the ones with community spirit. Thanks, as always, for supporting the local
business community as a way to keep jobs and the local workforce sustained. Plus, sales tax revenues are valued resources for city services.
Ongoing! Loaves & Fishes makes a difference ever day
Loaves & Fishes hosted its third annual Day Without Hunger on Thursday, June 3 with a Kickoff Breakfast. Prominent area figures discussed the condition of hunger in our community and their partnerships with Loaves & Fishes to improve the lives of the families they serve.
Naperville Mayor George Pradel, State Representatives Mike Connelly (48th district) and Darlene Senger (96th district), DuPage County Board Member/CEO of Moser Enterprises John Zediker, Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce CEO John Schmitt, and ConAgra Foods executive Bill Luna provided insights about current challenges.
A patio outdoor setting for guests featured a Community Cookout from 5 to 8PM with burgers, brats, and hot dogs grilled by Belgio’s Catering and provided by sponsors including Belgio’s, Casey’s Foods, Cargill Food Distribution, and My Chef Catering. Additional sponsors include Minuteman Press, The Rental Place, Inc., and Costco. Music for the evening will be courtesy of DJ Gregg Eisel from Sounds Abound. Children walked around with balloon art during the evening greeted by clear skies and friendly smiles.
For more info, call Jody Bender at (630) 355-3663 (FOOD). Loaves & Fishes is located at 556 W 5th Ave. in ·Naperville.
Every Weekend ! Many downtown Naperville restaurants serve brunch
Check out the menus at Quigley's Irish Pub, Hugo's Frog Bar, Heaven on Seven, Sullivan's Steak House, Flat Top Grill, Jimmy's Grill, Egg Harbor and Tangerine Café! Stroll the Riverwalk, come for breakfast, and stay for some great shopping – a great way to spend the day with the family and friends!
Gift Cards! Consider Downtown Naperville gift cards, redeemable at over 125 downtown shops and restaurants, for birthdays, anniversaries and just about any occasion. Downtown Naperville gift cards can be purchased in any amount from $10-$500 at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce in the Main Street Promenade, 55 S. Main Street (Suite 351), Mon-Fri 8-5; Payment by Cash, Check, or Credit Card.
Gift cards also are available during store hours at Two Bostons Pet Boutique and Heaven on Seven for payment by Credit Card only (V, MC or Discover).
Other grad gift suggestions include products from the Apple store, Naperville memorabilia from the Canterbury Shoppe, a Clean Kanteen from Savvy, new Running/Walking Shoes from Naperville Running Company... and personalized party invitations at Papier Girl.
For more information about all the special offers for graduates, coaches and teachers you'd like to honor as the school year comes to an end, visit www.downtownnaperville.com. Or make a reservation for a Naperville restaurant experience.
Every Day! If you see something strange, say something for safety
Recent headlines from Times Square in New York City and this month's launch of “Take 25,” a national safety campaign that encourages parents, guardians and other adult role-models in the community to take 25 minutes in the month of May to talk to their children about how to remain safe, remind us to be vigilant for public safety on every level and at every age. Pay attention.
In the words of a police officer, "If you see something strange, say something to someone who can help."
The phone number for CrimeStoppers is (630) 420-6066. Keeping our community safe is everyone's responsibility.
Take children and and young friends to see the new 9-ft. Dick Tracy sculpture along the Riverwalk, just across the bridge from the Dandelion Fountain at Webster St. and Jackson Ave. The 35th piece of Century Walk art is a great starting off spot to talk about public safety and stopping crime. It's also a place to learn about Pulitzer Prize-winning Dick Locher, the editorial illustrator and Dick Tracy artist who also designed the Dick Tracy sculpture.
Register now! Kidz Kabaret prepares fall & winter lineup for its stage
Local children’s theater group Kidz Kabaret is putting together it show cand classes lineup for the fall, promising plenty of singing, dancing and laughing for local kids and their families.
For more information, call (630) 355-9212.
Country Club News! Naperville Country Club now will be served by renowned Executive Chef Thomas Hiestand
Naperville Country Club has announced the appointment of Thomas G. Hiestand, Certified Executive Chef, member of the American Culinary Foundation, esteemed member of the Escoffier Society and cookbook author, as Executive Chef of the venerable private golf and social club in Chicago’s western suburbs.
FYI: Established in 1921, Naperville Country Club is a private, member-owned club offering both golfing and social memberships. For information about the club contact Timothy Anderson at (630) 355-6015 or visit www.napervillecc.org.
Alert! Coyote spotting reports in daylight and after midnight
PN features a page on this Web site with input from many local residents regarding coyote sightings with links to info about co-existing with local wildlife.
At Naperville Police Department! 'Operation Safe Kid' kits available
The “Operation Safe Kid” program provides a biographical document containing a child’s photograph, digital inkless fingerprints and other vital information. In addition, parents will also be given a DNA standard collection kit. All information will be retained by the parents to be used at their discretion for identification purposes in the event of a missing child. If a child has been fingerprinted at an earlier date, they do not need to be reprinted.
There is no fee for the “Operation Safe Kid” materials. If you were unable to attend on Saturday, April 24, 2010, the packets, which include self-inking forms, will be available at the Naperville Police Department, 1350 Aurora Ave.
If you have any questions about “Operation Safe Kid,” please contact the School Resource office at (630) 420-6667.
Coming again! Inspire! will take summer sabatical
For updates, upcoming presentations and other news about the woman's organization, Inspire!, visit www.inspireministry.com.
Alert! Hey, Students and Parents! Check available scholarship awards
PN's scholarship page features a number of scholarship award opportunities presented by local service organizations, garden clubs, etc. If you know a 2011 graduating senior who resides in Naperville who might want to apply for a little financial boost on the way to college, help spread the word about these financial aids. Guidance counselors at the high schools usually have the information, too. For more info, visit our PN scholarship page.
Coming Oct. 5 ! West Suburban Irish Pub Quiz begins at 7PM
If you know Chuck Corrigan, Mike Reilly and John Corrigan, you know every day is a time to proclaim Irish heritage. And on the first Tuesday of most months these members of the West Suburban Irish celebrate a true test of blarney and facts by organizing the WSI Pub Quiz at Quigley's Irish Pub. The public is welcome. Quiz play is free.
Note that the WSI Pub Quiz Night will be gone fishin' in July and September because of holiday weekends. The next Pub Quiz is Oct. 5. Also note WSI Half Way to St. Patrick's Day begins at 6PM, Fri., Sept. 15 at the VFW.
For a lot more West Suburban Irish info, visit www.wsirish.org.
Ongoing! Heritage YMCA joined www.TIX4CAUSE.com, the innovative Web site concept to support worthy causes
Heritage YMCA Group, a nonprofit charitable organization, now serving over 24,000 members and thousands of community participants in Aurora, Naperville and Oswego annually, has recently joined Tix4Cause.com, an innovative ticket exchange Web site, offering a novel way for supporters to give.
For more information, visit www.TIX4CAUSE.com. For more information about Heritage YMCA programs and services visit www.heritageymca.org.
Alert! Sometimes traffic on 75th St. will be reduced to one lane in each direction from Olympus Dr. to Oxford Rd. thru Labor Day
Since it started in early 2009. the 75th and Washington Intersection Improvement Project has continued to move ahead on schedule. It is anticipated that the sound wall installation will be complete by June. In addition, the DuPage River Trail extension is expected to open by Labor Day.
The project to ease traffic congestion is slated for completion in 2011.
Find a few happenings you might want to consider this week...
Events on stage in the North Central College theater district will complement fine dining in Naperville; think dinner and a show
Information: For info, call North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit http://finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/x48360.xml.
FYI: Every month, PN dedicates the pages of the monthly publication toward previewing the culture within our borders. Our goal is to attract your interest to choose to attend various fundraisers, special events and public meetings as well as stage performances and art galleries. We leave "covering" the news to the daily newspapers. That said, we have a section on this Web site for issue-related stories, opinion letters from public officials and leaders in the community and news releases with information that could impact residents.
Jefferson Avenue Bridge is closed now for reconstruction
Did you know? Built in 1962, the Jefferson Avenue Bridge crosses the West Branch of the DuPage River and is located west of downtown Naperville. The bridge has reached the end of its life expectancy and is rapidly deteriorating. The city is reconstructing the bridge to ensure that it remains safe for both motorists and pedestrians.
For additional information about the project, including suggested detour routes and frequently asked questions, visit www.naperville.il.us/jeffersonbridge.aspx. Due to a recent strike, the bridge is scheduled to open again in Sept., about a month later than originally planned.
Monthly issue of PN is available at many locations around town
If your home is out of PN's home delivery area, you'll find copies of the paper at Egg Harbor, Casey's Foods, Oswald's Pharmacy, 95th Street YMCA, Kroehler YMCA, Anderson's Bookshop and Minuteman Press.
Thanks to Debbie Shaughnessy for alerting PN to residents' concerns about the boldness of coyotes in residential neighborhoods. Click on the coyote face when you see it on this Web site to visit the awareness page to see how wildlife and residents can co-exist.
At every turn, PN hopes to raise awareness about many things happening in our community.
Thanks for reading your monthly community publication. Thanks for reading daily newspapers as well.
---PN
Naperville's field of flags tribute to veterans is on YouTube
Thanks to Exchange Club member Sandy Southworth, readers can see a video view of the Naperville Healing Field of Honor, taken from the observation deck of the Moser Tower at Rotary Hill along the Naperville Riverwalk. In conjunction with Veterans Day, 2,009 American Flags were set up from Nov. 8 to 14 to honor all men and women who serve the military, past and present. The tribute was made possible by the Exchange Club of Naperville, the Naperville Park District and 20 generous supporters who underwrote the cost of the flags.
"If you would like to see the video I posted on YouTube of the Healing Field, go to this browser setting. Strictly amateur video but you get to relive some of the glory of the field on a windy day," Southworth wrote.
A second video is also online. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vQC9g5Ws4k&NR=1
Naperville artist Marianne Lisson Kuhn was commissioned by David Hampton to create a pastel image of the field of flags that will be produced as a limited edition print. Only 150 copies will be printed. Each print will be sold for $100. All proceeds will benefit a Fisher House at Hines VA Hospital.
Become an educated voter before Nov. 2 and help boost voter turn out in the General Election
If you missed the "Meet & Greet the Candidates" events held in recent months, here's hoping you'll take some time to become familiar with the candidates running in the Illinois General Election at the county, state and federal levels to serve Naperville. During the next nine months, find those candidates posted at PN's Election Central on this Web site.
The "Scott Brown Republican" victory in Massachusetts' special election caught many in the nation by surprise. The new senator also caught the attention of officials on both sides of the aisle in Illinois. Pay attention now and think independently as you consider the experience and core values of all the hopefuls. Just like in Massachusetts, the nation will be watching the campaign in Illinois.
Considering the economic state of our state amid new reports of higher joblessness and unbalanced budgets, we Illinois voters need to admit that for more than a decade, we collectively have done a lousy job of voting for our representation to find solutions in Springfield. We can't blame Washington.
To begin regaining lost prosperity that will come if we demand a more competitive business climate in the Land of Lincoln, we must do better at voting in the General Election on Nov. 2. Get to know the candidates no matter what political persuasion. Be energized!
Dine out or take out from one or all of Naperville's many fine eateries
In addition to more than 260 eateries, our Restaurant Guide offers a few tips on tipping as well as notes reminding folks to call to cancel any previously arranged reservations. In any economy, holding a table for a no-show will hurt the service at every restaurant. Here's to hospitality and courtesy.
Also, be mindful that even the best restaurants have take-out menus for your dining pleasures.
Roseland Draperies features many new ideas for decorating
The survey says, ‘Area rugs will be most purchased’
A recent survey conducted by the folks at HGTV network determined the most purchased home décor item of 2010 will be area rugs.
“Makes sense if you are watching your pennies you really can get a good bang for your buck by adding a splash of color with a new rug,” said Chris Cash of Roseland Draperies and Interiors. “A new area rug can change the entire feel or theme of a room. If you are tired of your traditional furniture, add a more contemporary rug and watch the room come alive. If everything in your room is suddenly looking all brown or beige, you can wake up the boring color with a red or green bold patterned rug.”
Area rugs range from $45 all the way up past $40,000. It is important to become educated on the type of fiber and type of construction to see what suits your needs and budget best.
A wide variety of new outdoor rugs are now coming to the market. Some look just like rugs you would traditionally use indoors with great patterns and colors. All of these rugs are made out of polypropylene and can simply by wash down with a garden hose.
Roseland Draperies and Interiors, located at 204 S. Washington St., now carries a large line of area rugs and even some that you can choose your own pattern and colors of yarn.
Samples are on display and the new catalog features more than 800 rugs.
For information about window treatments, call Roseland Draperies & Interiors at (630) 355-1565.
Operation Support Our Troops matched $50,000 raised by Naperville Healing Field to benefit 'home away from home' at Hines VA Hospital
Members of the Naperville Healing Field of Honor Committee visited Hines VA Hospital on Dec. 30 to present a $50,000 check for a Fisher House, an extended family stay facility now under construction in Hines, Illinois. And to top it off, folks from Operation Support our Troops Illinois provided a matching gift of $50,000 from the proceeds of their annual “Rockin’ For The Troops” concert in July, for a total donation of $100,000.
The brief donation ceremony took place inside the Spinal Cord Injury Center at Hines.
An overview of the weeklong Healing Field event is posted on this Web site with other 2009 Memories.
Keep tabs on what's happening in Naperville on PN's monthly calendars and on our Promotions Page at www.pnmonthly.com.
If you don't receive a copy at your home, the monthly publication of Positively Naperville is available at many locations around town. Copies of PN seem to go like hot cakes at Casey's Foods, Oswald's Pharmacy, Anderson's Bookshops and Quigley's Irish Pub.
Thanks for supporting your local merchants, restaurateurs, bankers and service providers throughout the year. It's appreciated more than ever during these uncertain economic times when forecasters predict more joblessness is ahead in 2010.
When our local businesses are successful, they can create new jobs. Also, if you prefer to order online, be mindful that most of Naperville's local businesses host Web sites, too. Consider checking out what products and services they have to offer before you order from some company in Timbuktu. Think about it.
You have so many choices---and that's another reason we're grateful you visited our Web site where you'll find dates to save for special events in February, March and beyond.
We are well aware of challenges facing many families and businesses in our community. We also recognize that the generosity of many residents and service organizations is exceptional as they step up to lend support to social service agencies in need.
Here's to more jobs, public safety and more kindness for 2010! Peace. Vote Nov. 2.
— PN
SugarToad receives acclaim from Tribune food critic
Anyone listening to WGN-Radio during morning drive-time on Dec. 17, heard some good news about fine dining in the Chicago area this holiday season.
The exciting news for Naperville is that Chicago Tribune food critic Phil Vettel singled out SugarToad as the best place to dine outside of Chicago.
The acclaimed SugarToad that opened in September 2008 serves the "SugarToad" menu Monday through Saturday evenings with wine pairings for a dining experience unlike any other in Naperville. For reservations or information, call (630) 778-8623 or visit www.sugartoad.com.
The Hotel Arista's signature restaurant, open seven days for breakfast, lunch and dinner, utilizes many organic and locally-sourced products, in addition to a seasonal on-site garden, and all guestrooms offer a “Nosh Box” which is stocked with local, regional and organic food items.
The hotel and restaurant are located at 2139 CityGate Lane, just off Route 59 and I-88.
Last spring, the Hotel Arista received the Four Diamond Award® from the Automobile Association of America (AAA). The AAA designation rewards exceptional properties across North America based on customer service, quality of accommodations and superior amenities such as SugarToad Restaurant.
2010 YMCA Summer Program Catalog is now available
The Heritage Group, with YMCA branches in Aurora, Naperville and Oswego communities recently released of the 2010 YMCA Program Catalog. The catalog has been direct mailed to homes, is available at Heritage YMCA branch locations in Naperville and Oswego, and can be found on-line at www.heritageymca.org.
The YMCA builds strong kids, strong families and strong communities. For more information about the programs and services of the Heritage Group, visit www.heritageymca.org or call (630) 420-6270.
Anderson's Bookshop celebrated 45 years and opened new gift shop;
now Oswald's Pharmacy is getting set for its 135th year in Naperville
Anderson’s Bookshops, located at 123 W. Jefferson Avenue in Naperville and at 5112 Main Street in Downers Grove, is Naperville's independent bookseller known for attracting internationally-known authors for presentations and booksignings. For more info, visit www.andersonsbookshop.com.
Just after the book store celebrated its 45th year in 2009 in downtown Naperville in November, owner Becky Anderson announced that she and her brothers have opened a second location just Two Doors East on Jefferson Ave. where gifts, cards, coffee cups, games and other specialty items are sold, giving the bookshop more room for books!. Visit AB's Two Doors East soon!
And just as Anderson's Bookshop is wrapping up a year of celebration, Oswald's Pharmacy, another Anderson family enterprise, begins its 135th year in Naperville! Pay attention for special promotions throughout the year.
CityGate Grille is a place for special events and meetings, too
After its recent ribbon cutting officiated by Mayor George Pradel, the folks at CityGate Centre, located near 1-88 and Route 59, continue to serve live music and fun conversation at the New CityGate Grille.
Going forward, CityGate Grille takes a fresh approach on American cuisine, drawing from Mediterranean ingredients for inspiration, according to the restaurant's management.
Menus can easily be paired with a hand-selected list of unique, world-class wines---as well as live music every Friday and Saturday night. The CityGate experience is primed to be another great destination in Naperville for a night out, featuring all the energy and excitement of the Mediterranean.
CityGate Grille is located at 2020 Calamos Court. For information about special events, receptions, business meetings, birthday parties, etc., call (630) 718-1010 or visit www.citygategrille.com.
Learn about Welcome You Home events
Donna Morsovillo, event planner for Welcome You Home, hosts a Web site to give folks easy access to the schedule of dates that provide grateful, respectful and joyful homecomings for returning military men and women and their families.
In addition, the Web site features photos and stories from past Welcome You Home events where friends, family and fellow veterans show appreciation in support of folks in the armed services who serve our nation.
For more information, visit www.welcomeyouhome.org. To reach Morsovillo, call (630) 302-2638.
Naperville CARES seeks volunteers
Naperville CARES, a local organization that assists families in economic crisis, is in need of volunteers to fill various positions within the organization.
Entirely driven by volunteers, Naperville CARES provides services including financial assistance, car donations and referrals to other organizations to help connect individuals with community resources. According to Executive Director Janet Derrick, a number of people are needed in order to keep the organization functioning at an optimal level.
CARES currently needs individuals to work at their office on W. Fifth Avenue conducting phone interviews, making follow-up calls and copying client documents. Since CARES offers individual training, the only requirement of the job is a desire to help members of our community who are facing an economic crisis. CARES also is looking for individuals to join its Development Committee which manages all the fundraising activities of the organization.
Available opportunites include: Direct Service Volunteers to gather and record information from those requesting assistance. Development Committee to participate in fundraising activities, including Cuisine for a Cause, grant writing and record keeping. Attend monthly meetings.
Naperville CARES (Community Acting in Response to Economic Stress) is a volunteer-driven organization providing assistance to Naperville families experiencing economic crisis. Naperville CARES’ mission is to provide resources to people within the Naperville community who need assistance to avoid homelessness and attain self-sufficiency.
For more information on volunteering for Naperville CARES, contact Janet Derrick at (630) 369-0200. For more information on Naperville CARES, visit www.NapervilleCARES.org.
Deb Rickert made a big jump for Operation Support Our Troops IL
"...I had the incredible experience of making a tandem jump with the Army Golden Knights," said Rickert in an e-mail. "This was an amazing experience and allowed me to see up close yet again the skill and courage of our warriors. God Bless our Troops!"
See Rickert, founder of Operation Support Our Troops Il, put a big smile on her face and go up, up and away high above Chicago for her recent sky dive for all the troops who serve.
See her on YouTube.
"That was amazing! What an honor!" said Rickert, as she thanked the men who took her up.
Thumbs up to Rickert!
For more information about how to help support American troops, visit www.osotil.org.
Caution! Three Naperville intersections are now monitored with red light cameras with its goal toward safety
The placement of red light enforcement cameras at two additional intersections in Naperville: Route 59 and Diehl Road and Ogden Avenue and Aurora Avenue will now be ticketing motorists for $100 if they don't stop properly when they turn on red lights.
The city reported data that since red light photo enforcement cameras have been operational at the intersection of North Aurora Road and Route 59, there have been significant improvements in various crash statistics.
The city’s red light program has three primary goals: reducing the number of injury crashes through the reduction of right angle and turning crashes at selected intersections, reducing the number of total crashes at selected intersections and reducing instances of red light running violations at selected intersections.
For more information about Naperville’s red light enforcement program, visit www.naperville.il.us/redlight.aspx. To sign up for the latest news about the City of Naperville’s projects and initiatives via e-mail, visit www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx.
Are you looking to contact your Congressman?
Some folks write us wondering how to contact their elected officials. We sense frustration and sometimes outrage.
"Do you have a group email listing of our legislators in Washington to whom I could direct this message and my comments on diminishing rights of its citizens?" e-mailed a reader. "The Best to You!!"
We are unaware of a single e-mail that would go to all members of Congress. Plus, perhaps that would make too much sense in this electronic age of intended transparency and it would be too simple.
That said, our PN Web site includes contact information for all elected officials who serve citizens of Naperville. You'll find the info on our Naperville Government Guide for all elected officials who serve citizens of Naperville. http://www.positivelynaperville.com/governmentcentral.html
There's an e-mail for the White House.
Also, you'll find all elected officials posted at http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml .
The City of Naperville is on top of communication for its constituents. One e-mail will reach all members of the Naperville City Council at council@naperville.il.us .
Whatever you think of the actions in Washington, Illinois, DuPage County, Will County, and Naperville, stay in touch with your elected officials, share your opinions and solutions on current events and government policy. Now is the time to pay attention. Be prepared to vote in the General Primary on Tues., Nov. 2.
A listing of all the candidates running the the Primary General Election are posted at Election Central.
Archive of Previous Posts regarding Primary
The Republican candidate for governor is Bill Brady by 193 votes...Vote counts were available Feb. 22 for final results from the Illinois Primary, but it was not until 1:30PM, March 5, that gubenatorial candidate Kirk Dillard respectfully conceded after the State Board of Elections certified that number earlier in the day. Now candidates for Governor of Illinois, Republican Bill Brady and Democrat Pat Quinn, can face off. And dozens of hopefuls for other elected positions in DuPage County, Springfield and Washington can get to work on their campaigns for the next eight months.
Brady reiterated that "jobs, jobs, jobs, reform, reform, reform" will be his focus, intitatives that he said will contrast the policies of the past in Illinois. A gentlemanly and graceful Sen. Dillard said on WLS, "I'll help Bill Brady any way I can...I've got a bigger foot print now... to show people there's a difference... We've got to lead by example on ethics ... We clearly are a party for job creation."
Educate and participate...Now is the time to begin being educated, debating all the issues regarding tax, health, environmental, legal, labor pension and fiscal policies that contribute to planning in an the uncertain economy. We continue to strive for public policies that will open the way for job creation in the private sector, ones that also help small independent businesses, in pursuit of growing and putting Americans in Illinois and all states back to work.
As party politics and the races begin again for the long stretch and a vote on Nov. 2, consider combining positive thoughts and solutions for a better world. Find candidates to support. Let them know how you think. We're confident our readers have good ideas. Share your ideas at your favorite watering hole the way they did in the days of neighborhood taverns. Our "Hot Topics" page addresses some local, state and national issues for discussion.
Here's to getting registered voters to the polls on Election Day?
No matter what the weather, vote between 6AM and 7PM, Tues., Nov. 2.
Vote for the beginning of the redesign of public policy with a common-sense approach to government. The last decade, perhaps even longer, of out-of-control spending with your money and many policies that punish employers failed to produce a positive, competitive private-sector business environment for job creation and prosperity in the Land of Lincoln.
"Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today." —Abraham Lincoln
Call and e-mail your friends. Remind everyone to register now in order to vote on Nov. 2.
And here's one more thought from Honest Abe in 1864, "It is not merely for today, but for all time to come that we should perpetuate for our children's children this great and free government, which we have enjoyed all our lives."
Alert! New voting rule for state-level elections!
Don’t rush ... Under-voting could cause beeps at polling places
How many times have you opted not to vote for some races because you don’t know or approve of the choices? This year, take your time when voting because a new Illinois rule passed in 2007 will challenge your choice to leave state-level races blank when you "under-vote."
The 2010 Primary Election tested a new state law requiring that voters be notified when they under-vote a ballot in state-level elections. If your ballot is not fully complete with choices, you might hear a beep when you submit it. Election judges will be there to help determine if omission of a vote in a particular race were intentional.
Some voting machines will reject a ballot if the voter fails to vote in all constitutional races.
If notified by the election judge, voters can either vote the race and resubmit the ballot or submit the rejected ballot with the under-vote.
Since there are several types of voting machines, voters might want to ask the election judges in DuPage and Will counties about the new rule before they cast their ballots.
The best thing is to allow plenty of time in the voting booth. Voting is something not to be rushed. Pay attention to under-voting. And be prepared to vote until you get it right the way you want it.
Plan to vote Nov. 2... It's no secret that PN urges all registered voters to go to the polls. We're hopeful for thoughtful, informed and educated votes to elect candidates in the Primary to be contenders in the General Election with the smarts to lead our county, state and nation to regain prosperity. We all need to do a better job of voting. Think about it today. Polls are open 6AM to 7PM today.
Saved stories with relevance to future Naperville Voter Education League hosted forum on March 23 to discuss term limits, districts for City Council
The Naperville Voter Education League hosted a public meeting at 7:30PM,Tues., March 23 at the Rubin Community Center. The event focused on creating districts and term limits for members of the Naperville City Council.
For info, e-mail Bill Eagan at billeagan@aol.com.
The mission of the Naperville Voter Education League is to facilitate discussions of issues among Naperville voters in an impartial manner and to provide a forum in which all related facts and positions may be shared.
City reported minor earthquake with reminders to be prepared
The story of a 4.3 earthquake around 4AM led the local news headlines on radio and TV on Feb. 10. Shortly afterward, the U.S. Geological Survey downgraded the measurement to a mild, 3.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred in western Kane County.
By 6:30AM, the City of Naperville had released a brief that the surrounding region experienced a minor earthquake. Initial reports indicate the epicenter of the tremor is located just east of DeKalb. City of Naperville Police and Fire personnel have been surveying the city and there are currently no reports of damages or injuries.
“The safety of our residents remains our top priority,” said Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Joe Henderson. “Typically, earthquakes rarely happen in Illinois, but we should always be prepared. This is why it is important to have an emergency preparedness kit and have a family plan in place.”
For more information on how to prepare an emergency kit and other emergency preparedness information, please visit the city's Web site at www.naperville.il.us/nema.aspx.
For more detailed information on the earthquake including maps of the area, please visit the U.S. Geological Survey Web site at www.usgs.gov or the FEMA Web site at http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/index.shtm.
What would Galileo learn from Presidents Day and Mardi Gras?
This year, the third Monday in February set aside for Presidents Day happens to falls on the birthday of Italian astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei who was born on Feb. 15, 1564.
Galileo, often controversial in his day, is now called the father of modern science who pioneered the "experimental scientific method." He was first to use a refracting telescope to make important astronomical discoveries, including support of Copernicanism, a theory that the Earth and all the other planets revolved around the sun.
Whenever we consult our trusted almanac for significant sayings, we find gems of wit, common sense and practical advice. And we wonder what words of wisdom from today's newsmakers will be around in 500 years for someone to quote.
Galileo wrote, “I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn’t learn something from him.”
Party on from Presidents Day to Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday tomorrow and whenever you look up at the starry sky, think of Galileo and his wise thoughts.
In the meantime, take advantage of Presidents Day sales. Find many ways to dine, shop and celebrate right here in Naperville. Thanks for reading and taking a scroll down this page...
FYI… Though Friday was the 201st anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, the third Monday in February has been the day since a Congressional vote in 1968 to commemorate the 16th president of the United States, along with the first president, George Washington, who was born Feb. 22, 1732. Originally, our founding father was the focus of President's Day, celebrated on his birthday beginning in 1880. One thing we know, since both presidents stood 6' 3" tall, they were heads above most of their peers, then and now.
Olympic Gold connects to Naperville... Yes!
World champion figure skater 24-year-old Evan Lysacek from Naperville went for the gold medal Thursday night, and nailed it for the United States. Thanks, Evan! The editors of PN have been following the Olympic champion's career since 2000 when we featured Lysacek on video during a production of The Big Naperville Show, hosted by Bill Mitchell and broadcast on NCTV-17.
And to give credit where credit is due, PN first read about Lysacek in stories written by Stacy St. Clair in the Daily Herald. Back in 2000, St. Clair began following the competitive young skater through his ups and downs as he began to dream of going for the Olympic Gold, one championship at a time.
More Naperville...
Ads, special offers, great restaurants,
events and other good stuff sponsored
by folks who want you to know. PN
appreciates the business!
Happenings today
& this weekend!
Visit monthly calendars!
Have you spotted an increase
of coyotes or red fox in your Naperville neighborhood lately?
In response to many wild animal sightings, PN added a page to track coyotes and other wildlife in Naperville. This awareness campaign reminds you to take precautions and never to feed wildlife here, there, along the Riverwalk near retention ponds or unintentionally in your own backyard.
Thanks for supporting the
YMCA Strong Kids Campaign!
Donate tickets for a cause!
Visit...
Get to know your elected officials at
The candidates and opportunities to meet and greet them prior to the General Election on Nov. 2 will be posted...
North Central College's fine and
performing arts calendar 2010
Thanks for supporting the arts... www.northcentralcollege.edu/show or
call the box office at (630) 637-7469 for a comprehensive North Central College
program schedule. Naperville's college
offers many fine and performing arts
programs and lectures to enrich the cultural and academic outlook for the college and community.
Art exhibit in the Gallery of Oesterle
Library, 320 E. School St. FREE. Call (630) 637-5375 for gallery hours.
Art exhibit in the Schoenherr Art
Gallery at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E.
Chicago Ave. FREE
Connect to North Central College at www.northcentralcollege.edu or our new athletics website, www.northcentralcardinals.com.
For information or ticket reservations, www.northcentralcollege.edu/show or call the box office at (630) 637-SHOW.
Special offers at some of your favorite places to shop and dine this season.
Downtown Naperville
Check PN's monthly
calendars for
day-to-day events!
To curl up in an easy
chair with all the
good news about
Naperville, pick up your
monthly copy of PN at
Casey's Foods
Minuteman Press
Anderson's Bookshop
Municipal Center
Fry Family YMCA
Barnes & Noble
Oswald's Pharmacy
and at many sponsor
businesses.
And view PN online at
where you can take
advantage of special
offers, too.
Explore a great city...
Stroll the Riverwalk...
Tour Century Walk...
Enjoy Downtown...
Discover Naperville
Neighborhood Parks...
Find what's north, east,
west and south (NEWS)
all over town
365 Days a Year
Have you visited our special promotions on PN Monthly lately?
Since late 2007, PN has been featuring special offers and other promotions at www.pnmonthly.com, the monthly publication's other companion Web site. The colorful page keeps readers in touch with some good deals and special attractions, especially time-sensitive items that might come up in between issues of the publication.
PN Monthly also has a feature where you can print out only those offers you want. You don't have to print out the entire page with dozens of offers. Simply scroll down to view them all. We invite you check out the page at PN Monthly regularly.
Thanks for reading and for spreading the word about our two Web sites.
And, of course, when you're finished at PN Monthly, we welcome you back to the Naperville News Blog. We update this page and all of our monthly calendars regularly, too.
Heavy Rainfall Event Information
The City of Naperville values and relies
on its customers to provide information.
If you are experiencing a sanitary sewer
backup and/or have flooding problems
during heavy rainfall events, call the City
at the numbers listed below.
During significant weather events, heavy call volumes may prevent us from responding to your concern within the same day or evening. Be advised, all calls will be returned based on the urgency of the concern.
In an effort to reduce the amount of flooding in the streets, residents may assist with cleaning off their storm grates before a rain event. Residents should never remove the storm grate covers. If you see a storm sewer grate cover that has been removed, please contact the Department of Public Works at (630) 420-6095 so we can quickly rectify the situation.
Your call and information is important to determine the full impact of the weather event. Additionally, your calls and concerns help plan future budgets and maintenance and repair work in your area.
If you experience a sanitary sewer backup or flooding problem, please call the following numbers:
- Sanitary Sewer backups (water bubbling up from the lowest level floor drains) (DPU-Water and Wastewater) – (630) 420-6137
- Surcharging storm drains (water bubbling up from the street or yard drains) (DPW) – (630) 420-6095
- Storm sewer and street flooding (DPW) – (630) 420-6095
- Dispatch (after normal work hours) – (630) 420-6187
The following information is news you can use around the clock:
Judd Kendall VFW posted new Web site
Mike Barbour, Chairman of Public Relations for the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, sent out a news extra that “the post’s new Web site is live” and he wants you to check it out.
The old website will route you to the new one automatically, but when you go directly to the new site you’ll see pictures of VFW events and ceremonies that you were unable to attend!
The handsome new site, mastered by Web builder Scott Holley, Senior Vice Commander, is well organized, simple to use and navigate as well as flexible enough for members to modify, change and update the look and feel as time progresses.
“It’s reflective of the pride, commitment and dedication to Veterans at Judd Kendall Post 3873,” said Barbour in an e-mail blast to all members.
The KendallGram, post calendar, VFW history, membership information, rental details and much more are featured on the Web site.
The new Web site address is www.napervfw3873.org. Bookmark it.
History of Exchange Club Ribfest is featured at Naperville Nostalgia on this Web site
Editor's Note: The Naperville Nostalgia section of this Web site provides the history of the Exchange Club of Naperville Ribfest. At the end of Ribfest every year, leadership is passed on to the next president. Pete Rocush is the president of the Exchange Club of Naperville through Ribfest 2010. For several years, Rocush has been the club's chairman of the Memories Fountain fundraiser at Fredenhagen Park along the Riverwalk. For more information, visit the Naperville Nostalgia pages on this Web site at http://www.positivelynaperville.com/ribfestnostalgia.html.
The 2010 Ribfest Chairman is Julie Lichter. For sponsorship information about the next event, July 1-4, contact Annmarie Siwik via
Prudent advice from local reader: Drive safe. Drive Sober!
The following story was submitted to Positively Naperville to alert residents about the severe penalties of a DUI arrest:
Naperville was the third best place to live in USA in 2008 as published in the CNNMoney.com. Sadly, it also was the second highest in number of DUI arrests in the Illinois communities outside of Chicago in 2008 according to the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM). Let us work together to keep it the lowest!
People might think that drivers who get arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) are only those who are alcoholic or who repeatedly abuse alcohol. Well, this is wrong!
It is common to have drivers who socially or seldom drink to get arrested for DUI. All it takes is one bad judgment, a decision to drive while impaired, that can turn life into tragedy.
Imagine this scenario; Mr./Ms. Social, who is a very kind, friendly, and hard-working person who occasionally drinks alcohol responsibly. One day he/she met friends for dinner or co-workers for a business gathering or students in a college party and did not intend to abuse alcohol. But it happened. Mr./Ms. Social lives close to the restaurant/party and decided to drive such a short distance as his/her mental judgment had already been impaired.
This huge mistake can be avoided by simply calling a Taxi or a sober friend for a ride.
In Illinois, a driver is legally considered to be under the influence of alcohol if the driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08 or more. Does this mean that it is legal to drive as long as the driver's BAC is below 0.08? Does this mean that it is safe to drive as long as the driver's BAC is below 0.08? The answers for these questions is NO. People can get impaired once they have alcohol in their system even if their BAC is less than 0.08. This is why in Illinois a driver with a BAC between .05 and .08 may be convicted of DUI if additional evidence determines that the driver was impaired. Physically, the driver concentration and judgment abilities start to get affected after he/she drinks the first alcoholic beverage. It is vital for drivers not to be impaired and to be 100% focused while driving.
On the other hand, there are people who are alcoholic or abuses alcohol. If you have a problem with alcohol, get medical or supportive help. Whether you are a social or heavy drinker, be careful and prepared to avoid a future DUI mistake. You don't want to place the lives of people and your life in danger and suffer the stiff DUI penalties including loss of driving privileges. Consequences are severe and prevention is simple. Please don't drink and drive. —Dr. Al Sharoa
Hotel Arista at CityGate Centre received AAA Four Diamond Award
In the spring of 2009, Hotel Arista, barely six months in operation. received the coveted Four Diamond Award® from the Automobile Association of America (AAA) this month. The AAA designation rewards exceptional properties across North America based on customer service, quality of accommodations and superior amenities.
“Hotel Arista means the best in Greece and it’s our goal to be the best in everything we do,” said Jeff Wardlaw, general manager, Hotel Arista, in a release. “This award represents an important milestone on this journey, and we are proud to represent Naperville in achieving this important designation. We enjoy making each guest experience a special one and it’s exciting to have these efforts recognized.”
The property is only a select group of AAA Four Diamond Award® winners, as less than 4% of the more than 31,000 AAA rated lodgings received the prestigious designation this year. “The AAA Four Diamond Award represents an important tier of the hospitality industry, offering guests superior experiences with a high level of luxurious surroundings,” says Michael Petrone, AAA director of Tourism Information Development.
AAA’s Diamond Rating System is the only ratings system that covers all of North America and one of only two that conduct physical, on-site evaluations. It is the only system that uses full-time, professionally trained evaluators to inspect each property on an annual basis using a set of guidelines that are made available to all establishments. AAA rates more properties than any other rating entity.
For more information, visit www.aaa.com/diamonds.
In related news, following an extensive evaluation process, Hotel Arista has received official LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) this month, becoming the state of Illinois’ first
hotel to achieve this extraordinary status in green design.
FYI: The Hotel Arista is also the home of the acclaimed SugarToad where Chef de Cuisine Geoff Rhyne cooks up exceptional menus for wine pairing by hotel's sommelier Tim Penick. The hotel’s signature restaurant also utilizes many organic and locally-sourced products, in addition to an on-site garden, and all guestrooms offer a “Nosh Box” which is stocked with local, regional and organic food items.The hotel and restaurant are located at 2139 CityGate Lane, just off Route 59 and I-88.
Also note that the CityGate Grille is located at CityGate Centre.
Wi-Fi Network is back in downtown Naperville!
The City of Naperville has successfully reactivated the Wireless Fidelity (“Wi-Fi”) network that first was launched as a pilot program in the downtown area in 2007. Residents and visitors can use the network to obtain information about downtown shops and restaurants and other community-related activities.
The area covered by the Wi-Fi network reaches approximately from Douglas Avenue/School Street in the north to Martin Avenue in the south and Ewing Street/West Street in the west to Wright Street in the east. The coverage map is available on the city’s Web site at www.naperville.il.us/emplibrary/wifimap.pdf.
In 2007, the City of Naperville contracted with MetroFi to provide a free Wi-Fi network to the downtown area. The launch of the network was well received by users. However, MetroFi’s management changed hands and the new company attempted to change the terms of the contract they negotiated with the city, resulting in a significant investment of taxpayer dollars. The city opted instead to investigate other options. MetroFi, claiming that removal costs would be too great, abandoned the equipment that they had set up throughout the downtown area.
Instead of removing the equipment, the city teamed up with WOW Access (not affiliated with Wide Open West, one of the city’s franchise cable partners) to again provide wireless Web connectivity to residents, businesspeople and other visitors to downtown Naperville. The network was unofficially reactivated in April 2009 for a cost of $7,000.
“We are exploring ways to support public safety, create efficiencies in city services and realize cost-savings, while also providing a valuable service to our residents, businesses and visitors,” Telecommunications Manager Dan Voiland said.
As with any wireless system, the network is open-access and users should take precautions for online security, including turning off file-sharing, establishing a firewall and using anti-virus software.
A municipal wireless network allows city mobile workers, such as building inspectors, to be more efficient, provides new evidence gathering tools for police and fire, supports traffic monitoring and management and delivers free Wi-Fi to the city’s residents, local businesses and visitors.
For more information, including a pilot area map, visit www.naperville.il.us/wifi.aspx.
Be mindful of city's lawn care regulations this summer
The City of Naperville reminds residents of the lawn care regulations that are in effect year-round as part of the city’s water conservation ordinance and grass height ordinance.
Lawn Sprinkling
Lawn sprinkling is only permitted during the hours of 6 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. Residents with odd-numbered street addresses may use sprinklers on odd-numbered days of the month. Property owners with even-numbered street addresses may use sprinklers on even-numbered days of the month.
These restrictions are in effect 365 days a year. Property owners are responsible for setting automatic timers accordingly and/or notifying lawn care services. Residents may use hand held hoses at any time to water trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens; to fill wading pools up to 50 gallons and to wash cars. Root feeders for trees are also allowed at any time.
Regulation of lawn sprinkling protects the public water supply by limiting the demands placed on the system on any given day. This protection is especially important on hot summer days when the overall demand is high.
The city does provide additional sprinkling opportunities for property owners who have fully sod or seeded their lawn. Property owners may use lawn sprinklers for eight hours on the day the sod or seed is placed on the lawn. For the next nine days, lawn sprinkling is permitted anytime between the hours of 6 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. On the eleventh day, property owners must adhere to the general sprinkling regulations. This opportunity does not include small patches of sod or seed, which should be hand watered.
Grass Height Ordinance
Grass and/or weeds on all properties must be less than eight inches in height. Property owners in violation of this regulation will be notified and must cut the grass and/or weeds within five days. If the grass and/or weeds are not cut to less than eight inches within the specified period of time, the city will have them cut and all expenses incurred will be billed to the property owner.
Residents must also maintain the front and/or rear parkway adjacent to their home. Grass in the parkway may not exceed five inches in height. For more information on lawn sprinkling, visit www.naperville.il.us/lawnsprinkling.aspx. For more information on grass height regulations, visit www.naperville.il.us/codeenforcement.aspx.
City of Naperville is working with State, Federal and Regional Health Departments to keep residents informed regarding swine flu outbreak
The City of Naperville is working closely with the DuPage County Health Department, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention to monitor the recent swine flu outbreak in an effort to keep Naperville residents informed of the developing situation.
Swine influenza, swine flu, is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus. Typically, humans are not infected with swine flu but infections can occur. Human cases typically involve people who have had direct contact with pigs, but the CDC has established human-to-human transmission among these recent cases.
Health officials are working to determine the source of human infection, if additional people have been infected with similar swine flu viruses and to fully assess the health impact of this swine flu virus.
Seasonal flu symptoms include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Reported swine flu symptoms also include runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
A seasonal flu shot is not expected to protect against swine flu and therefore the Illinois Department of Public Health recommends taking the following precautions: cover your cough or sneeze, wash your hands frequently, and see your doctor if you have fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. If you get sick, stay home, call your doctor and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them.
Swine flu is not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork products, however it is always recommended to thoroughly cook pork to avoid food borne illness.
For more information, please visit DuPage County’s emergency management Web site at www.protectdupage.org for regular updates in English as well as Spanish; the Will County Health Department at http://www.willcountyhealth.org/en/do.jsp; the Illinois Department of Public Health at www.idph.state.il.us; Edward Hospital at http://edward.org/default.cfm; and the federal Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/flu/swine or call 1(800) CDC-INFO. In Spanish, http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/espanol/swine_espanol.htm. You may also visit the City of Naperville Web site at www.naperville.il.us/swineflu.aspx.
Local blood supply always can use support of healthy, eligible donors.
As potential cases of swine flu reach the Chicagoland area, schools and public facilities will continue to take precautionary actions and close until any suspected cases can be confirmed. Blood drives scheduled to be held at these locations will likewise be cancelled. Case in point, yesterday a blood drive scheduled for a school in Kane County which closed while confirmatory tests are performed, was cancelled. As the prospect for additional closings is likely, officials at Heartland Blood Centers are concerned about the impact on the blood supply.
"It is even more important today for all healthy, eligible blood donors to step forward and donate blood", said Dominique Bazile, M.D., Medical Director for Heartland Blood Centers. "Heartland Blood Centers must be ready to respond to all routine and emergent blood product requests."
In recent weeks, inventory levels of O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative blood types have begun to drop nationwide. Heartland Blood Centers has seen similar patterns in their blood collections.
While the four types listed above are in the greatest demand, blood donors of all types are asked to give as soon as possible. To find a donor center or blood drive near you, visit www.heartlandbc.org or call 1-800-7TO-GIVE
Perhaps now is a good time to share the basics about good hygiene
Our world is better prepared for any global influenza that may spread to Naperville. Every resident can help by reviewing basic hygiene practices with all family members, students and people in your workplace.
These good habits, common sense practices that should be followed whether there's the threat of flu or not, include covering your nose and mouth with a tissue if you cough or sneeze and promptly throwing the tissue in the trash. Washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing is also important. You also need to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent spreading germs.
If your place of business has public washrooms, be sure they are clean and supplied with soap and other necessary hygiene items. Keep the wastebasket emptied. Keep the sink scrubbed.
Most important, if you or your children are ill, stay home. A child must be fever free without taking fever-reducing medications for 24 hours before returning to school. Church will be OK without you for a week if you are coughing and sneezing. Be prudent. All that said, good hygiene needs to be a way of life.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control online for more information:
Positively Naperville aims to keep you informed and in good health.
City now features DuPage County and Will County Board meetings on WCNC cable TV
The City of Naperville is now broadcasting DuPage County and Will County Board meetings on its government access TV station, WCNC (Channel 6 – WOW, Channel 10 – Comcast and Channel 99 – AT&T). These meetings can be viewed at the following times:
DuPage County Board – 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month
Will County Board – 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the fourth and first Friday of the month
The DuPage County Board meets at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in County Board room of the Jack T. Knuepfer Administration Building, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton. Four meetings throughout the year are scheduled at 7:30 at night. A full meeting schedule is available at www.dupageco.org/cobrd/generic.cfm?doc_id=294.
The Will County Board meets on the third Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in the County Board Room of the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago St., Joliet. A full meeting schedule is available at www.willcountyillinois.com.
American Legion soon will seek nominations from the community for its 2011 ‘Citizen of the Year’
Every year, the American Legion Post No. 43 selects a local resident to receive its annual Citizen-of-the-Year Award in April 2009.
The Citizen-of-the-year Award recognizes extraordinary service to the Naperville community and to the nation, according to Wayne Fischer, Chairman of the Citizen-of-the-Year Award Committee.
Fischer is also looking toward the award in 2011. “I want to remind everyone that candidates for our award need not be Veterans,” said Fischer. “As long as someone is caring, giving, involved and determined, they’re a great candidate for the award.”
For more information, contact Fischer at (630) 240-8868.
Recycling Drop-Off Center is now located at Multi-Purpose Public Works Service Center to 180 Fort Hill Dr.
The City of Naperville’s recycling drop-off center is now located within the Multi-Purpose Public Works Service Center, located at 180 Fort Hill Drive, at the intersection of Jefferson Ave.
Materials are accepted on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8AM to 4PM.
MATERIALS ACCEPTED: Newspapers, Advertisements, Junk mail, Magazines, Catalogs, Phone books, Books (notebooks, novels, hard or soft textbooks), Office paper, Post-It Notes™, Gift wrap, Paper bags, Chipboard boxes such as gift boxes, tissue boxes and cereal boxes, Corrugated cardboard boxes, including frozen food boxes, Glass bottles and jars, Aluminum cans, foil and trays, Tin or steel cans, including empty aerosol cans and paint cans, Plastic containers numbered No. 1 through No. 7, with the exception of those labeled No. 6,Plastic six-pack rings, Milk cartons and drink boxes, Cast iron, Aluminum or steel scrap pieces, Metal drain spouts, Metal siding, Metal fencing, Metal pipes, Metal fixtures and Metal hangers.
The handy recycling drop-off center is free, and an attendant is on site to help residents and answer any questions.
NOTE: Appliances are not accepted at the drop-off center. If you have any questions regarding recyclable materials, call (630) 420-6095 or visit www.naperville.il.us/recyclecenter.aspx.
ALERT: Residents looking to dispose of items such as oil-based paint, pesticides and automotive fluids must utilize the Household Hazardous Waste drop-off, located behind Fire Station No. 4, 1971 Brookdale Road. That facility is open from 9AM to 2PM on Saturdays and Sundays, excluding holidays. For more information on the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, visit www.naperville.il.us/hhw.aspx.
New daily 'fee' parking spaces available at Downtown Naperville Station
As of March 10, 17 additional daily fee parking spaces are available at the downtown Naperville Metra station. The spaces are located in a parking lot south of 5th Avenue and east of the City of Naperville’s Water Tower West site. The daily fee pay stations are located on the platforms of the downtown Naperville Metra station.
To view a map of the location of the new parking spaces, visit www.naperville.il.us/commuterparking.aspx.
For more information on the City of Naperville’s public transit options, visit www.naperville.il.us/transit.aspx. To sign up to receive the latest commuter news via e-mail, visit www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx.
Attention all residents interested in Downtown Gift Certificates: New Gift Cards are available
Among the most purchased gifts in Naperville are the downtown Naperville gift certificates. Now they are gift cards!
Think Valentine’s Day! Think Mardi Gras! Think birthdays! Think St. Patrick’s Day! Think Christmas! Think of any occasion or make up one.
Gift cards are good at nearly 150 shops and restaurants throughout downtown Naperville around the clock.
Gift cards are available at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, 3rd Floor of Main Street Promenade, for purchase with cash, check or credit card.
Two Bostons and Heaven on Seven in downtown Naperville have them available for purchase with credit cards.
INFO: www.downtownnaperville.com or (630) 355-4141.
PN entered the new era of Facebook on Jan. 4, 2010
Ray Kinney, owner of 30-year-old Minuteman Press, called Wednesday to say, “Hey! Congratulations! You’re finally on Facebook!”
“How did you know?” asked this PN dinosaur.
“It’s in Positively Naperville," said Kinney, PN’s first supporter and sponsoring advertiser back in 2001. “I received my copy yesterday at home and our stack is here by the front entrance at the office. ... Are you near your computer? Go look at it. You’ve already got some fans.”
“Yikes!” I thought to my old-fashioned self. At that moment, I’d forgotten that PN’s ad representative had set up a Facebook account for PN. I went on to explain to Ray that Dan O. promised to manage it.
Ray offered to provide this technologically-challenged writer with simple instructions on how to optimize Facebook. By next week, perhaps I'll have confidence to post an update.
Meanwhile, here’s a big “thanks” to handy Dan and all the folks on Facebook (I'm still trying to understand the difference between fans and friends.) and other readers who have clicked to this Naperville New Blog.
And thanks, Ray, for all the urging this past year to join this social network. Here's hoping we can drive a few more folks to this Web site to keep tabs on the happenings and issues that might interest you in our city.
"Be a fan!" said Dan, who also handles Neighborhood Values, a page of special promotions both in the publication and posted online at www.pnmonthly.com.
Tomorrow is another day.
---PN
Prepare for winter emergencies
The City of Naperville reminds residents to prepare for winter weather.
The city’s first priority during any storm event will be a safe roadway system for its residents. Department of Public Works employees will de-ice and plow roadways for as long as is needed using the city’s established priority plowing system. Main traffic routes and thoroughfares are plowed first followed by residential side streets and cul-de-sacs. The Department of Public Works (DPW) begins plowing whenever two inches of snow has accumulated on paved surfaces and snow is still falling. DPW staff will monitor the downtown and the train stations with city contractors providing de-icing and plowing services on all sidewalks in that area, parking decks and parking lots.
Be alert! Be prepared! Assist DPW crews
Do not park on the street during a winter snow event. Parked cars are an obstacle to the snow plows. In addition, plowing around parked cars leaves large areas of snow and ice on the roadway.
Property owners are responsible for plowing commercial parking lots, driveways and public sidewalks adjoining their homes and businesses. Not keeping sidewalks clear is a city code violation.
Shovel snow from driveways into the parkway and not into the street. This will help to avoid creating dangerously slippery conditions for both motorists and pedestrians. Shoveling snow into the street is a city code violation.
Shovel out fire hydrants that are in or around your property and around meters to aid utility meter readers.
Clear sidewalks of snow for the safety of pedestrians and children walking to school.
Uncover your mailbox.
Help your neighbors. For many residents, age or medical conditions make it difficult to shovel snow without risking health.
Winter Storm Tips from the City
Have safe emergency heating equipment available. Have disaster supplies, such as a flashlight, portable radio, first aid kit and three-day supply of food, available in case the power goes out. Stay indoors and dress warmly. Conserve fuel.
If pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold.
If you must go outdoors, dress warmly and wear loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance – infants, elderly people and people with disabilities.
A full list of tips can be found in the city’s Emergency Preparedness Guide, which is available on the city’s Web site at www.naperville.il.us/emergencyprepguide.aspx.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency has developed a preparedness document that includes valuable information about how to prepare a winter storm survival car kit, driving safety tips and how to prepare yourself and your loved ones for a winter storm. This document is available at www.state.il.us/iema/.
For weather updates as the day progresses, visit the National Weather Service Web site at www.weather.gov.
Warming Centers
During normal business hours, Monday through Friday, residents can seek shelter from the elements at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. Other shelters are available at the following locations: County administrative buildings, Libraries, Park District facilities, Senior centers, Shopping malls, Township offices and other public places.
For relief from inclement conditions after hours and on weekends, residents are encouraged to visit any of the city’s nine fire stations.
Residents are encouraged to consider ways to avoid exposure to the elements, such as staying indoors, dressing in layers and using supplemental heating elements, such as electric heaters. However, it is important when using supplemental heat to follow manufacturer directions and take precautions regarding ventilation, as well as keep the heat source away from combustibles.
The elderly, infants and young children, people with disabilities and persons taking medication for chronic health conditions tend to be most susceptible to these weather variations.
Anyone needing assistance should contact city dispatch at (630) 420-6187. In case of an emergency, call 911 immediately.
Every year! Celebrate Flag Day and the U.S. Army birthday on June 14
"Flag Day is a day for all Americans
to celebrate and show respect for our
flag, its designers and makers,"
said Mike Barbour, an Army veteran
who served in Vietnam.
"Our flag is representative of our
independence and our unity as a
nation.....one nation, under God,
indivisible. Our flag has a proud and
glorious history. It was at the lead of
every battle fought by Americans.
Many people have died protecting it.
It even stands proudly on the surface
of the moon."
The American flag stands for every citizen's right to be
proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag, Barbour said.
"So raise the flag today and every day with pride!"
Flag Day in Naperville was commemorated in 2010 on June 13, at the base of Moser Tower with the Millennium Carillon. The colors were presented by local Boy Scouts. (PN is hopeful that the event going forward will be on the actual holiday of June 14.)
Jack Shiffler, who served with the Marines, gave the keynote speech, reciting a version of the Pledge of Allegiance written by comedian and patriot Red Skelton back in 1969, when he portrayed "The Little Old Man," a 1923 teacher in the classroom on his TV show.
"Boys and girls, I have been listening to you recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it appears that it has become monotonous to you or could it be you do not know the meaning of those words. If I may, I would like to recite the Pledge and give to you a definition of the words.
I----meaning me, an individual, a committee of one.
Pledge----dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.
Allegiance----my love and my devotion.
To the Flag----our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there is respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job.
Of the United----that means that we have all come together.
States----individual communities that have united into 48 great states. 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common cause, and that's love of country.
Of America.
And to the Republic----a republic, a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
For which it stands!
One nation----meaning, so blessed by God.
Indivisible----incapable of being divided.
With Liberty----which is freedom and the right of power to live one's life without threats or fear or any sort of retaliation.
And justice----The principle and quality of dealing fairly with others.
For all.----which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.
Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our nation, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance 'under God.' Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said, 'That's a prayer' and that would be eliminated from schools, too?"
At the end of the Skelton's words, a choaked up Shiffler, who served in Vietnam, reflected on a timea few years ago when he visited a Naperville classroomand two students taught him to appreciate that thegrand old flag he fought to protect stands for all Americans.
Mayor George Pradel, State Rep Darlene Senger and Naperville Township Trustee Fred Spitzzeri also participated in the ceremony.
Chuck Siedel of the Millennium Carillon Foundation gave a brief account of how his wife, Janie, had identified the need for a flag pole at Moser Tower during ceremonies on Flag Day 2009. A tall pole with a large flag now stands at the base of the Moser Tower, thanks members of the American Legion Post 43 and the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 who funded and placed it in time for Veterans Day 2009.
Editor's Note: The PN photo with American flags above from the 2009 Healing Field of Honor was used on Flag Day, June 14, by James M. Tarbox, Editor of The History Channel Magazine, in a story titled "Flag Day is the Day to Unfurl All its Glory."
Find
plenty of
news when
you keep
scrolling
down this
news blog.
We update
regularly.
Send us
your good
news.
Visit our
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pages,
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Enjoy comparing your memories
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Plus, see
what other news folks want you to know on Greetings to PN.
'Positively Naperville' is now on Facebook.
Interested in advertising a special promotion in PN?
Contact Dan at (630) 204-9175 or
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The 2010 Census Update
Posted on July 18, 2010
Census Day in America was April 1, 2010. No fooling!
During a 31-day period in March, the 2010 Census, a.k.a. 23rd U.S. Census, aimed to count all U.S. residents—citizens and non-citizens alike—by the official Census Day. Participation was disappointing.
According the Constitution of the United States every resident is to be counted every ten years.
"The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of 10 years, in such manner as they shall by Law direct."
—Article I, Section 2 /Constitution of the United States
The results of the census will determine the number of seats each state receives in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as the number of electoral votes by state for President beginning in the elections of 2012. The government also will use the data to determine how to distribute more than $400 billion of federal funds for schools, hospitals and other infrastructure projects.
Beginning mid-March 2010, every residence in the U.S. was mailed a 10-question form with a postage-paid return envelope. The form took about 10 minutes to answer and was to be returned immediately. If you didn't return it, you likely received a visit from a census worker.
The $15 billion U.S. Census is nearly completed with Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin (highest participation with 81 percent with Alaska the lowest with 62 percent) Michigan, and Indiana having the biggest participation rates of 77percent and above, according to a map in the Chicago Tribune on July 18. The map showed that nationwide, 72 percent of the households mailed in the census forms.
Illinois residents had a participation rate between 73-76 percent.
Census workers are responsible for counting every person in the U.S. while collecting personal information including name, age, gender, Hispanic origin, race, household relationship, phone number and if you own or rent.
Overall, the response rate has not changed in the 10 years since the last census was taken.
The West Suburban Irish were out in mass during the annual St. Patrick's Parade as it meandered through downtown Naperville.
WSI St. Patrick's Parade Trophy Winners 2010 After the parade on March 13, West Suburban Irish President Chuck Corrigan arrived at Quigley's Irish Pub to present the trophies for the best parade entries in 10 categories.
Founder's Choice - Houlihan Clan; Queen's Choice - Casey's Foods; Most Irish - Ryan Hill Realty; Crowd Favorite - Up With People; Best Float - Southside Irish; Youth Group - Elmwood School Environmental Club; Best New Entry - Majestic Star Drumline; Best Four Legged Entry - Two Bostons Pet Boutique; Best Musical Group - Tunes of Glory Bag Pipes; and Most Colorful Entry - Star Wars. Midwest Garrison.
2010 Scholarship Awards! Congratulations to 27 students in their pursuits
Recently the Rotary Clubs of Naperville hosted their annual Pursuit of Life Scholarship Breakfast in the Pavilion at Meson Sabika.
For 2010, the Naperville Rotary clubs along with Rotary Charities dedicated $73,000 from their philanthropic endeavors to fund 27 scholarships.
The Rotary Club of Naperville presented its Gene Drendel Award to Elisa Palluau. The club's other awards went to Stephanie Cheng, Danielle Hoffer, Kelly Hennessy, Lindsay Jansen, Meagan Keenan, Mitchell Roemer and Ryan Stanley.
Naperville Rotary Charities / College of DuPage Scholarships were presented to Gabriel Bernal, Nichole Collins, Ronda DePaola, Jessica Ewald, Kara Harden, Aleksandra Luszczynska , Evelina Pilipavicius and Shundarae West.
The Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise / Pursuit of Life Awards went to Surbhi Agarwal, Margarita Altidis, Kathleen Cervera, David Hess, Alexis Rogers, David Unciano and Michelle Wang.
The Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown gave Pursuit of Life Awards to Waubonsee Community College students Angela Aurand and Sherry Brown Messacar and College of DuPage students Jill Markussen (Sandoval) and Aruna Sasikumar.
For more information, visit www.rotaryclubsofnaperville.com.
For 2010! Naperville newcomers group presented scholarship awards and other community gifts
The Naperville Newcomers and Neighbor Club held its 3rd Annual Scholarship Awards and Charity Donation ceremony on Monday. For 2010, the group gave a total of $10,000, up $2,500 from last year.
Scholarship recipients recognized for their achievements were: Zach Strong, Neuqua Valley High School; Sophia Hountalas, Waubonsie Valley High School; Brittany Wagner, Naperville North High School and Shannon Webster, Naperville Central High School.
Charity donations were presented to eight nonprofit humanitarian service organizations: Ecumenical Adult Care of Naperville, Humanitarian Service Project Children's Program, NCO Youth and Family Services, Newborns in Need, DuPage P.A.D.S., Naperville Area Humane Society, Families Helping Families and Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry.
For 2010! Cress Creek Garden Club awards scholarships, too
According to Barbara Williams, scholarship chairman for the Cress Creek Garden Club, the organization recently presented nine scholarships for the academic year of 2010-2011.
The following individuals, their schools and their fields of study are listed here: Michelle Haring - University of Illinois - Landscape Architecture; Sean Hixson - Southern Illinois University - Plant & Soil Science- Turf Specialization; Brett Gunderson - College of DuPage - Forestry; Rachel Prescott - University of Illinois - Horticulture Production and Management; Kyle Burkwald - University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point - Forestry and Natural Resources; Kealan O'Neil - University of Illinois - Landscape Architecture; Shelley Sianta - Biology; Larissa Cruz - University of Illinois - Horticulture; and Kasey McCauley - University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point - Wildlife Ecology.
Posted at www.pnmonthly.com! PN's June issue features scholarship awards from the Exchange Club, Evening Kiwanis and Naperville Garden Club that were presented to local students in May.
Chuck Bueche, pictured here in 2009, always shared a big wave and winning smile during the Jaycees Last Fling Parade on Labor Day.
Note this stamp along
the Riverwalk as a
reminder that feeding wildlife, including
ducks & geese,
is harmful to them.
Attention all residents interested in Downtown Gift Certificates: New Gift Cards are available for all your gift-giving every day of the year
Among the most purchased gifts in Naperville are the downtown Naperville gift certificates. Now they are gift cards!
Think Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, birthdays, St. Patrick’s Day. Think of any occasion or make up one from now to the end of the year holidays.
Gift cards are good at nearly 150 shops and restaurants throughout downtown Naperville around the clock.
Gift cards are available at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, 3rd Floor of Main Street Promenade, for purchase with cash, check or credit card.
Two Bostons and Heaven on Seven in downtown Naperville have them available for purchase with credit cards.
FYI: DNA Gift Certificates previously purchased still hold their value.
INFO: www.downtownnaperville.com or (630) 355-4141.
Service, charitable giving are wonderful ways to contribute to 2010
Many local charities can use a little boost any time of the year to help fund the programs they will provide around the clock every day in 2010. What's more, as you plan the year, consider learning more about the small private nonprofit organizations that make a big difference by providing many of the unmet needs in this community and beyond.
Or perhaps consider joining one of Naperville's many service clubs— Rotary, Kiwanis, Exchange Club, Naperville Womans Club, Lions, Naperville Junior Womans Club, Jaycees— with a mission and membership that suits your time and talents.
Service clubs as well as Little Friends, Samaritan Interfaith Counseling Center, NCO Youth and Family Services, Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry, Heritage YMCA, Naperville CARES, Community Career Center, Operation Support Our Troops Illinois and many other nonprofit humanitarian agencies are listed under PN’s Local Web Links section on this Web site.
Throughout the year, volunteers in our community team up to plan many fundraising initiatives for these organizations as they strive to provide the care and services to sustain the quality of life in Naperville. Everybody knows somebody—a friend, family member or neighbor— who has needed assistance at sometime or another.
Visit local Web sites to discover the unmet needs of these organizations during these challenging and uncertain times. These organizations can always use gifts of cash. Sometimes they may need gently-used home or office furnishings. Some may need clean clothing and winter outerwear while others need canned goods, nonperishable household items and personal healthcare products. Most nonprofts need volunteers.
Contributions of any size are always welcome and appreciated. Every gift has value and can make a difference any time of the year.
And keep in mind... Whenever you attend traditional fundraisings events— such as the the Rotary/Sunrise NaperPalooza 4, the WSI Emerald Dinner or the Little Friends Bids for Kids, NCO Spring Ahead Run— a portion of the proceeds will benefit a charitable cause.
When you have leftover turkey, here’s a recipe for Red Gold Turkey Melt
Servings: 8 Prep time: 15 min. Cook time: 10 min.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups cubed cooked turkey
1/3 cup chopped celery
3 green onions, minced
1 14.5 oz. can Red Gold Petite Diced Tomatoes with garlic and olive oil, drained.
½ cup low fat mayonnaise
4 whole wheat English muffins, split and toasted
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
DIRECTIONS
•Combine turkey, celery, green onions and Red Gold Petite diced tomatoes with garlic and olive oil. Stir in mayonnaise to bind the mixture together. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
•Preheat broiler. Arrange English muffins on baking sheet. Top with turkey mixture and cheese. Broil a few inches from source of heat for 3 to 4 minutes or until hot and bubbling.
•Meal Suggestion: Serve the melts with coleslaw and a drink.
Happy New Year!
FYI: Red Gold Ketchup is a family-favorite of PN's publisher. Compare its taste and price to your favorite ketchup and you'll find it's tops in flavor and a better value. Find it on the shelf at Casey's Foods. It's also the brand found on the table at Your Neighbor's Restaurant in Hobson West.
Tour the Century Walk! Dedication of nine-foot, one-ton bronze Dick Tracy sculpture marks 35th artwork in the Century Walk
On Oct. 4, the day that marked the 78th year of the Detective Dick Tracy comic strip debut in the funnies, the Chicago Tribune reported that a new sculpture of the famous sleuth was featured along the Naperville Riverwalk.
What's more, Roy Grundy wrote a Century Walk column in the October PN that the Dick Tracy larger-than-life 9-foot sculpture designed by cartoonist Dick Locher would be
dedicated on Oct. 25.
Things had changed by the time PN went to press. Due to production delays at the time, Brand Bobosky, President of Century Walk, said that the sculpture likely would be dedicated in the spring 2010.
And so it was. The newest bigger-than-life Century Walk sculpture was presented to the public at its special spot on the south side of the DuPage River, alongside the Naperville Township Building, near the Moser Bridge. The dedication of the sculpture went off like clock work under mostly sunny skies. The artwork pays tribute to its creator, Chester Gould, its syndication in the Chicago Tribune and how the "Crimestopper" became a household name.
In 1983, 40-year Naperville resident Locher became the illustrator of the Tracy strip, a talent that led to his writing it as well. Locher also won the Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning.
The Dick Tracy bronze sculpture is the 35th piece of artwork commissioned by the nonprofit Century Walk Corp, funded in part by the SECA Fund. The works of art, including murals, sculptures and mosaics are located throughout downtown Naperville. One "Dr. Suess" piece is located at the 95th Street Naperville Library. Future plans are to place additional public artworks in the city that connect people and places throughout Naperville.
2010 DSA Recognition in May! Congrats to all!
We continue to pay tribute here as the 2010 Jaycees
Distinguished Service Award Recognition Dinner, presented by the organization Mr. Bueche helped to found in 1955, is set for 6:30PM, Fri., May 14, at the Holiday Inn Select. After the reception, dinner and the awards ceremony will begin promptly at 7:15PM.
Individual tickets are $35 to attend this Jaycees signature event with a great history.
"We are in the Ballroom at the Holiday Inn Select," said Lisa Kelsey, co-chair. "The program will include speeches and multi-media presentations to honor the winners."
This year's nominations were submitted by local residents in writing in eight different catergories: Business, Public Employee, Civic Leader, Educator, Not for Profit Organization, Student Volunteer, Young Professional and Charles Bueche Lifetime Achievement. The Jaycees recently notified recipients of the 2010 Distinguished Service Awards.
Lifetime Achievement DSA...We're happy to announce that PN's good friend Rita Harvard will receive the Charles D. Bueche Lifetime Achievement DSA for her many, many, many contributions to the community.
Other 2010 Recipients... And other winners are Business: Meson Sabika - Hossein Jamali; Public Employee: Carl Schultz; Civic Leader: Tom Kallay; Educator: Elizabeth Braham Spencer; Educator: Paul Zientarski; Not for Profit Organization: Kidz Kabaret; Student Volunteer: Kimberly Baker; and Young Professional: Brad Wilson.
For information or to reserve a spot at the DSA event online, visit www.naperjaycees.org.ck here to add text.
Remembering Chuck Bueche...
The Naperville Jaycees present the Annual Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of one of the club's founding members, Charles Bueche. Mr. Bueche, who served his country and always God, his family and his community throughout his entire life, died March 19, 2010. He will
always be remembered for his many kindnesses and generous spirit in his neighborhood, at North Central College, in Naperville and for the nation.
Positively Naperville will mark its 9th anniversary in September 2010
The September issue of Positively Naperville will begin the tenth year of the community publication with two companion Web sites, a monthly work dedicated toward bringing you good news about people, places, performing arts, cultural events and fundraising initiatives in Naperville. It also promotes a positive attitude about supporting local businesses – shops, entertainment venues, banks, restaurants and services – whenever possible to help the local economy. As you know, local sales tax revenues are important to every community, now more than ever.
PN also celebrates its readers as you likely noticed if you l ooked at a hard copy of the publication and/or downloaded it at www.pnmonthly.com.
Since PN hit the streets on Sept. 1, 2009, we've received a bunch more Greetings to PN that have been sorted by year since 2001. Our first e-mail recognizing our publication came from Kelly Ann Fitzpatrick. That e-mail inspired us to keep track of our reader mail. And we've been editing those greetings ever since and placing a sampling of them online at Greetings to PN.
At any rate, we'd be nothing without reader input. And we really, really would be nothing without our advertising sponsors who help underwrite the cost of printing and delivery every month. Our advertisers help PN do its part to connect residents with the many good things that happen in this ever-evolving city.
Thanks for supporting our advertisers whenever possible.
And speaking of possibilities, a recent fortune cookie provided some wisdom. "Be kind whenever possible. It's always possible."
We think "think" is the operative word. Be mindful not to become distracted or complacent in the Land of Lincoln. Stay focused on important news events of the day that will impact life tomorrow. Pay attention to what's happening on the political scene from here to Washington and read the daily newspapers and the editorial pages. Whether coyotes, healthcare, fundraisers for earthquake relief, pension reform, teacher contracts, city and state budgets, spending programs or job creation, your input for positive solutions is valued during conversations sure to dominate the scene around the proverbial water cooler in months to come.
Candidates for the General Election, Nov. 2, posted at Election Central / All candidates running for county, state and federal offices to serve Napervillle are posted on Election Central. (Note that local consolidated elections for city council, school boards and park commissioners are next spring 2011.) We welcome all candidates and their supporters to send posts about "meet and greet the candidate" events such as parades, coffees, fundraisers, etc., for our Web pages.
In the spirit of Naperville READS!, let's promote AMERICA READS! the U.S. Constitution before and after Constitution Day on Sept. 17
Constitution Day is Sept. 17, a fitting reminder to let respect, reason and responsibility govern us all.
Encourage family and friends across this great nation to read and/or re-read the U.S. Constitution in the spirit that Anderson's Bookshops and the Naperville Public Library have promoted the popular Naperville READS! community-wide program since 2002.
Observe Constitution Day on Sept. 17 with enthusiastic excitement as Americans come together to cherish freedom. Remember why America was founded and why it's prospered since the Constitution was approved in 1787 and finally ratified in June 1788.
For many enlightening facts, visit constitutionfacts.com. Also visit Anderson's Bookshop or the Naperville Public Library to find a copy of the U.S. Constitution.
Going forward, your editors at PN are hopeful that all teachers, parents and students have a great school year! Every day is another day to learn, no matter what your age. Be a critical thinker. Develop many other information sources to verify, or challenge, what you are being taught. Because of the depth of history, our rich past can be twisted, abbreviated or rewritten to support a particular point of view. Yet, the fact is, there are many points of view.
Learn what is being taught, but most importantly, learn “how” to learn. It’s not always what you know; it’s what you know how to find out.
Know your sources. Ask questions. Seek other ideas and opinions. Think critically.
Also, recognize your good fortune to live and be educated in this city and this great nation. People from around the world are dying every day trying to get into this country…you don’t see too many trying to get out.
Pay attention. Think about being a critical thinker. And read the U.S. Constitution again and again.
One more thing...Illinois Primary Election Day is Feb. 2, 2010, to place candidates on the ballot to serve the county, state and nation. The General Election is Nov. 2, 2010.
NCO Youth & Family Services announced that Naperville teen created winning YouTube Youth Anti-Drinking, Anti-Drug Video
Mayor George Pradel, Jack Shiffler & Fred Spitzzeri 
Photo courtesy of Spitzzeri
PN readers are all ages!
Nuns on the Run from St. Patrick's Residence were powered by members of the Benedictine Basketball Team.
