Visit Veterans, play Bingo
Every month from September to June on the second Tuesday, a motorcoach departs at 6:30PM from the Judd Kendall, VFW Post 3873, 908 W. Jackson Ave. with folks eager to spread good cheer to veterans receiving treatment at Hines VA Hospital in Maywood.
The public is welcome to help fill the motorcoach on Tues., Feb. 12.
For more information about visiting Hines V.A. Hospital, call organizer John Shaw at (630) 961-3479, Mike Barbour at (630) 240-1645 or Jan Barbour at (630) 247-9007.
ESLP offers free GED and career training
The Early School Leaver Program (ESLP) is a unique program offering free GED preparation, workplace skill-building, and specific career training for DuPage residents aged 17-21. The Early School Leaver program is funded by the Workforce Development Division of DuPage County (Workforce Investment Act). For more information or to register, call (630) 691-7577.
Serendipity Shop seeks donations year-round
The Serendipity Resale Shop is a volunteer-run shop, located at 12 W. Jefferson Ave. in downtown Naperville.
Donations of clean, gently-used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing of all sizes are welcome. Donors are asked not to include items that are stained or torn. The resale shop is in need of linens and home decorating items, such as lamps, dishes and clocks as well as household items, jewelry and collectibles. Donations may be dropped off anytime during regular hours. For information, call Serendipity at (630) 357-3610.
Naperville Ale Fest announces first round of breweries
The inaugural Naperville Ale Fest will take place on Sat., July 20. Located on the grounds of Naper Settlement, with Downtown Naperville as a backdrop, it is the ideal setting to experience craft beer. The festival will feature more than 180 unique beers from craft breweries around the country.
The first round of breweries:
5 Rabbit Brewery, Bell’s, Breckenridge Brewery, BrickStone Brewery, Bridgeport, Emmett’s Brewing Co., Furthermore Beer, Grand Teton Brewing, Green Flash Brewing Co., Lagunitas Brewing Company, Left Hand Brewing Co., Mendocino Brewing Company, O’so Brewing Co., Rock Bottom Warrenville, Saugatuck Brewing Company, Sixpoint Brewery, Solemn Oath Brewery, Stone Brewing Co., Summit Brewing Co., Two Brothers Brewing Company
The festival will feature 60 craft breweries from all over the U.S. The second round of breweries will be announced in March.
Getting Ready for Retirement? Are Your Legal Files in Order?
What are the five legal documents you need before you retire? How do you reduce attorney fees? How can you avoid costly mistake? These questions and many others will be asked during a Legal Checkup Seminar on at 7PM Tues., Feb. 19, in the Community Room, Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave.
Presented by attorney David J. Boone, this educational seminar is designed to teach those approaching retirement and those already retired how to protect their assets, avoid probate expenses and effectively distribute their estate to their heirs. He will also address the need for a personal plan that includes the challenges of longevity, Social Security, inflation and health care.
This program is part of Healthy, Wealthy & Wise a 12 month community wide initiative educating Naperville on how to develop and sustain a healthy physical and financial lifestyle. For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org.
Hotel Arista Named to the 2013 ‘Best of Weddings’ Chicago List
The Knot, a wedding magazine and website, has recognized Hotel Arista as a 2013 pick for “Best of Weddings” in the Chicago area.
Each year, The Knot surveys brides and grooms to determine the best vendors and venues. The honor distinguishes Hotel Arista as a premier wedding venue in 2013 for the Chicagoland. The Arista offers expert wedding planners with a number of unique, intimate spaces and a Grand Ballroom .
Brides and grooms interested in weddings can contact Hotel Arista at (630) 579-4100 or visit www.hotelarista.com.
14 District 204 schools receive Academic Excellence Award
The Illinois State Board of Education announced that 14 District 204 schools received the 2012 Academic Excellence Award. Across the state, District 204 is second only to Chicago Public Schools, which has 29 schools being recognized.
The Award recognizes schools where at least 90 percent of students have met or exceeded state standards in both reading and math for at least three consecutive years. Schools also must have made Adequate Yearly Progress as required by No Child Left Behind for the past two years.
Award winners: Brooks Elementary School, Builta Elementary School, Clow Elementary School, Fry Elementary School, Graham Elementary School, Kendall Elementary School, May Watts Elementary School, Owen Elementary School, Patterson Elementary School, Peterson Elementary School, Spring Brook Elementary School, Steck Elementary School, White Eagle Elementary School and Young Elementary School.
A total of 454 schools in Illinois earned this distinction.
Registration for 360 Spring Ahead is now open
Registration for the 360 Youth Services Spring Ahead 5K, 10K and Kids Fun Run is now open.
This year’s race, presented by Calamos Investments, will begin at 8AM Sun. April 14 at CityGate Centre, I-88 and Rt. 59. The cost for early registration is $30 for the 5K, $35 for the 10K and $15 for the Kids Fun Run. Runners can register at www.360springahead.com.
German is spoken at church services
German spoken at Sunday Church services in the German language will be held at St. John United Church of Christ at 11:30AM Sun., Feb. 3. The services will be led by Kyle Rader. All are welcome to attend.
Services are held year-round on the first Sunday of every month. St. John United Church of Christ is located at 1190 Olesen Dr. For more information, call (630) 355-5208.
Edward Hospital offers a variety of classes
Throughout the year, Edward Hospital offers numerous types of wellness classes, parenting, meditation and relaxation to help residents enjoy a high quality of life. For instance, Edward offers monthly CPR classes.
A wide range of classes and tours are offered for expectant parents, big brothers and sisters-to-be and parents of newborns and multiples. Some classes are free; others charge a fee. New sessions begin regularly.
Most classes are held in the Education Center on the Edward Hospital campus, 801 S. Washington St.
KidsMatter Job Fair is March 19
The annual KidsMatter Job Fair is a one-stop place for students, ages 16-23, to find seasonal and summer jobs.
Scheduled from 5 to 7:30 PM Tues., March 19, in Merner Fieldhouse on the North Central College campus, this fair provides job opportunities as well as mock interviews, resume-building tips, and internship and vocational opportunities to prepare students for the workforce. Supported by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and a grant from The DuPage Community Foundation, last year’s fair attracted over 1,500 students.
For more information, contact Bridget Hatch, Marketing/Event Manager at bridget@kidsmatter2us.org or visit KidsMatter at www.kidsmatter2us.org.
Workshop for college bound girls
The Naperville area branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will be sponsoring a workshop titled “What I Wish I Had Known Before Going to College”. The topics being discussed are geared for junior and senior college-bound girls from 8:30AM to 12:30PM on Sat., March 16 at North Central College, White Activities Center 325 E. Benton Ave., Naperville.
Included in the workshops are topics that will enhance student chances for success in the changing environment of college life: How Can I Talk to My Professors (Communications); How Can I ever Get Anything Done on Time (Time Management); How Can I Always Have Enough Money for Pizza (Money Management) – just to name a few of the topics to be presented.
DreamGirls Star, Darilyn Burtley will be the featured speaker along with a panel of college students sharing their experiences adjusting to college life.
Space is limited, snacks will be provided and a small fee of $5 to cover material costs will be charged. For registration information contact Elaine Fisher, whatiwish316@gmail.com.
Concert will feature ‘Music of Six Continents’
Grace United Methodist Church will present the Grace Concert Series presents “Music of Six Continents” at 4PM Sun., Feb. 10. The organ, piano and choral concert is planned to the benefit of the 2014 Grace mission to Kenya.
Featuring organist Bonnie Johansen-Werner, concert pianist and Joliet Symphony conductor Jim Stopher, and the Grace Junior Singers, the concert premieres two original works by Johansen-Werner, titled “Three African Folk Songs” and “Poems of African AIDS Orphans,” and one by Stopher, “Serenade.” Other featured selections are from Beethoven, Ross Edwards, and Joao Wilson Faustini.
Tickets are $10 adults and $8 seniors 65+. Students and children are free with a paying adult. Tickets are available online at www.peopleofgrace.org/concerts, in the church office, or at the door. Grace United Methodist Church is located at 300 E. Gartner Road in Naperville. For more information, contact Dan Wagner at (630) 355-1748, ext. 232, or andante147@gmail.com.
DuPage PADS ‘Taste of Hope’ tickets now on sale
Tickets are now available for the 7th Annual DuPage PADS Taste of Hope that will be held on Thurs., March 14 from 5:30PM-9:30PM at Abbington Distinctive Banquets in Glen Ellyn. 25 area restaurants will cater the event.
Tickets for the event are $75 per person purchased on or before Feb. 28 and $85 per person afterwards. Tickets may be purchased online at dupagepads.org. Funds raised will support DuPage PADS programs that provide housing and support services, including education and employment to assist individuals and families who are homeless in DuPage County.
Homeowner’s Confederation to take in depth look at Referendum Question
The Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation will take an in depth look at the issues behind the Referendum Question on whether or not part of the Naperville City Council should be elected on a district, rather than completely at-large, basis on Tues., Feb. 12 at 7PM in the City Council Chambers of the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street, Naperville, Illinois.
The Confederation has invited representatives from the Naperville Voter Education League (NVEL) and Yes At Large to discuss the ballot question and the pros and cons of each point of view. s to obtain the information needed to make an informed decision at the polls.
The event will be telecast on the City of Naperville Government Access Channel, WCNC (6-WOW, 10-Comcast, 99 – AT&T) as well as streamed live and available for on-demand viewing on the City’s website at www.naperville.il.us/granicus.html. For more info visit www.napervillehomeowners.com.
Linden Oaks hosts monthly ‘Recovery Night’
Linden Oaks at Edward’s eating disorders program hosts monthly Recovery Night from 6:30-8PM on certain Mondays. Linden Oaks is located on the campus of Edward Hospital, 801 S. Washington St.
Recovery Night, free and open to the public, is for current and former eating disorder patients, as well as their families and friends, and supporters of the Linden Oaks program. For info, call (630) 305-5000.
