Enjoy peaceful walks in Central Park, throughout the Naperville Historic District and the campus of North Central College and all along the Riverwalk, too, as the days grow longer. News reports all weekend have touted the relaxing benefits of spending time in the great outdoors and our city is plentiful with parks and sidewalks.
Venture to downtown Naperville, a happening place chock full of reasons to window shop and go inside, too. The hot chocolate gelato at Frost is highly recommended.
From the Main Street Promenade to Washington Corners and all points in between, find plenty of reasons to shop, have books signed, dine and be entertained by all the new development in the city’s central business district.
And set aside Feb. 13 for the inaugural Chocolate Walk, a special benefit for 360 Youth Services.
Plan ahead for Valentine’s Day with novelty gifts, greeting cards and all the wrappings at Oswald’s Pharmacy where there’s a convenient U.S. Post Office location in Naperville Plaza. In addition, Oswald’s recently added a new Medical Equipment Showroom with all kinds of items to keep folks of all ages moving.
Also stop by Casey’s Foods where you’ll find all the meats are a cut above all others and a gourmet deli offers delicious items good for the heart ready to go.
And look for other independents displaying the bright red IndieBound Naperville sign such as First Community Financial Bank where they recently celebrated their first $1 billion in assets!
CityGate Centre
When you head to the Hotel Arista, CityGate Grille, Sugar Toad or Tap In Pub & Carvery at CityGate Centre or a new experience at Top Golf on Naperville’s northwest side, be mindful of the new traffic configuration at I-88 and Route 59 that may create a little confusion for first-time users. As always, drive with caution and observe the speed limit. The innovative diverging diamond interchange, now open, is expected to enhance traffic flow on and off I-88.
(The first diverging diamond interchange opened to traffic in the state of Illinois on I-57 at Marion on August 12, 2015. Diverging diamond interchanges are now operational in 18 states across the nation, with plans to construct them in six other states.)
Save the dates! Naperville Restaurant Week returns Feb. 15-29.
Meson Sabika
Last month Meson Sabika began celebrating its 25th anniversary as the city’s Spanish tapas restaurant in the old Willoway mansion.
Watch for special events to be announced throughout the year, including special menus during Naperville Restaurant Week.
Decked out in style, historic Meson Sabika and the Pavilion at Meson Sabika, located at 1025 Aurora Ave., offer a variety of spaces for special seasonal parties, showers, receptions, anniversaries and a fun time on any day of the week.
Special fundraiser for flood victims on Jan. 26
Since the last City Notes, Meson Sabika has scheduled a special all-day event for flood victims in southern Illinois. From 11:30AM to 10PM, Tues., Jan. 26, during lunch and dinner, 100 percent of sales from menu items will go directly to the American Red Cross to benefit relief efforts.
City Notes courtesy of the City of Naperville — Updated Jan. 6, 2016 — Photos by PN
COMMUNITY EVENTS
New thru January 11
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ENROLLMENT. Discuss health insurance options, ask questions and get help with enrollment for insurance from noon to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, January 11 at Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave. Bring a driver’s license or state ID, social security numbers and income verification such as W-2’s, tax information or a recent pay stub. To schedule an appointment, call Enroll DuPage at (630) 682-7400.
New thru January 12
INTRO TO WINTER TREE ID. Learn how to identify trees by observing their shape, bark, buds, leaves, flowers and fruits as well as the basic characteristics of the winter plant families at The Resiliency Institute, 10S404 Knoch Knolls Road, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12. For more information, visit www.theresiliencyinstitute.net.
New thru January 14
STITCHING IN THE STACKS. Stitch with the library’s community knit, crochet and needlecraft group from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 14 at Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave. This season’s Pay it Forward community project will be knitting or crocheting 7x9-inch Afghan squares to create blankets to donate to Family Shelter Services. All skill levels may attend. For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org.
New thru January 14
PREPAID TUITION INFORMATION. The College Illinois! Prepaid Tuition Program allows individuals to set up a plan to pay for college tuition and mandatory fees at current contract rates to avoid tuition inflation. A representative from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission will explain the program and answer questions from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 14 at 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive. For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org.
New thru January 14
GREAT DECISIONS DISCUSSION GROUP. Study and discuss foreign policy issues from 7:15 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 14 at Naper Blvd. Library, 2035 S. Naper Blvd. For more information, contact Becky Glimco at (630) 922-9448. This group is sponsored by the Naperville branch of the American Association of University Women and Naperville Public Library. For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org.
New thru January 16
HOLIDAY TECH SUPPORT DROP-IN. Individuals who have questions about the new technology they received during the holidays can ask the library’s computer lab associates who will be available for drop-in assistance from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, January 16 at Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave. For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org.
Starts January 19; New thru February 16
TASTE THE TREES – WINTER EDIBLE WILD PLANTS. Learn to identify about 70 of the 100 edible trees in our area using bud, leaves, branching pattern, bark and fruits in this series on Tuesdays, January 19 through February 16. Learn what part of the plant/tree to harvest, when to harvest it and how to prepare it. Classes will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Resiliency Institute, 10S404 Knoch Knolls Road. For more information, visitwww.theresiliencyinstitute.net.
New thru January 30
GROUNDHOG DAY CELEBRATION. Celebrate groundhogs just in time for Groundhog Day by learning how the tradition of using a groundhog to forecast weather began and what groundhogs are really doing in winter. This program, designed for ages 6 to 8, will be on Saturday, January 30 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road. For more information, visit www.napervilleparks.org or call (630) 848-5000.
New thru January 30
“SINATRA FOREVER: SALUTE TO FRANK SINATRA.” Rick Michel, one of Las Vegas’ premier singers, will perform an homage to Frank Sinatra in this timeless concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 30 in Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (630) 637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.
New thru February 1
WELCOME COFFEE. Join the Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors Club for a welcome coffee on Monday, February 1 at 11 a.m. at Celebration! Community Life Center, 919 S. Washington St. Children are welcome along with new and established residents looking to socialize and/or become involved in a wide variety of activities. For more information, visit www.napervillenewcomersandneighborsclub.com.
New thru February 2
GROUNDHOG DAY. Celebrate Groundhog Day by discovering what groundhogs do during the winter, what they eat and why they are so busy each summer at the Knee-High Naturalists Groundhog Day program from 1 to 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2 at Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road. This program is designed for children ages 4 and 5. For more information, visit www.napervilleparks.org or call (630) 848-5000.
Starts January 7; Good thru January 14
PRESCHOOL INFORMATION NIGHT. Learn the answers to all of your questions about the Naperville Park District preschool program from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 7 at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave. or from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 14 at the Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road. For more information, visit www.napervilleparks.org.
Starts January 7; Good thru January 10
“THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR.” North Central College students present William Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 7 through Saturday, January 9 and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 9 and Sunday, January 10 at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. For more information, call (630) 637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.
Starts January 8; Good thru January 9
BRIDAL SHOWCASE. Recently engaged and planning your special day? Enjoy one-on-one consultations with photographers, florists, DJs, musicians, bakers, caterers, ministers and more at the Bridal Showcase from 5:30 to 9 p.m.on Friday, January 8 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. For more information, visit www.napersettlement.org.
Good thru January 9
FREE MOVIE @ THE LIBRARY. See Tom Cruise star in the movie “Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation” from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 9 at 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive. For more information, visitwww.naperville-lib.org.
Good thru January 10
HISTORY SPEAKS LECTURE SERIES: BETTE DAVIS. This witty, sharp portrayal by actress and historian Leslie Goddard reveals Bette Davis not only as a riveting personality, but as the ultimate star in the Golden Age of Hollywood. This presentation of the History Speaks Lecture Series will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 10 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. For more information, call (630) 420-6010 or visit www.napersettlement.org.
Good thru January 11
HOW PINTEREST-ING. As teens have a day off school, they can visit the library to create an interesting Pinterest craft from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, January 11 at 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive. The program, which requires advanced registration, is for teens in 6th through 12th grades. For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org.
Good thru January 12
STITCHING IN THE STACKS. Stitch with the library’s community knit, crochet and needlecraft group from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12 at Naper Blvd. Library, 2035 S. Naper Blvd. This season’s Pay it Forward community project will be knitting or crocheting 7×9-inch Afghan squares to create blankets to donate to Family Shelter Services. All skill levels may attend. For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org.
Good thru January 12
HELP SELECT PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. Residents are invited to a Tuesday, January 12 open house to help the Naperville Park District select equipment for planned 2016 renovations to Walnut Ridge Park, 2304 Keim Drive. The meeting will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Park District Planning and Development Office, 425 W. Jackson Ave. For more information, visit www.napervilleparks.org.
Good thru January 12
PANEL DISCUSSION ON CHANGES DURING LIFE TRANSITIONS. Explore the challenges people face during life’s major transition periods at a program from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Road. This panel discussion will concentrate on physical, emotional and spiritual issues confronting adults in their 40s and 50s. For more information, contact Marge Coronado at (630) 355-8980, ext. 118or visit www.stapostle.org.
Good thru January 13
LEARN HOW TO AVOID FALLING VICTIM TO SCAMS. Attend the first Naperville Senior Task Force speaker series event of 2016 and learn from the Naperville Police Department how to avoid falling victim to common scams. This event is open to everyone and takes place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 13 in Meeting Room B of the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.
Good thru January 13
SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP. During this Small Business Workshop, Harry Eng, a certified public accountant, will explain what’s new this year with tax reporting responsibilities for new business start-ups, how these changes in the tax laws will affect taxpayers and what can be done to better prepare for this coming year’s tax filing. The workshop will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13 at 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive. For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org.
Good thru January 15
TRIVIA NIGHT. Naperville Central High School Band Boosters will host its 4th annual Trivia Night, a charity “friend-raiser” to benefit all NCHS band students, at 7 p.m. on Friday, January 15 at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave. For tickets, contact Felecia Bruessel at nchs.band.volunteers@gmail.com.
Good thru January 16
NAPERVILLE PLAYS. Discover the wonder of play throughout history and cultures around the world with the DuPage Children’s Museum, Naper Settlement and the Naperville Public Library during Naperville Plays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 16 at the DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St. The program features hands-on arts and science exhibits, a live performance and more. For more information, visitwww.napersettlement.org.
Good thru January 17
SUPER SCOUT SUNDAY – BREATHE LEADERSHIP JOURNEY. Increase your awareness about the issues that impact Earth’s air during Super Scout Sunday – Breathe Leadership Journey from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 17 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. This program is open to third year Junior and Cadette Girl Scouts and earns the Aware Award and parts of the Alert Award of Breathe Journey for Cadettes. For more information, call (630) 420-6010.
Good thru January 17
“ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.” North Central College welcomes Chicago Sinfonietta for its “Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 17 in Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. For more information or tickets, call (630) 637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.
Good thru January 19
HELP SELECT PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. Residents are invited to a Tuesday, January 19 open house to help the Naperville Park District select equipment for planned 2016 renovations to Huntington Estates Park, located at 867 Rockbridge Drive. The meeting will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Park District Planning and Development Office, 425 W. Jackson Ave. For more information, visit www.napervilleparks.org.
Good thru January 19
MARTIN LUTHER KING WEEK KEYNOTE SPEECH. North Central College welcomes Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter, as its 2016 keynote speaker for Martin Luther King Week. Cullors will give an address at 7 p.m. onTuesday, January 19 in Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. For more information or tickets, call (630) 637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.
Good thru January 21
LOVING YOURSELF. Join WAR Chest Boutique, 4 E. Jefferson Ave., from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 21 to celebrate your beauty and discuss the many topics that impact our bodies and what we can do to help ourselves and others. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/1582463592000270.
Good thru January 22
JAZZ SAXOPHONIST MITCH PALIGA. North Central College presents “An Evening with Jazz Saxophonist Mitch Paliga” along with supporting North Central jazz faculty artists at 8 p.m. on Friday, January 22, at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. For tickets or more information, call (630) 637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.
Good thru January 23
TABLE TENNIS TOURNAMENT. Pull out your paddle and show off your skills on Saturday, January 23 at the annual City Table Tennis Championships, a single-elimination tournament at River Woods School, 2607 River Woods Drive. Registration and check-in end at 8:30 a.m. for adults and at 11 a.m. for youth. For more information, call (630) 848-5000 or visit www.napervilleparks.org.
Good thru January 23
LEGO BUILDING EXTRAVAGANZA. Let your imagination run wild with tens of thousands of LEGOs at the Naperville Park District Building Extravaganza featuring LEGO on Saturday, January 23 at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave. The program is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. or from 3 to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call (630) 848-5000 or visit www.napervilleparks.org.
Good thru January 24
“SPIDER SALOFF SINGS IRVING BERLIN.” North Central College presents award-winning entertainer and recording artist Spider Saloff in a program about the life and career of American songwriter Irving Berlin at 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 24 at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. For tickets or more information, call (630) 637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.
Good thru January 26
HELP SELECT PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. Residents are invited to a Tuesday, January 26 open house to help the Naperville Park District select equipment for planned 2016 renovations to Old Sawmill Park, located at 432 Massachusetts Ave. The meeting will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Park District Planning and Development Office, 425 W. Jackson Ave. For more information, visit www.napervilleparks.org.
Starts January 26, Good thru January 30
VOLUNTEER INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS. Resolve to get involved in the New Year and learn more about volunteering at Naper Settlement as a History Connector or working with visitors at Settlement Sundays, summer camp, Girl Scout programs and more. Attend one informational meeting, either 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26 or 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 30, in the Meeting House, 523 S. Webster St. For more information, visitwww.napersettlement.org/volunteer, call (630) 305-5256 or e-mail nsvolunteer@naperville.il.us.
Good thru January 29
2016 CHAMBER GALA. The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce will host its inaugural gala “Back to Our Roots” on Friday, January 29 from 6 to 11 p.m. at Embassy Suites, 1823 Abriter Court. This event is the Chamber’s largest fundraiser of the year and features dinner, dancing and more. To register, or for more information, visit www.naperville.net or contact Kara Carpenter at (630) 544-3360 or kcarpenter@naperville.net.
Ongoing thru January 31
WINTER FAMILY READ ALOUD. Register for the Naperville Public Library’s Winter Family Read Aloud beginning Tuesday, December 1 and receive a reading/activities log to record your family’s activities through Sunday, January 31. Logs can be returned to any of Naperville’s three library branches for prizes. For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Good thru January 6
SENIOR TASK FORCE VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER EDITOR NEEDED. Naperville’s Senior Task Force is looking for a Naperville-based volunteer newsletter editor to help the group with its new newsletter “Our Voice.” The main qualification is a passion to help seniors connect with their community and the ability to commit adequate time (20 hours per month) to the project. Journalism experience or education, writing and communications skills and computer skills are a plus. Primary tasks include identifying topics, writing and editing articles and developing a newsletter content plan. For more information, visit www.naperville.il.us/seniortaskforce.aspx. To apply, emailseniortaskforce@naperville.il.us and a task force member will get back to you.
Good thru January 20
DIGITAL FOOTPRINT PROJECT. In an effort to increase awareness of responsible citizenship, KidsMatter has partnered with Naperville Community Unit School District 203, Indian Prairie School District 204 and the Naperville Police Department to offer students the opportunity to participate in a video project. Entries are due Wednesday, January 20. For more information, visit www.naperville203.org.
Good thru January 27
WINTER NONCREDIT PROGRAMS. Registration for Winter 2016 noncredit programs is now open! North Central College offers a variety of special interest classes to the community for personal enrichment and professional development. The classes are conveniently offered on campus and during non-business hours. View courses and register online here: http://northcentralcollege.edu/community-and-visitors/community-education
Alert! Alert! Alert! Good thru January 27 and good to know!
CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM SURVEY. Every two years, municipalities are required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to perform a backflow survey that identifies potential cross connections in the drinking water system. Every system in the state must have a cross connection control program, also known as a backflow prevention program, to help prevent the public water supply from sources of contamination. This month, every residential water customer can expect to receive a backflow survey in the mail from Backflow Solutions, Inc. (Commercial customers will receive theirs separately.) Please take a few moments to fill out the survey to help make sure every resident has access to safe, reliable drinking water.
Good thru May 22
LIBRARY SUNDAY HOURS. Nichols and 95th Street libraries will be open from 1 to 9 p.m. every Sunday through May 22, 2016. Stop in to get last-minute projects, homework or reading time in before the week begins. Naper Blvd. Library will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. every Sunday. For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org.
NAPER NOTIFY. Naper Notify provides emergency and quality-of-life information via phone call, text message, email or smart phone app. For more information and to sign up, visit www.napernotify.com.
SMART911. When you make an emergency call from a registered phone, Smart911 displays your profile on the 9-1-1 call taker’s screen. To register, visit www.naperville.il.us/smart911.aspx.
POWER OUTAGES. If you are experiencing a power outage, please report it 24 hours a day, seven days a week to Naperville City Dispatch by calling (630) 420-6187.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY. Household Hazardous Waste may be safely disposed of at the new drop-off facility located at 156 Fort Hill Drive. For more information, visit www.naperville.il.us/hhw.aspx.
HOLIDAY GARBAGE COLLECTION. When residential garbage collection falls on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas, pickup will resume one day later for the remainder of the week.
NAPERVILLE SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM. The Naperville Search and Rescue Team helps locate persons who are missing and in distress. They also may assist with evidence recovery and help out at local festivals, such as Ribfest and Last Fling. For more information, contact Judy Cittadino at beyondthefinish@yahoo.com.
“CLUNKER” VEHICLE DONATIONS. The Naperville Fire Department is seeking donations of used and otherwise “clunker” vehicles. To donate, contact Ruthi Sommers at (630) 305-5900.
MUNICIPAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. The City of Naperville has shifts for its front desk reception volunteer position. If you are interested, contact bradleyj@naperville.il.us to obtain an application.
ONLINE LIBRARY NEWSLETTER. Patrons can subscribe to the Naperville Public Library’s monthly newsletter to receive up-to-date library news by visiting http://bit.ly/nplnewsletter.
RECYCLE MY FRIDGE. Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) customers can recycle secondary refrigerators and receive a prepaid card. For more information, visit www.RecycleMyFridge.org.
FIRST AID AND CPR/AED TRAINING. The City is offering first aid, CPR and AED certification classes for residents and businesses. For more information, visit www.naperville.il.us/cpraed.aspx.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT HOURS. The Finance Department is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
MUNICIPAL MEETING SCHEDULE
Please note that all meeting locations listed below are rooms in the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., unless otherwise indicated.
Planning and Zoning Commission: Wednesday, January 6, 7 p.m., Council Chambers
Liquor Commission: Thursday, January 7, 3 p.m., Council Chambers
Emergency Telephone System Board: Thursday, January 7, 3 p.m., Police Chief’s Conference Room, Naperville Police Department, 1350 Aurora Ave.
Foreign Fire Insurance Board: Friday, January 8, 8 a.m., Meeting Room A
Advisory Cultural Commission: Saturday, January 9, 9 a.m., Council Chambers
City Council Workshop – SECA Fund Workshop: Monday, January 11, 6 p.m., Council Chambers
Housing Advisory Commission: Monday, January 11, 6:30 p.m., Meeting Room A
Board of Fire and Police Commissioners: Tuesday, January 12, 4 p.m., Mayor’s Conference Room
Riverwalk Commission: Wednesday, January 13, 7:30 a.m., Lunch Room
Sister Cities Commission: Wednesday, January 13, 7 p.m., Mayor’s Conference Room
Any individual with a disability requesting a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in a public meeting should contact the Communications Department at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting. The Communications Department can be reached in person at 400 S. Eagle Street, Naperville, IL, via telephone at (630) 420-6707 or (630) 305-5205 (TDD) or via e-mail at info@naperville.il.us. Every effort will be made to allow for meeting participation.
