Above / Another busy weekend… Scroll down to Sunday… Civil War Days continues at Naper Settlement, 10AM to 4PM. Of course, the Riverwalk, downtown Naperville and North Central College are just steps from Naper Settlement. Enjoy a day of history and discovering plenty that’s new and established in the heart of the city!
Friday
Congratulations to all 2017 Graduates!
Thanks for shopping locally for all those special graduation gifts and parties.
Turning Pointe Career College Graduation Ceremony – 10AM
Chicago Marriott Naperville – 1801 N. Naper Blvd. at Diehl Road, Naperville, IL
Career College Graduation Ceremony will be held to honor its 2017 graduates at the Chicago Marriott Naperville. Through corporate partnerships with Dan Wolf Automotive Group, Walgreens, and OfficeMax, candidates such as Michael (at right) who complete the Career College coursework are able to become gainfully employed. Turning Pointe Autism Foundation continues to create innovative programs and services to assist individuals and families as they navigate through the lifelong impact of Autism. Meet Michael, one of several servers, at the Made to Inspire Cafe inside Lexus of Naperville.
UPDATE! 11:45PM, May 19, 2017 / The Turning Pointe Graduation Ceremony is a wonderful history!
Above / The 2017 Turning Pointe Career College Graduation Ceremony was filled with joy, hope, accomplishments, gratitude and enlightening stories of friendship and success! Congratulations to all!
Cornerstone Day Picnic – 11AM
Jefferson Commons – Brainard St. at Jefferson Ave. Naperville, IL 60540
North Central College invites the community to attend the free Cornerstone Day Celebration Picnic from 11AM to 1:30PM Friday, May 20, at Jefferson Commons, located on the lawn east of Brainard Street at Jefferson Avenue. Cornerstone Day commemorates the College’s 1870 move to Naperville and the laying of the cornerstone for Old Main. The free event will feature sample cuisine provided by Chartwells, the College’s food service provider, and Naperville restaurants. Entertainment will be provided by talented North Central College student performers.Thanks for supporting the arts at North Central College. North Central College Performing Arts.
Saturday
Spring Blood Drive! – 7:30AM-1:30PM | Donate to save lives
Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873– 908 W. Jackson Ave Naperville, IL 60540
Naperville Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 will host its Spring Blood Drive from 7:30AM to 1:30PM on Sat., May 20, at the post, located at 908 W. Jackson Ave., just north of the Riverwalk. Appointments available. Walk-ins welcome. Click here for more info.
Casey’s Foods Saturday Special! – 8AM-7PM | $4.98 per pound
Naperville Plaza – Washington St. at Gartner Road Naperville, IL 60540
Baby Back Ribs, another Casey’s quality meat is on sale while supplies last! Well-trimmed by the butchers so every is bite tasty and easy to eat! Need a recipe? Casey’s Own Butcher Brian has an excellent recipe available at the meat counter to share. What’s more, Boars Head Sweet Slice Ham is Casey’s lowest sale price yet, only $2.49 per 1/2 lb., while supplies last.
AAUW Naperville Area Used Book Sale Donation Drive – 9AM to noon
District 203 Administrative Building – 203 W. Hillside Road Naperville, IL 60540
Used book drive for AAUW Naperville Area Used Book Sale. No encyclopedias, Reader’s Digest condensed books, American Heritage or VHS tapes. We love hardcover and paperback books in good condition as well as CDs, DVDs and vinyl/LPs. Unloading assistance and tax receipts provided. Proceeds support scholarships, fellowships and programs for women and girls. For more information, email aauwnaperville@hotmail.com.
Saturday Morning Garden Guru – 9AM | Free
The Growing Place – 25 W 471 Plank Rd Naperville, IL 60563
The Growing Place will have experienced gardeners available at their location at 2000 Montgomery Rd. in Aurora and location at 27W471 Plank Rd. in Naperville to answer your questions and offer advice to help your landscapes and garden flourish. Stop in anytime between 9-10AM. The Growing Place is an independent business with an ever-growing history in Naperville!
School District 204 Fine Arts Festival – 9AM | Free
Waubonsie VHS, Neuqua VHS, Metea VHS
31st Fine Arts Festival takes place (9AM to 4PM) this Saturday, May 20, at all three high schools to showcase the talents of students, all ages, throughout the district. Every high school comes alive with musical performances and colorful and imaginative pieces of artwork, including 3-D works, ceramics, computer imagery and more. Thanks to funding by the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation with additional support through a SECA grant from the City of Naperville, the Fine Arts Festival is free and open to the public at all three District 204 high schools.
Free Swim Assessments – noon | Free
Fry Family YMCA – 2120 95th Street Naperville, IL 60563
To commemorate National Water Safety Month this May, the Fry Family YMCA of Metro Chicago is offering free swim assessments to gauge your child’s swimming and water safety skills on Saturday, May 20. For a free swimming assessment (12-12:30PM for preschool; 12:30-1PM for school age). Parents and adults are encouraged to take the Water Watcher pledge and to spread the word to help keep kids safe around the water. Fatal drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages one to 14 years old. The problem is particularly acute among minority communities. According to a recent national research study conducted by the USA Swimming Foundation and the University of Memphis, 70 percent of African American and 60 percent of Hispanic children cannot swim, compared to just 40 percent of Caucasian children. If you know how to stay safe in and around water, swimming can be a lifelong source of fun and exercise. Instead of keeping your children away from water, help them learn fundamental safety skills by enrolling them in swim lessons. These classes can provide them a new, exciting way to keep active and meet new friends. Summer swim lessons begin June 5. Look for the Y.M.C.A. Century Walk sculpture in front of the Fry Family Y.
Our Dreams through Kids – 1PM | Free
Municipal Center – 400 S. Eagle Street Naperville, IL 60540
From 1-3PM, “Conversations” will present a panel of experts with Q&A regarding challenges and expectations that parents have of their children. Hosted by Indian Community Outreach. ICO’s Ideation and Intellection Forums are being hosted every other month to explore various topics.
Going Fishin’ in the rain? | Free
List of local ponds in parks throughout Naperville, IL 60540, 60563, 60564
Bundle up in foul-weather rain gear and boots, and grab a pole for some adventurous angling in the rain with a good buddy. (Or better yet, wait until a warm, sunny day!) Find an assortment of bait to catch all types of fish at Dog Patch Pet & Feed, located at 1108 E Ogden Ave. Find koi for backyard ponds at Dog Patch, too.
Sunday
Go Fish! | Free (Though license may be needed)
List of local ponds in parks throughout Naperville, IL 60540, 60563, 60564
Find an assortment of bait to catch all types of fish at Dog Patch Pet & Feed, located at 1108 E Ogden Ave. Find koi for backyard ponds at Dog Patch, too.
Civil War Days – 10AM | Day of Event: $15/adult, $10/youth (412)Advance Tickets: $13/adult, $8/youth
Naper Settlement – 523 S. Webster St Naperville, IL 60540
Saturday & Sunday, May 20 and 21, 10AM 4PM, Naper Settlement is transformed into a Civil War encampment where visitors can meet famous figures of the past and experience firsthand a turbulent time period in our nations history. Hundreds of re-enactors participate, culminating in staging a battle complete with raging cannons and marching infantry. This family-friendly event features food, fun, music, and shopping on Sutlers Row for traditional Civil War-era reproduction products. The battle begins at 2:30PM each day. The Weed Ladies will be selling spring silk and dried florals in the Daniels House.
Paddle Boats & Kayaks at Jaycees Marina Open for Season – 10AM-7PM | Rentals (See prices)
Jaycees Marina on the Quarry along the Riverwalk – Naperville, IL 60540
The Naperville Park District’s Paddleboat Quarry opened May 13 with Saturday and Sunday weekend hours, weather permitting, through the month of May and daily hours beginning Mon., May 29. Paddleboats and kayaks may be rented at the Paddleboat Quarry hut located next to the paddleboat dock. Paddleboats are $10 for a 20-minute ride for up to 4 people and $12 for a 40-minute ride for up to 4 people. Kayaks are available through Naperville Kayak for 30-minute rides at $10 for a one-person boat and $20 for a two-person boat.
Moser Tower / Carillon Tour – Noon | $3
Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk – 443 Aurora Ave. across from NCHS Naperville, IL 60540
Tours include stops to see the 72-bell instrument with a peek at the largest bell, Big Joe; and an opportunity to experience the beautiful vista from the observation deck near top of the 160-ft. Moser Tower. The Moser Tower with the Millennium Carillon and the Visitor Center hours are from 10AM to 4PM on Saturdays and from 12-noon-6PM on Sundays, April 29 through October 29. Find one of the world’s largest musical instruments at the base of Rotary Hill. And, of course, the spectacular view from the observation deck of this Tree City USA changes every season. Enjoy the view, highly recommended on a clear day!
Everyone Is an Artist: The Art of Identity, Inclusion and Inspiration – Noon
Schoenherr Gallery – 171 E. Chicago Ave. Naperville, IL 60540
North Central College will present a collection of artwork by Little Friends, a nonprofit organization in Naperville that empowers clients with autism and other developmental disabilities to thrive. The free exhibit, titled “Everyone Is an Artist: The Art of Identity, Inclusion and Inspiration,” will be on display May 19 through 28 in the College’s Schoenherr Gallery at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Gallery Hours: 10AM to 6PM Monday, 10AM to 9PM Tuesday through Friday, 10AM to 6PM Saturday, noon to 5PM Sunday. Meet the artists during a reception, 5:30-7PM, Wednesday, May 24, in the gallery; refreshments will be served. For more information contact Nickole Lanham at (630) 637-5375.
Consider ‘save the dates’ today for future events
Save the date for West Suburban Irish Quiz Night Championship, 7PM Tues., June 6, at Quigley’s Irish Pub, 43 E. Jefferson. Put a team together of eight players in tribute to that famous Irishman Michael Finnegan who grew whiskers on his chin and begin again just for the silly sweet prizes. For everything you need to know about the West Suburban Irish and its fun-loving events with clues to Quiz Night, visit www.wsirish.org.
‘Everyone Is an Artist,’ the first-ever public art exhibit created by students at Little Friends, Inc., runs May 19-28 at Schoenherr Gallery in the Fine Arts Center at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Avenue in Naperville. The public is welcome to an artists’ reception to held 5:30PM until 7PM on Wed., May 24. During this reception, visitors will have an opportunity to meet some of the artists. Everyone Is an Artist: The Art of Identity, Inclusion and Inspiration is made possible, in part, by a generous donation from the Joliet Woman’s Club, whose 2016 gift helped fund art and music education at Krejci Academy.
Naperville Woman’s Club Fine Art Fair at Naper Settlement, 10AM-5PM Saturday and Sunday, June 24-25. No Admission Charge (Note change to June!)
Reserve tickets for 2017 Ribfest, June 30-July 3. Celebrate Exchange Club of Naperville’s 30th year with Toby Keith on June 30. Tickets now on sale at www.ribfest.net.
Keep Moving to help keep local charities running! Register now for upcoming Runs, Walks and Bike Rides that will keep you outdoors for more than a good cause until Nov. 23.
2nd Annual Pumpkin Race, hosted by Turning Pointe Autism Foundation. A flyer available at the 2017 graduation ceremony provided info about the Pumpkin Race slated for Oct. 28 at Rotary Hill. Save the date! For details and a look at last year’s “fun” raiser, click here.
Year-round Gift Ideas
Think dinner and the show and combine a gift certificate/card to a restaurant and theater tickets to performances on stage at North Central College.Perhaps give memberships to places such as Naper Settlement, DuPage Children’s Museum or Naperville Art League. Or provide a gift of music lessons with one of the teachers available at Ellman’s Music Center.
‘Tis the season to give DNA gift cards or to create an experience in 2017. Downtown Naperville Gift Cards make great gifts for teachers, coaches, graduates and dads (Father’s Day is June 18). With a Downtown Naperville gift card, the recipient can find a new outfit, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, take a fitness class, pick up a pair of new running shoes, discover a great new book or enjoy a wonderful meal. There are so many choices.
Downtown Naperville gift cards may be purchased in person at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce (ask for a gift box and bow) or Pinot’s Palette. You may also order via phone by calling (630) 355-4141 or ordering online. Call the 1-800 balance number on the back of your gift card or visit the Check My Balance web page to check a gift card balance. Lastly, remember to use your card at least once a year to avoid fees.
Or give special certificates for a pair of tickets or an entire table to some other charity gala this year.
Dine Around Naperville!
From Catch 35 to Meson Sabika, discover more than 260 delicious places to dine in or out at www.dinenaperville.com. Make your Graduation Day or Father’s Day reservations as soon as possible.
And 40 of the eateries are located throughout downtown Naperville where there are plenty of shopping opportunities in between meals. Cheers!
Thanks for supporting live music such as the sounds of bands at Quigley’s Irish Pub (Thursday, Fridays & Saturdays) or local bands at Club Mamalu’s on the first Friday of the month with OMT lite and friends. No cover. Or enjoy the keyboard played during Sunday brunch, 10AM to 3PM, at Heaven on Seven, 224 S. Main St. in downtown Naperville. Brunch is served New Orleans-style Saturday, too.
And there’s more latest news…
Look forward with photo-enhanced stories every day on PN’s Latest News. In addition to events and other happenings, find public meeting notices scheduled at the Naperville Municipal Center.
Check out PN’s Events Calendar for other events as well as to help plan next week and upcoming weekends.
On the navigation bar atop the Events Calendar, find calendars specific to Runs & Walks, Charity Golf (This page has been updated for 2017), Festivals & Traditions over the course of the year as well as this month’s Book Events hosted by Anderson’s, North Central College Performing Arts and happenings at Naper Settlement.
PN’s Event Calendar features Things to Do, too! Plus… Event planners can post events.
