Above / Be prepared for Easter Bunny sightings that begin this weekend at special springtime events at Hotel Indigo and Safety Town with photo opportunities—and, of course, Peter Cottontail is hopping with multiple visibility in local parks and backyards.
Friday
Lent Fish Frenzy at Catch 35 – Started March 6 all day, now every day through April 19
Catch 35 Naperville – Washington at Van Buren in downtown Naperville, IL 60540
Fried-Grilled-Steamed specials all day, every day during Lent. Plus, All you care to enjoy Fish Fry Every Friday at Catch 35 Naperville! View special menus prepared by Chefs Eddie Sweeney and Jesus Pasindo. www.catch35.com/chicago-lent-fish-frenzy-seafood-specials/ (Also! Reserve at (630) 717-3500 for Easter Brunch 2019, 10AM to 2PM Sun., April 21. Hop on over to Catch 35’s Easter Brunch filled with a variety of breakfast and lunch treats. View Naperville Brunch Menu: www.catch35.com/easter-brunch-2019/)
Naperville VFW All You Can Eat Fish Fry open to the public – 4:30PM | Adults $12, seniors $10, children $7, age 3 and under FREE!
Judd-Kendall VFW – 908 W Jackson Naperville, IL 60540
Naperville VFW All You Can Eat Fish Fry open to the public every Friday March 1 through April 19 from 4:30PM to 7:30PM from at the Judd Kendall VFW, 908 W Jackson Ave, Naperville. The buffet menu varies but there will be two kinds of fish, chicken, salad, vegetables, (8 hot items) plus rolls, desert and coffee all included. Buffet by Belgios Catering. Full menu is available at www.napervfw3873.org. Full bar available. Adults $12, seniors $10, children $7, age 3 and under FREE. Event phone number (630) 420-9820.
Henry Pratt Police Fund Benefit Evening – 8PM | 10PM | $20 with 2-drink minimum)
Comedy Shrine – 4034 Fox Valley Center Aurora, IL 60504
The Comedy Shrine with support of the Aurora Policeman Credit Union will host “Stand Up at the Shrine,” “Whose Line?” and “The Naughty Show.” Stages in two theaters at the Comedy Shrine will showcase both Improv and stand up comedy. Proceeds from all ticket sales from tonight’s shows (and any other donations at will, thank you) will benefit the victims families of the Pratt Company shootings. For tickets, call (630) 585-0300.
Live Music at Quigley’s – 8:30PM
Quigley’s Irish Pub – 43 E. Jefferson Naperville, IL 60540
Visit Quigley’s for live music most Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights…
Saturday
Saturday Specials at Casey’ Foods – 8AM | $ / Pound
Naperville Plaza – Washington at Gartner 60540
Casey’s Quality Meat and Gourmet Deli! Today until 7PM. This week’s specials include Casey’s Greek Marinated Bone-In Breasts only $2.98/lb. and ​Casey’s White Dinner Rolls (12 count) only $1.99 per package. * While Supplies Last! * Meanwhile, consider other weekend specials when Casey’s fires up the grill from 11AM to 2PM every Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting, from now until October. Alert! This weekend Casey’s Grill is open Saturday only.
Orientation to the Community Career Center – 9AM | Free
Community Career Center – 1815 W. Diehl Rd., Ste. 900 Naperville, il 60563
Are you in a job search? Are you looking to make a career change? Looking to expand your professional network? If so, join the Community Career Center (CCC) on Wednesday or Saturday morning at 9AM to learn about the services and resources available including one-on-one appointments with human resource and business professionals covering career exploration, job search strategy, networking, resume review, interviewing, and LinkedIn. In addition, the CCC offers job search and career related workshops, networking and accountability groups, use of workstations and support from the staff. No need to RSVP.
Easter Bunny Photos – 9:30AM | Free
Hotel Indigo Naperville Riverwalk – 120 Water St, Naperville, IL 60540
Come one, come all! The Easter Bunny will be hopping over to the Sky Bridge, in the (second floor) lobby of the new Hotel Indigo on Water Street (120 Water Street in Downtown Naperville) to take FREE photos with children on Saturday, April 13 from 9:30AM – 11:30AM, (Parents can snap their own great photos, no photographer present.). All are welcome! (Downtown parking is free with available street parking on Water Street or there are 2 parking garages nearby – either the Water Street Parking Deck or the City of Naperville Municipal Parking Deck).
Environmental Town Hall Meeting – 10AM-Noon | Everyone Welcome
Wentz Science Center Stevenson Hall – 125 Loomis, North Central College Naperville, IL 60540
State Representative Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville), who has been recognized by the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) for his support of the environment, is co-hosting an Environmental Town Hall Meeting with State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) and the IEC for the event, which will take place from 10AM until noon at Stevenson Hall’s Wentz Science Center. The meeting will feature a panel of experts, including representatives from the Citizens Utility Board, Elevate Energy, the Sierra Club, the Metropolitan Planning Council, and the City of Naperville. Editor’s Note & Update: Illinois State Representative Grant Wehrli (R-41st) has been addressing “Double-Dipping” since he first went to Springfield in January 2015. After serving 3 ½ years, Wehrli was elevated to the role of Assistant Minority Leader in October 2018. On April 11, Rep. Wehrli’s “Double-Dipping” Bill Clears Illinois House.
Hoppy Easter – 10AM | $10 plus nonperishable donation
Naperville Safety Town – 1320 Aurora Ave. Naperville, IL 60540
Admission: $10 per family to benefit Safety Town PLUS a nonperishable food item for Loaves & FIshes Community Services. Photo-op with Mr. or Mrs. Easter Bunny! Photos can be found and downloaded at njwc.shutterfly.com. Stop by vendor stations (May have allergens) Egg hunt (allergy friendly). Bring your Easter basket! Egg recycling and prizes! School of Rock- Instrument Petting Zoo! Learn Animal Safety and much more.
Celebrities join the fun at Bingo, Bags, & Brew this Saturday in Naperville – 5PM | $ SEE BELOW
Players Indoor Sports – 1740 W. Quincy Ave. Naperville, IL 60540
Admission: $15-$37. 2-person Bags teams $75, Bingo $15 per person entry plus $1 per Bingo card per game. Spectators $15.
The Exchange Club of Naperville’s new fundraiser, “Bingo, Bags,and Brew” will be a star-studded event for a great cause with Rob Johnson spinning the Bingo wheel at the start of the Bingo tournament, followed by Danielle Tufano, Program Manager and morning show Co-Host at 95.9FM The River. Zones will distinguish where individuals and groups can join in rounds of bingo, toss some beanbags with a team, and enjoy food, beverages, and fellowship, all for a great cause, as Exchange Club hopes to raise $10,000 from this event to support its Youth Scholarships program. The funds raised at Bingo, Bags, and Brew will support needs-based Youth Scholarships for teens entering a 4-year, 2-year, or Trades higher-education school in the fall. Doors will open at 4PM on Saturday, April 13 for Registration and Check-In, with Bags Tournament beginning at 5PM and Bingo beginning at 5:30PM. The event will conclude at 9PM. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and a 50/50 raffle will be held. “Cheerleaders”(spectators) are welcome for Bingo, Bags, or both, for a reduced ticket price of $15. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.exchangeclub.org.
Sunday
Journalism-The Fourth Estate: Does Social Media Threaten the Role of Established News Sources? – 2:30PM | Free
First Congregational United Church of Christ – 25 E. Benton Avenue Naperville, IL 60540
Does social media threaten the integrity, function, and role of established news sources? Journalism: The Fourth Estate will explore the impact of social media on traditional journalism at ACE-Naperville’s April meeting, Sunday, April 14, at 2:30PM in the Community Room, First Congregational Church-UCC, 25 E. Benton Ave., Naperville, IL. Panelists will include Craig Dellimore, Political Editor, WBBM-AM; Bernie Tafoya, News Reporter, WBBM-AM; Steve Macek, Chair, Communications and Media Studies, North Central College; Jim Slusher, Opinion Page Editor, Daily Herald; and local student journalists Elise Mulligan, Naperville North High School; and Avani Shah, Metea Valley High School.
Naperville Municipal Band Spring Concert / 3PM | FREE
Wentz Concert Hall – 171 E. Chicago Ave. at Ellsworth Naperville, IL 60540
Naperville Municipal Band Director Ron Keller has invited the 33-member Fox Valley Brass Band, led by Dr. Thomas Bough, to share the program with the 85-member Naperville Municipal Band when it performs indoors on stage in the North Central College Fine and Performing Arts Center. The compositions of music for brass and tubas are sure to inspire thoughts of “Heavy Metal,” Keller said. The concert also will shine the spotlight on the Alive Center, the featured nonprofit that will benefit from donations in support of its goals to inspire teen-led programs. Note: The NMB returns to Central Park for its 11-week summer concert season beginning June 6 with “The Greatest Generation” and many memorable marches and songs reminiscent of the band’s music since it started in 1859. Celebrate the first 160 years of the Naperville Municipal Band all year!
Check out PN Calendar Listings for special events at North Central College, Anderson’s Bookshop and more. Thanks for supporting the arts! Think dinner and the show.
For info about local fishing, visit running commentary with photos of local anglers with “big fish” stories saved on this website.
Save room for Naperville restaurants all year long
With more than 300 eateries throughout Naperville at destinations north, east, west and south, one surely will whet your appetite. Find the complete listing at www.dinenaperville.com and be prepared for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner every day in 2019.
Plus, Naperville’s array of choices such as historic Meson Sabika with the Pavilion at Meson Sabika next door also creates many venues for meetings, bridal and baby showers, wedding receptions, anniversary celebrations, birthday parties, neighbor get-togethers and just about whatever reason you can imagine.
Also keep in mind that in addition to fast food establishments, even many of the popular full-service restaurants in Naperville offer take-out. Just ask.
Hospitality shows in Naperville
And here are a couple factoids for everyone who appreciates the local hospitality industry… Recently PN was notified that Naperville was recognized by Digital Third Coast as one of the best markets for risk-taking restaurateurs to open a restaurant, ranking No. 39 in the top 50 of the 236 cities selected for the survey across the U.S.
In a related note, Hotel Arista Hotel and Arista Spa & Salon at CityGate Centre retain Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star rating for the sixth consecutive year.
Think Dinner & the Show… Or Showdown…
Click here to check out the 2018 Photo Gallery with dozens of pictures showcasing the fun, food and antics from the inaugural Chef Showdown. Last year featured Catch 35 and Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House vying for bragging rights and the big trophy in a finish almost too close to call, some observers said.
2nd Chef Showdown hosted by Loaves & Fishes Community Services set for 6PM to 9PM Wed., April 17, at Loaves & Fishes. This year’s cooking competition and fundraiser ($100 per person) will feature Chef Mark Grimes from Che Figata, located in CityGate Centre, and Chef Crispin Plata from Meson Sabika, located at 1025 Aurora Ave. Emcee Ray Kinney returns with the play-by-play from start to finish. (Alert! Now sold out.)
Bon appetite every day! Local dining matters!
