Above / Every visit to the Riverwalk is a chance to discover historic markers and cross covered bridges that help showcase a small sampling of the community’s contributions to the city’s rich heritage. Stop by the Farmers Plaza at the entrance to the Riverwalk near the Eagle Street Bridge. Thanks to recent grants and approvals by the City Council, that significant farm history is soon to be enhanced and on display at Naper Settlement, just a block south on Eagle Street and across Aurora Avenue.
Temperatures climbing above freezing are reminders to keep storm drains clear with high hopes of thawing to begin soon. Stand near one to listen to storm water streaming right along to help prevent flooding.
Naper Settlement seeks former residents of Kroehler Dorm
Naper Settlement has announced a call for women who lived in the Peter E. Kroehler Memorial Residence Hall for a photo opportunity planned at 2PM on Sat., Feb. 27.
The museum seeks former residents to participate in the photo opportunity, as well as share their stories and memories for the Naper Settlement Collection.
No RSVP is required for the photo opportunity. Participants will meet Naper Settlement staff on the sidewalk outside the residence hall located at 126 N. Wright Street starting at 1:50PM with the photo being taken promptly at 2PM. The public also can submit stories and photos at NaperSettlement.org/ResidenceHallMemories.
American Legion Post 43 seeks to honor healthcare workers
Junior Vice Commander Nadia Rios of the Naperville American Legion Post 43 is calling for nominees of health care workers from Naperville and Lisle who have sacrificed this past year in the fight against COVID-19. The deadline to submit nominations is March 4, 2021.
The Naperville American Legion Post 43 requests that the Nomination/Application include:
-Healthcare Worker’s Full Name
-Place of work (name of hospital, senior care facility, etc.)
-Department (ER, ICU, etc.)
-Position (Nurse, Nursing Assistant, Doctor, etc.)
-City of residence (Naperville and Lisle)
-Brief description of why this person deserves to be recognized (eg., worked X hours of overtime with critically ill COVID patients, volunteered to assist with vaccine distribution, works in ER screening potential COVID patients, etc.)
Send nominations via email to Rios at rios.nadia@gmail.com.
Selected nominees will be notified on March 10. An Award Presentation and Recognition Dinner will be held on March 20, 2021, at the Judd Kendall VFW hall in Naperville. Each honoree can bring one guest.
Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser is Feb. 28 at the VFW…
From 8AM to 11:30AM Sun., Feb. 28, Sons of the American Legion will host its 3rd Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser. The cost for pancakes, sausages, orange juice, milk and coffee is $8 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. Follow local protocols and wear face masks. The Judd Kendall VFW is located at 908 W. Jackson Avenue.
Also, Paper Products Drive / 9AM to Noon Sun., Feb. 28, at VFW…
For the past month, a Paper Products Drive for the Midwest Shelter for Veterans has welcomed drop-off donations. Volunteers will be at the VFW Post from 9AM to noon, Feb. 28, collecting toilet paper, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, facial tissues, disinfecting wipes, and other products for Veterans getting themselves and their families back on their feet. Simply drive up and someone will take items. Thanks to all for support and donations.
Thanks for shopping and dining locally…
Bundle up and head outside for a little fresh air. Venture to your favorite shopping destination and check out the windows chock full of sale signs for winter bargains as merchants welcome new spring merchandise just about every day.
Shopping now for something new can be an uplifting experience, especially when winter doldrums begin to beat for a bright new look, even if your job finds you working from home.
Note all that “Red” is attention-getting, aiming to ignite warmth, power, passion, action and hunger. That’s why shopping sale signs and restaurant interiors feature red. Red means business! Though red also signals “stop,” consider it also means “Go shop and dine for a good time!”
Now open, coming soon or reopening in Downtown Naperville
- Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea – Now Open on Washington Street!
- Vasili’s Mediterranean – Now Open on Water Street!
- Lovesac – Open as of Fri., Feb. 26, 2021!
- Andrew’s Garden – Opening April 2021! (This new concept for downtown that will be located along W. Chicago Avenue, has been receiving lots of looks!)
- Front Street Cantina – Reopening April 2021 with a newly renovated and adding an outdoor dining garden too! (PN’s choice for Mexican faire will be back! ¡Viva! ¡Viva!)
Look for all the bright red signs in store windows that signal hot bargains inside. Follow local protocols. Wear a face covering as requested, keep social distance, wash hands often, but don’t wash away commonsense.
Find great 50-percent-off bargains at Dean’s Fine Clothing and many other winter deals displayed on mannequins, hanging on racks and sitting on shelves all along Main Street, Jefferson Avenue, Washington Street, Water Street and Van Buren where downtown Naperville shops, all sizes, continue to need to make room for Spring inventory 2021.
Redeem Gift Cards before you forget you have them!
What’s more, sale days provide a perfect excuse to redeem those Downtown Naperville holiday gift cards at more than 50 shops. Be sure to have gift cards handy when you head downtown.
Order take-out for today or choose to reserve indoor dining…
Throughout Naperville, Tier Four mitigations now allow restaurants to resume indoor service with some limitations. And places like Quigley’s Irish Pub, Catch 35 and Meson Sabika have set their tables just right and ready to serve all weekend and next week, too. Safety remains the #1 priority. Call in advance for reservations and adhere to all local protocols.
Dine Naperville continues to promote tastes from fast casual to fancy dining at nearly 300 eateries. Discover plenty of choices for take out to whet every appetite and pocketbook.
Fish & Chips? Popcorn? Chocolate? Tapas, anyone?
Quigley’s Irish Pub is an authentic Irish pub designed, built, and shipped over from Ireland. Located in the heart of downtown since 1998, Quigley’s is known for being a neighborhood-friendly bar and restaurant. Family (female) owned and independent, the waitstaff is ready to welcome and serve patrons EDAQ (Every Day at Quigley’s). “We love seeing familiar faces and we’ve missed seeing everybody!” said owner Nancy Quigley. “We’re looking forward to welcoming everybody back!”
Take-out for curbside pick up remains open. Lenten entrees such as “Fish and Chips” are available, too. To place orders to go, just give Quigley’s a call at (630) 428-4774. Find Quigley’s open every day at 43 E. Jefferson Ave.
Naper Nuts & Sweets is among more than 40 eateries, ice cream stores and treat shops in downtown Naperville that welcome shoppers to get a taste of good hospitality.
Looking for a quiet table in a corner? Be sure to make a reservation in advance at Meson Sabika where there’s always a warm welcome with a large sampling of tapas at 1025 Aurora Ave., just west of downtown. Ask what’s on the menu for Lent. Take-out is available, too.
Looking ahead toward Easter Sunday? The hospitable hosts at Meson Sabika say it’s not too early to make reservations for Sun., April 4, 2021, at (630) 983-3000. Or if looking for a little springtime getaway, head to Tapas Valencia, located at 1530 S. State Street in Chicago. Phone (312) 842-4444.
Catch 35: Located at the corner of S. Washington at Van Buren, Catch 35 offers weekly specials every day and a children’s menu, too. Dine-in now open! Take-out continues. And, of course, Catch 35 offers plenty on the menu for Lent.
Click here to see a list of downtown restaurants that are currently open and ready to serve via curbside pickup and/or delivery. Hint: Tips for curbside service are welcome, too.
Look for all the bright red signs in store windows that signal hot bargains inside. Follow local protocols. Wear a face covering as requested, keep social distance, wash hands often, but don’t wash away commonsense.
Downtown Naperville continues to sparkle every night with bright white lights until Daylight Saving Time begins on Sun., March 14. Plan to dine safely indoors, shop for bargains, then take an evening stroll where the sidewalks are cleared and illuminated!
March forward…
Schedule of City & BOE meetings with agendas is posted online
School District 203 Board Meeting at 7PM Mon., March 1, 2021. Closed session meeting is scheduled for 5PM, followed by public meeting at 7PM to appoint the new Board of Education member who then will take the oath of office. Monday’s meeting will be held in person at Naperville Central High School, 440 West Aurora Avenue. (Note: Saturday the 203 BOE met in closed session to finalize appointment. The agenda references “Pursuant to 5 ILCS120/2(c)(3) The selection of a person to fill a public office, including a vacancy in a public office, when the District is given power to appoint under law or ordinance.”)
Naperville City Council meets at 7PM Tues., March 2, 2021, followed by the Planning & Zoning Commission at 7PM Wed., March 3. For now, to keep plans moving forward, important city meetings are held virtually. (In PN’s view, all important votes and hearings on decisions that attract resident input need to be addressed eyeball to eyeball in public in City Council Chambers and before 11PM. Here’s hoping Council Chambers will reopen soon as important agenda items are addressed that impact the community.) FYI: Click here to get to know about the City’s upcoming meetings via webinars as well as this next week’s current schedule with agendas. Also find procedures to address City Council and PZC with public comment. This link also features the past-meeting archive available for viewing in the future. (We must admit, this link is the one we use most on the City’s website in order to pay attention to new developments.)
Family events for a cause
Save Wed., March 10, the date to enjoy pizza at Lou’s… From 11AM to 10PM Wed., March 10, Lou Malnati’s in downtown Naperville will host a benefit for Operation Support Our Troops America. Lou Malnati’s will donate 20 percent of every total bill back to OSOT. Dine at the restaurant or order online. Just be sure to show the flyer in the restaurant and use the code in the flyer for online and app orders. For the flyer, click here.
Save Wed., March 10, for Second KidsMatter Mental Health Forum, Educational Series… “Family Matters: Family Communication throughout COVID 19 and Stressful Times” is slated to begin at 7PM Wed., March 10 via Zoom. No registration required. Zoom link: http://bit.ly/2MzePve. The 40-minute program will feature guest speakers Dr. Laura Bokar & Christine Maki, LMFT, two counselors with a combined more than 40 years experience working with teens and families. Both are Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. For more info, visit www.kidsmatter2us.org.
Save Thurs., March 11, for KidsMatter distribution of Stress Relief Care Bags… From 1PM to 4PM on Thurs., March 11, KidsMatter will be in the parking lot of Centennial Beach (500 Jackson Avenue, Naperville) distributing 1,500 Stress Relief Care Bags to kids ages preschool through high school. Bags include a coloring book designed by students (age appropriate!) with crayons or colored pencils, a stress ball, Play-Doh, scratch art, and more! KidsMatter is well aware of what youngsters are going through right now. This initiative is a fun, free boost for kids of all ages! Come on over to Centennial Beach and pick up a free care bag! Just drive through and volunteers will hand out the bag or bags you need through your car window. No need to get out of your car. KidsMatter volunteers will be masked and socially distanced, following all guidelines and local protocols!
Kindness is what we need…
And in case you’ve missed this granite marker along the Naperville Riverwalk, let us post this photo again. Always consider that a little kindness is what we need.
For everything about downtown Naperville shopping, dining, entertaining and safety protocols, visit www.downtownnaperville.com.
Watch for blue skies! Breathe a little fresh air every day.
Venture to learn about Naperville’s rich history. Find stories about the city’s early beginnings, rapid growth and more recent development at Naper Settlement. Our past gives richness to our present. Thanks for taking note of this city’s can-do spirit every day.
Originally posted Feb. 24. Last Updated, Feb. 27.
