Update, 10:45AM Sat., May 11 / Thanks for all the photos via PN’s FB from last night’s amazing cosmic storm of the aurora borealis, beginning with the first one from Mulkeytown, Illinois! Much to our surprise, many folks in Naperville also captured photos of the colorful display. According to news reports, the spectacular geomagnetic phenomenon is expected to last through the weekend, maybe longer. Let’s hope for clear skies tonight to watch dashes of yellows, greens and pinks in the Northern Lights over the U.S.
Friday
Gift Cards for Merry Month of May Occasions! Available during store hours in downtown Naperville, purchase gift cards for graduations, Mother’s Day, teacher gifts, coaches and many upcoming special occasions. Valid for use at over 150 downtown shops, spas, restaurants, and Hotel Indigo, too. Downtown Naperville gift cards may be purchased in any amount from $10-$500. Find Gift Cards at three locations today: J. McLaughlin, 216 S. Main St.; Sea Love | A Candle Bar & Boutique, 120 Water Street, Suite 104; and Karisma Boutique, 232 S. Washington St. Click here for more info about DNA Gift Cards.
Brats at Kreger’s / 10AM to 3PM Fridays and Saturdays at Kreger’s Brat and Sausage Haus – 606 N. Ellsworth Naperville, IL 60563 / Stop by for lunch, conversation and camaraderie. Let Bill know that you know his wurst is the best, especially for weekend grilling this spring, Mother’s Day and plans for upcoming graduation get-togethers.
Weed Ladies Spring Sale / 10AM-3:30PM at Naper Settlement – 523 S. Webster St. Naperville, IL 60540 / The Weed Ladies Spring Sale features creative seasonal floral arrangements for sale. Each one-of-a-kind silk or dried floral creation has been designed by the Weed Ladies of the Naperville Heritage Society volunteer group. Proceeds benefit the Naperville Heritage Society. Admission to the Weed Ladies Spring Sale is free. Please enter Naper Settlement’s main entrance and inform the Guest Services Team that you are attending the Spring Sale. More info at www.napersettlement.org/238/Weed-Ladies-Floral-Sales. The sale continues Saturday.
Enjoy Every Day at Quigley’s Irish Pub / 11AM / Quigley’s Irish Pub is located at 43 E. Jefferson Ave in downtown Naperville / Quigley’s Irish Pub features live music Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays as well as a good place for all types of special events. Meanwhile, stop by for a cool pint and honest pub fare EDAQ, Every Day at Quigley’s. Patio is open, weather permitting.
Morton Arboretum Photographic Society (MAPS) Artists Showcase / 5-8PM / More than 140 nature-inspired, fine art photographs. The 2024 Nature Photography Exhibit includes work captured at international locations, in the U.S., locally and at the Morton Arboretum. Photos feature animals, landscapes, plants, trees and skies.
The MAPS exhibit is free with a membership or paid admission ($17 Adults, 18-64; $15 Seniors, 65-plus; $12 Youth, 2-17) to The Morton Arboretum. Note also… the exhibit runs 10AM to 4PM on Sat., May 11, and Sun., May 12. Organizers suggest pairing the exhibit with a wildflower walk or drive through The Arboretum’s beautiful grounds. For more information, visit mortonarb.org/explore/activities/adult-programs/morton-arboretum-photographic-society-exhibit/.
Theater for Charity presents High School Musical / 7PM at Yellow Box – 1635 Emerson Lane Naperville, IL 60540 / $20-25 / All profits for this show will be donated to A.D.O.P.T. no kill pet shelter of Naperville. Troy Bolton, the star athlete at a small-town high school, falls for nerdy beauty Gabriella Montez at a holiday karaoke party. When they return to campus, Troy and Gabriella audition for the upcoming school musical. Meanwhile, the jealous Sharpay Evans conspires to squelch their chances. The two must struggle to make it to auditions while also meeting their existing obligations to the basketball team and the academic decathlon. Performances continue at 1PM and 7PM Saturday and 3PM Sunday. Tickets at www.showtix4u.com/event-details/81498.
Saturday
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive / All Day / The National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association will partner with Loaves & Fishes Community Services during the 32nd Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Each year, residents are encouraged to place healthy, unexpired, non-perishable items in bags by their mailboxes on Saturday, May 11, for collection by postal carriers and Loaves & Fishes volunteers. Last year, the Naperville Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive collected more than 60,000 pounds to support families that visit Loaves & Fishes for grocery assistance. 
A Pint for Kim / 8AM / Donate the gift of life at Naperville North High School. To commemorate the life of Naperville resident Kimberly Sandford, A Pint for Kim is hosting its 5th Annual blood drive from 8AM to 3PM at NNHS. The event is held in honor of Naperville resident Kimberly Sandford, who lost her life to cancer in March 2020.
New Horizons Band of DuPage Spring Concert / 3PM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church – 1310 Shepherd Dr. Naperville, IL 60565 / The New Horizons Band of DuPage will perform well known selections and audience favorites. The concert will include the New Horizons Concert Band, Brass Choir, German Band, Jazz Band and Woodwind Consort. New Horizons consist of musicians from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs under the direction of Maryann Flock. Light refreshments will follow the concert. Admission is free – donations accepted.
Aurora Borealis / After Dark / Throughout last night, aurora borealis was visible in Naperville. Weather permitting, the colorful lights may be visible again tonight, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center earlier Saturday. The aurora borealis is being caused by geomagnetic storm that erupted from a sunspot cluster on the sun. According to numerous reports and the Space Weather Prediction Center, the storm was unusually strong — classified as “extreme” (or a G5) storm, the highest level, the first G5 storm to hit Earth since 2003.
Sunday – Happy Mother’s Day
Reserve a Table at Mesón Sabika for Mother’s Day / Brunch, 10:30AM to 2:30PM. Dinner, 4PM to 8PM / Of course, for all other days, find a choice in dining rooms and private spaces at Mesón Sabika to sample Spanish tapas and delicious sangria for lunch and dinner. Located just west of downtown Naperville at 1025 Aurora Avenue, Mesón Sabika has been serving the community since 1990. Built in 1847, the historic mansion with eight air-conditioned dining rooms is set in a beautifully landscaped four-acre estate, providing a welcoming sight with plenty of parking for lunch, dinner, special events, benefits, weddings, meetings and family gatherings throughout the year. (Note also, Tapas Valencia is open for Mother’s Day at 1530 S. State Street in Chicago.)
Mother’s Day Brunch in Downtown Naperville / All Day / Mom deserves the best this Mother’s Day. Why not make it easy on yourself, and enjoyable for mom, by treating her to a memorable Mother’s Day brunch. Enjoy brunch in downtown Naperville. Complete listings at downtownnaperville.com.
Naper Settlement / 1PM / Discover what’s new at the City’s outdoor living history museum in the heart of Naperville. Museum hours are 10AM to 4PM Tuesday through Saturday; 1 to 4PM Sunday and closed Monday. Admission for Adults (13+) is $12; Seniors (62+), $10; Youth (4-12), $8. Admission for Museum Members & Naperville Residents (with proof of residency) is free. For more information about the new exhibit honoring the first 150 years of the Naperville Fire Department, visit NaperSettlement.org/Exhibits.
Century Walk Tours Every Day / Around the Clock – Daylight / The recently published 88-page Naperville Century Walk Public Art Guide to more than 50 locations featuring local stories with public art by renown artists is now available at the Naperville Art League Gallery, Naper Settlement, Hotel Indigo and the Naperville Municipal Center. Pick up a free copy today. Then take a self-guided tour.
Every Day & Mother’s Day… Dine Naperville!
Every day… Visit Naperville!
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