Around and About in West Chicago - 30 April 2008

     The National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is Saturday, May 10. Place non-perishable foods, personal care products, cleaning products and/or paper products by your mailbox. These items will be donated to local area food pantries, such as the Northwest DuPage Walk-in Ministry.

     At a recent Lions Club meeting, Northwest DuPage Walk-in Ministry board chairman, Ed Enciso, and board director, Marilyn Poole, were the featured speakers. The NDWIM was founded in 1999 and at this time is comprised of 16 covenant churches, which help support “us with funds, facilities, and/or volunteers,” said Enciso. The three food pantry sites are St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Chicago, Resurrection Catholic Community in Wayne and Lutheran Church of the Master in Carol Stream. “Between the three sites, we serve about 20,000 families a year,” said Poole.

     “The food drives are important to our organization,” explained Enciso. Non-food items also are needed. “These usually are not available to us from the Northern Illinois Food Bank, but are ones needed by individuals and families.”

     Monetary donations give the food pantries more purchasing power. “Buying foods at the Food Bank, we are paying about 18 cents a pound, which can total up to 10 to 12 items,” he said. “With the downturn in the economy, we are seeing more persons seeking monetary assistance.” Poole agreed. “We are hearing more people say they never thought they would find themselves in this position.” She added, “We can only provide a small measure of help. Everyone who comes is offered food, help in connecting with other agencies that might be able to provide additional assistance and above all, a sense that someone cares.”

AROUND AND ABOUT

     The library’s Books for Lunch program is at noon Thursday, May 1. Kathy Reuter from University of Illinois Extension discusses the perfect vacation getaway. Guests are asked to bring a salad to share.

     “The Faces and Places of China” is the library’s program at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1. World traveler Bill Helmuth shares his experiences in China, focusing on cultural perspectives, art, architecture and religious traditions. For further information or to make reservations for either program, call the library adult services department at (630) 231-1552, Ext. 4.

     The opening reception for the two new exhibits at the City Museum is from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 2. “Century of Progress” focuses on Chicago’s 1933-34 World’s Fair with displays of souvenirs saved by local residents. “Building Community: Creating a Dialogue about Mexican Contribution to West Chicago through Oral Histories” displays oral histories of Mexican immigrants to West Chicago.

     Featured artists at Gallery 200 for the month of May are Heide Morris and Cheryl Mahowald. The artists’ reception is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 2. Musical entertainment is a violinist from the high school and Richard Byrne on the guitar.

     “Evening in the Furnace” program is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 2, in the Fine Arts Center at Wheaton Academy, 900 Prince Crossing Road. Students in the school’s Furnace Company provide an evening of entertainment through dance and comedy improv.

     The park district’s annual Dog Park special event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 3. The event serves as a chance for users to sign up or renew their dog park permits. Several fun activities are scheduled, including the unveiling of the new name of the Dog Park. The permit fee is $36 for residents, $48 for nonresidents and $24 VIP. For further information call Jill Novak at (630) 231-9474.

     The Historical Society’s Kruse House Museum opens for the 2008 season Saturday, May 3. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through Sept. 27, except Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day weekends. The exhibit is “Quilt ’n Time.” On display are quilts, quilted items, hoops and other memorabilia related to quilting.

     The installation of officers of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6791 and the Ladies Auxiliary is Saturday, May 3, at the VFW hall, 431 N. Neltnor Blvd. Social hour begins at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6p.m. and installation at 7 p.m.

     All eight District 33 Parent-Teacher Organizations are involved in the We Go Run— a 5K run/walk, 10K and children's races, which are a 1-mile run for children ages 6 to 12 and a 100-yard Kids Dash for children ages 8 and under. The race begins at 8 a.m. at Community High School's Memorial Stadium Sunday, May 4, Registration fees for the 5K walk/run and 10K run are $20.00 on or before May 2, and $25.00 after this date. The 1-mile run is $8.00 in advance and $10.00 on race day. The Kids Dash, which begins at 9:30 a.m., is free but registration is required. Race day also has a "family fitness" approach with a variety of activities to help children be active and healthy. Registration forms are available at the District 33 schools and online at www.wegoed33.k12.il.us, click "Communications." Registration with a credit card can be completed online at www.signmeupsports.com/59369. For further information call Becky Koltz, Director of Community Relations, at (630) 293-6000, ext. 201.

     Water Edge Bible Church, 209 S. Oakwood St., is hosting a block party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 4. Games, live music and refreshment are featured. It is requested that parents accompany their children. For further information call the church office at (630) 231-1210

     The 31st annual “80 & Over” Open House is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at the American Legion Hall, 132 Main St. The Park District, American Legion Post 300 and the Legion Auxiliary and West Chicago Seniors host the event.

     The city’s sixth annual Citywide Collection date is on regularly scheduled waste pick up days from Monday, May 5, through Friday, May 9. Residents can dispose of an unlimited amount of trash, using eight “universal” stickers. Yard waste is not included. Helpful hint—affix stickers to your 35 or 95-gallon cart or something that is definitely a throw away item; otherwise you may see your stickers “walk away” if people decide your trash is their treasure. For a list of acceptable or unacceptable items, check www.westchicago.org. or call Michelle Baldino at (630) 293-2268.

     The once a month brush pickup begins Monday, May 5.

     Mayor Michael Kwasman presents the “State of the City” address at the Chamber luncheon Thursday, May 7, at St. Andrews Country Club, 3N441 Route 59. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $21.50 for chamber members and $30 for nonmembers. To make reservations, call the chamber office at (630) 231-3003 or online at www.westchicagochamber.com. The deadline for reservations is Monday, May 5. Seating will be available for persons only wanting to attend the presentation. Wheaton Academy presents its Spring Choral Concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, in the Fine Arts building.

     The Park District’s “Junk in the Trunk” event is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Persons with items to sell can rent a 9x15-foot space in the Turtle Splash (Aquatic Center) parking lot for only $10 or two spaces for $15. Persons supply their own tables and chairs. Reservations are required by Friday, May 2, and may be made by calling the district office at (630) 231-9474. This also is the opportunity for garage sale enthusiasts to shop in one convenient location.

     Mark your calendars for Blooming Fest from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 17. Not only does the Garden Club have the perfect plants for your gardens, but vendors also offer ideal accessories for decks and porches. The fun-filled day includes entertainment, yummy food, activities for children and much more.

     Maria Ortiz is the High School Student of the month for March. She is a member of the Art Club and is on the High school track team. Ortiz is a volunteer in the school library, plus at the West Chicago Public Library, where she reads to children’s groups. She plans to attend the American Academy of Art to study Graphic Arts.

     The high school WeGo 2 Africa project continues in a myriad of ways. The main thrust this year is to send a shipping container filled with school supplies to the school in Sakutopi Angola. Building the school was the start of this continuing and growing project of Community High School students, staff and administration. Some items still are needed and persons may drop donations off from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 31, by Entrance H at the high school. Specialty supplies include playground equipment such as jump ropes, hula-hoops, balls, soccer balls and soccer nets, plus crutches. Also needed are new or gently used summer and winter clothing, shoes and blankets. For school supplies, items are backpacks, three-ring binders, crayons, chalk, chalkboards, erasers, folders, notebooks, paper, pencil sharpeners, pencils, pens and Portuguese/English dictionaries. For further information or to donate items before the end of May, call Mary Ellen Daneels at (630) 876-6453 or email at mdaneels@d94.org.

     At the April 21 meeting, City Council approved extending the temporary moratorium for multi-tenant commercial buildings in the B-1, B-2 and B-3 zoning districts.

     The city’s spring hydrant flushing program is underway from 7 to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Signs are posted to let residents know when the flushing takes place in their block/neighborhood.

     Marilyn Earley was the featured volunteer in the April 10 issue of TribLocal. She has been a volunteer in the Central DuPage Hospital messenger service for 21 years, working either one or two days a week. As a messenger, Earley delivers and picks up interoffice and U.S. mail. Her three-mile route involves 64 stops throughout the hospital. Earley definitely deserves the volunteer recognition.

     City Council approved the application of Cub Scout Pack 151 to participate in the city’s Adopt-A-Highway program. Their litter collection roadway area is on Smith Road beginning at Camden Drive and ending at Powis Road.

     Community High School has a Hall of Honor to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the school, community or society. Selection of individuals is based on two or more of the following criteria: achievement went beyond a personal benefit and was beneficial to District 94; contributions were of a significant nature for the school, community or society or contributions were recognized on a community, statewide or national basis. Send nomination letters for the Hall of Honor to Dr. Moses Cheng, Community High School District 94, 326 Joliet St. Nomination deadline is Wednesday, May 14.

     Jeff Brooke has been named the varsity soccer head coach at Wheaton Academy.