Neighbors™of Art in your backyard

Darien
Neighbors™of
neighborsofdarien.com
January/February 2012
Your community magazine
Art in your backyard
Darien writer Beth Lopez draws us
into light and shadow
Local Art Directory 2012
Winter parking regulations
Your Good Neighbor
Mary Kay Slowikowski
2011 Darien Chamber Business
Excellence Award Winners
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Inside Information
630-995-3482
neighborsofdarien.com
Neighbors Staff and Contributors
12
Valerie Karpeck, Publisher
Sharon Kassl, Production Director
Mary Coyle Sullivan, Editor
Linnea Carlson, Creative Director
Colleen Zawarus, Graphic Artist
Laurie Locke, Photography Contributions
Beth Lopez, Writing Contributions
Community Liaisons
Clare Bongiovanni, President & CEO
Darien Chamber of Commerce,
630-968-0004
Scott Coren, Assistant to City Administrators
City of Darien, 630-353-8104
10
FEATURE STORIES
6
Art in your backyard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The breathtaking impact of light and shadow. . . . . . . . . . 10
2012 Art Directory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
DEPARTMENTS
Mayor’s Letter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
City News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Chamber of Commerce News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Around the Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Good Neighbor - Mary Kay Slowikowski. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
January Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
February Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Financial News: Europe’s “Guardian Angels”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Important Contacts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
2
Mary Wintermute, Administrative Secretary
City of Darien, 630-353-8115
Christine Cigler, Public Information Coordinator,
Indian Prairie Public Library, 630-887-876
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Neighbors of Darien Magazine
A message from our mayor
“A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes
people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”
–Rosalynn Carter
I
hope you and your family enjoyed a safe and relaxing holiday season. Many
of you took part in our annual holiday lights decorating contest and free
holiday lights tour. I am proud that we were able to come together as a
community and celebrate the season. I am also proud of the Municipal Services
Department, which has done an exceptional job keeping our roads clear and safe
during snow storms.
Deputy Chief David Skala has decided to retire. He has served Darien for the
past 30 years in a variety of roles and has been a model leader and mentor to
other officers in the department. He will be greatly missed, but we wish him a
long and happy retirement.
The New Year does bring new beginnings. Our next major task at the City is
to focus on our budget. Over the past three years the City Council and I have
taken a very close look at our expenditures and reduced costs in a variety of
ways, focusing on core services such as policing, maintaining our roadways and
our water system. Budget discussions occur in February and all residents are
welcome to attend and provide input. And as always, please feel free to contact
City Hall with any questions at (630) 852-5000.
Have a healthy and happy New Year, from all of us at the City of Darien.
Respectfully,
Kathleen Weaver
City Of Darien, Mayor
4
Neighbors of Darien Magazine
Art in your backyard
by Mary Sullivan
"All art is but imitation of nature" is
a famous quote by Lucius Annaeus
Seneca. Art takes on many forms
and is truly a personal preference.
Even though Darien is a small
community, it is rich in artistic
talent. There are numerous local
artists who share their gift and
have a personal passion for what
they create. I had the opportunity
to meet with a select few and
discover how they came to be such
creative and artistic souls.
6
Connie McDavid with her students at Our Lady
of Peace (above). One of her many murals (right)
graces the walls of OLP. Photos by Karen Schuth.
O
in October of 2010 and it is tucked
away in the quaint cottage adjacent
to Celestine Spa at 1224 Plainfield
Road, just east of Cass Avenue. Owner
and Artistic DesignerJulie Showalter is always
interested in meeting
new artists in the
neighborhood. She
herself has created many
works of art in her
boutique/studio and
is a walking testament
of color and creative
design.
Gibbler’s facebook page has
drawn many followers who have "liked" this
business. The store is open Wednesday – Saturday
and adds new pieces to its massive collection every
week. Julie has forged a personal relationship
with many local artist and works in partnership
with them to display their pieces and give them
exposure.
Artists currently in the store are as follows:
• Julie Showalter: one-of-a-kind purses, wallets,
clutches, baby hats, art on canvas, custom shoes,
pet sweaters, photo albums and more!
• Nancy Fraser: one-of-a-kind "Willow by Nancy"
creates jewelry, dishcloths, and scarves.
ur Lady of Peace School is lucky to
have a new art teacher and resident
mural designer in house. Connie
McDavid has worn many professional hats in her
lifetime but next to family, art is her true passion.
She has left her mark at Our Lady of Peace in
many ways. Her murals can be seen throughout
the school and have visually changed the look
of many classrooms. Children can enjoy with
amazement the artist touches in the classroom and
also use it for daily learning and lessons. Nature
carries a theme with trees in most of her works in
the school.
Connie has done many murals outside of OLP
and has left her mark in many homes and offices.
In her children’s pediatric office she created theme
rooms and a captivating environment for young
patients to ease their fears when visiting the
doctors.
Connie now has the dream job she always
wanted, teaching budding artists. As the resident
artist and teacher at Our Lady of Peace School she
has the pleasure of sharing her love of art every
day with her captive audience of students. She
has created a nurturing, learning environment
Julie Showalter
where students can explore all forms of art and
welcomes customers to
create their own masterpiece.
Ellie Gibler. Photos by Laurie
Are you looking for a place that will give you
Locke Photography
a sense of visual appeal? Well if you go to Ellie
Gibbler you will realize it is a unique magical
fairy tale experience for all of those who enter the
store. This sensory stimulating boutique opened
7
Neighbors of Darien Magazine
Art in your backyard
...continued from page 7
• Melissa Giese: hair bands,
chain mail jewelry, and
artwork
• Colleen Doyle: artwork and
one-of-a-kind Ellie Gibbler
jewelry items
• Valerie: Reed-Valcooks aprons
• Ann Foley: Dry Greening
• Eva Davis: bottlecap jewelry
• Screaming Beauty hair
accessories
Kingswood Academy's art
teacher Deeda Cordin owns
an art studio in Hinsdale called
Deep Creek Art. She has taught
art at Kingswood to the upper
grades for over 10 years.
Deep Creek Art was formed
in 1995 when Deeda Cordin
decided she wanted to pursue
a new career based on her art.
First, it was merely a studio
to produce and sell her award
winning watercolor paintings
and photography, but soon after
it opened there was a great
demand for art lessons; first for
children, and then for adults.
The framing and art supply
business were added in
2005, when the Schweidlers
store closed. An annual
art show in December,
featuring Deeda and other
local talented artists was
added last year. Cordin
has managed to balance her
time between teaching and
running her own business.
She conveys her love of
art to her Kinsgwood and
studio students during every
encounter!
8
the River"
"17 Straight in
o
-Svencer, phot
by Laura Lein
.
er
cn
en
Sv
e
addi
courtesy of M
Local artist Laura
Lein-Svencner grew
up in Downers
Grove and
graduated from
Downers Grove
North High School.
She has continued
with her personal
studies in drawing,
printmaking,
sculpture, papermaking and
collage. Seeking inspiration
from one artist to another,
Laura has pursued her love
of paper. This steady pace of
exploration has lead her to
become a member of many
local and international collage
groups. She also co-founded the
Midwest Collage Society, which
exhibits throughout the Midwest
region. Currently, Laura teaches
her techniques of collage at
LaGrange and Naperville Art
League. During the summer
months you will find her
exhibiting her artwork in art fairs
Laura Lein-Svencer, photo
courtesy of Maddie Svencner.
and teaching collage workshops
all over the Midwest.
Laura's collage works begin
with paper, handmade with
the plants from her backyard to
found papers that are crinkled,
sanded and repurposed. Textures
are formed with gesso and
molding pastes. Layers of gloss
medium are added to the papers
surfaces for added strength
and protection. In creating the
collages, Laura uses a technique
where each side of the paper is
coated in a polymer medium
and after they are dry, fusing
is done with a tack iron to
hold each piece in place. She
delights in exposed raw edges
of torn paper, and visual entries
flow out of self-discovery. New
compositions stem from the
need to take risks and explore.
Her work is remarkable and
unique. She shares her love of
collage while teaching classes
at Mayslake Peabody Estate in
Oakbrook.
Many Darien residents do
not realize we have our own
gallery. The Indian Prairie
Library has an exhibit area
and art gallery on the second
floor. Local artists, collectors
and crafts people display their
creations and finds each month
on a rotating schedule. In April
of 2012 local artist Laura LeinSvencner will have a display of
her magnificent collage pieces.
Every winter the Darien
Woman’s club sponsors the
Creative Youth Art Fair. This
year the event will be held on
February 26 from 2-3:30pm at
Eisenhower Junior High. This
traditional hometown event
features the works of art of
the youngest to the brightest
stars and is a way to engage
the youth of the community in
art appreciation. The Art Fair
is an exhibition of paintings,
drawings, poetry, photography/
computer generated works and
sculptures created by the youth
of the Darien area. Youth ages
4 through high school submit
artwork to be independently
judged for prizes. Winning
entries receive prizes and their
artwork is displayed at the Indian
Prairie Library. All entrants
receive a ribbon.
The Woman’s club has
struggled with the financing of
this event over the years and
yet it continues to find ways to
make it happen because of their
commitment to the community
and our youngest citizens. They
hope to continue the tradition in
years to come with the support
of local schools and donations
for ribbons and space rental.
...continued, page 30
Patrons admire the
art on display at the
Indian Prairie Library
9
Neighbors of Darien Magazine
The breathtaking effect of light and shadow
by Beth Lopez
on the art around us
E
very time I think of the word light,
I think of art. I remember seeing
the Rembrandt and Renoir exhibit
at the Art Institute of Chicago when I
was a college student. I was most looking
forward to seeing the Renaissance works
of Rembrandt. It’s one thing to see those
paintings in a book and an entirely different
experience to see them in person. To begin
with, most of the canvases are massive. Rembrandt’s “Sacrifice of Isaac” is listed as
being 193x132 cm. When the painting is
slightly more than 6 feet tall and hung about
8 feet from the floor it feels as if it is larger
than life.
But what makes a Renaissance painting so
10
breathtaking is the use of light and shadow.
Rembrandt perfectly highlights the main
subjects in each of his paintings as if a
spotlight is illuminating them. “Sacrifice of
Isaac” is an amazing example of this. Isaac
is the brightest image in the painting, as
well as Abraham’s face as he gazes upon
the angel. Also highlighted are the hands
of both Abraham and the Angel and the
sharpest edge of the knife as it falls out of
Abraham’s hand. As I experienced my first
encounter with great, timeless, art, I stood in
front of that painting for several minutes in
complete awe. In art the word that describes
this technique is called Chiaroscuro.
When I think of light in an artistic sense,
I’m always taken by the fact
that in order to achieve the
dramatic effect of light, you
have to be able to train your
eye to see darkness as well.
Without light and shadow
we lose all sense of depth
or texture. An artist like
Rembrandt and Renoir could
look at something as simple
as a tavern and its occupants
or picture in their mind
something as profound as
the hand of God preventing
Abraham from murdering his
beloved son and understand
how something as basic as
light needed to be illustrated.
The simple glow of a candle
or the brilliant burst of
sunshine are still going to
create dramatic nuances of
darkness and intensity.
The Dutch masters
Rembrandt's
“Sacrifice of Isaac”
understood that in order to have light, you need
to know how to paint the dark as well and the
result is astounding. I love taking a good lesson
from art. Life is flat or washed out when we
choose not to observe the contrasts around us. I
believe that knowing how to use light to highlight
the important subjects in our life is central to
a happy existence. It’s not that the shadows
of life don’t exist or should be eliminated. We
need them to understand how light plays on the
images of life and perfectly highlights our own
human story. These are tales of great depth and
lush textures. We all long for something brilliant
in our own lives, but most of the time the luster
and brilliance are just waiting to be observed like
a fine piece of art.
Beth Lopez and her artistically talented family live in
Darien. Experiencing the fine arts is a daily occurrence in
the Lopez house. To read more of Beth’s writing, check out
her blog on theroadtofaith.com.
Neighbors of Darien Magazine
2012 Art Directory
Music
by Mary Sullivan
Art comes in many forms, shapes and sizes. It truly is
an individual preference. No matter one’s definition, Darien residents do not need
to travel far to enjoy world-class art and entertainment. There is an abundance
of cultural venues and activities for all to enjoy. From local artist and galleries, to
festivals and award winning performances, there is a plethora of art close to home.
Here are just the many ways to find Art in Your Backyard…
Fine Arts Centers
Hinsdale Center of the Arts
5903 South Country Line Road
Hinsdale, IL 60522
630-887-0203 • hinsdalearts.org
Hinsdale Center for the Arts is
a special place where educating,
encouraging and supporting the
arts is what they feel passionate
about. Please search the pages of
this website to find out how you
can take a visual art, dance, music
or theatre class, support arts in your
community, or enjoy an exhibit and
ultimately experience the powerful
reward of living life in the arts.
Performing Arts & Theatre
Drury Lane Oakbrook
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, 630-530-8300
drurylaneoakbrook.com
Grove Players
630-415-3682 • groveplayers.org
Theatre of Western Springs
4384 Hampton Ave.
Western Springs, 708-245-4043
theatrewesternsprings.com
Tivoli Theatre
5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove
630-968-0839 • classiccinemas.com
Art Studios/Galleries/Classes
Bead Heaven
5150 Main St.
Downers Grove, 630-795-1986
beadheavenonmain.com
Carlson’s Paint, Glass & Art
Stores, Inc.
5216 Main St., Downers Grove
630-968-2977 • carlsons-stores.com
Ellie Gibbler
1224 Plainfield Rd., Darien
630-308-3996 • elliegibbler.com
Deep Creek Art
44 Harrison Place
Art Studios/Galleries/Classes
Bead Heaven
5150 Main St., Downers Grove
630-795-1986
beadheavenonmain.com
Carlson’s Paint, Glass & Art
Stores, Inc.
5216 Main St., Downers Grove
630-968-2977 • carlsons-stores.com
Ellie Gibbler
1224 Plainfield Rd.
Darien, 630-308-3996
.elliegibbler.com
Deep Creek Art
44 Harrison Place, Hinsdale,
630-323-8847 • deepcreekart.com
12
Gallery’s Choice
1013 Curtiss , Downers Grove
630-969-5660 • galleryschoice.com
Downers Grove Choral Society
630-515-0030 • dgcs.org
Fairview Music
418 W. 75th St., Downers Grove
630-964-1234 • fairviewmusic.com
Rock Academy
417 Ogden, Downers Grove
630-968-3601
rockacademyonline.com
West Towns Chorus
630-201-5544 • westtowns.org
Dance Studios
Bluestone Academy of Dance
5012 Fairview Ave., Downers Grove
630-963-0456
bluestoneacademy.com
Celebrity Dance Studio
2115 63rd St., Downers Grove
630-969-2800
celebritydancestudio.com
Dance Dimensions
595B North Pinecrest Road
Bolingbrook, 630-739-1195
dancedimensionsstudio.com
Dance One
6400 Woodward Ave.
Downers Grove, 630-655-4210
barbarakleinsdanceone.com
Darien Park District
7301 Fairview Ave.
Darien, 630-968-6400
darienparks.com
Fred Astaire
212 Burr Ridge Parkway
Burr Ridge, 630-455-0665
fredastaireburrridge.com
Midwest Ballet Theatre
5017 Fairview Ave.
Downers Grove • 630-971-9751
midwestballet.org
Spotlight
2121 63rd Street
Downers Grove, 630-968-0011
spotlight4dance.com
The Academy of Dance
1524 Centre Circle Drive
Downers Grove, 630-495-4940
academydancealliance.com
Fine Arts Festivals
Creative Youth Art Fair
Eisenhower Jr. High
Feb. 26 • darienwomansclub.org
Artistry in Wood
Woodcarving and Woodworking
April 28 & 29 • cantigny.org
39th Annual Hinsdale Fine Arts
Festival. Burlington Park
June 9 & 10 • hinsdalechamber.com
Art in Bloom
Cantigny Fine Art Festival
June 16 & 17 • cantigny.org
Downtown Downers Grove Art
Festival, Mainstreet, Sept. 8 & 9
amdurproductions.com/art-festivals/
Downtown_Downers_Grove_Art_Festival
“Jen Jensen: Landscapes for
People,” Morton Arboretum
June 28-Sept 9 • mortonarb.org
Special Classes
Winter/Spring 2012
Naperville Art Leagues
• Printing and Collage: Jan.
• Strictly Paper: Feb.-March
• Free Flow Mixed Media Collage April-May
napervilleartleague.com
Artistic Conversations—Visual
Art Journaling
Starts Jan. 12- Feb. 16
at Mayslake
Peabody Estate, Oak Brook
mayslakepeabody.com
Free Flow Mixed Media Collage
Starts Jan. 13-March 3
at
LaGrange Art League, LaGrange
lagrangeartleague.org
Demonstrations 2012 Collage Demonstration
Jan. 22, 2pm,
LaGrange Art League,
122 Calendar Ave.
lagrangeartleague.org
Downers Grove Nature Artist
Guild Collage Demonstration
Thornhill Auditorium at Morton
Arboretum, Lisle, March 1, 7-9pm
downersgroveartistsguild.com
City of Darien
630-852-5000 • www.darien.il.us
City of Darien winter parking regulations
T
here is no parking allowed
on city streets during a
snow event when snow or
ice exceeds one inch.
Snowplows and other emergency
vehicles must have access and
ability to pass down streets; parked
vehicles in the roadways inhibit
these vehicles and block visibility.
In snow emergencies snowplows
are able to more efficiently clear
your street without parked vehicles
obstructing the process.
We thank you for your
cooperation and support!
D
Carbon monoxide problems increase along with snowfall
L
ocal fire departments
see an increase in the
number of carbon
monoxide incidents and
detector activations during
high snowfall, due to snow
accumulation and buildup.
These types of incidents are a
common problem when there
are high snow drifts that block
furnace vents and air intakes
in some
14
Recycle your
holiday lights!
homes —predominantly homes
that have newer, high-efficiency
furnaces. These systems
typically vent through the
sill plate of a home, close to
ground level through white
PVC piping. Drifting snow has
the potential to block these
vents, causing the furnace or
water heater to stop operating.
Some newer high-efficiency
furnaces have automatic
shutoffs that
shut down
a furnace
when the
vents are
blocked,
but many
furnaces
don’t. If they
fail to shut
down, carbon
monoxide may
back up in a
home.
After any snowfall, it is
important to inspect the area
around the furnace and hot
water heater vents to ensure
that snow and ice are not
blocking the safe operation
of these fuel-burning devices.
Vents and intake pipes should
have a 3-foot clearance
from snow, shrubs or other
obstructions. Water heaters
and dryer vents also should
be cleared of snow to prevent
possible carbon monoxide
poisoning.
State law requires that all
residential occupancies have
carbon monoxide detectors
installed by the property
owner. More information
regarding state statute
requirements can be found
at www.ilga.gov/legislation/
publicacts/94/094-0741.htm.
on’t know what to
do with the strands
of Christmas lights
that are tangled, broken or
have lost their glow? Don’t
throw them in the garbage
- recycle them! The City
of Darien has partnered
with Elgin Recycling to offer
our residents free recycling
of holiday lights! All light
colors and strand lengths
will be accepted. Items
include mini-lights (Italian
lights), C7 lights, C9 lights,
rope lights, LED lights, and
extension cords. Please - no
CFLs. Through February
10, 2012 you may bring
your lights to the Darien
Police Department lobby
at 1710 Plainfield Road
Monday thru Friday from
6am to 10pm, and Saturday
& Sunday from 7am to 3pm.
For more information please
call 630-353-8115 or visit
www.elginrecycling.com
PILOT II subsidized taxi
program
T
he City
of Darien
sponsors
a subsidized taxi
service program
that assists eligible
residents age 65 or
older and residents
with disabilities with
their transportation
needs by providing
coupons that reduce
the cost of taxi fare.
The program
enables these
residents to purchase
up to seven coupons per month which are worth $5.00 in taxi fare,
valid for use with participating taxi companies. The resident’s cost is
$2.50; the city subsidizes the other $2.50. Coupons may not be
used for transportation to airports.
This program is administered by DuPage County, and you must
register ahead of time for an identification card in order to use the
coupons. This process takes anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks.
For more information on this program, you may call 630-852-5000,
or to register come in to Darien City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road.
2012 Darien Citizen of the Year news…..
T
une in to see the
announcement of our
2012 Citizen of the year
at the City Council meeting on
Monday, January 16th at 7:30
p.m.
On Monday, March 5th
everyone is invited to the Citizen
of the Year cake and coffee
reception at City Hall. Come
and meet the 2012 Citizen of
the Year and celebrate with us
to honor all they have done to
make Darien the nice place it is
to live and raise a family.
Then, please join us on
Saturday, March 24th at Alpine
Banquets for a dinner/ dance
honoring our Citizen of the Year.
Tickets cost will be $30.00 per
person. Reservations for the
dinner/dance will be available
after February 1st at City Hall.
For questions or reservations
please call Mary at Darien City
Hall - 630-353-8102
15
City of Darien
630-852-5000 • www.darien.il.us
Guardian program for senior citizens
Real Estate tax
programs for
residents age 65
and older
S
S
enior residents age
65 or older may
be eligible for the
following tax reduction
programs:
Senior homestead
exemption: for Residents
who own and occupy their
residence and are liable for the payment of real estate taxes.
Assessment freeze homestead exemption: for Residents who own and occupy their
residence, are liable for the payment of real estate taxes and whose household income is
under $55,000.00
Real estate tax deferral: for Residents who own and occupy their residence, have lived
in Illinois for 3 years and whose household income is under $40,000.00
For more information on any of these programs please contact the Downers Grove
Township at 630-968-2100
Illinois law bans electronics
from your trash
S
tarting Jan. 1, 2012, Illinois law will
make it illegal for you to throw
your electronics in the garbage.
This law seeks to prevent dangerous
substances contained in electronics
from infiltrating our water supply and
soil when they end up in landfills. For
places you may recycle electronics in
DuPage County please visit: http://www.
dupageco.org/EDP/Waste_Recycling_and_
Energy/1549/
16
heriff Zaruba encourages every senior
citizen in DuPage County to register
with the Guardian System, a free service
designed to ensure the well being of seniors
as well as the physically and mentally disabled
in the county.
Your elected city officials
and city administrator
Kathleen Moesle Weaver
Mayor
630-271-1619
How does it work?
Guardian is a computerized phone system
that calls registered members on prearranged
days and times to verify that they are okay.
If the member does not respond to the
telephone call by entering a four digit code on
their telephone an alarm sounds and a police
dispatcher will attempt to reach the member via telephone.
If still unsuccessful, a previously designated neighbor or family member
will be contacted. If the emergency contact cannot be reached, a deputy
will be sent to the member’s home to make sure everything is okay.
Michael J. Coren
City Treasurer
630-985-0974
Who is eligible to participate?
Guardian is available to DuPage County residents who are over the age
of 62 or physically or mentally disabled and live alone.
Tina Beilke
Alderman 2
630-789-2597
How do I sign up?
To register for the Guardian program you may call the Sheriff’s Office
at 630-407-2400 to have an application mailed to you. Applications may
also be picked up at the Sheriff’s Office, 501 North County Farm Rd.,
Wheaton, or at any Township Office.
John Poteraske
Alderman 3
630-968-0199
Buckle up! Seat belts required for
all passengers
O
n Jan. 1, 2012, a new Illinois law goes into effect that will
require backseat passengers to buckle up. Previously, Illinois
law required only drivers, front seat passengers and certain
passengers younger than 19 years old to wear seat belts. The new law
states that every driver and passenger of a motor vehicle operated on a
street or highway must wear a properly adjusted safety belt, with few
exceptions.
The law, HB 219, exempts passengers of emergency vehicles and taxi
cabs. The law does not apply to motorcycles, motor vehicles that are
not required to be equipped with safety belts by federal law, or motor
vehicles with a model year prior to 1965. The full text of the law is
available on the Illinois General Assembly’s website at http://www.ilga.gov/
legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName= 062500050K12-603.1
Joanne Ragona
City Clerk
630-963-6248
Ted V. Schauer
Alderman
630-969-3081
Joerg Seifert
Alderman 4
630-789-8177
Joseph Marchese
Alderman 5
630-254-2421
Sylvia McIvor
Alderman 6
312-961-9230
Halil Avci
Alderman 7
630-963-4260
Bryon Vana
City Administrator
630-353-8114
17
Darien Chamber of Commerce
darienchamber.com
Darien Chamber of Commerce
1702 Plainfield Rd. • Darien, IL 60561 • 630-968-0004
Welcome new chamber members
The Gift of Carl
Foundation, Inc
P.O. Box 1161 •
Westmont
Rob Vuillaume • 630418-0009
In memory of Carl
Allan Vuillaume,
The Gift of Carl
Foundation was
formed to provide
educational opportunities in Theater Arts, Literacy,
Music, and Environmental Awareness.
Jet’s Pizza
2425 75th Street • Darien
Jeremy Fleishman • 630-910-3100
Jet’s Pizza, 2425 W. 75th in Darien (just west of
Walmart), has grown to 200+ locations since 1978.
Offering pizzas on thin or deep-dish crust, subs with
warm meats and cheeses, Turbo Stix, salads and wings.
Open 7 days/week for lunch and dinner, call
(630) 910-3100 for pick-up or delivery!
Congratulations to the 2011 Darien Chamber
Business Excellence Award winners
My New Neighbor
Westmont
Cathy McNulty • 630-235-1220
We are what Welcome Wagon used to be. We make
personal visits to new homeowners with a package of
gifts, discounts
and local
information.
Coverage
area: Along
the Burlington
train line. East
to LaGrange
and LaGrange
Park. West to
Downers Grove
and Darien.
January 17, 2012
DWB Winter Blues Event
Celestine Salon & Spa, 5:30 pm
January 26, 2012
New Member Orientation
Citizens Financial Bank, 9am
Darien Chamber Excellence Award Recipients Clare Bongiovanni (President &
CEO), Ariana Jones, Steve Hynek, Angelo Imbrogno (Chairman of The Board),
Michael Overmann, Barbara Gilleece, Mary Kay Slowikowski
Business Excellence and Business of the Year – Ashton Place and Marie’s Catering
Business Excellence – Michael Overmann, LTD and
Slowikowski & Associates
Member of The Year – State Bank of Countryside
Rookie of The Year – Barbara’s Elegant Touch Staffing, Inc.
WANTED:
Attention Darien
businesses
2012 is going to be an awesome year for the Darien Chamber
of Commerce! I’m excited to present our 2012-2013 Chairman
of The Board Mary Kay Slowikowski from Slowikowski &
Associates. Mary Kay and I will be working together to make
the Darien Chamber bigger and even better for 2012! I would
like to extend an invitation to all Darien Businesses to join the
Chamber and be part of this dynamic developing organization.
All Darien Businesses are
invited to attend the State of The
Chamber Address on Tuesday,
January 10, 2012 at Carrabba’s
Italian Grill located at 1001 West
75th Street in Woodridge. Join
the Darien Chamber at this
event and your lunch will be
complimentary!
••• Check Out The Darien Chamber Member Hot Deals www.darienchamber.com•••
Upcoming Events
January 10, 2012
State of the
Chamber Address
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
11:30am
Lorraine Grimsby, Mary Kay® Independent
Beauty Consultant
7135 S. Madison St. • Burr Ridge
Lorraine Grimsby • 630-915-7770
www.marykay.com/lgrimsby
Try a complimentary facial and customized makeup
look before you buy! Excellent customer service with
100% money back guarantee. Products in stock.
Happy New Year from Darien Chamber
President & CEO Clare Bongiovanni
18
630-852-5000 • www.darien.il.us
Marketing Intern to volunteer
at the Chamber office
For more information call 630-968-0004
Amalfi coast trip
October 30th – November 7th 2012
Darien Chamber of Commerce Presents: Italy Amalfi Coast. Nine days,
seven nights including hotel, meals, day trips and airfare from Chicago.
February 29, 2012
Economic Outlook
Luncheon, 11:30 am
Save the Date
May 20, 2012
Darien Dash 10K, 5K and 1
Mile Fun Run
July 25, 2012
Multi-Chamber 2012
Community Golf Classic
Darien, Lemont, Westmont
& Woodridge
1pm Shotgun Start
Village Greens Golf Course
April 18, 2012
DWB Spring Fashion
Show, Midtown Athletic Club
April 25, 2012, 5pm - 8pm
Client Appreciation
Networking Expo
Ashton Place
19
Around the Block
Historical Society sponsors
Once Upon a Symphony
Performance art will be happening in town very soon. The
Darien Historical Society’s “Sunday Dinner” is set for January
29 at Alpine Banquets from 1-4pm. Award-winning story and
theatre artist Megan Wells will give her fascinating interpretation of Eleanor Roosevelt. In addition to “Eleanor”, Ms. Wells is
currently the resident storyteller with the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra’s program entitled “Once Upon a Symphony”. The
“Sunday Dinner” event welcomes members and the public.
Attendees can expect a tasty dinner and the potential of winning enviable gift certificates. For ticket arrangements call 630964-6792 daytime or evenings. Assigned seating; no sales at
door. Enjoy art at a bargain price!
History of Darien will become a book
farm on Cass Avenue at Halloween time when his pumpkins
fronted the property. Contact the committee asap by calling
630-887-7060. All photography submitted will be returned in
original condition. Pre-sale book reservations may be made by
leaving your name and phone number.
The I-Beam is displayed in a permanent memorial on the
grounds of the headquarters fire station at 7550 Lyman Avenue, in Darien. This memorial is dedicated to honor the 343
firefighters, and thousands of others, who lost their lives during the terrorist attack.
Kingswood Academy hosts
Chicago Bulls FUNdamentals
basketball camp
AARP Tax-Aide
volunteers for
2012 tax season
Back by popular demand,
Kingswood Academy will
once again host the Chicago
Bulls FUNdamentals Camp
on January 21 and January
28 from 9am-12pm for all
3rd-8th-grade students.
The Chicago Bulls FUNdamentals Camp is a 2-day
ba sket bal l sk i l l s c amp
designed to teach players
the latest techniques in ball
handling, passing, shooting,
footwork, rebounding as
well as offensive and defensive team play. All Academy
instructors have listened and learned directly from the Chicago Bulls coaching staff, with many playing professionally
themselves. Athletes will get a complete understanding of how
to play basketball in a fun and safe environment.
Participants will receive top-flight instruction from professional Academy staff, a T-shirt and a replica autograph photo
of Scottie Pippen. Each athlete will have their name entered
into a raffle to win one of three incredible autograph and/or
ticket prizes (restrictions apply). For more information or to
register, go to BullsSoxAcademy.com/basketball/skillscamp or
call 630-324-8221.
Looking for a rewarding
opportunity to make a difference in our community?
AARP Tax-Aide is now seeking volunteers for the 2012 tax
season. You don’t have to be
an AARP member to volunteer and even it you don’t have
accounting or tax preparation
experience, becoming a tax volunteer may be right for you if
you have a knack for working with numbers.
Income tax preparation and assistance is offered to low and
middle income taxpayers, with special attention to taxpayer’s
age 60 and older. To volunteer, visit aarp.org/taxaide or call
1-888-AARPNOW (1-800-227-7669).
9-11 Memorial comes
to town
Behind the scene at Old Lace Schoolhouse & Museum,
literary art is evolving. Directors Dean Rodkin, Debra Kieras
and Deborah Coulman and Indian Prairie Reference Librarian
Mary Krekelberg are compiling the history of pre-Darien days
in book form. Led by the historical society’s head archivist,
Ms. Rodkin and the Committee are in final search for photos taken between WWII and 1969, which depict people in
outdoor settings showing an area incident or location. A particular scene is needed showing the Jim Dedic home site and
20
for more, visit neighborsofdarien.com
by: Mary Coyle Sullivan
The Darien-Woodridge Fire Protection District has recently taken
possession of a piece of steel from
the World Trade Center collapse
on September 11, 2001. The Port
Authorities of New York and New
Jersey provided the I-Beam to the
Fire District. The Port Authorities
distribute thousands of artifacts to
requesting agencies from throughout the country.
Darien Youth Club prepares for baseball
Baseball and softball registration is set for January 6 from
7-9pm at Eisenhower Junior High School in the Commons
Room. Please visit the Darien Youth Club (DYC) web site
for important information on upcoming baseball registration and tryouts along with other youth sports information:
darienyouthclub.org
Our Lady of Peace mom & tots work magic!
You are invited to join the Our Lady of Peace mom and
tot group, Little Peaces, on February 15 at 7pm in the school
to learn how to have a little less ‘whine’ with your cheese. Speaker Larry Wieczorek will discuss Tom Phelan’s 1-2-3
Magic system for effective discipline for children ages 2 - 12. Wine and cheese will be served. You won’t want to miss
this! There is no charge for the evening. Parents only, please. All are welcome; please feel free to bring a friend. For more
information visit olopdarien.org.
The Gift of Carl Foundation, Inc. musical
instrument recycling program
Donate your used instrument at the instrument drive
during the annual Eisenhower Junior High School
Band Spaghetti Dinner on February 19 from 1-5pm.
When you drop off your musical instrument you will
receive a tax deduction for 2012. Instruments will be appraised
and refurbished by PM Music of Aurora. The refurbished
instruments will be donated back to programs in need. For
more information visit our website for more information
giftofcarl.org.
Darien Woman’s Club celebrates art
The Darien Woman’s Club Charity Fund, Inc. is hosting the
Creative Youth Art Fair on February 26 at Eisenhower Junior
High from 2–3:30 pm. This free community service event
showcases artwork created by children ages preschool through
high school in 6 different media categories, from Darien and
Around the Block
for more, visit neighborsofdarien.com
the surrounding school districts. You can find registrations forms can be found at darienwomansclub.org.
Forms must be completed and postmarked by February 9, or dropped off at the Indian Prairie Library drop
box, located in the lobby, by February 16.
January 18: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca
Skloot, 2010
An engaging and thought-provoking read, The Immortal
Life of Henrietta Lacks tells the complicated story of a poor
black woman who died of cervical cancer in the 1950s, her
cells, and the scientific revolution they spawned.
The library has many sponsored groups and new members are always welcome: Play Reading Society, Adult
Chess Players, English (ESL) Conversation Group, Genealogy Group, Current Events and Great Decisions Discussion
Group. For a complete listing of meeting times and dates visit
indianprairielibrary.org.
Library hosts story time social
February 7 from 9–11am is the first day to sign-up
for the very popular story times. For a complete listing
of all the story times visit indianprairielibrary.org.
These story times incorporate pre-reading skills that help
your child get ready to read. The story times begin week of
February 13 and run through the week of March 19. Register
in person, for the story times listed below, then enjoy refreshments and play time. Phone registrations will be accepted
after the in-person registration. Each child may be registered
for only one story time per session unless noted otherwise.
Child must be the appropriate age by February 7.
The Library will host “Simplify Your Life” on January 12 at
7pm. Professional life coach Krista Mikos will lead this program
on voluntary simplicity; a lifestyle choice that usually involves
scaling back a busy, overscheduled existence and the quest
22
for material possessions. Mikos will discuss the history of the
voluntary simplicity movement and share some basic tips to
simplify your life. She will also demonstrate tools that can
help you begin your personal voluntary simplicity journey.
This program is free and open to the public.
Start off the New Year by joining a book group discussion.
There’s a special group of readers that likes unraveling clues,
interpreting evidence and analyzing characters. They are
partnering with the Woodridge Public Library to bring crime
readers together on the third Thursday of the month through
February at 7pm at the Downers Grove Wine Shop at 1240
75th Street to discuss books of crime and mystery. You can
pick up a copy of the book at the Checkout Desk one month
prior to the discussion. Please reserve a spot by calling (630
)887-8760 ext. 239.
January 20: Spade and Archer by Joe Gores
Find out what detective Sam Spade was up to prior to the
events of The Maltese Falcon in this suspenseful prequel.
Looking for some casual conversation about a book? Drop
in for one of our librarian-led book discussions. Copies of the
books are available at the checkout desk one month before
the meeting. Groups meet at 7:30pm.
January 12: Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
Two spoiled sisters in 1930s Shanghai must make their
own way to California through war torn China.
February 9: A Recipe for Bees by Gail Anderson-Gargatz
Augusta is lonely and
frustrated with her life
on a remote Vancouver
farm with a shy, clumsy
farmer and his overbearing father.
Join the Gen Lit (for
20-30 something’s) that
meets for dinner and
discussion. Pick up your
copy of the book at our
checkout desk one month
before the meeting. Meet
at Cooper’s Hawk (Burr
Ridge Village Center) at
6:30pm.
Heating safety tips
Be warm & safe this winter!
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from
heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood
stove, or portable space heater.
• Have a three-foot “Kid Free Zone” around open fires and
space heaters.
• Never use an oven to heat your home. • Have qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters, or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s
instructions.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and
inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the
room or going to bed.
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks
from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before
putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a
safe distance away from your home.
• Test smoke alarms monthly.
Boy Scout Troop 101 plans their 38th Annual
Pancake Breakfast
Mark your calendar for March 11, at Eisenhower Jr. High
School from 8am-1pm. The Pancake Breakfast is the Troop’s
largest fundraising event. Last year, more than 1000 people
were served and the event just keeps getting bigger and better! Many families stop on their way to or from church services. Proceeds support Troop outings and other activities
throughout the year.
The Our Lady of Peace Holy Name Society sponsors troop
101. The Troop serves boys in 6 through 12 grades from
Darien, Woodridge, Westmont, Downers Grove, and other
surrounding communities. The troop is very active in community service and has recently completed service projects
for the St. John’s Darien Park District, Montini Catholic High
School, St. John’s Lutheran Church, and Eisenhower Jr. High
School. Each year, many scouts in the Troop earn the rank
of Eagle Scout. Troop meetings are held each Monday from
7pm to 8:45pm at Cass Jr. High School. There is at least one
weekend camping trip each month. More than 45 scouts are
active in the Troop, and new scouts are always welcome.
For more information about the Pancake Breakfast or
Boy Scout Troop 101, contact Scoutmaster Gary Myk at
gary-myk@comcast.net or Sue Duffy at snduffy@comcast.net or
call 630-963-4667.
23
Around the Block
• Install wood burning stoves following the manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional
do the installation. All fuel-burning equipment
should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon
monoxide (CO) poisoning.
• Install and maintain CO alarms to avoid the
risk of CO poisoning. If you smell gas in your
gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave
the home immediately and call your local fire
department or gas company.
Please visit dwfd.org or call Alicia at 630-910-2200
for additional information.
Park District offers oodles of specialty
programs
This winter the park district has an enormous collection of classes, programs and outings for residents
of all ages. There is just a sampling of programs are
highlighted below. Be sure to visit darienparks.com
for a complete listing of programs presented by the
Darien Park District.
24
for more, visit neighborsofdarien.com
Baby Bargain
Boutique and
Maternity Sale
Januar y 21: Set-up
7:30-9am & Sale: 9am1pm
Community Center
Buy or sell good, usable
maternity clothes, children’s clothing for children age 4 & under, toys,
baby gear & children’s
furniture. Buyers can be
prepared to purchase
great bargains for your
baby, toddler or expectant mother.
Indoor flea market
February 4 & March 3:
9am-1pm (Vendor set-up
8:00-9:00am), Community Center
Clean out those closets,
attic, garage and make a
little spending money for yourself. We provide the tables and
chairs for you. You’ll need to pre-register to reserve a spot.
Space is limited. So bring out your hard-to-part with treasures
and get ready to wheel-n-deal.
Daddy-daughter date night
February 9: 7-8:30pm, Ashton Place
Join us for our 13th annual date night. We’ll provide refreshments, music and flowers. Casual attire. Space is limited.
Legends of Love & Jacob Henry Museum
February 15: 9:30am-3:30pm
Come and enjoy A Tribute to Tony Bennett at The Jacob
Henry Mansion Estate in Joliet, IL. We will enjoy a tour of the
beautiful Mansion that is a National Landmark. Lunch will
be served in the Victorian Ballroom that is either Bake Ham
or Chicken Apricot with all the trimmings. The “Legends
of Love” show will begin with memories of one of the best
singers in the world. “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” will
be one of the many songs that will be sung. Trip is a co-op
with Clarendon Hills so sign up early. Registration deadline: January 20
Horseshoe Casino
February 28, 9:30am-4:30pm
The Horseshoe Casino is the new remodeled
casino. It has 350,000 square feet of gaming.
Come on out and enjoy a day of gaming. Package includes $10.00 in slot play and a lunch
buffet ($15.00) value. If you have a rewards
card, put your number down on the registration
form when registering for the trip. Registration
Deadline: February 14
Bigger and better circus!
February 29: 5-7pm, Community Center
The Darien Park District is going to throw
a bigger and better Circus this time around!
There will be plenty to do for the children;
play games, face painting, jugglers and much more! We will
also enjoy delicious circus food! We need all of you to bring
the circus to life! A parent must accompany their child for
the entire party.
For more information call 630-968-6400 or visit
darienparks.com.
designed
so both amateur and professional landscapers
could visit Cantigny’s Gardens and find plants that grow well
in the Midwest.
Visit cantigny.org for more information and a schedule of
upcoming events.
The legacy continues at Cantigny
During the early 1930s, experimental farms served as practical laboratories to landscape the family farms that blanketed
the countryside. These laboratories tried new species of plants,
tested theories of planting and harvesting, and investigated
new practices in raising productive farm animals. One of the
most successful experimental farms was Colonel Robert R.
McCormick’s at Cantigny.
To educate and share the accomplishments of experimental
farms, McCormick's Chicago Tribune ran a weekly column
entitled “Day by Day Stories of the Experimental Farms."
These trusted reports helped shape the future of the Midwest
as a leader in agriculture.
After McCormick’s death in 1955, the Board of Directors
decided to change Cantigny's focus from agriculture to horticulture by hiring famed landscape architect Franz Lipp to
design and build a world-class garden. In 1967, Lipp began
construction of this lush, horticultural masterpiece, which is
one of the largest display gardens in the Midwest with more
than 160,000 annuals, perennials, ground covers and flowering shrubs and trees. A majority of the plants seen throughout
the gardens are estate-grown inside Cantigny’s renowned
greenhouse. Guests are encouraged to visit the gardens
throughout the year to witness the ever-changing beauty of
its seasonal glory.
The mission of Cantigny gardens is to offer opportunities for
both display and education, which include plant testing, growing and blooming assessments and color composition. It was
25
GOOD NEIGHBOR
Coming home again … Mary Kay Slowikowski
Neighbors of Darien Magazine
M
ary Kay Brennan
was born and raised
on the south side of
Chicago near Stoney Island to
Irish Immigrant parents. She
received her teachers certificate
and had her first teaching position
at St. Felicitas School where she
attended with her sister and
two brothers. She met Norb
Slowikowski, when he was a
student at Loyola and she was
attending Mundelein College.
Mary Kay went on to have four
children, Anne Dellamaria, Eileen Chavez, Eddie
Slowikowski and Tim Slowikowski. She is the
grandmother of seven children ranging in ages
from 7 to 16.
After Mary Kay taught 5th grade, she went
to work for McDonalds Corporation. Her
husband was an executive at the company and
McDonald’s hired her as the first wife to help set
up the Relocation Department for the company.
McDonald’s offered her the position of setting up
this relocation offering in every district across the
country. Mary Kay took a look at how this new
position would fit in with raising her children, and
that is when she decided to leave the corporate
world and form her own Training and Public
Speaking Company in the late 70's.
She named herself the CEO and started at her
kitchen table in Darien. Soon her husband, Norb
left McDonald’s and joined her. They built the
business by offering Leadership, Teambuilding,
Key Note Presentations, and Sales programs to
their clients nationwide. Eventually their children,
Anne, Ed and Tim, joined them in the business.
The business is still in Darien and thrives as a
family owned firm.
Mary Kay has been the President of many Boards
and has started two Women’s Associations that
have each had over 20 chapters nationwide. She
is the author of the Future Woman Program with
over 50,000 graduates and is the first female
motivational speaker to be Emmy nominated
26
for her PBS series that played
nationwide. She is currently
a moderator on the Executive
Breakfast Club Panel and has
received many awards as "The
Influential Woman of the Year"
and the DuPage Pads Award of
Excellence.
Mary Kay formed her own
business, because she wanted to
have a sense of "balance". She
has that balance today in her
spiritual, social, business, physical
lives, etc. and now as the new
Chairperson of the Darien Chamber Board.
Mary Kay founded the Social Justice Group
at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, where she opened
the Food Pantry that still exists today. She is a
member of Old St. Pat's where she heads up the
Encore Group and has brought a Speakers Series
to Darien.
She is a master storyteller and veteran of business
who uses personal stories and proven techniques
to teach and inspire.
A former victim of crippling panic attacks and
agoraphobia, Mary Kay was once unable to leave
her home – now she speaks in front of thousands.
Mary Kay’s ability to touch and teach audiences
in a unique way is remarkable. Mary Kay doesn't
come out of a book, she comes out of life.
Chamber CEO Clare Bongiovanni shared,
“I’m very excited to be working with Mary Kay
Slowikowski for the next two years, I look at
Mary Kay as my mentor who will help enrich my
position with the Darien Chamber of Commerce.”
Her mission for Darien is to bring a new economic
growth, by building coalitions with the leaders
in Darien. She wants to attract new business to
Darien. She feels that
taking the position of
Chairperson for the
Darien Chamber has
brought her full circle.
She is excited to give
back to her community!
DARIEN
SUNDAY
JANUARY 2012
MONDAY
HAPPY
NEW YEAR!
1
8
Open House at Old
Lace Schoolhouse &
Museum
Historical Society
1-3 pm
15
Freestyle Swim Clinic
YMCA
1:45-2:30pm
TUESDAY
2
Youth Sports Leagues
YMCA
6pm
9
WEDNESDAY
3
10
State of the Chamber
Address
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
11:30am
THURSDAY
4
11
6
12
13
Simplify Your Life
Library
7pm
16
Martin Luther
King Jr. Day
Midterm Exam Cram
Library
12:30-8:45pm
17
DWB Winter Blues
Event
Celestine Salon & Spa
Midterm Exam Cram
Library
11am-8:45pm
23
24
7
14
Learn to Download
eBooks
Library
10-11:30am
Live Wire Rec Night
YMCA
6:30-9pm
18
Open House
Kingswood Academy
8-10:30am
Midterm Exam Cram
Library, 11am-8:45pm
19
Doodle Away!
Library
7pm
25
20
RU Game
Library
6:15-8:45pm
Movie: Groundhog
Day(1993)
Library, 7pm
DW Fire Protection
Board Meeting
Station #1/Lyman Ave.
6:30pm
Freaky Friday Splash
and Bash
YMCA
6:30-8pm
Middle School Art
Exhibition, 6pm
& Hornet Jazz
Band Festival, 7pm
Hinsdale South HS
22
Practice ACT
Library
1pm
Navigating the Online
Job Market
Library, 6:30pm
City Council Meeting
City Hall, 7:30pm
Backstroke Swim Clinic
YMCA
1:45-2:30pm
SATURDAY
5
Darien Woman’s
Club Meeting
Swim & Racquet Club
7pm
Local Senior
Resources
Library
1pm
FRIDAY
26
27
21
Bulls FUNdamental
Camp
Kingswood Academy
9am-12pm
Baby Bargain Boutique
& Maternity Sale
Community Center
9am-1pm
Club Saturday Night
YMCA
7-10pm
28
Bulls FUNdamental
Camp
Kingswood Academy
9am-12pm
Winter Deaf Drama: January 26-27-28
Hinsdale South HS, 7:30pm
29
SUNDAY DINNER
Historical Society
Alpine Banquets
1-4pm
Journey to Japan
Library
2pm
30
Kaplan Test Strategies
Workshop
Library
7pm
31
Please send your
event information to
MaryS@emeraldmarketing.com
27
Financial News
Neighbors of Darien Magazine
Europe’s “guardian angels”
by Angelo Imbrogno, president, The Blue Diamond Group
DARIEN
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 2012
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
1
FRIDAY
2
Darien Woman’s Club
Swim & Racquet Club
7pm
SATURDAY
3
Movie: It’s
Complicated (2010)
Library, 7pm
4
Indoor Flea Market
Community Center
9am-1pm
Design a Valentine
Library , 11am-2:30pm
Kids Swap ‘n’ Shop
Library, 1-3:30pm
5
Open House at Old Lace
Schoolhouse & Museum
Historical Society
1-3pm
6
Students vs. Staff
Basketball Game
Hinsdale South HS
6:30pm
7
Story Time Sign-Up
Library, 9-11am
It’s All About
the Cupcake!
Library, 7pm
A Capella Concert
Hinsdale South HS
7:30pm
Elder Care Issues
Library
1pm
8
Mr. Hinsdale South
Hinsdale South HS
7pm
9
What You Need to
Know-College of
DuPage
Library, 5-8pm
10
Parent’s Night Out
YMCA
6:30-10pm
12
13
14
VALENTINES
DAY
15
Open House
Kingswood Academy
8-10:30am
Day Trip: Legends of
Love & Jacob Henry
Museum
Darien Park District
9:30am-3:30pm
16
FAFSA Workshop
Library
7:30pm
DW Fire Protection
Board Meeting
Station #1/Lyman Ave.
6:30pm
Children’s Theatre
Troupe
Library, 2pm
Daddy Daughter Dance
YMCA, 6-8pm
Daddy-Daughter
Date Night
Ashton Place
7-8:30pm
Turnabout Dance
Hinsdale South HS
7:30pm
Spirit Week: February 6-10, Hinsdale South HS
Starts and Turn’s Swim
Clinic
YMCA
1:45-2:30pm
11
17
18
Mom & Dad’s
Morning Out
YMCA, 9:45am-1pm
Practice ACT
Library
1pm
Freaky Friday Splash
and Bash
YMCA
6:30-8pm
Club Saturday Night
YMCA
7-10pm
Movie: Midnight (1939)
Library, 7pm
Speaker Larry
Wieczorek (1-2-3
Magic) - OLP Mom &
Tot’s, 7pm
19
Gift of Carl
Musical Instrument
Recycling Drive
Eisenhower Jr. High
1-5pm
20
21
PRESIDENTS
DAY
Savvy Shopping
Library, 7pm
Winter Snow Festival
YMCA
12pm-4pm
City Council Meeting
City Hall, 7:30pm
22
Winter Orchestra
Concert
Hinsdale South HS
7:30pm
23
24
RU Game
Library
6:15-8:45pm
25
Lego Creations
Library, 3:30-5pm
26
Creative Youth Arts Fair
Darien Woman’s Club
Eisenhower Jr. High
2-3:30pm
Waltzing Australia
Library, 2pm
27
Heartsaver CPR/AED
Station #1/Lyman Ave.
6-9pm
28
Day Trip: Horseshoe
Casino
Park District
9:30am-4:30pm
29
Economic Outlook
Luncheon, 11:30am
Chamber of Commerce
Girls Only
Afterschool Club
YMCA, 4:30-6pm
Five Famous AfricanAmerican Women
Library, 7pm
Bigger & Better Circus
Community Center
5-7pm
28
Please send your
event information to
MaryS@emeraldmarketing.com
W
ith all the financial turmoil taking
place in Europe it’s important to
understand just who’s responsible
for trying to restore order and prevent a global
economic crisis. That burden falls mainly in
the hands of three agencies: the International
Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central
Bank (ECB) and the European Financial Stability
Facility (EFSF).
• The IMF is made up of 187 member nations
whose goals include overseeing the economies
of the member nations and providing
economic and financial advice (mainly to lowand middle-income countries). In addition,
when deemed necessary, the IMF will provide
loans to struggling countries to try to prevent
an all-out collapse and regenerate economic
growth.
witnessing stateside, reducing
interest rates even to nearzero levels does not guarantee
growth. The EFSF can lend to
struggling nations, but Italy’s
debt alone is more than $2
trillion. Even if the EFSF extended their lending
capabilities to that $1.05 trillion level that would
just scratch the surface of the problems.
If the EU’s safeguards from their own agencies
aren’t enough there is the potential for the IMF
to get involved. Unfortunately, the IMF is not
the proverbial goose that lays an infinite amount
of golden eggs. There is a limit to how much the
IMF can intervene (especially considering the
debt levels of the IMF’s member nations), and
with the total debt of the European Union above
$9 trillion the outlook is grim.
• The ECB is very similar to the Federal
Reserve Bank of the United States both
in its goals and the tools it uses to achieve
those goals. The ECB’s mandates include
maintaining price stability, a high level
of employment and sustainable, noninflationary growth. The ECB uses
monetary policy tools to adjust the amount
of currency in circulation and target interest
rates they suspect will promote the best
economic climate.
• The EFSF was created in May of 2010 to
monitor the financial well-being of the
European Union. It provides loans to
member nations, intervenes in the bond
markets when an exceptional risk of default
presents itself and issues EFSF bonds and
other instruments on the financial markets.
It’s backed by commitments from EU
member states totaling $1.05 trillion with
lending capabilities of up to $593 billion.
So now that we know what these institutions
are we must address what they can do, and
to be frank it’s not much. The ECB can inject
Euros into the system to try to reduce interest
rates, but this causes inflation and, as we are
29
Neighbors of Darien Magazine
Important Contacts
Neighbors Magazine
630-995-3482
info@emeraldmarketing.com
City of Darien. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630-852-5000
City Administrator. . . . . . . . . . 630-353-8114
Director of Municipal
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630-353-8106
Public Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630-353-8105
Post Office – Westmont . . . . 630-968-0855
Humane Society – Darien. . . 630-375-7976
Fire Departments — 911 for Emergency
Darien-Woodridge. . . . . . . . . 630-910-2200
(West of Cass)
Tri-State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630-323-6445
(E of Cass, S of 67th, W of Rt. 83, N of I-55)
Lemont. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630-257-2376
Police Department — 911 for Emergency
Darien. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630-971-3999
TDD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630-971-3999
Utilities
Com Ed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-EDISON
Nicor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888-642-6748
ATT
New Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888-244-4444
Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888-611-4466
Comcast
Cable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 866 594-1234
Internet Service. . . . . . . . . . . . 888 423-7888
Downers Grove
Sanitary District. . . . . . . . . . . 630-969-0664
Veolia Environmental
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 708-409-9700
Library
Indian Prairie Library. . . . . . . 630-887-8760
Park District
Community Center. . . . . . . . . 630-968-6400
Administrative. . . . . . . . . . . . . 630-968-6400
Darien SportsPlex. . . . . . . . . . 630-789-6666
Parks Department. . 630-968-6400, ext 122
Neighbors of Darien Magazine
Art in your backyard
...continued from page 9
Beautification is a buzzword we have heard
used in many ways over the years. In Darien we
aspire to see our town create a new look with a
town center and other various business outlets.
One thing is for certain is that we have many
talented artisans amongst us who have the vision
and ability to create an artistic masterpiece in
whatever form of art they pursue. Perhaps some
day in the future their creations can have a more
public place of display in our town center and all
30
residents can enjoy the great works of art they
have mastered!
Thank you to the contributors of this piece:
Ellie Gibbler: elliegibbler.com
Darien Woman’s Club: darienwomansclub.org
Deep Creek Art: deepcreekart.com
Laura Elin-Svencer: lauralein-svencner.com
Library Art Gallery: indianprairie.lib.il.us