Rivers, Fairs, and Sidewalks - Dupage News and Events for 7/16/09

Feel like strolling along the river?
If you're looking for a nice summer stroll, you're fortunate enough to have the World's best option. Well, maybe that's going too far. But the Naperville Riverwalk was just voted the Most Loved City Park in Glancer Magazine's 2009 Reader's Choice Awards. From the city press release:

Built in 1981 to commemorate the city's 150th birthday, the Riverwalk features fountains, covered bridges, the Riverwalk amphitheater consisting of the Celebration 2000 Millennium Wall and labyrinth, gazebos and shaded sitting areas, a large sled hill, the Riverwalk Eatery, a picnic pavilion and paddleboat rides. The Riverwalk is maintained by the Naperville Park District and is open year-round.

Way to go Naperville! I may just have to stroll on over myself one of these summer evenings.

Its Fair Time!
The Dupage County Fair Takes Place July 22 To July 26. Unlike past years, all concerts are free with admission to the DuPage County Fair. Besides music fair goers can experience carnival rides, food vendors, livestock exhibits, a demolition derby and several types of kids' activities. Nothing says "summer" like wandering around the Fairgrounds with cotton candy and mini donuts. I can't wait. Will I see you there?

Sidewalk Sales!
Another great hallmark of summer when I was a kid were sidewalk sales. Remember those? I remember hitting the sales with my mom and stocking up on school supplies, off season clothes, and even Christmas presents each summer. This weekend downtown Elmhurst is having sidewalk sales July 17-19 during business hours. Show 'till you drop!

Rockin' for the Troops
This Saturday, July 18th, is the 4th annual Rockin' For the Troops benefit concert event at Cantigny Park in Winfield. Gates open at noon for you to claim your spot on the lawn and check out all the food vendors with opening acts starting around 3pm. Headliner Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band goes on at 8pm. I went a couple years ago and Gary Sinise is actually really great! Plus we had a picnic on the lawn and had a fabulous evening! Tickets are $25 with all profits going towards sending boxes of goodies to troops serving overseas. You can get tickets by clicking the link here or at your local Jewel-Osco.


Do you know of any events coming up? Let us know so we can spread the word - or write up a post and we'll put it up. If you go to an event, write about it! Or take a picture for us to see the fun you're having.

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Which Sunscreen?

Its a sign of the times that I'm asking "which" not "if." When I was a kid - not that long ago, really - sunbathers laid on the tanning oils before laying out. Now, we don't even play outside without SPF 30. Its not a question of "if" we wear sunscreen, its a question of "which" sunscreen will provide the most protection and do the least harm.

According to the Environmental Working Group, three out of five sunscreens don't work: either they provide ineffective sun protection or they're full of dangers materials. During this brief window of non-winter-weather in Illinois, my boys and I are chomping at the bit to get out of our small condo and into the sun. Slathering them up each day is one of my least favorite chores. They're squirmy, screaming, eager to get out. If I'm going to go through all this work, I want it to be helping them.

I looked up the brand we use on EWG's helpful Sunscreen guide, a list of 660 available sunscreens they've tested and how they scored. Or at least, I tried to. Scrolling down the list of products I've never heard of (sorted by top scorers first) I was down to 200 before I gave up. That can't be good. I finally just used the search function to find it, and am frankly too discouraged to even report what they had to say. Well, at least I know what to buy next time.

Or do I? My kids and I have been all over in our mainstream-brand sunscreen, and frankly, so have most of the people I know. You name it - the zoo, the beach, the pool, mid-day, all day, Illinois, California. And we've never burned with it on or even close. So its doing the job I'm trusting it to. And I can both find and afford it.

Don't let my discouragement stop you. I would recommend checking out EWG's Sunscreen Guide for yourself - its an interesting education if nothing else. But I highly recommend their Shopper's Guide. This one lists the "best easily found" sunscreens, as well as information to be aware of when choosing and using sunscreen. This guide is helpful and not overwhelming. I really will choose one of these the next time sunscreen is on my list.

So here's to safety in the sun! Do any of you actually still use tanning oil? Do you slather your kids but not yourself? Do you wear SPF 50 even in the winter? What have you found works for you?

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More summer ideas!

Are you still looking for something for your kids to do this summer? Thanks to Mandie in Wheaton for sending in these ideas!

The Community School of the Arts (Wheaton College) still has openings for their summer music camps. If Wheaton's music standards hold true, this should be a fantastic opportunity for your budding musician.

Guess what's coming...a Monkey Joes in Wheaton, in the Jewel shopping center at Geneva and Main St./Schmale! Until Mandie sent me the link, I had never heard of Monkey Joes...but it looks super fun! My son is having a birthday this summer, and I may need to check it out. The Grand opening is 5/29/09

June 3 is the day to sign up for Wheaton Public Library's summer story time for kids 6 months to 8 years old. Call early as classes usually fill up the first day. Classes are FREE (music to my ears)! Session runs June 15 to July 24. Classes are once per week and are about 30 minutes long.

Thanks, Mandie! Do you have any hot tips for keeping kids busy learning and having fun this summer? Send us your guest posts or half baked ideas!

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Summer Camp!

Today's guest blogger is Laura in Aurora. 

Ok, I know I’m probably the LAST person to start scheduling their kid, but there’s 3 great places for Wheaton/Warrenville/Geneva/Naperville/Aurora folks to look at for summer activities (I didn’t include the park districts, because everybody turns there first, right?)

1) Fermilab. AWESOME summer program, especially if your kids are into nature or physics/science. Programs for as young as 1st graders, and I can tell you that my boys (grades 2 and 4) LOVED the M-class, where they built their own cars from pasta! 

2) St. Irene School in Warrenville. Disclaimer, my kids go here, but they’ve put out a summer class schedule for the first time, and it’s AWESOME – one class is about American Girls (dolls and their stories), one for Jr High deals with books & movies (like Twilight) and a class for little kids about Eric Carle. My fave? “Do You Like to Blow Things Up” for 2nd -5th graders. 

3) Naper Settlement. I love the fact that kids discover history through mysteries…they use codes, GPS devices and participate in treasure hunts. 

4) Morton Arboretum – Nature camps like you wouldn’t believe. My kids did a nighttime program about owls and LOVED it. Truly a hidden gem. 

We're always looking for guest bloggers! If you'd like to share something with the Dupage Mamas community, send us your completed post or half-baked ideas.

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