Enjoying Summer- Dupage Links for August 6th

The weekends of summer are quickly counting down. I don't know about you, but I feel like it took us so long to get into the swing of summer that now I want to cram as much fun in as I can before the weather turns cold again. And with all that is going on around us in the next few weeks, it seems I am not the only one trying to pack on the fun.

All night Garage Sale- Friday August 7th 9am through Saturday August 8th 4pm
Wheaton Drama Playhouse 111 N. Hale Street, Wheaton
Admission is free. Come see what treasures may await... at 1am!! :)

Veggie Fest 2009- Saturday August 8th 11 am - 8 pm and Sunday August 9th 11 am - 7 pm
Science of Spirituality Meditation Center, 4S 175 Naperville-Wheaton Road, Naperville
This free event features cooking demos, over 100 food vendors, and health talks by medical professionals... all centered around eating vegetarian and making healthy lifestyle choices. There will also be events and games for kids, live music and a food drive collecting non-perishable vegetarian foods to be donated to the People's Resource Center. I was perusing the video and comments about the event last year. It seems pretty cool. Are there any vegetarian DupageMamas out there that want to check this out and take some pictures to share?

Poochapalooza- Sunday, August 9th 1pm-4pm
Spring Avenue Dog Park, 185 Spring Avenue, Glen Ellyn
Fun for your whole family, including your canine friends. There will be pet vendors and demonstrations and a performance by the Purina Incredible Dog Team. The cost is $5 per pooch and you can register at www.gepark.org. I am for sure taking my Beagle down for some puppy-fun. If nothing else, maybe he'll learn something from the highly trained Purina dogs. It can't hurt to try.

Children's Flea Market- Wednesday August 12th 10-11:30am
Geneva Public Library Youth Services Department
A place for kids to sell their unwanted toys and trinkets and browse other kids' unwanted treasures too. All items must sell for $1 or less. Visit www.geneva.lib.il.us for more info and to register. What a great idea!! Although, with my will-power I would leave with more toys than I came with.

League of Women Voters of Glen Ellyn's Annual Wine and Cheese Event- Thursday August 13th 7pm
Hungry for some stimulating conversation and some free wine and cheese? This event is for you. The Glen Ellyn League of Women Voters is holding their annual new member's event. The focus of the evening is talking about ways you can get more involved in local and state politics and discussing current issues that affect us all. The event is free and open to the public but is held in a private home so send an e-mail to info@lwvge.org to find out the event details.

"Surviving the Recession" Workshops- Saturday August 15th 8:30am - 1:30pm
DuPage County Administration Building, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton
Information about different programs in DuPage county that can help resolve issues regarding health care, employment, and food assistance. Also advice on how to avoid home foreclosure and stay afloat in these challenging financial times.

County Fair- Saturday August 29- Sunday August 30th
Kline Creek Farm County Farm Road Winfield
A recreation of an 1890's county fair, complete with a flea circus. :)

Also at Kline Creek Farm, don't forget their regular children's story hours and chore times for some classic summer fun.

Other great resources for Dupage summer fun:
Outdoor concerts, movies, and more at the Arboretum
A very extensive list of events around Dupage County courtesy of the DupageConvention and Visitors' Bureau

Wanna take your kids to a ballgame but don't want to drive? Check out the Pace Bus routes to Wrigley and U.S. Cellular Field.

And as always, be sure to check with your loal park district to see what summer fun they have planned for the next few weeks. Then just get out there are enjoy the last few weeks of summer with your family and your community!

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Concerts and Conferences and Fairs, oh my!

Its Fair Time! We've said it before, but its finally here - the Dupage County Fair! There's so much to do - check it out.

Are any of you Bloggers going to BlogHer this weekend? Bloggers from all over the world are flying to our very own Chicago for one of the coolest blogging conferences around. I wasn't able to get a ticket in time (bummer!) but Farrah will be there so keep your eyes peeled!

Do any of you like Keb Mo? He's got some cool tunes, and he'll be playing at the Morton Arboretum on Friday, July 24th. And if that wasn't enough, Smokey Robinson is playing on Saturday, July 25th! So, head to the Arboretum and enjoy the music and nature together.

If that's not enough to choose from, Oak Brook's Mayslake Peabody Estate Open House and Art Fair is Saturday and Sunday, July 24-25th, with live music and theater and tours of the Estate.

Last but not least, my son's third birthday party is this coming Saturday - but not open to the public. :)

Its summer! Get outside, hear some live music, eat some donuts, and enjoy the sun.

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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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County Fair and other DuPage News

Coming to a fairgrounds near you.... the DuPage County Fair July22nd-26
Adults are $10, Kids 3 and up are $3 (ride tickets are extra)
(Click here for a $2 coupon)

I was 9months pregnant at last year's fair and we had a ball! We loved the carousel and the petting zoo and, of course, all the yummy treats!

Want to go and then blog about it? We would love to see the fair through your eyes! Send us your thoughts and pics.

Speaking of carnivals... Would you travel halfway across the globe to work at local fairs for the summer? These two girls did.
(BTW- the Glendale Heights Summerfest Festival is going on now through Sunday if you want to meet these two ladies for yourself.)

Looking for other free fun options, check out this list of some funky free concerts around DuPage County this summer. I'm thinking the Sting Rays 50's/60's cover band looks fun!

Want yummy ice cream? Here is a map of all the best ice cream places in the western 'burbs. You can even add your favorite to the list or just take other people's word for it.

Other News...
Could be trouble for the main Pace Bus route that travels through Dupage County. With so few options for public transportation in the suburbs, it would be a shame to see this go away. But it seems as if that decision is up to the Wheaton City Council.

But even in times of financial strain, the United Way of Dupage County is still working miracles for those in need in our community.

More Dupage County News Briefs

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How "Waste Not Want Not" is not like "White Elephant"

When I was about five years old my family was invited to a White Elephant party at church. We were new to the community and hardly knew anybody. To us (well, to my parents), White Elephant meant "give away something no one wants, for the laugh." So they elaborately wrapped up a not-currently-in-use toilet seat and we prepared for a great evening. We added it proudly to the massive stack of gifts and sat down to enjoy the fun.

Except our mirth turned to mortification as we watched gift after gift be chosen and unwrapped - lovely, desirable, useful things. Sure, they might be second hand, but they were nice. We were pretty much ready to disappear entirely by the time one young man walked excitedly to the stack and chose the largest gift of all - our toilet seat. I vividly remember the look on his face as he opened it, and I was five years old at the time. My family made a pact to never, ever tell who gave that toilet seat.

I have to admit as I dug through my cupboards in preparation for the Dupage Mamas Waste Not Want Not party, I was having flashbacks. Who would really want this stuff I was ready to get rid of? If I didn't want it, who would?

When I saw the table covered in a spread of (mostly) delicious looking groceries, it looked like my fears were confirmed. Apparently the other party attenders had actually brought good stuff, while I had brought...well, stuff I didn't want.

Then I heard it. "This is fantastic! Who would give away this?!" one person exclaimed. I turned and saw that the item she had in mind was something from my own cupboard. For about twenty minutes we all browsed and grabbed and scored a bag of staples that met our needs perfectly. Hardly anything was left for our food shelter distribution, and nothing at all that I had brought.

So, my White Elephant trauma has been laid to rest. Cafe Galicia, and their Tapas and Sangria, was fantastic. The company was exquisite. The giveaways for Pampered Chef (thanks Becky!!) and Usborne Books (thanks Sharenda!!) were so fun. And a phone call from my husband brought the miraculous news that my infant had woken and managed to fall asleep without me.

What could make for a better evening?

If you are sorry you missed it and would like another chance to have some fun girl time, don't fret. We will hopefully be having another Girls' Night Out very soon. In the meantime, we are having a small get-together this Sunday to learn more about Usborne Books and all they have to offer for our kiddos. We would love to have you join us! Click here for more info.

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Fireworks!! and Other Holiday Links

Here is a very comprehensive Fireworks List of all the local celebrations in Chicagoland (here is another too). But here, too, are some links for a few of the Dupage 4th of July parties near you.


Wheaton parade and fireworks: The parade starts at 10 and the fireworks are at dusk. We have actually gone to this parade for the last few years but will be out of town this year. I am kinda bummed to miss it. They do a nice job.

Glen Ellyn: Fireworks at Lake Ellyn at dusk but there is a little family carnival there too from 1:30-4:30.

Naperville Rib Fest: Thursday the 2nd-Sunday the 5th, Fireworks on the 4th at 9:30. Even if you don't go to Ribfest, they are opening the gates to the public at 7pm for the fireworks.

And the Fourth of July wouldn't be the same without the Taste. My Hubby and I went one year (pre-kids) and it was one of the hottest, most tiring days of my life. But the food is delish so it makes it somehow worth it. :)
Taste of Chicago: June 26th- July 5th.
Fireworks on the 3rd at 9pm and fireworks at Navy Pier- July4 9:00

Other fun Independence Day links:
You may want to check out this tutorial on how to take good fireworks pictures with your point-and-shoot or SLR camera. It has some good tips on how to get those perfect shots of the fireworks.
A goofy quiz- How well do you know our country's history?
Some 4th of July Crafts and activities for you and your kiddos to try
Patriotic Recipes for that backyard barbecue or family get-together

If you have a favorite 4th celebration or a tip on how to make the most of the weekend, we would love to hear it. Leave a comment here and get the discussion going.

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Millenium Park Three Ways

Today's guest post is from Caitlin from Chicago. Caitlin writes for many blogs, including her newest project Wee Windy City- a great resource for fun things to do with the kiddos in the city.

It is officially summer! Time to start making plans to fill the eighty or so days until that school bell rings again. Wondering where to start? In this Mama's opinion, Millennium Park is the city's number one summer destination for families. And other than the parking (take the train people, take the train), nearly everything is free. This space is enormous and the offerings are varied so you can come back again and again for a totally new experience. And its all free. Gratis. Won't cost you a dime.

If you aren't taking advantage of this urban treasure, here are three suggested itineraries to get you started.

The Millennium Park Family Fun Festival. If you have a child between the ages of 1 and 5, this event needs to be on your summer must-do list. Starting June 10, the Family Fun Festival takes place every day from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. Daily events include story time, sing-a-longs and dance performances. Other highlights include SHELabration: A Tribute to Shel Silverstein (July 13) and Burnham Week: Building in the City (June 22-28). Most weeks offer activities around a specific theme (i.e. Health and Safety Week or Rock 'n' Roll week). Check out the Millennium Park website for a full list of events and activities.

Dinner and a Show. The Pritzker Pavillion is an awesome place to hear music. Pick a performance, pack a picnic and make a family outing of it. Although there are certainly some great children's music offerings throughout the summer, consider this a great opportunity to introduce your kids to another genre like jazz. You could even catch an opera. This is something that all members of the family will love.

The Crown Fountain. Kids can throw on a bathing suit and cool off in one of the city's most popular pieces of public art (just be careful because this surface can get slippery). My kids delight in the changing faces on the two giant screens and wait eagerly for the images to spit water out on their heads every few minutes (I know it sounds weird, but it is cool).

This is just the beginning really. You could take part in a workshop about bees the Lurie Garden, play Frisbee or even lay in the grass together and talk. Just make sure you plan to make a visit and get your share of the Chicago summer magic.

To read more about activities at Millennium Park and other great things to do with the kiddos in the city, hop on over to Wee Windy City.

Do you know of any kid-friendly summer activities that other moms may want to know about? 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 to dupagemamas(at)gmail(dot)com.

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Last Call...

Don't forget that our first ever Dupage Mamas Girls' Night Out is... TONIGHT!!!

Join us for the Waste Not, Want Not Party and an evening of free food and fun fellowship!!




It is not too late to join in the fun. Here is the 411:
Cafe Galicia
230 W. Front St in Downtown Wheaton
8pm-10pm
Bring your unwanted pantry items and come home with things you can actually use. Plus, we will be giving away some really fun prizes like a basket of Pampered Chef goodies and some Usborne Children's Books.

Cath and I started Dupage Mamas with the goal of creating a community of moms to share this task of motherhood with. This is our chance to have a fun evening together and actually be community with one another. So, come if you can!! We would love to have you!

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Kid's Restaurant Week in Chicago

Today's guest post is from Caitlin from Chicago. Caitlin writes for many blogs, including her newest project Wee Windy City- a great resource for fun things to do with the kiddos in the city.

Move over mac and cheese. Check you later chicken nuggets. If you are tired of dumbed-down children's menus that offer only bland, tasteless excuses for real food, take advantage of Kids' Restaurant Week. This event, sponsored by Gourmet and Cookie Magazine, is coming to Chicago the week of June 20-28.

Kids' Restaurant Week is a chance to have a fine dining experience in the comfort of a family friendly environment. Some of the city's best restaurants are opening their doors to families with young children. Here are the details: make a reservation between 5:00 and 7:00; all menus are price fixed; adults pay $29; and kids under eleven pay their age.

Many of the participating restaurants are real standouts, including onesixtyblue and Cafe Spaiggia. Check out the full list here. Your kids will get a chance to experience fine dining. You will be able to enjoy a delicious, adult meal. And you can always exchange knowing glances with the other parents if your little one throws a tantrum during the first course.

Now I am off to call Uncommon Ground to make our reservation . . .

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 to dupagemamas(at)gmail(dot)com.

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Need a Night Out?

Come mingle with some fellow Dupage Mamas this Friday night (the 26th from 8-10) at Cafe Galicia in downtown Wheaton.

Join us for some free Tapas appetizers and Sangria and night out with just the girls! Bring any unwanted items from your pantry or refrigerator for our Waste Not, Want Not swap. We will have a table set up for everyone to deposit their unwanted items and will take turns claiming things that we can use in our own homes. Non-food items are welcome too (toiletries, diapers, paper goods, ...) and dry items can be opened (pasta, rice, sugar, etc...). This is your opportunity to trade that can of coconut milk that you thought you would use but never did for a pack of size three diapers that someone else's kid outgrew but you really need. Or something like that....
We have several cool prizes to giveaway including a basket of PC kitchen gadgets and some Usborne kids' books.

Come for the community, come for the swap, come for the prizes,... just come! :) We would love to meet you and enjoy your company. And feel free to invite your friends too! The more the merrier.
If you would like to come, if you could just reply on the evite or comment here or email us at dupagemamas(at)gmail(dot)com so we can know how much food to order for everyone.

Hope to see you there!

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Roses, Tasting, and Cook Offs - Dupage News for 6/4/09

Its almost the weekend! And even better, its almost the weekend during summertime. So there's bound to be something exciting going on. Here's a few things I've found.

Roselle Rose Festival
Roselle is celebrating its 50th Annual Rose Festival, and the town is kicking it up with all kinds of different activities, going from June 4th through June 7th.

Taste of Wheaton
While Roselle is celebrating a 50 year tradition, a brand new tradition is being started just a few miles south. Wheaton has consolidated their "Cream of Wheaton" and "Autumnfest" celebrations into a brand new event - the Taste of Wheaton. Its a five day fest from June 3-7th, with free admission.

ConAgra Foods Healthy Kids Cookoff
If you have kids between the ages of 9-13 who enjoy cooking, this is the place for you. In an Iron Chef-style event, teams of kids, culinary students, and Chicago's chefs will compete to create "tasty, healthy, and low-cost meals and snacks." My two year old has loved cooking since he was born...I wonder if he'd pass for a nine year old??

Shopping!!!
And of course, nothing says summer weekend like garage sales! Here's where to find all that's for sale this weekend.

Do you have a great idea for local events or activities? Write up a guest post, or send us the links!

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We Touched Trucks!

One of the things I love about Dupage Mamas is that I'm always in the "know" about fun activities going on around town. When I found out about last Saturday's "Touch a Truck" festival in West Chicago, I knew my truck loving toddler couldn't afford to miss it.

West Chicago, you did yourself proud. Wow! There were way more trucks than I had expected. Mail trucks, snow plow trucks, fire trucks, police cars, tractors, diggers, bulldozers, cement mixers, a hydrolic crane, and many more that not even the hours I've spent reading truck books has prepared me to name. And some of these un-named trucks were huge.

All of them were up for grabs. Everywhere you looked toddler and school age boys and girls were climbing on trucks, honking horns, sitting in the driver seats. The truck drivers were nearby to answer questions and generally be looked upon with awe. There were hot dogs, plastic builder hats, balloons - everything you needed to make touching a truck into a full blown festival.

Who thought up Touch A Truck? I have no idea, but it was fantastic. I wonder what adventure we'll be going to next??

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Who loves Root Beer Floats?

I think the better question is... who doesn't?

If you are a lover of creamy ice cream and root beer goodness, you are invited to visit Sonic tonight for a FREE root beer float. Sonic is thanking its customers with Free Float Night, giving away free 10oz. Root Beer Floats from 8pm until midnight at participating Sonic Drive-In Locations. Locations in our area include Aurora, Bartlett, Algonquin, and Lockport.

For people who come out, the Sonic people invite you to upload your favorite photos or videos of their Free Float Night experience. You can upload photos at www.SonicDriveIn.com for the home page or you can send your videos to Sonic’s You Tube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/sonicdrivein


Growing up in Florida and the South, I L-O-V-E LOVE Sonic. I love their chili dogs and their unique beverages. The strawberry limeaide is scruptuous!!

My family and I are gonna go get a free root beer float (probably in Aurora but maybe Bartlett). Wanna come?

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See you at the market!

Nothing says summer like Farmer's Markets. I love browsing through local towns-turned-markets filled with stalls of freshly and locally grown fruit, veggies, baked goods, crafts...everything!

But if you happen to be at Wheaton's French Market this coming Saturday (and several other Saturdays this summer!) keep an eye out for Baby Love Sling's stall, where you can meet our very own lovely and talented Farrah! Stop by and say hi if you're around.

For those of you elsewhere, here's a full list of all the Farmer's Markets going on all summer, all over Chicagoland! There's got to be at least one near you. :)

Happy Shopping!

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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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Worthy causes abound this weekend

Did you know that one blood donation can save three lives? That's hard to pass up. The Wheaton Police Department will be sponsoring its sixth annual blood drive on May 15. The event will take place at the Wheaton Police Department, 900 W. Liberty Drive, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Here's where to go for more information.

The Environmental Improvement Commission welcomes the community to lend a hand during the DuPage County River Sweep on May 16. From 9 a.m. to noon, volunteers are needed to remove trash and debris and restore stream banks of the DuPage River and its tributaries. Here's your link to find out more

There is so much going on in West Chicago on Saturday, May 16th, at their Blooming Fest! This sounds like something you won't want to miss, be you child, shopper, or vendor - so check it out!

What are you planning for this weekend? Let us know! Send us your tips, posts, or pictures! For today's headlines, scroll to the bottom of this page for daily news links - updated each day.

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A little Coffee, a litte dancing, a little (more) kite flying

Do you live in Roselle? Do you like Coffee?
Coffee with the Village Board is a great opportunity to meet and talk with the Mayor and Board of Trustees. The next Coffee with the Board is this Saturday, May 2, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Village Hall. Unlike regular Village Board or Committee of the Whole meetings, this informal session provides residents and business owners an opportunity to discuss issues affecting them and the community. So come in and enjoy a cup of coffee and chat with your local elected officials.Is that a cool idea or what? Visit the Roselle city website for more info.

West Chicago's Artist in Residency
Have you heard about West Chicago's Artist in Residency program? This is too cool to miss, resident or not. From May 8th-16th, 2009 New York based artist Jorge Rojas will be working collaboratively with the community with the theme of "My Space." Visit the West Chicago city website for details.

Feel like dancing?
The City of Naperville's Sister Cities Commission invites residents and local business people to listen to the music of the Zobor Folk Ensemble on Friday, May 1, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street. The Zobor Folk Ensemble was founded in 1956 at the Slovak Agricultural Institute in Nitra, Slovakia. The ensemble is comprised of a folk music group, chorus and dance group. They incorporate costumes, dances, music and songs that represent a wide range of eras of Slovak culture. The group has performed throughout Slovakia as well as more than 25 other countries.

The purpose of the Sister Cities Commission is to foster international understanding and friendship by forging personal links through city-to-city affiliations. By exchanging ideas and experiences with Nitra, Slovakia, the two cities strive to strengthen culture, business, government and environment. For more information, contact the Sister Cities Commission at (630) 420-6018 or visit www.naperville.il.us/sistercities.aspx.

Did you fly a kite?
Wheaton's Mayor announced that while the 800 simultaneously flying kites during Wheaton's Go Fly a Kite event fell short of setting the Guinness World Record, overwhelming community response has sealed a run for the record in 2010.

“We had overwhelming community response to an idea we thought would just be a fun day in one of our beautiful Wheaton parks,” Gresk said. “People have been asking when we will do it again, so we’ve decided to attempt a new world record on Saturday, April 17, 2010. It will be bigger and better than ever.”

You might be the best Mommy in Glen Ellyn!
Well, I bet your kids think so. Its not too late to twist their arms into entering you into this contest!

Dupage Mamas keeps you up to date on local news and events that pertain to you. Do you have a news item you'd like to share with the Dupage Mamas community? If so, send us your tips, posts, or pictures! For today's headlines, scroll to the bottom of this page for daily news links - updated each day!

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Shakespeare, Garage Sales, and Free Money!

Hear ye, hear ye! Doth thou knowest that...(cough). Sorry, I can't keep that up for long. What I meant to say was "Did you know that Chicago has dubbed today Talk like Shakespeare Day?" You better believe it. He would have been 445 years old today. So, geteth thou into thine...oh, forget it. I hope you do better than I am.

One thing I am good at is knowing a good deal when I see one. Am I the only one that can't stand to buy all the truck load of gear kids need at full price? Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carol Stream is hosting their annual mega Garage Sale this coming Saturday, April 25th. So come on over and spend - I mean, save - some money with me!

Speaking of Garage Sales, its finally warm enough for us to start trading goods with our neighbors once again. Click here for a complete list of Garage Sales open this weekend.

Don't have money for shopping? Thousands of Dupage residents can be expecting $250 checks in the mail. Are you one of them?

And last but certainly not least, two winners have already been announced here at Dupage Mamas, and there's four more contests to go. Sign up and tell your friends before its too late!

Dupage Mamas keeps you up to date on local news and events that pertain to you. Do you have a news item you'd like to share with the Dupage Mamas community? If so, send us your tips, posts, or pictures! For today's headlines, scroll to the bottom of this page for daily news links - updated each day!

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Earth Day Events

Looking for something to do tomorrow on Earth Day?  Here are some local options for celebrating all things Green.  

Residents in or near Wheaton have plenty of Earth Day action to pick from:

Celebrate Arbor Day at April 24 Ceremony

Want to plant a tree?  Join Washington Elementary School in Wheaton on Friday, April 24

Prairie Path Cleanup

Do you love the Prairie Path?  Here's your chance to give back!  Wear gloves to this event on Saturday, April 25th.  

Buy Native Plants

Did you know that using plants native to Dupage County helps the environment?  Native plants don't require pesicides and they provide a safe habitat for native wildlife.  The sale is also on Saturday, April 25th. 

Libertyville is hosting a "Give Back to the Earth Day" on Wednesday, April 22nd.  

The Morton Arboretum in Lisle has activities for kids this weekend, April 25-26th, where they can plant seeds and seedlings to bring home.  

Of course, you could also save the gas and fumes and spend Earth Day at home planting your own garden!  

Whatever you do for Earth Day, we'd love to hear about it.  Write up a post and send it to us for submission!  And don't forget to enter our giveaways: 

Women's Massage Gift Certificate

Barefoot Books

Homemade Gourmet

Ring Sling Baby Carrier

Dupage Mamas keeps you up to date on local news and events that pertain to you. Do you have a news item you'd like to share with the Dupage Mamas community? If so, send us your tips, posts, or pictures!  For today's headlines, scroll to the bottom of this page for daily news links - updated each day! 

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