City of Naperville survey seeking feedback on public art
The city of Naperville is conducting a short survey about public art to obtain feedback on residents’ preferences for public art styles, themes and locations to guide future projects.
Open to anyone who lives, works or visits the city, the 15-question survey is available until 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at bit.ly/naperville-art-survey. Results will be posted to the city’s website in November.
Polco, a civic engagement platform used by local governments, has set up multiple choice questions and a free response section in which respondents can write about what types of public art they would like to see in Naperville, a news release said.
“We want to hear from everyone … regardless of their interest level in public art,” City Clerk Dawn Portner said in the release. “Different perspectives are valuable, and the survey will help Naperville create a public art plan that resonates with everyone.”
For more information, email portnerd@naperville.il.us.
Crowds were six people deep in some spots along the 2023 Holiday Parade of Lights route in downtown Naperville. This year the Rotary Club of Naperville’s annual parade will be held the night of Nov. 29. (Troy Stolt/Naperville Sun)
Preparations underway for Rotary Club’s Parade of Lights
A Santa Experience raffle is available through 5 p.m. Nov. 15 as part of the the Rotary Club of Naperville’s annual Parade of Lights, which this year will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29.
Raffle prizes include a chance to ride on the Santa float in the downtown parade or reserved seating on the NCTV17 broadcast stage and a chance to select the “most enthusiastic” parade entrant, organizers announced in a news release.
The parade features holiday lights, brightly lit floats, performances by local music groups and a guest appearance by Santa Claus. Pre-parade entertainment will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the corner of Jackson and Webster streets.
Parade sponsorships and float entries are available, organizers said. Businesses and organizations interested in participating can sign up at www.napervillerotaryparade.org.
The Parade of Lights raises money for area nonprofit organizations that support educational programs for children, enable opportunities for disadvantaged children, promote diversity, equity and inclusion, help provide food, housing and economic security, and support mental health, the release said.
Nonprofit to hold fall plant sale Oct. 12 in downtown Naperville
We Grow Dreams, a West Chicago nonprofit nursery and greenhouse, will sell fall mums, hay bales, pumpkin decor and mixed pots from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Foyo Plaza on Water Street in downtown Naperville.
We Grow Dreams helps provide training and employment for adults with disabilities. The 20-year-old organization was founded by a group of parents to help their young adults gain job and social skills, a news release said.
The fall plant sale supports the organization’s mission while providing items for fall decorating, according to Nick Ryan, executive chairman of Marquette Cos., the developer of Water Street.
“Everything from We Grow Dreams is high quality and beautiful, and each plant is grown with love,” he said in the release.
Naperville dental center offering free services on Nov. 1
Premier Dental Center will be offering free dental work as part of Free Dentistry Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at its 309 W. Ogden Ave. office.
Patients will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis to receive a free cleaning, filling or extraction. The event is open to anyone in need of dental care, a news release said.
Free Dentistry Day is a nationwide event in which thousands of dentists give back to their communities by offering easily accessible dental care. Nearly 4,400 patients were treated last year.
For questions, call 630-355-3339. For more information, go to www.freedentistryday.org.
College of DuPage to hold Fall Open House in November
Prospective students can learn about the College of DuPage’s academic programs at its Fall Open House, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at the school’s Physical Education Center Arena, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.
More than 60 program representatives will be on hand to help students identify possible career paths at the free, public event. Support services for registration, financial aid, academic advising, transferring and student life will be available to help guide students and discuss the enrollment process.
A general admission and financial aid presentation will be offered in English and Spanish.
Complimentary refreshments, a massage and a live martial arts demonstration will be part of the event. Registration is required at www.cod.edu/open-house.
For more information, contact the Office of Admissions and Outreach at admissions@cod.edu or 630-942-2626.
