The recent snowfalls have hidden some fire hydrants and may be difficult to find during an emergency. The City is encouraging residents to clear fire hydrants nearest their residence or business of snow.  Fire fighters need at least a three-foot clearance on all sides of the hydrant, including a pathway to the hydrant from the street.

By taking a little time to clear a hydrant you are helping the Fire Department, your neighbors and yourself in the event of an emergency. The local fire departments and City personnel will also be assisting in the operations. If you have identified a snow buried fire hydrant and are unable to assist please call 630-353-8105.

The City of Darien is looking for voluteers to operate the camera and recording equipment for airing and recording of city meetings. The volunteers typically work one night every other month. The meetings generally begin at 7:30 p.m., and last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Training provided. For more information please call Mary at 630-353-8115.

The Nixle text alert system provides for the City to send out urgent and emergency alerts via text messages.  This a FREE service.  To sign up for Nixle, visit www.darien.il.us and click on the nixle icon or visit the nixle website at www.nixle.com 

Take action to protect trees in your community by becoming an Openlands Treekeeper®. 

Forest trees can live for more than 100 years, but urban trees, forced to contend with limited space for growth and an array of other unnatural stresses, may survive for no more than 15 years unless they receive special attention.  Anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000 trees can die in Chicago in a single year--from storm damage, drought, insect pests and other causes.  

TreeKeepers have worked throughout the city to keep its trees healthy, administering proper care and promptly recognizing and reporting harmful pests. Now, The Morton Arboretum is partnering with Openlands to bring the program to the western suburbs.  Learn to identify, plant, care for and prune trees in hands-on workshops with regional professionals, then put those skills into action through volunteer work in your community.  The classes are held indoors and outdoors.  Please dress for the weather and for outdoor walking in each session. There are no prerequisites, and the course number is H800.

SCHEDULE AND LOCATION: 

8 Saturdays, March 8-April 12 and April 26-May 3, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

Research Center, Botany Lab

FEES AND ADMISSION: 

Fee includes admission to the Arboretum.

$128.00 members

$150.00 nonmembers

REGISTRATION INFORMATION: 

CALL: 630-719-2468 or register in person at the Visitor Center during open hours.  Register online at our website.

A new Illinois law bans the use of any electronic device held in the driver's hand while driving. This includes, but is not limited to, hand-held wireless telephones, hand-held personal digital assistants, portable or mobile computers and hand held GPS systems. In addition, drivers may not read or scroll through an iPod, other mobile music device or use a Kindle or other e-reader while driving. Global positioning or other navigational systems or devices that are physically or electronically integrated into the motor vehicle may be utilized while driving. Cell phones must be in "hands free" mode to be legally used by a driver operating a motor vehicle on any highway in Illinois.