Thank You for signing up to receive the Direct Connect. You are receiving valuable and timely city news and events. If you know of anyone who would benefit from receiving this email, please have them sign up at darien.il.us, or call Mary at 630-353-8115 to have their email address added to our list.

"Like" us for city contact information and current city news on the City of Darien Official Facebook Page

CITY NEWS

The City of Darien Now on Twitter!

The City of Darien is now on Twitter. Follow us at https://twitter.com/CityofDarien to receive valuable and timely information from the City!

Nixle Emergency Text Alerts

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

Branch Pickup In August!

2014 REMMAINING BRANCH PICK-UP SCHEDULE

August 25 through 29
October 27 through 31

The City of Darien is pleased to be able to offer FREE BRANCH PICKUP for all residents within our boundaries. To help keep the streets clean and our crews on schedule, please stack the branches neatly by the curb on the Sunday before the pickup week. The chipper can accept branches up to 6" in diameter. Please do not tie the branches or put them in garbage cans. All other yard waste such as grass clippings and flowers should be disposed of through our yard waste program with Advanced Disposal.

All branches need to be out no later than the Sunday night prior to the designated pick up week. The chipping crew can make only one pass and may complete your street as soon as Monday morning.

Residents can also take their branches to the Municipal Services Facility, located at 1041 S. Frontage Road, and place at the designated location, labeled as "Branch". Branches will be accepted seven days a week from 5:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Landscape companies hired to help with your branches may also take them to Municipal Services.

If you have any questions regarding branch pick up, please contact Municipal Services at 630-353-8105.

City of Darien Photo Search

The City of Darien is looking for interesting photos of our City to include in its website redesign. Please submit photos via email to mwintermute@darienil.gov, and if we choose your photo we will give you credit on the website.

Overnight Parking Registration now available on the Internet!

You may now request Over Night Parking Permission by going to the City Of Darien website from any device connected to the internet.

The link to the automated system is listed under HOT NEWS as "Overnight Parking Registration" at the top right hand corner. Click on the link access the system.

If you call the police department - you will be referred to the city web site. If you do not have internet access - the request can be made over the phone.

Bryon Vana, City Administrator	(630) 353-8114
City Hall	(630) 852-5000
Police Department	(630) 971-3999
Public Works	(630) 852-5000

Mayor	Kathy Weaver
City Clerk	JoAnne Ragona
Treasurer	Michael J. Coren
Ward 1	Ted Schauer
Ward 2	Tina Beilke
Ward 3	Joseph A Kenny
Ward 4	Joerg Seifert
Ward 5	Joseph A. Marchese
Ward 6	Sylvia McIvor
Ward 7	Thomas J. Belczak

City Council Meetings

Monday, August 18

7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 2

7:30 p.m.

Agendas for City and Committee Meetings

The following links will direct you to the City Meeting and Committee agendas and packet information on our website. Stay informed on City issues and upcoming projects!

All Agendas

City Council Meeting Agenda

View Darien Meetings on YouTube!

You may now view city meetings on YouTube by clickng here.

Our user name is DarienCableChannel. You may still access meetings from the links on our website.

Meet & Greet Mayor Weaver!

The third Monday of every month at Darien City Hall from 6 - 7pm

Find out the latest city updates - Share your thoughts and suggestions - Get involved - Meet other residents!

View Darien Police Department Weekly Press Release

You may view the Darien Police Department weekly press release by clicking here

Submit an article for Direct Connect

You may submit an article for inclusion in Direct Connect by emailing mwintermute@darienil.gov

Nixle Text Alert Program

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 our website and click on the nixle icon or visit the nixle website here.

Parkway Ash Tree Update

In 2013, the City of Darien committed to a program to try to save as many of our parkway Ash trees as possible, to preserve the beautiful canopy of our neighborhoods.

The City Council approved funds for a treatment program on all parkway Ash Trees to control / eliminate the Emerald Ash Borer. The treatment consisted of injecting the trees which met viability criteria with the insecticide "Tree-age". Trees that were already dead were removed.

This summer, all trees were re-inspected to determine treatment results. Studies have shown that the tree can show further decline after the first treatment, but that the tree will eventually heal. One of the criteria to determine viability is the abundance of growth on the main stems as well as the canopy. Those trees that clearly would not survive have been removed. Remaining trees with a red dot indicates that the trees viability is questionable at this point, and the tree is being watched.

All trees will be re-inspected next summer, and those that meet the criteria will again be injected with "Tree-age". The injection has a residual of 2 years, and is recommended that treatment continue for 6 years. Any trees that do not survive will be removed. The city has a program to replace parkway trees that have been removed, scheduled in the fall.

Private property Ash trees are the homeowner's responsibility. The city Arborist recommends that all Ash Trees either be professionally treated or removed. A dead Ash tree is subject to failure, which could cause damage to property and / or people.

August is School Preparedness Month

Students will soon begin the new school year. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency during August is encouraging families to include emergency preparedness in their back-to-school plans. Back-to-school planning tips for parents of school-aged children include knowing your child's school or day care emergency plan, finding out where children will be taken in the event of an evacuation during school hours and ensuring your emergency contact information is up-to-date at your child's school. Additional preparedness information is available on the Ready Illinois website .

OTHER GOVERNMENT NEWS AND EVENTS

Electronic Recycling Information

The State of Illinois has banned computers, monitors, printers, televisions, and other electronics from landfills. If any of these items are left curbside, they will not be picked up. There are many options to responsibly recycle your electronics throughout DuPage County. Residents are encouraged to visit the DuPage County website or www.scarcecoed.org for information on how to recycle electronics.

DuPage County 75th Street Improvements

DuPage County construction on the 75^th Street improvements has begun. The construction schedule is available on the County website. The City of Darien will post updates on our website as they become available.

COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS

Darien Chamber "Shop Local Shop Darien"

The Darien Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce their Shop Local Shop Darien Campaign. We encourage residents to support Darien Chamber businesses that display the Shop Local Shop Darien decal posted in their window. Shop Darien Shop Local Preferred Cards are now on sale for $5 at the Darien Chamber of Commerce office in City Hall or at local Darien Chamber member businesses. Visit the Chamber at www.darienchamber.com for all the Shop Local Shop Darien Preferred Offers and Discounts!

Darien Park District Farmers Market on Wednesdays

The Darien Park District is hosting a Farmers Market on Wednesdays thru October 8. The Market runs from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m at the Darien Community Park 71st Street Parking Lot.

The Farmers Market features a wide variety of seasonally fresh vegetables and fruits, and other fine offerings from local vendors.

Document Shredding

Protect your identity and clean out your home office at the same time! Saturday, August 16 from 10am to noon at First Merchants Bank, 8301 S. Cass Ave. Bring up to 3 boxes of documents for free shredding. The shredding trucks will shred your documents on the spot. Free and open to the public.

Citizenship Assistance at Indian Prairie Library

The Indian Prairie Public Library will offer free legal consultations for immigrants on

Tuesday, August 19, from 9 a.m. to noon. These half-hour legal consultations on immigrant issues, including citizenship, will be provided by World Relief DuPage. Participants must make an appointment by calling (630) 887-8760 x239.

In addition, the library now has a new "citizenship corner" with books, DVDs, CDs, links to helpful citizenship sites, and brochures for local groups to help immigrants study for citizenship. Funds for these materials and programs were awarded by the Illinois State Library, a Division of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the federal Library Services and Technology Act.

Sing Along to The Wizard of Oz at the Indian Prairie Public Library

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, the Indian Prairie Public Library will host a sing-along to the movie on Saturday, Aug. 23. There will be two show times: the first at 10:30 a.m. for families with young children, and the second at 2 p.m. for school-age kids and adults. Prizes will be given to anyone in costume, and refreshments will be served. The event is being funded by the Friends of IPPL. The sing-along is free. Participants can register online at www.calendar.ippl.info, by phone at (630) 887-8760 x239, or in-person at the library's Ask Us Desk.

DarienFest 2014- Save the Date!

Save the date for DarienFest 2014 - September 5, 6 & 7 at Community Park. For more information and a list of entertainment, visit http://www.darienchamber.com/

Adirondack Chair Silent Auction

Darien Chamber of Commerce Women in Business will be hosting "Paint the Town Pink" during the month of October in the City of Darien. Selected Merchants from the Chestnut Court Shopping Center have partnered with DWB by purchasing Adirondack Chairs. Local artist have been invited to display their design and creativity by painting the chairs. During the 27th Annual DarienFest The Adirondack Chairs will be part of a silent auction at the Fest, 100% of the proceeds will provide meals from Darien Chamber Member restaurants to women in the City of Darien going through breast cancer treatment. The Silent Auction will be on Friday, September 5th at 6pm and end on Sunday, September 7th at 4pm.

Darien Chamber Women in Business extends their utmost appreciation to the participating Chestnut Court Merchants for their donation and the talented artists who donated their time to create and designed the chairs.

If you know of any Darien resident going through breast cancer treatment please contact the Darien Chamber office at 630-968-0004.

Family Shelter Services 10K/5K Walk - Run

Family Shelter Services will host a 10K/5K Run-Walk at Downers Grove North High School on Sunday, September 28. 10K Start 8:15am Check-in begins: 6:30am. Costs (adults): 10K Double Loop Run: $35 5K Run/Walk: $30 CARA Members receive a $3 discount All events are free with a fundraising commitment Costs (children): 1-Mile Competitive Run, ages 8-12, $12 Kids' Fitness Fun Challenge, ages 8 and under, $12

Heroes wanted! With this year's theme "Be a Hero for Hope," participants are reminded that through their support and fundraising efforts, they are helping individuals affected by domestic violence move toward safer futures. With shelter, counseling, advocacy and support programs, our clients can triumph and become the true heroes. To register, please visit www.familyshelterservice.org. For more information about participation, fundraising or sponsorship, please call Karen at 630-221-8290 x7110.