The City of Darien will be conducting their annual Parkway Tree Trimming Program beginning in December, 2014 in the following areas:

The Woodlands of Darien         Farmingdale Heights

Clarefield                                  Marion Hills North

Marion Hills South                     Brookdale

Farmingdale Terrace                 Farmingdale Terrace South

Farmingdale Terrace West        High Point Circle

Portsmouth                               Brookhaven #1

Violet's Farm                             Reflections of Hidden Lakes

This year's program also includes contract pricing for the Private Property Tree Trimming Program to all residents. The price for the private property program is $70.00 per tree in the front yard, and $135.00 per tree in the back yard. Trimming is for standard maintenance only. There will be no shaping, topping or other detrimental trimming. The contract also includes unit pricing for private property tree removal and stump grinding. The price for tree removal is $27.50 per diameter inch for the front yard, and $37.50 per diameter inch for the back yard. Stump grinding is $50.00 for the front yard and $75.00 for the rear yard. Residents may contact Ryan P. Countryman, Homer Tree Care Inc. for private property work at 815-838-0320 or via email at RyanCountryman@homertree.com. Residents that would like to participate in the private property program will need to contact Homer Tree Care by March 25, 2015.

For additional information regarding the Tree Trimming Program please contact us at 630-353-8105.

Darien School District #61 Board of Education, Committee of the Whole Meeting will be held on 

Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at Lace School.  the topic will be Facilities Assessment Report. 

The Indian Prairie Public Library will host its second annual Recycling Extravaganza, a recycling and shredding event, on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hinsdale South High School football field parking lot (just south of the library). Cars must enter from Clarendon Hills Road.

The event will provide on-site shredding (limit of two banker's boxes, please) and the collection of many recyclable items, including: Altoid mint boxes, American flags, bicycles (and bicycle-related items such as parts, helmets, and accessories), books, buttons, cell phones, clothing, crayons, crutches, extension cords, eyeglasses, furniture, hearing aids, holiday lights, household items (gently-used), ink cartridges, keys, license plates, LP records, musical instruments, neck ties, rulers, safety pins, sewing machines, shower chairs, toys, typewriters, walkers, wheelchairs, and yarn.

This event is being co-hosted by the Indian Prairie Public Library, Hinsdale South High School, the City of Darien, School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education (SCARCE), the Darien Lions Club, and Working Bikes. For more information, contact Joe Popowitch at (630) 887-8760 x240

Voting for the November election can be done by absentee ballot.  Simply visit www.dupagevotebymail.com and file to vote absentee.  Those not registered to vote can do so by participating in Grace Period registration, which can be done at six locations in DuPage County as well as the DuPage County election commission.  Election day registration and voting is also available - voters who are not yet registered or who need to update their registration records may go on Election Day to any of the six DuPage locations and register or update their records and cast a ballot from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Click here for a list of sites.  Early voting is also available at six DuPage locations.  Voters who are registered may check their status here.

DuPage County construction on the 75th Street improvements are continuing.  The construction schedule and updates are available on the County website.   

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 SCARCE for information on how to recycle electronics.

The Darien Lions Club will host its annual Halloween Part for area children on Friday, October 31 at the Sportsplex, 451 Plainfield Road, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. The event features many fun games and prizes for all children attending along with a graveyard photo booth, magic shows and other attractions. A Sportsplex ice rink is also available for use by older children. As always-admission is free courtesy of the Darien Lions Club.

For more information on the Halloween Party please contact Hugh at 630-663-9609 or email hughhardman@msn.com

Everyone is invited to the Hinsdale South Post Prom Committee Fall Craft & Vendor Fair on Saturday, November 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Hinsdale Soth High School Cafeteria, 7401 Clarendon Hills Road.

Come and find unique treats ans gifts for the holidays!  Enjoy shopping with family and friends.

Come to a Fundraiser BBQ  on Sunday, November 9 at the Darien Swim & Racquet Club, 1001 Hinsbrook.  Doors will open at 5:00 p.m., Dinner will be served beginning at 6:00 p.m.  The Bears/Packers Game will be on, and there will be raffle prizes to be won.  Pre-sale tickets are $15.00, and can be purchased at Eisenhower Jr. High in the Office until November 4.  Ticket price at the door will be $20.00.  

Commander Matt Goodwin of Veterans of Foreign Wars Darien Memorial Post 2838 has announced the kick-off of this year's Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition. The contest is open to all high school students in grades 9 through 12 including home schooled students.

Students participate by writing and then recording a three to five minute audio essay expressing their views on this year's theme: "Why Veterans are Important to our Nation's History and Future." Students' recordings (CDs or cassette tapes) are first judged at the post level with winning recordings advanced for judging at district, state, and national levels.  Monetary awards are given at each level.  The top winner in each state earns a free trip to Washington DC and the first place winner in the national competition receives a $30,000 scholarship plus the awards issued at the post, district, and state levels.  

Student entries including the recording, typed copy of the essay, and a completed application form are due to our post by November 1. Complete information regarding this exciting opportunity and application forms are available at your local high school or by contacting Voice of Democracy Chairman, Nick Darien at 630-910-8552, email ndarien@comcast.net. Entries can be mailed to VFW Darien Memorial Post 2838, Voice of Democracy, PO Box 955, Westmont, IL 60559.