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CITY NEWS

Winter Car Preparedness Tips

Driving in the winter means snow, sleet and ice that can lead to slower traffic, hazardous road conditions unforeseen dangers. To help you make it safely through winter, here are some suggestions from the National Safety Council to make sure that you and your vehicle are prepared.

Prepare your car for winter. Start with a checkup that includes:

Checking the ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses and fan belts.

Changing and adjusting the spark plugs.

Checking the air, fuel and emission filters, and the PCV valve

Checking the battery.

Checking the tires for air, sidewall wear and tread depth.

Checking antifreeze levels and the freeze line.

Necessary Equipment - An emergency situation on the road can arise at any time and you must be prepared. In addition to making sure you have the tune-up, a full tank of gas, and fresh anti-freeze, you should carry the following items in your trunk:

Properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and jack

Shovel

Jumper cables

Tow and tire chains

Bag of salt or cat litter

Tool kit

Essential Supplies - Be prepared with a "survival kit" that should always remain in the car. Replenish after use. Essential supplies include:

Working flashlight and extra batteries

Reflective triangles and brightly-colored cloth

Compass

First aid kit

Exterior windshield cleaner

Ice scraper and snow brush

Wooden stick matches in a waterproof container

Scissors and string/cord

Non-perishable, high-energy foods like unsalted canned nuts, dried fruits, and hard candy.

In addition, if you are driving long distances under cold, snowy, and icy conditions, you should also carry supplies to keep you warm such as heavy woolen mittens, socks, a hat and blankets.

If You Become Stranded...

Do not leave your car unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to possible help, and are certain you will improve your situation.

To attract attention, light two flares and place one at each end of the car a safe distance away. Hang a brightly colored cloth from your antenna.

If you are sure the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so depending upon the amount of gas in the tank.

To protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia use the woolen items and blankets to keep warm.

Keep at least one window open slightly. Heavy snow and ice can seal a car shut.

Eat a hard candy to keep your mouth moist.

Carbon Monoxide FAQS

Carbon Monoxide FAQS

State of Illinois requires single family and multiple family residences to have at least one approved and operating carbon monoxide alarm within 15 feet of each bedroom.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas produced during incomplete combustion of fuels, for example, natural gas, LP gas, kerosene, oil, wood, and charcoal. The gas is lethal to humans if it builds up in the home.

Carbon monoxide alarms may be battery powered, plug-in with battery back-up, or AC hard wired with battery back-up. Batteries should be changed regularly to ensure proper operation.

Carbon monoxide alarms are widely available in hardware and home improvement stores. Prices start at approximately $20.

Additional information on carbon monoxide can be found at http://www.solutions.uiuc.edu/ or http://www.healthyindoorair.org/

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, November 17

7:30 p.m.

Monday December 1
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.

City of Darien Tweets!

The City of Darien is now on Twitter. Please follow us at Cityofdarien.

FREE Fall Leaf Pickup

The City of Darien will again be providing fall leaf pick-up FREE OF CHARGE to residents. The program will run until November 29 of this year, and will take place weekly on your normal garbage day.. Leaves should be placed in brown kraft yard waste bags or in plastic garbage cans. If garbage cans are used they must have a permanent "YARD WASTE ONLY" label attached to the front of the can so the driver can identify it as leaf pickup. These labels are available free of charge at city hall.

Residents are not permitted to rake leaves into the street. Raking leaves into the street can cause serious local flooding for you and your neighbors. For more information please call 630-852-5000.

Holiday Lights Recycling

Don't know what to do with the old strands of Christmas lights that are tangled and broken? Don't throw them in the garbage - recycle them! The City of Darien has again partnered with Elgin Recycling to offer our residents free recycling of holiday lights! Last year Darien residents recycled 1432 pounds of Holiday Lights. Not only did this keep them from ending up in the landfill, the city made a profit of $214.80.

All light colors and strand lengths will be accepted. Items include mini-lights (Italian lights), C7 lights, C9 lights, rope lights, LED lights, and extension cords. (Please - no CFLs). Now through February 8 you may bring your lights to the Darien Police Department lobby at 1710 Plainfield Road Monday thru Friday from 7am to 7pm, and Saturday & Sunday from 7am to 3pm. For more information please call 630-353-8115 or visit www.elginrecycling.com

Holiday Lights Decorating Contest

The City of Darien will again be sponsoring the Holiday Lights Decorating Contest. Each year, residents that put extra effort into decorating their homes for the season are nominated by their friends and neighbors for recognition and prizes. The first place home receives $200, second place $100, third place $50, and fourth and fifth place receive $25. To nominate your own home or another in your neighborhood, call Diane at (630) 353-8102 or email dnoverini@darienil.gov

Nominations must be received by December 8th. Winners will be announced at the December 15th City Council Meeting

Holiday Lights Tour

The popular Holiday Lights Tour will be on Monday, December 22this year. The tour will be on school buses, and will run through the City, passing by each of the holiday lights winners. This event is free and refreshments are provided. Because of the high demand each year, reservations are given on a first come first serve basis. To make a reservation, please call City Hall at 630-852-5000.

City of Darien 2014/2015 Parkway Tree Trimming Program

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.

SCAM - Criminals Posing as ComEd Workers

A resident recently reported that a man posing as a ComEd worker knocked at his door and tried to gain access to his home. ComEd was working in the area.

Please be aware that a ComEd worker will never try to gain access to your home, or need you to come into the backyard to show you what they are doing. These a RUSE SCAMS, carried out by opportunistic criminals, to gain access to your home and rob you. If ComEd or any other utility company ever needed access to your home, you would be notified by mail or with a doorhanger, (pictured below) and an appointment would be made.

The Darien Police strongly recommend that residents keep their storm or screen door locked at all times. This will provide a secured barrier. Do not allow anyone entry to your residence that you have not personally contacted and arranged an appointment.

Call the Darien Police at 9-1-1 with anything suspicious. The police officer will come out to your residence and verify a work order or identity. Remain vigilant to your neighbors as well.

Local City of Darien Election Packets

Individuals seeking to run for the office of Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer, Alderman Ward 2, Alderman Ward 4, or Alderman Ward 6 can pick up a packet at Darien City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road. The packet contains documents necessary for individuals to be placed on the ballot for the April 7, 2015 Consolidated General Election. Candidates are encouraged to seek the advice of legal counsel before filing nomination papers, which must be in apparent conformity. The first day to file is December 15th at 8:30 A.M.; the last day to file is December 22nd at 5:00 P.M. Regular business hours at City Hall are Monday thru Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

OTHER GOVERNMENT NEWS AND EVENTS

School District #61 Board of Education Meeting Schedule

School District #61 Board of Education Meeting Schedule:

December 9, 7:00 pm at Lace School

Committee of the Whole Finance Committee Meeting. Topics: Affordable Care Act Compliance

Funding on O&M Projects. Closed Session following Finance Committee Meeting to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body.

December 16, 7:00 pm at Lace School. Regular Board of Education Meeting

DuPage County Water Quality Survey

DuPage County Stormwater Management is encouraging residents and business owners to complete a brief survey regarding water quality in the County's waterways. Stormwater Management is conducting the survey to measure public awareness of stormwater runoff and its effect on local streams and rivers. In an effort to attain healthier waterways nationwide, public education about water quality is among activities mandated by the Clean Water Act. Responses will be used to create and modify water quality outreach materials, which are aimed at educating residents on ways to reduce pollution in the County's waterways. The end goal is to make local rivers and streams supportive of both aquatic life and recreational uses. The survey is available through the end of November at www.surveymonkey.com/s/dpcwaterquality.

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 SCARCE for information on how to recycle electronics.

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 Holiday Craft Show

The Darien Park District will host its annual "Dickens of a Holiday" Craft Sale on Saturday, November 15 from 9am to 3pm at 7301 Fairview Avenue. There will be over 80 sellers. The perfect place to find unique, one of a kind handcrafted gifts for the holidays. For more information please call 630-968-6400.

Darien Lions Club "Eyes to the Pies" Fundraiser

The Darien Lions Club Foundation has partnered with Pies by Fasano ("As Good As Mother's and Better Than Others") to hold their inaugural Pies for Eyes Fundraiser. Apple, Cherry, Blueberry and Pumpkin pies are available for order with pick up or delivery on the weekend before Thanksgiving (Saturday, November 22 at Darien City Hall) at a tax deductible cost of $14.00 per pie. Please consider supporting the Darien Lions Club Foundation by purchasing one (or two, or three) of these delicious pies. Order deadline is Friday, November 15.

For more information please contact Pies for Eyes chairman - Lion Andrew at (773) 957-3900.

Indian Prairie Library host StoryShare Interviews

The Indian Prairie Public Library will celebrate the National Day of Listening on Nov. 28 by hosting family interviews. Community members can interview a family member while a trained volunteer operates the recording equipment. Participants will leave with a CD of the interview while the library keeps a copy to preserve for future generations. Interviews will last about 40 minutes, and the theme is "family." Families can book a one-hour time slot on Friday, Nov. 28, between 1 and 5 p.m. or Saturday, Nov. 29, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Register by calling the Ask Us Desk at 630/887-8760 ext. 239.

Indian Prairie Library Survey

Please help the Indian Prairie Public Library enhance its services to the community! The library is inviting residents of its district to participate in a community survey about library services, which takes about 10 minutes to complete. The survey will be available at 2014survey.ippl.info through Nov. 24. Those who complete the survey may enter a drawing for one of three $100 Amazon gift cards!

Eisenhower Jr. High Craft & Vendor Fair

Eisenhower Jr. High Choir Boosters and Sports Boosters will host a Craft and Vendor Fair On Saturday, December 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There will be 50+ Sellers. Special Music will be performed by the Choir and Band, as well as Santa photo opportunities for kids, crafts, face-painting, concessions and Raffles (including a $100 Disney Gift Card).

Brookhaven Plaza Holiday Happenings

Brookhaven Plaza will host Holiday Events in December. On December 6 and December 20, Santa will visit at Dunkin Donuts, from 10am to Noon. He will also be walking the center to greet patrons. On December 13 beginning at noon, Eisenhower Jr. High will be walking the shopping center and delighting patrons with music of the season.

Historical Society Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Come one and all to "Tree Lighting" sponsored by the Darien Historical Society on Sunday, December 7, at Old Lace Schoolhouse & Museum, 75th & Cass Avenue beginning at 4:00 p.m. Every age is welcome. Come to hear traditional Christmas Carols, Santa's visit, and indoor refreshments!

Third Annual DAAWN Benifit Luncheon

The DuPage Academic Achievement Workgroup Network (DAAWN) is hosting its Third Annual Benefit Luncheon on Saturday, December 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ashton Place, 341 75th St. in Willowbrook. All community members are invited to come celebrate area youth, feast on a delicious meal, learn more about DAAWN programs, and meet our volunteers. There will be entertainment, guest speakers, student performances, and raffle prizes.

Tickets are $35 or $300 for a table of 10 with payment by cash or check made payable to AALR. Tickets may be purchased online through December 6 at www.aalr4success.org and clicking "Tickets"; at St. John Lutheran Church, 7214 South Cass in Darien during business hours; and by contacting Kathy Spencer in Darien School District 61 at kspencer@darien61.org or 630-964-5200. Donations and sponsorship can also be made. Proceeds from the luncheon will support academic growth and provide family-friendly outings for students in Darien School District 61 who attend weekly tutoring sessions at St. John Lutheran Church in Darien.

Launched in 2011, DAAWN is the education program of Asserting Achievement, Literacy & Resiliency (AALR) which provides support to students and their parents through a coalition of civic, social, and non-profit organizations; churches; community volunteers.

VFW - 1958 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Raffle Winners Chosen

Winners have been chosen for the VFW Raffle of a1958 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight and all the other prizes! Thank to all who participated, the VFW appreciates your support. Look for news soon about the March 2015 VFW dinner concert.

Join the Darien Seniors Club!

Doing - Sharing - Caring! The Darien Seniors Club was founded in 1975, to serve Darien and surrounding communities Senior Citizens. If you are age 55 or older please join! Darien residency is not required. The club meets ay noon on the second Tuesday of each month at the Darien Sportsplex, 451 Plainfield Road. For more information please call 630-852-6482