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January 31, 2006

Maercker District 60 offers child screening

Maercker School District 60 will host early childhood screening for children ages 3 through 5 on Thursday, Feb. 9. The screening is intended to help parents learning more about their child in areas of speech, language, vision, hearing, learning and coordination.

Parents may register by calling Arlene, screening secretary for District 60, at (630) 968-0122.

District 60 serves parts of Westmont, Willowbrook, Darien, Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale.

Posted by indianprairie at 4:43 PM

Darien Rotary auction includes Disney trip, games

The Rotary Club of Darien will kick off its annual auction and dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, March 3, at Ashton Place, 341 75th St., Willowbrook. This year's event, highlighting American culture, will feature a red, white and blue "Stars and Stripes Forever" theme and a raffle for a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Fla., or $2,000 cash. The five-day trip includes airfare, hotel and park admission for four people. Read more...

Posted by indianprairie at 1:35 PM

January 26, 2006

Dist. 61 draws rejections to consolidation offer

Darien School District 61 Superintendent Warren "Chip" Johnson asked. The answers were: No, no and no. Johnson said Jan. 13 that he contacted superintendents of three area districts -- Cass School District 63, Center Cass School District 66 and Gower School District 62 -- "to see if there is any interest in consolidation." Read more...

Posted by indianprairie at 12:14 PM

January 25, 2006

Burr Ridge outlines road improvement plans for '06

The Burr Ridge Village Board knows what it wants to accomplish with this year's road work program. The recommendation, which must still be incorporated into the annual budget in April, was given the nod Jan. 10. The approved plan outlines the types of roadwork needed and related costs for upgrades and maintenance for the year ahead. Read more...

Posted by indianprairie at 12:12 PM

January 24, 2006

Raise A Reader

Get your child ready to read with our Raise a Reader program. Learn fun and effective ways to teach your child pre-reading skills that they must know in order to read. Your child can learn these skills starting at birth! Program details...

This early literacy initiative is a partnership among the Public Library Association, the Association for Library Service to Children, and the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.

Posted by indianprairie at 9:46 AM

January 23, 2006

Froggy will hop into Indian Prairie library

Froggy, the children's character created by author Jonathan London, will meet families and children from 10:30 a.m. until noon Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Indian Prairie Public Library, 401 Plainfield Road in Darien. The program will include stories, games, treats and time with Froggy. Children of all ages accompanied by an adult are welcome, but registration is required and is limited to Indian Prairie Public Library cardholders. Read more...

Posted by indianprairie at 3:53 PM

Tax Resources at the Library and on the Web

DOING TAXES? Need federal and state tax forms, contact information, and other tax resources? Go to the Indian Prairie Public Library Tax Resource Page.

Posted by indianprairie at 9:30 AM

January 20, 2006

Libraries Big Read effort approaches starting gate

If last year is any indication, thousands of patrons from eight libraries, representing 10 suburbs, will participate in the second annual The Big Read project in the months ahead. The selected book this year is "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand. Read more...

Posted by indianprairie at 4:41 PM

January 19, 2006

Courtney named top citizen in Darien

Darien's 2006 Citizen of the Year is Rosemarie Courtney, a 39-year resident with a long history of volunteer work in Scouting, community organizations and her church. Courtney was named the recipient of the city's top honor at the Jan. 16 City Council meeting. The Citizen of the Year Committee's citation said Courtney's "firm, yet gentle direction" has provided boys in her Cub Scout troop with lessons on citizenship and community service. Read more...

Posted by indianprairie at 4:40 PM

January 16, 2006

Not so fast: Darien School District 61

Darien School District 61 officials have told parents at recent public meetings that the district needs to close at least one school and raise taxes because it faces a financial crisis, but some residents are not buying it. "I haven't heard a lot of talk about the advantages of doing nothing," said Alice Brennan, a member of the Darien Historical Society, who addressed the School Board Jan. 10. Read more...

Posted by indianprairie at 3:57 PM

January 13, 2006

Library to host opera lecture

The Friends of the Indian Prairie Public Library will host a lecture about Guiseppe Verdi's opera, "Rigoletto" at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. The lecture will feature Charles V. DeWitt Jr., a member of the Lyric Opera Lecture Corps.

The program will be held in the second-floor meeting room of the library, 401 Plainfield Road, Darien. Tickets are free but needed reservations can be made at the readers services desk or by calling (630) 887-8760, Ext. 239.

The 2005-2006 Lyric Opera season commentaries are available on compact disc at the Indian Prairie Public Library. Search (keyword search for "2005-2006 Lyric Opera Season") the library catalog for availability.

Posted by indianprairie at 8:47 AM

1st Lace, now Fairview floated for possible sale

One of the hottest issues in Darien over the past month has been the future of Lace School, but this week another Darien School District 61 property may be put up for sale: Fairview Elementary School. The Darien Park District, which longs for a new community center, has approached the School District about possibly buying Fairview, at 7301 Fairview Ave. and adjacent to Westview Park. Read more...

Posted by indianprairie at 8:44 AM

January 10, 2006

Tax preparers needed to help seniors

Volunteers are needed to provide free tax return preparation and filing services geared for persons age 60 and older as well as middle- and low-income filers. The program is administered by the AARP Foundation. Volunteers will receive IRS-backed training in tax law and return preparation during parts of the weeks of Jan. 9 and 16 in Downers Grove. Read more...

Posted by indianprairie at 9:09 AM

Setting goals is the key to starting an exercise program

Increased physical activity can lead to longer life and improved health. But there's more. Regular exercise helps prevent or manage heart disease, diabetes, obesity, some cancers and other lifestyle-related problems. Increased activity also builds strength, can help to reduce stress and give people more energy. Read more...

Posted by indianprairie at 9:02 AM

January 5, 2006

More blackouts reported in Darien

By Lane Kelley 'Twas the night before Christmas -- and residents in Darien were breathing a sigh of relief that Commonwealth Edison had turned their lights back on, after a three-hour blackout Dec. 24. The outage Christmas Eve was caused by a faulty underground cable near the same ComEd substation that was the source of the massive outage last summer, said Scott Coren, assistant to the city administrator. Read more...

Posted by indianprairie at 10:59 AM

Police to auction items online

The Burr Ridge Police Department will be auctioning off surplus items to the public on the Internet throughout January. The items will be sold on Propertyroom.com, and all proceed will go to the department. Authorized by the village, this is the first time the items will be auctioned online. Making the disposal of property easier and more efficient, Propertyroom.com is responsible for picking up the items and auctioning them. Read more...

Posted by indianprairie at 10:58 AM

January 3, 2006

Happy New Year

Wishing the residents of the Indian Prairie community a Happy New Year.

2006 Technology Innovations eweek.com Special Report

Sincerely,

Ann Stovall
Head of Technical & Computer Services
Indian Prairie Public Library
Community Site Web Master

Posted by indianprairie at 4:49 PM