The following email provides timely information on news and services
from the City of Darien.
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Weekly eNews - August 3, 2023 |
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“There will always be a reason why you meet people. Either you need them in your life or you are the one that will change theirs.” - Wisdom Life Quotes
Over forty years ago, I came across a saying that I found on a greeting card that a student had thrown out of their locker, lying on the floor at Buffalo Grove High School. I never realized at that time how significant that greeting card would become in my life. The saying is titled “Bits and Pieces,” and it addresses how people enter our lives, some in a positive, others in a negative way, and as the saying goes, “He (God), moves people in and out of each other’s lives, and each leaves a mark on the other.” Last week, reflecting on “Bits and Pieces,” I wrote about how we are all a composite of all of our life experiences, including those by individuals who touch our lives, no matter how brief a time they spent with us. Some of these experiences are so brief that we don’t realize how these momentary meetings have left a deep and lasting mark on our hearts.
Last Thursday evening, I attended our second “Darien Rocks the Green” concert, and as always, I spend time walking through the crowd greeting concertgoers and asking them their impressions of our city. Early in the evening, I came across two couples, Jim and Janet Yule, and John and Dee Dee Rudisel, who were enjoying the music as well as the opportunity to spend their evening with lifelong friends. I found them to be very open and willing to share a bit of their history with me. From what I learned, Dee Dee and Janet were childhood friends, growing up in the same neighborhood, and attending the same elementary school with one another. Their friendship never lapsed, and when John and Dee Dee found out that Jim and Janet had sold their home in Berwyn and moved to Darien, they sold their home in Bolingbrook several years later and moved to Darien and now live in the same condo complex as Jim and Janet. Now, these two couples, each married for over forty years, are enjoying their lives and friendship living here in Darien, a city that they both agree is a nice place to live.
Meeting Jim and Janet and John and Dee Dee was a brief and momentary experience for me, but it will be one that I will remember for a long time. It reminded me of that line from “Bits and Pieces,” and how people leave a mark on one another’s lives. I was touched by the fact that these two couples, everyday people, had found a way to enjoy their lives through the continuation of a lifelong friendship. To them, life’s achievements are not measured by monetary gains, rather it is in the quality of their relationships, and the individuals they call friends.
As Stuart Scott so aptly states, “Every day I am reminded that our life’s journey is really about the people that touch us.” What he says has great significance for me as it does for Jim and Janet and John and Dee Dee, and I know that I will never forget the “Bits and Pieces,” that have entered my life, knowing that I am more because of them, and how I would be less had they not come into my life.
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Darien Connections - The Fall Edition
The Fall edition of Darien Connections, the City’s print newsletter, should be arriving in your mailboxes this week! When it arrives, be sure to check it out for helpful tips, fun events, important community updates, and more. View here. |
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Darien Rocks the Greens Summer Concerts at Carriage Greens
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Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy some music and fun at Carriage Greens last week! Mark your calendars for the next show on August 31 with Reckless! |
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Metropolitan Alliance of Police Annual Telephone Solicitation Process
The Metropolitan Alliance of Police (M.A.P.) is the labor union representing patrol officers and sergeants employed by the Darien Police Department for collective bargaining and legal representation purposes. Typically, M.A.P. solicits all residents and businesses within Darien once a year and that time is here. The Darien Police Department would like to remind residents and business owners within Darien that solicitations made on behalf of the Metropolitan Alliance of Police are, without exception, made by employees of professional fundraising enterprises and not Darien police officers or sergeants. No Darien police officers or sergeants are involved in the practice of soliciting money from residents or businesses over the telephone for any purpose, as this practice is expressly prohibited by department policy. Telephone solicitors working on behalf of M.A.P. who claim to be Darien police officers are simply misrepresenting themselves.
Donations requested in the name of M.A.P. fundraising efforts go to support union activities and are not given to the Darien Police Department. A good way to identify this type of solicitation is when the solicitor offers to send a representative to your home or business to collect your donation. This practice has been common amongst professional fundraising firms used by M.A.P. locally in the past. Solicitors who claim that donated monies directly assist the police department are simply misrepresenting the facts.
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Economic Development Committee Meeting - August 3
The Economic Development Committee will meet on Thursday, August 3, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. The agenda will be posted here. |
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The City of Darien is Hiring
The City is now hiring for the position of Business Liaison and Recruitment Coordinator. This position is responsible for implementation of economic development goals for the city including planning, coordinating and monitoring programs and projects that are designed to retain existing businesses, attract new businesses and secure new economic investment. Learn more about this opening here. |
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Planning and Zoning Commission
Public Hearing - August 16
The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on August 16, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road, Darien, IL 60561.
The purpose of the public hearing will be to hear testimony from interested persons and make a recommendation on CASE NO. PZC2023-05 and CASE NO. PZC2023-06. View details of both cases here.
In-person attendance at Planning and Zoning Commission meetings is allowed and you are encouraged to participate by submitting questions and comments via email to the City Planner Jordan Yanke. |
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City Council Meeting Cancelled
The City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, August 7, has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 21. To see all scheduled meetings, check out the community calendar. |
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Clarendon Hills Road Closure
The City is continuing the capital investment project along Clarendon Hills Road. This project includes a new sidewalk along the east side of the road from Plainfield Road to 67th Street, the construction of a crosswalk into Community Park, and the installation of a stop light at 67th and Clarendon Hills Road.
During this construction, there will be limited traffic permitted on Clarendon Hills Road within the project limits. Please avoid the area if you can, and watch for road closures and detours that will be in place. The detours will be adjusted as needed during the project. We are planning for the traffic detours to be in place through August 7. For questions, please call Regina at 630-353-8105.
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Heat-Related Illness in Seniors
Seniors, especially those with health issues, are at higher risk to suffer heat-related illnesses during the warm summer months. You can keep yourself and those around you safe by following these tips:
- Check the weather and plan to stay indoors when it will be too warm for outdoor activities.
- Check your medications. Some medications make it more difficult for our bodies to cool down when overheated.
- Dress in loose, light clothing to help keep you cool.
- Stay hydrated. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink more water.
- Check on friends and neighbors and ask them to check-in on you when the weather is going to be warm.
Find more safety tips and information here and find Cooling Centers near you by searching DuPage County's list by zipcode. |
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DuPage County's New Strategic Plan
DuPage County is creating a new strategic plan for the next five years. In order to best serve DuPage County residents, they need your input which will help shape the vision, priorities, goals, and objectives of the new plan.
"For our strategic plan to be successful, we will need to hear from our residents and our community groups about their priorities and vision for the County," said Strategic Planning Committee Chair Sadia Covert. "We want to be inclusive as we develop this new strategic plan, and we look forward to working with our residents through this process."
You can learn more about the strategic planning process and fill out a survey here. The survey will be open for feedback for a few months. |
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
Click on the links below for more information on these upcoming community events!
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August 10 - Darien Park District Summer Movies - Super Mario Bros.: link
August 10-13 - Darien Fest: link
August 15 - Darien Arts Council Monthly Meeting: link
August 19 - Community Shredding Event: link
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Darien Police Weekly Press Release
The Darien Police Department issues a press release each week.
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Darien Events and Happenings |
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Check out the City Calendar for information on upcoming meetings and events
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Check out the Community Calendar for the news on events from Darien community organizations!
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(630) 353-8114
City Hall (630) 852-5000
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Visit the City of Darien's website for information on City services.
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