Darien Direct Connect E-Newsletter: March 21, 2024

The following email provides timely information on news and services

from the City of Darien.

City of Darien Website

Weekly eNews - March 21, 2024

Mayor's Message

“The light you left behind in the souls you touched, shines a little brighter on your birthday.” - Unknown

This past Tuesday, March 19 would have been the 104th birthday of my dad, who we said goodbye to almost twenty years ago. Born on St. Joseph’s Day, my grandmother gave him the name Joseph, and in many respects, he role modeled St. Joseph as the provider and protector of our family. Each year that he has been gone, I compose a brief message to him, thanking him for his impact of my life and his unselfish dedication to his family. His dedication to our family was second only to his dedication to his faith and his commitment to his Catholic faith, which he clearly exhibited every day of his life.

The year that I was born, my mother prayed to deliver me on March 19, but I decided that March 23 would be the day that I made my entrance into this world. Despite my being four days “late,” mom still wanted me to share my dad’s name, and while not a junior, I was proud to be called Joseph after my father. Over the years, due to the closeness of our birthdays, mom always held a party where we celebrated each of our special days. I was always proud of the fact that I shared this celebration with my dad, it was our special day, and over the years it cemented the bond between father and son.

I have a number of close friends who have all experienced the passing of their fathers and their mothers. When we gather together, we sometimes reminisce, and share stories of our dads and their impact on our lives. When we have these discussions, we never use the phrase, “lost our father,” or “lost our mothers,” because each of us feels that we carry a small part of our parents inside us that always reminds us of all the great times we had together as a family. As long as we have these memories, we will never “lose” them from our minds or our hearts.

On March 19, I wrote my dad a Facebook post, included a picture of him and wished him a happy “heavenly” birthday. I use the same picture every year, one of him smiling his Joe Marchese smile and his beautiful blue eyes. When I hit “post,” I know in my heart that he has received my message, and once again, we celebrate our special day together as father and son. Happy Birthday Dad!

Get Emergency Alerts from the Darien Police Department

In our continuing effort to keep Darien residents informed, the Darien Police Department is introducing Emergency Notifications via text. Please visit our Direct Connect Signup page and provide your cell phone number to receive text notifications in case of an emergency. These texts will be sent at any time (day and night) when an incident within the City may impact the community (e.g. police activity, accidents where there are road closures, etc.). There is no cost to sign up for this service. The Police Department will continue to use X/Twitter for non-urgent notifications.

Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month – commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. Learn more.

Holiday Service Update

City Hall will be closed on Friday, March 29, in observance of the Good Friday holiday. Refuse and recycling collection will not be affected by this closure.

Spring Break Road Safety

Spring break is coming up for the schools in our community. Remember to be attentive behind the wheel and watch out for children enjoying the spring weather and the break from classes. Here are tips from the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration:

Always be on the lookout for pedestrians
Obey the speed limit
Put down your phone when driving
Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather
Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk

Yard Waste Collection Starts on April 1

Starting April 1st through the second full week of December, residents can take advantage of weekly yard waste and food scrap collection services (composting) with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS). These services are included in the monthly fee!

Yard waste generally includes leaves, grass cuttings, twigs, small shrubbery clippings, plants and flowers. Limbs should not exceed 4 feet in length and 50 pounds in weight. Branches must be no more than 4 inches in diameter, with the total diameter of the bundle not to exceed 24 inches. Residents can participate by placing yard waste and/or food scraps (there is no need to separate them) in biodegradable paper bags, or in containers and placing them at the curb on your garbage day. You can find more details on acceptable yard waste and food scraps on the LRS Website.

Vehicle Stickers Now Available

Rotary Club of Darien 2024 vehicle stickers are available at both City Hall and the Police Department for a $3 donation. Vehicle stickers are not required by the City, they are offered each year by community service organizations as a fundraiser for the organization.

Cicadas Coming This May

The Morton Arboretum wants to prepare you for the emergence of millions of cicadas this coming May. This is particularly exciting as it only happens once every 17 years! The Arboretum shares, "For about four to six weeks there will be millions of big, red-eyed insects flying around and making an ear-splitting noise, especially in areas with lots of old trees. They will be annoying, but they are harmless to people and pets; they can’t bite or sting. Children are often fascinated by the huge, slow-moving, easy-to-catch bugs. By the end of June it will all be over." Find more information on the Morton Arboretum's website.

Indian Prairie Public Library Survey

IPPL needs your help planning for the future. Your opinion counts! Complete the Indian Prairie Public Library survey here by Friday, March 29.

Recycle Your Election Signs

Recycle your political and other corrugated plastic and cardboard signs at no cost. The DuPage County Environmental Committee is accepting signs on the two days listed below at the DuPage County Government Campus at 421 N County Farm Rd in Wheaton, IL. Learn more here.

Sign Collection Times

Friday, April 5th · 3 pm – 5:30 pm

Saturday, April 6th · 9 am – 12 pm

Questions?

Contact DuPage County at 630-407-6700 or email Recycle@dupagecounty.gov.

The City is Hiring

The City of Darien Police Department is accepting applications for a Part-time Community Service Officer (CSO). The candidate has to be able to work Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (excludes holidays).

Learn more about this position here and apply today!

Sharing a Community with Coyotes

Coyotes are often seen in neighborhoods near natural areas. If a coyote is seen in its natural habitat, it is fine to watch it from a distance. The key to living with coyotes is remembering that they are naturally afraid of people. Never approach a coyote, let your dog approach it, or feed it. Never leave your pet unattended outside, especially at night, and keep your pet on a leash in public places.

If you encounter a coyote that is displaying aggressive or dangerous behaviors, such as growling or barring teeth, please take the following steps:

Do not run away from the coyote. Maintain eye contact.
Make yourself appear as large and threatening as possible.
Use a loud, authoritative voice and make aggressive gestures such as moving arms and legs and throwing rocks, sticks or other objects.

If you see this type of aggressive behavior in an individual coyote, you should call 911. Learn more.

Make Sure Your MMR Vaccine is Up to Date

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection and remains a significant public health concern. The good news is that measles is almost entirely preventable through vaccination. MMR vaccines are safe and highly effective, with two doses being 97% effective against measles (one dose is 93% effective). When more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated, most people are protected through community immunity (herd immunity).

Residents are urged to check their vaccination status and ensure they are protected and have received the recommended doses of the MMR vaccine. Vaccination not only safeguards individual health but also helps to safeguard the health of our entire community by preventing outbreaks of measles.

Measles can spread rapidly among individuals who are not vaccinated, particularly in settings where people gather closely, such as schools, childcare facilities, and public events. By staying up to date with vaccinations, residents can reduce the risk of measles transmission and protect themselves and others from the potentially severe complications of the disease. Learn more.

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Darien’s Direct Connect E-Newsletter (DC) is the City’s primary source of information for residents and businesses. Please tell your friends and neighbors about DC, forward this email to them, and ask them to sign up. Signing up is simple and can be done here.