The following email provides timely information on news and services
from the City of Darien.
|
|
Weekly eNews - December 7, 2023 |
|
Mayor's Message
“It's Christmas time in Darien, in Darien Illinois. There will be lots of fun in Darien for every girl and boy.”
- Phyllis Nordstrom Johnson
On Sunday, December 3rd, the Darien Historical Society held its Annual Darien Tree Lighting Ceremony. As is so typical of our volunteer community, and so uniquely Darien, the Historical Society received assistance from the City of Darien as well as the Darien Lions, Woman’s Club, Garden Club, Indian Prairie Library, VFW 2838, the Darien Woodridge Fire Department and the Darien Community Bank This tree lighting kicks off the holiday season in Darien, and while it is not as elaborate as one you might see in other communities, it is rich in historical tradition.
This year, residents attending the event met Santa as he arrived via the Darien Woodridge Fire Department, and children had an opportunity to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus while receiving a goodie bag supplied by the staff of the Darien Community Bank. If visitors were hungry, the Darien Lions gave away grilled hot dogs and bags of potato chips, while the Woman’s Club kept you warm with cups of hot chocolate. Our young Darien residents had a chance to visit with a face painter, while mom and dad were able to learn some fun gardening facts from our Darien Garden Club. The Darien Historical Museum is a great place to learn more about Darien’s unique history, and Dean Rodkin, President of the DHS entertained a number of residents who sought to learn more about our city, while upstairs in the museum classroom, children were entertained by a member of the Indian Prairie Library who conducted a holiday storytime.
While the afternoon was filled with all of these activities, our crowd grew as we prepared to light our Darien Christmas Tree. Prior to the actual lighting of the tree, we were entertained by the Lakeview Junior High Choir under the direction of Jennifer Rickert, and their selections added to the festive nature of the event. Finally, we conducted a group countdown, and our tree lights, signifying the start of our holiday season were turned on, meeting with applause from the crowd.
Our wonderful afternoon of events came to a conclusion with our tree lighting, and as I looked out and pictured the crowd, I thought that the only thing that would have created more of a Norman Rockwell setting is if we saw a light snow as we flipped the switch. As the day’s activities came to a close, I was reminded of the song we sing each year prior to lighting the tree; and in my mind I envisioned the crowd singing, “Its Christmas time in Darien, in Darien Illinois, there will be lots of fun in Darien for every girl and boy.” Have a happy holiday season!
|
|
Darien Connections - The Winter Edition has Arrived
The Winter 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. |
|
Darien Community Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration Thank You
Thank you to everyone who came out and made the Darien Community Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration a wonderful event! Enjoy these pictures from the event. And, many thanks to Home Depot for donating the museum exterior wreath and garland!
|
|
Final Week of Yard Waste Collection
Make use of the Yard Waste Service from LRS before it ends for the winter season THE WEEK OF December 10, on your regular garbage day! Yard waste pickup is included free with LRS residential garbage service from April 1st through the second full week of December. All items must be placed out for collection by 6:00 a.m. on collection day. Click here for guidelines from LRS on how to dispose of your yard waste properly. |
|
Darien Community Blood Drive - Dec. 20
Donating blood is a generous thing to do. It helps people in need, and it helps people in your community. When you give, others live.
Join us for a Blood Drive on Wednesday, December 20 at Our Lady of Peace School in the gym, 709 Plainfield Rd., Darien.
To schedule an appointment call Vitalant at 877.258.4825 or visit Vitalant.org and use group code: ORD0DR98. To prepare: Eat well, hydrate, & bring ID. Appointments recommended. Walk-ins welcome. View flyer. |
|
Darien Lions Holiday Food Basket Program
Each year the Darien Lions provide over 300 area families in need with a holiday gift basket filled with perishable and non-perishable goods to make their holiday celebrations special. Families with children under the age of 12 will also receive gifts for the holiday season! YOUR DONATIONS MATTER!
Donations can be made by mail to Darien Lions Club Foundation 1702 Plainfield Rd.,
Darien, IL 60561 or via Paypal at @DLCFoundation. View Flyer. |
|
Holiday Lights Tour
Winners of the City's Holiday Decorating Contest will be announced at the City Council Meeting on Monday, December 18. The Holiday Lights Tour will pass by the winning homes on Thursday, December 21, at 7:30 p.m. Residents need to check-in at the Police Department lobby and arrive at 7:15 p.m. This event is free and open to Darien residents, with reservations taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Call Diane at 630-353-8102 or Dorothy at 630-353-8101 to reserve your seat!
|
|
Eco-friendly Holiday Tips
Are you dreaming of a Green Christmas? The way we choose to celebrate can make a huge difference in the amount of waste we create. Make the holidays a little greener with these tips from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)!
- Wrap your gifts with paper or fabric scraps you have at home and secure it with string.
- Make your own greeting cards.
- Use pinecones, dried fruits, and other compostable decorations for your home.
- Take your reusable shopping bags when you head out to buy gifts.
- Decorate with energy efficient LED lights.
- Find more tips here.
|
|
Recycle Holiday Lights
Pulling out the Christmas decorations? Don't throw out those old lights! Christmas light recycling through Elgin Recycling will be available outside the Darien Police Department, starting Friday, November 10th through mid-February.
|
|
City of Darien is Hiring
The City of Darien is hiring for the position of Recording Secretary. This position is responsible for recording official meetings for the Planning & Zoning Commission, Economic Development Committee, Municipal Services Committee and, from time to time, City Council meetings. For more information and a full description of the position and general requirements please visit here or call 630-353-8104. |
|
Nominations for Darien Citizen of the Year
Due Jan. 2
The Citizen of the Year Committee is searching for a very special man or woman who has given of themselves to make Darien a "Nice Place to Live"! If you know of a person who goes "above and beyond the call of duty" ... is always there when someone needs a hand ... and who has contributed to making Darien a special place, please nominate them for this honor!
This year, we will not only be honoring our Citizen of the Year, we will also be paying tribute to individuals selected by their organizations as their “member of the year.”
Nominees must be residents of Darien and not currently serving as an elected official. The deadline for nominations to be considered for the current year is Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 5 p.m. Learn More.
|
|
Holiday Package Theft
Online shopping makes the holidays easier, but package theft remains a risk. Luckily, AARP has tips to help you avoid the dreaded stolen package:
- Retrieve a package as soon as it arrives. You can usually track a package, and if you’re away, arrange for someone to be home when it’s scheduled to arrive.
- Have the sender require a signature for delivery.
- Pick up your package someplace else. Using ship-to-store, you can often have an item sent to the major retailer that sold it.
- Going out of town? Tell USPS to hold your mail and packages at the post office or until you request home delivery. Mail may be held for up to 30 days.
- Have the package placed out of sight.
- Consider a door camera for security. With some devices, you can use your phone, tablet or personal computer to see, hear and speak to anyone who has rung your doorbell or triggered motion detectors.
- Stay informed and watchful, and be a good neighbor.
|
|
Update on City of Darien 2023 / 2024 Parkway Tree Trimming Program
The City of Darien will be conducting their annual Parkway Tree Trimming Program beginning in December 2023. This year’s tree trimming program consists of trimming approximately 1,750 parkway trees. Below are the subdivisions to be trimmed:
|
|
- Farmingdale Village
- Woodmere Townhomes
- Tara Hill Subdivision
- Carriage Way West
|
|
- Carriage Hill
- Glen Eagles
- Darien Woods
- Waterfall Glen
|
|
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 $175.00 per tree in the front yard, and $300.00 per tree in the back yard. Residents may contact Aleksander Tucker, Yellowstone Landscape Group for private property work at 847-987-8806 or via email beginning Friday, December 1, 2023 through Friday, March 1, 2024. (Private property tree trimming will not commence until the City’s program is complete).
For additional information regarding the Tree Trimming Program, please call 630-353-8105.
|
|
EDC Meeting Rescheduled
The December EDC meeting has been rescheduled/moved from December 7, 2023, to December 19, 2023.
|
|
Be in the Know - Help Spread the Word
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. |
|
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Click on the links below for more information on these upcoming community events! |
|
November 24 - December 20 - Darien Woman's Club Holiday Soap Collection: link
December 20 - Darien Community Blood Drive: link
|
|
Darien Police Weekly Press Release
The Darien Police Department issues a press release each week.
|
|
|
Darien Events and Happenings |
|
Check out the City Calendar for information on upcoming meetings and events
|
|
Check out the Community Calendar for the news on events from Darien community organizations!
|
|
|
(630) 353-8114
City Hall (630) 852-5000
|
|
Visit the City of Darien's website for information on City services.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
