The following email provides timely information on news and services
from the City of Darien.
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Weekly eNews - November 9, 2023 |
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Mayor's Message
"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."
- Winston Churchill
Last Tuesday, I was informed of an honor bestowed on Darien through the efforts of a local Darien family. Each year, the City of Chicago holds a contest to select a tree to serve as the Chicago Christmas Tree down in Millennium Park. In order to compete for this event, individuals or families in the surrounding Chicagoland area submit their nomination for this distinction, along with a rationale for why their tree should be selected. This year there were over 100 entries, and Efren and Zenaida De La Cruz not only submitted the entry of a beautiful sixty-foot Blue Spruce, they enclosed a personal story that Neal Heitz and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events found heartwarming and sincere.
The De La Cruz family came to the United States from the Philippines, settling in the City of Chicago. Efren and Zenaida were hard workers, and while separated from family, sought to establish their new home here in America. While they had what they considered a good life in Chicago, they decided to relocate their young family here in Darien, and they found our Darien community welcoming, finding support from their new neighbors and the Philippine community. In their application they noted that the City of Chicago had welcomed them and provided a good life in a new country; their donating their Blue Spruce was their way of saying “thank you” to the City of Chicago.
When the news media interviewed the De La Cruz family one could see the true emotion in their faces, as they said goodbye to a tree that had been part of their lives for over thirty years. Efren and Zenaida each mentioned that while it was hard to say goodbye to a tree that they had decorated year after year, they knew that it would bring joy and beauty to all those who traveled to Millennium Park during the holiday season. In many respects, they felt that donating this tree brought them joy and happiness. This was a great experience for me as Mayor, and my pride in my community and its residents had me beaming throughout the event and will have all of us smiling when we travel to the city for the tree lighting in November. Efren and Zenaida De La Cruz reminded me so clearly what Winston Churchill meant when he said, "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." I hope during this holiday season you each get a chance to visit Millennium Park and admire our “Darien” Christmas Tree.
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Watch City Meetings Virtually
Can't make it to City Hall for a meeting? No problem! City meetings can be watched on YouTube through a link on the meeting agenda that will take you right to live meeting. Find meeting agendas on the City Website here. |
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Veterans Day Ceremony
Join us in honoring and remembering those who have served our country on Saturday, November 11 at 11:00 a.m. at Darien Community Park (7100 Clarendon Hills Rd) at the Veterans Memorial Monument.
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Fall Yard Waste Reminders
The leaves are falling! All those leaves, combined with other fall clean-up activities, can produce a lot of extra yard waste. Please remember that leaves cannot be swept into the street. They can block storm drains and cause other issues.
Be sure to dispose of all yard waste through LRS or leave the leaves in your garden to protect plants and improve the soil as they decompose. Follow these guidelines from LRS to properly dispose of your yard waste. |
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Nominations Now Open for Darien Citizen of the Year
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 make 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 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.
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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.
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America Recycles Day - November 15
Everyday is a great day to recycle, but November 15 is the day we focus on renewing our effort and educating ourselves and our community on the importance of recycling! By choosing to purchase items packaged in aluminum or glass, you are helping to support a clean environment when you recycle them! Check out these facts from Keep America Beautiful:
- Aluminum cans are infinitely recyclable with nearly 75% of all aluminum ever produced still in use today.
- In as few as 60 days, the aluminum can that contains your favorite beverage may have been manufactured, filled, sold, recycled, and remanufactured.
- Over the past 30 years, glass bottles have been reduced in weight by approximately 40%, saving energy in shipping.
- Glass bottles are 100% recyclable and can be recycled indefinitely.
- Recycle only glass containers used for food and beverages; other types of glass, such as windows, ovenware, Pyrex, crystal, etc. are manufactured through a different process and are not recyclable.
- Recycled glass is part of the recipe for making new glass, and the more that is used, the greater the decrease in energy used in the furnace.
- Nationwide, over 530,000 jobs are attributed to the recycling industry.
Learn more about how and what to recycle in our community from LRS, our Waste Management Service Provider, on their website and get recycling today! |
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Cass District 63 Geothermal Project Begins
Superintendent Mark Cross recently shared the exciting news that the geothermal portion of the safety, security, and facilities project for Cass School District 63 is getting underway. After over a year of planning, it is expected that the project will officially start the week of November 13. Learn more. |
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Economic Development Commission Meeting - November 9
The Economic Development Commission meeting scheduled for November 2 has been rescheduled for November 9 at 7:00 p.m. The agenda and packet will be posted here. |
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Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing - November 15
The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Darien will hold a public hearing on November 15, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road.
The hearing involves two cases. Read the notice here.
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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. |
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
Click on the links below for more information on these upcoming community events! |
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Hinsdale South High School Class of 2028 Registration
It is time to register your student at Hinsdale South High School.
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November 10 - Darien Chamber of Commerce: Casino Night: link
November 13 - Darien Arts Council Meeting: link
November 24 - December 20 - Darien Woman's Club Holiday Soap Collection: 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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