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Good food does more than nourish our bodies. Flavorful food can restore our souls, connecting us with cherished memories and reminding us of our family heritage.
Spices are essential to cooking, but they're often overlooked when people make donations to our food pantries. That's why my office held a spice drive in January – and why we are so grateful to the wonderful people at Penzeys Spices for their generosity and support.
When they heard about our spice drive to support local food pantries, Penzeys donated 48 jars of garlic powder, 48 jars of onion powder, 48 jars of Hungarian sweet paprika, 48 jars of ground cumin, and 48 jars of their own ground pepper mix, Penzeys Pepper. We picked up their donation from their Naperville store, at 22 E Chicago Ave., in the River District shopping center. (As you can see from the photo, it's a treasure trove of spices.) If you're not familiar with Penzeys, you can take a look at their website to learn more.
Thanks to Penzeys and the many neighbors who donated, we collected 300 jars of spices that we are distributing to Glen House Food Pantry in Glen Ellyn, the Outreach House in Lombard, and West Suburban Community Pantry in Woodridge.
Big thanks to Penzeys and to everyone who made our spice drive such a success.
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Want to apply for a state grant? Learn how at our GATA Training Event on Feb. 27
We had such a great response to our first grant workshop with the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) in November that we’re now planning another training event – this one focused on Illinois’ Grant Accountability and Training Act (GATA). I hope you’ll be able to join us virtually at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, to learn how to navigate the GATA process.
GATA was passed 10 years ago to create standardized processes and templates for state grants to organizations. Before your organization can apply for a state grant, you must be pre-qualified on the GATA Grantee Portal. To walk you through the pre-qualification steps, our office is teaming up once again with Jared Walkowitz, DCEO’s Chief Accountability Officer. He’ll be presenting and taking your questions via Zoom.
Non-profit organizations are the beating hearts of our communities, and these grant funds are crucial to making sure that you’re able to fulfill your mission. I’m very pleased that our office can provide this information, and I hope you will reach out if you have questions or concerns.
You can register for the event here. For more information, please contact us at reptch42@gmail.com or call (630) 812-9292. We hope you can join us!
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Confused by Medicare options? Learn the basics in Downers Grove TOMORROW
Trying to understand Medicare can be overwhelming, and it can be challenging to find a source of factual, understandable, unbiased information.
If you (or a family member) are getting ready for Medicare, you can learn the basics at Downers Grove Park District's free class tomorrow (Friday), from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Ave.
Maribeth Fencl, a Medicare-certified insurance broker, will help participants understand the program and figure out the plans that are best for them. Pre-registration is required and can be done by clicking here.
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Black History Month Spotlight: Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks
Gwendolyn Brooks, a poet, author, and teacher, was the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.
Although she was born in Kansas, her family moved to Illinois when she was just a few weeks old, and she called herself an "organic Chicagoan." Her first published collection of poems, A Street in Bronzeville, gave vivid portraits of her neighbors in her vibrant South Side neighborhood. She went on to serve as Illinois' Poet Laureate from 1968 to her death in 2000.
In this enchanting video, you can hear Brooks read one of her most famous poems, the jazz-influenced "We Real Cool." I hope you can take a few minutes to watch it, and then read more of her poems, including “The Children of the Poor,” which won the Pulitzer.
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Take a Wonka Walk and find a golden ticket in Glen Ellyn this weekend
Downtown Glen Ellyn is celebrating everything sweet this weekend with a Wonka Walk, which includes a free showing of the classic 1971 film, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.
This Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 10 and 11), you can enjoy Wonka-inspired bites and sips throughout downtown restaurants. While you're there, look for Willy Wonka strolling through town. You also can search for a Golden Ticket in participating storefronts, redeemable for a sweet treat.
The Glen Art Movie Theatre, at 540 Crescent Blvd., will be showing Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory at 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Seats are limited. For more information, you can click here.
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Electronic recycling in Wheaton SATURDAY
Bring your outdated or unwanted electronics to the City of Wheaton's monthly electronic recycling collection this Saturday, Feb. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Public Works Storage Yard, 820 W. Liberty Drive.
This is a drive-through event, and volunteers will be on hand to help unload items from your car. There will be a charge to drop off TVs and computer monitors at this event. For more information, you can click here.
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Spend your weekend looking for love at Glen Ellyn Park District’s Hunt for the Hearts
Join in for an adventuresome hunt for love throughout Glen Ellyn's parks tomorrow (Friday) through Sunday, Feb. 11, from 5 to 8 p.m.
You'll solve clues to find the hearts hidden throughout our parks, and you can then trade those hearts for prizes at Spring Avenue Recreation Center. The more hearts you find, the better prizes you’ll win.
This event is open to all ages, but you must register to play. The fee is $5 for residents, $8 for nonresidents. Click here to learn more and register.
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Help keep local ponds clean as a Village of Lombard Community Development intern
Lombard is dotted by dozens of ponds that play an important role in collecting rainfall and keeping storm and combined sewers from overflowing.
To help make sure those ponds are clean, stable, and free of debris, the Village of Lombard is seeking a Private Engineering Services-Community Development Intern, to help inspect local ponds, communicate with pond owners, and keep records up-to-date.
The intern also will help to keep an eye on Village-owned ponds, including Terrace View Pond, Vista Pond, Morris Pond, and the Village Municipal Complex Pond, as well as ponds on Lombard Park District grounds.
The Village is looking for someone with good communication skills, basic knowledge of hydrology and stormwater detention systems, and a valid driver’s license. You'll also need to be enrolled in an accredited engineering college curriculum, with at least 24 credit hours by the time you start work. To learn more about the position and apply, visit here.
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Celebrate "Galentine's Day' with &Rise's 5th annual brunch SATURDAY in Lombard
&Rise will hold its 5th annual Galentine's Brunch this Saturday, Feb. 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 837 S. Westmore Ave. in Lombard.
At the event, you can enjoy a delectable brunch (mimosas included) followed by a body positivity photo shoot. Guests also will learn how to create affirmation cards on their phones, using Canva.
&Rise is a non-profit organization that offers women free counseling, support groups, financial education, trauma life coaching, professional development, and more. To purchase tickets, click here.
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Take an evening tour of Lombard's Sheldon Peck Homestead TUESDAY
You're invited to take an evening tour of the Sheldon Peck Homestead, Lombard's oldest home, at 6:30 p.m. this Tuesday, Feb. 13.
The Homestead, at 23 W. Maple St., was a safe house in the Underground Railroad, a network that helped Black people escape slavery in the early and mid-1800s.
Tours are free; registration is required as space is limited. You can click here for more information and to register.
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Glenbard East traveling children’s theatre to present “Peter Pan”
The Glenbard East theatre department and forensics team will present Disney Jr's enchanting production, “Peter Pan,” presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
This traveling winter production of "Peter Pan" will first tour Marquardt School District 15 elementary schools before flying into Rider Hall at Glenbard East, on Friday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available here. You can even take a photo onstage with the cast for $5 after Saturday’s 2 p.m. show.
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DuPage Care Center fundraiser to send Valentine wishes to Center residents
Would you like to make Valentine's Day a little sweeter for a local senior or someone with a disability? For a $5 donation, you can send a bright, cheerful helium balloon to a DuPage Care Center resident.
Volunteers and staff will deliver the balloons to Center residents on Feb. 14, brightening their day and bringing lots of smiles along the way.
Donation for balloons will be accepted through Feb. 10. You may send a check to DuPage Care Center, attn: Valentine Balloons, 400 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187, or order online at dpccfoundation.org.
Balloon sales will support the Resident Recreation Fund, which provides programs and activities to improve the quality of life for Center residents. For more information, you can click here or contact Linda Gray at (630) 784-4303 or linda.gray@dupagecounty.gov.
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Get inspired and support Glen House Food Pantry at Celebration of Tables
A beautifully set table can transform a simple meal into a celebration. If you're looking for creative ideas to make your dinner table more exciting, you'll want to get your tickets now to this year's Celebration of Tables event, on Sunday, March 3, at Arrowhead Golf Club, at 26W151 Butterfield Road in Wheaton.
The Celebration of Tables, which benefits the Glen House Food Pantry in partnership with Glen Ellyn Newcomers & Neighbors Club, will feature about 20 tablescapes designed by local individuals and businesses, along with refreshments, live music, and raffles.
Early bird tickets are available for $60 each through Feb. 15. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.
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Younger children can enjoy Arctic Adventures in Downers Grove SUNDAY
The Downers Grove Park District invites children aged 2 through 5 to take part in Arctic Adventures this Sunday, Feb. 11.
The adventures, which will include a hearing a winter-themed story, playing snow-inspired games, and learning a new skill, will begin at 10 a.m. at Lyman Woods, at 901 31st St. You can click here to register.
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Learn to find the 'How of Happiness' – even in the toughest times – with GPS on Feb. 15
You can get practical advice on finding the "How of Happiness" from social psychologist and author Sonja Lyubomirsky at the next Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) webinar, at noon and againt at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15.
Drawing on her years of academic research, Lyubomirsky argues that we can learn how to recognize the upside of negative events and find opportunities for happiness and personal growth even during challenging times. During her presentation, she will offer strategies that you can use to find your innate potential for joy.
As you may know, GPS is a locally based educational consortium dedicated to presenting distinguished, relevant, high-profile authors, clinicians, and educators who share research-based knowledge and practical wisdom. The group's mission is to enhance the resilience and well-being of all students by helping them build relationships, develop coping strategies, and forge responsible decision-making skills.
You can go to glenbardgps.org for further information and the link to these webinars. To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, send an email to Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at gilda_ross@glenbard.org.
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High School Seniors are encouraged to apply for the Township Officials of IL Scholarship
Do you know a promising high school senior who's planning to attend college here in Illinois? Make sure they know about the Township Officials of Illinois Scholarship Fund, which offers scholarships of up to $2,000.
Applications are due March 1, 2024. To apply, students must provide a high school transcript, two letters of recommendation, and a cover letter. Students also must write a 500-word essay on "The Role of Township Government in Today’s Society and in the Future", based on a personal interview with an elected township official.
You can download the application here. If you have any questions, you can contact the TOI at 217-744-2212 or kayla@toi.org. Don't delay, as the application must be complete and turned in on March 1.
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Upcoming Events
We have lots of events coming up, so please take a look and mark your calendars today!
Feb. 17: Yoga at the Lombard Historical Society, from 10 to 11 a.m. at 23 W Maple St.
Feb. 17: Sheldon Peck, Portrait of an Ordinary Man in Extraordinary Times Documentary Viewing from 2 to 3 p.m. with the Lombard Historical Society at 23 W. Maple St.
Feb. 19: Glen Ellyn Park District's Magic Show from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Main Street Recreation Center, 501 Hill Ave.
Feb. 21; Blood and Food Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ackerman SFC, 800 St. Charles Road in Glen Ellyn.
Feb. 23: Bags and Brews Tournament from 6 to 10 p.m. at Ackerman SFC, 800 St. Charles Road in Glen Ellyn.
Feb. 23-Mar. 3: Restaurant Week in Glen Ellyn will offer prix fixe menus, special promotions and/or classic signature items.
Feb. 25: 4th Annual Glen Ellyn Restaurant Chili Cook Off, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. join local area restaurants as they vie for the title of Chili Cook-off Champion.
Mar. 1: Glen Ellyn Park District's Job Fair from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Main Street Recreation Center, 501 Hill Ave.
Mar. 2: Become an Herbal Gourmet, from 2 to 3 p.m. with the Lombard Historical Society at 23 W. Maple St.
Mar. 23: Lombard Park District's Egg Hunt, from 10:40 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Lombard Common, 433 E. St. Charles Road, field east of Paradise Bay Water Park.
Mar. 23: Bunny Brunch in Lombard, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Lombard Community Building, 433 E. St. Charles Road.
Apr. 16-19: Restaurant Week in Lisle, showcasing restaurants throughout the village
If you have any questions about pending legislation or other issues related to your state government, please don't hesitate to contact my office at 630-812-9292 or RepTCH42@gmail.com.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong,
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Terra Costa Howard
State Representative
42nd District
913 S. Main St.
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 812-9292
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