Monday, December 24, 2012
It was an afternoon of festivities at Chestnut Court with carolers, free snacks, store discounts, face painting and a visit from Santa! Many stores hosted specials and showed their holiday spirit. Check out the pictures from today's events.
The businesses of Darien's Chestnut Court shopping center brought holiday cheer to residents Saturday. Santa paid a visit to the businesses during Saturday's event, which also featured carolers, face-painting and more. Participating merchants got into the giving spirit as well and offered discounts and deals. Did you go to the event? Share your photos by adding them to our gallery!
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Darien Lions Members, families and other volunteers load their cars/ vans and head out to make deliveries to almost 200 families in need in our area.
On Saturday morning, the parking lot at the Darien Park District bustled as volunteers played Santa to less fortunate families. The Darien Lions Club collected non-perishable food items for its 38th annual Food Basket program starting Nov. 24 this year and helped feed nearly 200 families. Presents and parishables were distributed and delivered to all area communities which included Darien, Downers Grove, Westmont, Willowbrook and Woodridge. Recipients are referred from local schools who identify students that need assistance. Lions Club Chairman Greg Ruffalo said, "We've seen the need grow every single year." The Darien Park District brightened the homes of many families Christmas weekend as well by providing toys for Darien children …
Saturday, December 22, 2012
The National Weather Service plays Santa Claus with a forecast that looks good for snow on Dec. 25.
If you love a white Christmas and you live in Darien or Woodridge, you just might be in luck in 2012. The National Weather Service-Chicago forecast for our neck of the woods calls for a slight chance of snow showers on Christmas eve (Monday, Dec. 24) and Christmas day (Tuesday, Dec. 25.) That, coupled with the small amount of snow that fell on Geneva Thursday and Friday, might translate to at least a little of the white stuff covering the ground and making the season a little more bright. The forecast indicates the snow could melt off, however, over the weekend. The high temperature for Saturday is 40 degrees, and it's supposed to get up to 38 degreees on Sunday. But after that: Merry Christmas to all in Darien and Woodridge!
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Did you decorate your house for the holidays this year? Enter our "Deck the House" contest and you could win $100,000 for your local school district and $500 to pay your electric bills!
We’re launching our annual Deck the House Contest to find the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America—the best “decked” house in the country—the one home so spectacularly decorated that everyone in town jokes your holiday decorations could rival Rockefeller Center’s. If this sounds like your house, upload a photo or video of your home to our contest page from Nov. 26 to Dec. 16. CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST PAGE Only residents of Patch towns are eligible to enter. We’ll select 24 regional finalists, and from them, pick one grand prize winner. Patch will pay up to $500 of the utility bill for each finalist, while our national winner will have $100,000 donated to his or her local school district. Our contest is right around the corner…
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
The Darien Lion’s Club and Darien Park District are collecting items for the annual Food Basket program and toy drive.
Looking to spread some cheer this holiday season? The community is invited to help two Darien organizations who are working together to help the area’s needy families. Starting Nov. 24, the Darien Lions Club will begin collecting non-perishable food items for its 38th annual Food Basket program. Bags containing goods such as canned food and boxed macaroni and cheese, as well as fresh meat and produce will be given to about 200 families in need in and around Darien. In cooperation with the Lions Club program, the Darien Park District is conducting its annual toy drive. The items will be distributed along with the Lions Club's food baskets. “This is by far the largest outreach program in our community and we are helping so many families to …
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Darien Days began over the weekend and will run through Sunday, Dec. 2, concluding with a holiday expo and tree-lighting.
Small Business Saturday passed last week, but supporting local businesses is something you can do all year. Darien Days, organized by the Darien Chamber of Commerce, puts a special emphasis on local businesses by getting the community involved directly with the business owners. The event officially started Nov. 25 and will run through Sunday, Dec. 2, concluding with a business expo and tree-lighting. Throughout the week, keep your eyes out for special deals from local businesses. Here's a couple deals: The holiday expo is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at Lace School in Darien, with the Darien Historical Society's annual tree-lighting ceremony beginning at 4 p.m. Santa will make an appearance at the expo, and there will also be …
Thursday, November 29, 2012
HCS Family Services in Hinsdale needs volunteers to wrap gifts for Oakbrook Center shoppers this Christmas season in an effort to raise money for the nonprofit.
The folllowing is a release from HCS Family Services: HCS Family Services in Hinsdale is seeking energetic people to support a seasonal fundraiser by wrapping holiday gifts for shoppers at Oakbrook Center. We need volunteers for several shifts each day. Days and times listed below. Individuals and organizations are invited to sign up for as many shifts as they would like. Wrapping paper and supplies will be provided by Oakbrook Center and all donations will go directly to HCS Family Services! For inquires about shift availability and to sign up, please call or e-mail Julie Suarez at 630-323-2500 x106 or jsuarez@hcsfamilyservices.org The gift wrap station will be located in the upper level between Sears and Nordstrom’s, near Baby GAP.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Some Darien-area grocery stores and convenience stores will be open on Thanksgiving Day for your last-minute needs.
Pass the cranberry sauce … oops! Even if you plan ahead for Thanksgiving, there always seems to be something you forgot. So, just in case … here's a list of Thanksgiving Day hours for grocery and convenience stores in and around Darien. OPEN 24 HOURS OPEN PART OF DAY CLOSED
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Patch has all the information you need to form a strategic plan this Black Friday, including links to local ads.
As if you needed an introduction, Nov. 23 marks one of the busiest shopping days of the year—Black Friday. The event often brings out the best and sometimes, the worst, in shoppers. Some have been known to wait in line for hours before the doors open—and blistering cold, biting winds or driving rain has proved no match for the avid Black Friday deal-hunter. So far this year, the National Weather Service is predicting mild weather. Thanksgiving night, there’s a chance of showers and mostly cloudy skies, with a low around 42. On Black Friday it should be mostly sunny with a high near 46- and Friday night, partly cloudy, with a low around 28. And now—what you've all been waiting for—the Black Friday ads. Here's your Black Friday Cheat Sheet…
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Four area Aurelio's locations in Naperville, Villa Park and Woodridge are helping collect food and monetary donations to help the Loaves & Fishes pantry overcome a budget shortfall.
During its busiest time of the year, the Loaves & Fishes food pantry in Naperville is facing a $15,000 shortfall. So Aurelio's Pizza locations in the area are stepping up to help do what they do best: feed people. Now through Dec. 31, four Aurelio's restaurants will be the sites of food and money collections that will go to Loaves & Fishes. Celeste and Steve Wagner, owners of the four Aurelio’s Pizza franchise locations, said in a news release that it’s about "helping neighbors help neighbors." The four locations are: Visit the links above to review the Aurelio's locations. In October, the food pantry served 11,145 people, 4,803 of whom were children for a total of 2,725 households. "When the Wagner’s found out that the pantry suddenly …
Shari gillespie
12:23 am on Monday, December 24, 2012
Great job lions club and park district! My dad and i enjoy helping out every year. What's Christmas if you can't give back to those in need . more ›