City notes: Bubble Bash celebrates new year

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

Bubble Bash

Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel and singing group Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies will lead the ninth annual, family friendly New Year’s Eve countdown from 9 a.m. to noon today at the DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St. The event will feature musical performances by Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies, refreshments, art activities, photo opportunities and more. Reservations are required. Call 630-637-8000, ext. 0.

Ringin’ in the New Year

Taking place today, this all-day event in downtown Naperville has something for each family member. Events include face painters, jugglers, musicians, ice carvers and fortune tellers from noon to 5 p.m.; a bell parade from the covered bridge on Jackson Avenue to the Millennium Carillon from 5 to 6 p.m.; free hot chocolate from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Riverwalk Eatery; a 6 p.m. “Ringin’ in the New Year” countdown at the Millennium Carillon; and a traditional midnight countdown at the carillon. Visit www.downtownnaperville.com.

Fundraiser

As part of the Hometown Holidays celebration, Little Friends Inc. is selling a limited edition Hometown Holidays collectible. Max the Moose is on sale now for $10 at a number of area locations. Proceeds from Max the Moose sales will benefit the Naperville-based agency. Visit www.littlefriendsinc.org or call 630-355-6533.

Science fair judges needed

Indian Prairie School District 204 is in need of judges for its 2011 middle school science fairs. Judges do not need to work in a scientific field, but it is helpful if judges understand how a science fair works. Judges are needed for the following dates and locations: from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 29 at Neuqua Valley High School, 2360 95th St.; and from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 5 at Waubonsie Valley High School, 2590 Ogden Ave. This event is co-sponsored by the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation. Visit http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Forms/SciFair.aspx.

Herb tea garden

The Naperville Community Gardeners invites the public to its program “The Herb Tea Garden,” taking place at 7 p.m. Monday at Knox Presbyterian Church, 1105 Catalpa Lane. The featured speaker is Nina Koziol, who teaches garden design and horticulture classes at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Visit www.napervillecommunitygardeners.org.

Meet a Wolves player

Chicago Wolves hockey team defenseman Jamie Sifers will visit the Naper Boulevard Library, 2035 S. Naper Blvd., at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to answer questions and sign autographs and photos. One lucky child will have the chance to dress in an entire hockey uniform, complete with pads. Sifers’ appearance is part of the library’s Winter Reading Program and the Wolves’ “Read to Succeed” initiative. The Winter Reading Program is for children from birth through fifth grade. Visit www.naperville-lib.info.

Home energy program

The city of Naperville announced Phase II of its Home Energy Savings Program. Due to additional funding, the city will accept an additional 100 qualified residents for participation in the program. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 7. To qualify, a home must be in incorporated Naperville and built prior to 2000. The Home Energy Savings Program is designed to provide qualified residents an opportunity to improve their home’s energy efficiency through a free home energy evaluation. Program participants will also receive a 50 percent reimbursement up to $1,500 for qualifying energy improvements. Call the city’s Home Energy Hotline at 630-420-6077 or visit www.naperville.il.us/HESP.aspx.

Bridal showcase

If you’re planning a wedding, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to meet with an array of quality local vendors at this up-close and personal showcase. The Bridal Showcase will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Jan. 7 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 8 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. Admission is free and includes food, drink and cake tastings. Call 630-420-6010 or visit www.napersettlement.museum.

Hope art auction

Local artists have partnered with Cat Guardians and the Naperville Art League to create works of art depicting cats at the Naperville Art League Gallery. Some of the artwork features adoptable cats from Cat Guardians. The works will be auctioned off from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Naperville Art League Gallery, 508 N. Center St. The exhibit is available to view at the gallery from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 4 through 7. Visit www.napervilleartleague.com.

Junior Woman’s Club

The Naperville Junior Woman’s Club will host a new member social from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 8 at Wine Styles, 2775 Show Place Drive, Suite 121. The $5 entry fee includes wine tastings, appetizers, raffle prizes, giveaway bags and more. A new member orientation will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. that same day. To RSVP for the social and/or orientation, call Heidi at 630-886-9180 or e-mail membership@napervillejuniors.org.

‘Quake’

In January, North Central College students will perform “Quake,” a comical yet thought-provoking play by award-winning playwright Melanie Marnich. Four performances of “Quake” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6 to 8; and at 2 p.m. Jan. 9 in Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens. Call 630-637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

Art exhibit

North Central College will host an exhibit featuring paintings, drawings and print works by world-renowned artist Will Barnet from now through Jan. 13. “Will Barnet: Figurative Prints” is free and open in Schoenherr Art Gallery at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. The exhibit will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays and one hour before most performances in the Fine Arts Center. Contact Nickole Lanham at 630-637-5375 or nclanhammmurray@noctrl.edu.

MLK tribute

The Chicago Sinfonietta pays tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a rousing musical experience at 8 p.m. Jan. 15 at North Central College’s Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. The Chicago Sinfonietta will honor the life and work of King with the musical celebration, “Concert III: A Dream Unfolds.” Tickets are $60 and $50. Call 630-637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

Chocolate Festival

NCO Youth & Family Services will host its eighth annual Chocolate Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Neuqua Valley High School Gold Campus, 3220 Cedar Glade Drive. The event features chocolate vendors, games, cooking demonstrations and entertainment. Visit www.ncoyouth.org.

Tiny Great Performance

The DuPage Symphony Orchestra Chamber Group will perform Sergei Prokofiev’s classic “Peter and the Wolf” with special guest narrator Ralph Covert of Ralph’s World during the Tiny Great Performance from 10:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 15 at the DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St. This program is free to DuPage Children’s Museum members or free with admission. Call 630-637-8000 or visit www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org.

‘Aladdin Jr.’

The Naperville Park District and Magical Starlight Theatre will present “Aladdin Jr.” from Jan. 14 to 16 at the Naperville North High School auditorium, 899 N. Mill St. Tickets may be purchased online at www.napervilleparks.org and picked up at the Park District Administration Building, 320 W. Jackson Ave.; purchased at the Administration Building; or purchased on performance dates at the door. Nonrefundable tickets are $8 if purchased by Jan. 13 and $10 if purchased Jan. 14 or at the door on any of the performance dates. Call 630-848-5000 or visit www.napervilleparks.org.

School’s Out: Super Cool

Children in first through fifth grades will enjoy a day off of school from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 17 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. Have fun with super cool, snow-related activities: learn about famous snowstorms and the chemistry of making snow, make a snow globe and play ice cube relay races and snowflake bingo. Children will also participate in a community service activity to acknowledge the purpose of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The participation fee is $45. The cost to Naperville Heritage Society sustaining members is $40. Call 630-420-6010.

Art show

North Central College will feature the artwork of 14 art teachers in an exhibit titled “Indian Prairie District 204 Art Teacher Exhibit,” taking place from now through Jan. 17 in the Meiley-Swallow Hall Gallery, 31 S. Ellsworth St. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Call 630-637-5375 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/show.

Meeting schedule

The City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers of the Naperville Municipal Center.

The Sister Cities Commission will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Mayor’s Conference Room of the Naperville Municipal Center.

The Advisory Commission on Disabilities will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the City Manager’s Office Conference Room of the Naperville Municipal Center.

The Plan Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers of the Naperville Municipal Center.