The Wheaton Public Library Friends of the Library’s annual book sale will feature more than 20,000 books for adults and a separate children’s sale with thousands of books, movies and more at the Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St., Wheaton. Sale hours will be 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug. 23-24 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 25-26.

COUNTY

Giving DuPage launches biggest service initiative

Imagine what would happen if an entire county “did good” for an entire year? DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin challenges the community to find out, as he and Giving DuPage launch the county’s biggest service campaign – Do GOOD DuPage. The year-long initiative promotes community service throughout the county, aiming to involve 150,000 people and challenge them to do good deeds, share the experience and get others involved.

The public can sign up for service idea including volunteering, donating items, creating awareness or celebrating volunteers. Some of the ideas are easy and some involve more time or effort, with an end goal for each idea. For example, one idea asks1,500 people to learn about a nonprofit organization and write an article to create awareness about it. The article can be shared in their school, church or group newsletter or published on social networks.

All year, Giving DuPage wants to hear about volunteer and donor experiences. Everyone is encouraged to share their Do GOOD stories on social networks using the hashtag #DoGOODDuPage.

To sign up for Do GOOD DuPage, visit givingdupage.org/doGOOD. Follow the initiative and connect to Do GOOD stories at #DoGOODDuPage. For more information, or to support this campaign, email givingdupage@dupageco.org or call (630) 407-6458.

School districts In national rankings

Two DuPage County school districts are high in the latest Niche.com’s annual ranking of school districts. The 2018 Niche rankings rank elementary, middle and high schools as well as school districts.

Naperville Community Unit School District 203 came in at No. 3 in the state and No. 38 in the country. Aurora’s Indian Prairie School District 204 ranked No. 6 in the state and No. 82 nationally.

Naperville District 203 got an A+ in most categories, including academics, teachers, clubs, college preparation and health and safety, but scored a B+ in diversity. Indian Prairie School District 204 got an A+ in most categories and an A in diversity.

In the rankings of high schools in the country, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora ranked No. 5 and Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale ranked No. 24. Walter Payton College Prep in Chicago ranked the top school.

Niche.com analyzes dozens of public data sets and millions of reviews to produce comprehensive rankings, report cards and profiles for every K-12 school, college and neighborhood in the U.S. To compile the rankings, Niche looked at data from the U.S. Department of Education as well as test scores, college data and ratings collected from Niche users.

GLEN ELLYN

Edward House supporters win preservation award

Each year, Landmarks Illinois honors nine historic preservation projects and the people who made them happen. This year, the Friends of the Edwards House will receive the Landmarks Illinois 2017 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Project of the Year Award for Advocacy.

The friends group formed around an effort to save a local historic home, the Edwards House, from demolition by a developer. The home was destroyed in June 2015. However, the attention generated by the campaign led to increased interest in local historic preservation and spurred the creation of a committee to streamline the municipal preservation ordinance. As a result, the number of landmarked properties grew from two to 15 over two years.

The awards celebration pays tribute to individuals and organizations that work to elevate historic preservation practice and advocacy in Illinois. This year’s winners will receive an award and a $1,000 prize. The ceremony is open to the public and will begin with a panel discussion, featuring some of this year’s winners sharing stories of their preservation efforts.

The ceremony will be from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago.

ELMHURST

Artist will discuss his work at reception

The public is invited to meet artist Wesley R. Baker at a free opening reception 7-9 p.m. Aug. 18 in the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild Gallery of the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave.

The museum is hosting an exhibition of Baker’s work, which features a diverse collection of abstract iconic American images, ranging from motorcycles and landscapes to Civil War and Native American themes, exploring current and historical political issues. Baker’s style tends toward abstract representational. His artistic inspiration comes from 19th Century impressionists to 20th Century symbolist and abstract painters.

Most of the works in the exhibit, which runs through Sept. 22, are available for purchase. Some of the sales will benefit the guild and museum. The exhibition can be viewed during regular museum hours, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.

WHEATON

Friends of the Library hold annual sale

Friends of the Library’s annual book sale will feature more than 20,000 books for adults and a separate children’s sale with thousands of books, movies and more at the Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St., Wheaton. Sale hours will be 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug. 23-24 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 25-26.

Aug. 25 is Buy One, Get One Free Day and Saturday is Books by the Bag Day. All proceeds benefit the library.

–DuPage County News Briefs–