Baby raccoons at play at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn. The center is celebrating it’s 60th anniversary this year. (Photo courtesy Willowbrook Wildlife Center)

HINSDALE

Edward-Elmhurst hosts farmer’s market at new site

To mark the opening and give the public a chance to preview its newest outpatient site, Edward-Elmhurst Health is hosting “Fresh Fest,” a Farmers Market, on Sunday, July 17, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Edward-Elmhurst Health Center & Immediate Care, 8 Salt Creek Ln. in Hinsdale.

The $18 million, three-floor, 33,000-square-foot facility will open on Monday, July 18 and provide high-quality, close-to-home healthcare services, including:

• Immediate Care: Treatment for minor injuries and illnesses that are not life-threatening
• Imaging: Digital X-ray, mammography, ultrasound and Dexa bone scan
• Lab
• Physical therapy
• Occupational health
• Linden Oaks Behavioral Health
• Primary care physicians and specialists, including OB-GYNs and neurologists

“Fresh Fest” will be an outdoor event (rain or shine) with fresh produce and artisan creations for sale, healthy games and giveaways for all ages, health center tours, free food and drawings for dozens of prizes.

Attendees can also donate their loose change at the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation table to benefit Elmhurst Hospital’s Animal-Assisted Therapy program.

For more information and to pre-register for the prize drawing, visit www.eehealth.org/hinsdale.

NAPERVILLE

Work begins on entry to Municipal Center

Pending weather or unforeseen circumstances, reconstruction work on the main level entry way to the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., will begin on Wednesday, July 6 and require visitors to use alternate means to enter the building.

Between July 6 and 15, the right half of the exterior entry stairs, wheelchair ramp and garden box will be demolished to make way for a safer and more accessible entry way to the Municipal Center. During this time, the left half of the stairway will still be useable but visitors will have to approach the stairs around the west end of the fountain as the sidewalk immediately leading to the Municipal Center will be closed.

From July 15 to Aug. 12, the left half of the staircase leading to the front doors of the Municipal Center will be demolished as well rendering the entire main level entry to the Municipal Center inaccessible.

Work will be conducted 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and the project is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 30.

Fire Department seeks ‘clunker’ vehicle donations

The Naperville Fire Department seeks donations of used and “clunker” vehicles from residents and local businesses for firefighters to practice critical auto extrication skills as well as for tool demonstrations, training and more.

The department is seeking as many vehicles as possible for use in the coming months into next year.

All vehicles must have titles and keys available. If a vehicle cannot be driven to the Naperville Fire Department, but is located within City limits, Fire Department staff will make arrangements to have it picked up. Donations may possibly qualify as a tax exemption at the end of the year.

To make a donation of a vehicle, contact Ruthi Sommers at (630) 305-5900 or sommersr@naperville.il.us.

GLEN ELLYN

COD offers tours of colleges prairie, plants

Participants (above) learn about the history of tallgrass prairies in Illinois, the restoration of the College of DuPage prairies, the role of fire in tallgrass prairie and characteristics of a more than 100 species of native Illinois plants found throughout the 18-acre Russell R. Kirt prairie preserve on COD’s campus in Glen Ellyn.

A glimpse of the time when tallgrass prairie still existed plentifully in the area, the college’s prairie areas serve as an outdoor classroom in the biological sciences, enabling students an opportunity to gain real-world experience in field-based research.

Additional free tours of the Russell R. Kirt Prairie will be available this summer from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6, and Wednesday, Aug. 24. For directions or more information about the college’s free summer prairie tours, click here or contact Professor of Biology Lynda Randa at randal@cod.edu.

Celebrate Wildlife Haven’s 60th birthday at Saturday party

Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Willowbrook Wildlife Center with some special programs, starting with a pizza party on July 9 from 5 ‒ 8 p.m. at the center at 525 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

Enjoy a pizza dinner and visit popular areas of the center; then, cap off the evening with a surprise activity (and a Willowbrook favorite). The event is for ages 7 and up with an adult. Cost is $15 each for ages 13 and up; $10 for ages 7 ‒ 12. Reservations are required; register online or at (630) 942-6200.