Lisle holds its 34th annual Eyes to the Skies hot Air Balloon Festival, July 1-3.

DuPAGE COUNTY

No tuition hike in new COD budget

Tuition will not be increased, according to a new budget approved by the College of DuPage Board of Trustees. The board of trustees on June 23 approved a $172.9 million operating budget that also does not increase the operating tax levy.

The budget assumes the per-credit hour rate will remain at $135 per credit hour for all of fiscal year 2017. Tuition and fees were reduced by $5 per credit hour to $135 per credit hour for in-district students, starting with the spring 2016 semester.

Across-the-board budget cuts helped the College of DuPage erase a projected $11 million deficit in its 2017 budget. Previously, the board was looking at a budget that showed operating revenues of $171.4 million and operating expenses of $182 million, for a projected deficit of nearly $11 million. The approved budget shows operating revenues of $173.3 million and operating expenses of $172.9 million, down from $181.4 million in this year’s budget.

COD received only three out of 12 state payments in the 2016 fiscal year, so the proposed 2017 budget does not include any state aid. COD is in much better financial shape than other colleges and universities in Illinois. It has projected an about $9 million operating funds surplus in fiscal year 2016, which includes the $3.5 million it has received from the state in base operating grants.

Touring children’s play encourages improvisation

A special theatrical production features three stories about the world above your lip. Do you see yourself the way you are, the way others see you, or the way you want to be? No matter what kind of moustache you are, these original stories about ’staches are perfect for the entire family, where everyone is encouraged to participate.

Scripted through improvisation, “Moustache Tales” highlights individuality, weaving a common, positive message throughout three vignettes inspired by audience participation. Because of that participation, no two shows will be the same.

Summer Repertory Theatre is presenting “Moustache Tales.” In addition to upcoming July 16-17 performances at the McAninch Arts Center, this performance is touring around DuPage County. For more information about attending a show listed below, contact that venue. Admission is free.

• 3:30 p.m. June 30 at Early Childhood Center, College of DuPage
• noon July 1 at the Bloomingdale Park District
• 6 p.m. July 7 at the Wheaton Public Library
• 10 a.m. July 9 at the DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville
• 3 p.m. July 9 at Cantigny, Wheaton
• 2 p.m. July 13 at the Lisle Library
• 10 a.m. July 14 at the Winfield Public Library
• 7 p.m. July 15 at the Helen M. Plum Memorial Library, Lombard
• 2 p.m. July 16 at the Glen Ellyn Public Library

Student-prepared meals being served

Student chefs will show off their skills as the student-run Waterleaf Dining Room and Culinary Market at College of DuPage both open for the summer term.

Students in the International Cuisine class will prepare recipes from around the world celebrating the seasons and focusing on fresh ingredients. Lunches will start at 11:30 a.m. various Tuesdays. The dates and meal themes will be: July 12, Argentina; and July 19, Thailand. The menus can be viewed online, and the cost is $20, which includes tax. Wines will be available by the glass.

The Culinary Market will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays through July 20. The menu at the Culinary Market changes daily, and is tied to the curriculum of several classes.

Dedicated dining parking can be found by the entrance to the Culinary & Hospitality Center on the COD campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

Reservations for lunches are available through the Waterleaf page at www.opentable.com. To receive email notifications from the Culinary Market or for more information, call (630) 942-2359 or email culinarymarket@cod.edu.

LISLE

Hot air balloons to fill sky over Lisle

The annual Eyes to the Skies Hot Air Balloon Festival is one of Lisle’s most treasured events. Approximately 80,000 people attend this annual, family event, which will celebrate its 34th anniversary this year, July 1-3.

This annual event features colorful hot air balloons, balloon launches, balloon flights and dramatic evening balloon glows at Community Park, Route 53 and Short Street.

Balloon launches will be held from 5:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. each day of the three-day fest. Tethered balloon rides including rides for children and adults with disabilities will let riders experience a balloon ride.

A carnival is being held June 29-July 3. More than 25 vendors will sell a variety of food. Twenty-one bands will perform during the festival. The headliner is country music duo Thompson Square, which has won Grammy, AMC and CMA awards. The concert will be held 8 p.m. July 2. Nightly fireworks shows will start at 9:45 p.m. The July 3 show will be presented and timed with a musical score.

Admission is $8 for adults and children 7 and older; children 6 and younger will be admitted free. On July 3, admission is free until 3 p.m. for Lisle residents with valid photo ID and free all day for military members (active and veterans) with valid military ID. Appearances, shows and times are subject to change.

For complete schedules and parking arrangements, go to www.eyestotheskies.org/.

Naperville

Another accolade for Naperville

We already know that Naperville is the wealthiest city in the Midwest, one of the best places to live in the country, a great city to retire and one of the safest cities in the country.

Now it is included in a list of the most successful cities in the United States.

According to Zippia, a website that helps people make career decisions, poverty level, median household income and unemployment rates were analyzed to determine a ranking.

After collecting data for 289 cities with more than 100,000 people, each city was ranked from 1 to 289.

And placing No. 3 on that list is Naperville. Rounding out the top three was Cary, North Carolina in second and Frisco, Texas in first.

–DuPage County News Briefs–