Dupage County News Briefs

Chronicle Media
Various beers are lined up on a bar. Right now, there are no happy hours in Downers Grove. That could change if the Village Council considers state-sanctioned discounted liquor sales at is Aug. 2 meeting.

Various beers are lined up on a bar. Right now, there are no happy hours in Downers Grove. That could change if the Village Council considers state-sanctioned discounted liquor sales at is Aug. 2 meeting.

DuPAGE COUNTY

DuPagePads providing short-term housing

Homeless nonprofit DuPagePads is continuing its work, funded with a grant from DuPage Foundation. The foundation awarded more than $670,000 in grants to those working in health and human services areas as well as kindergarten readiness.

DuPagePads is using its share of the funds for its medical respite program, which provides one- to two-week rooms at motels with negotiated reduced rates for participants referred by a doctor. It also provides case management.

To learn more about the organizations, visit dupagepads.org or dupagefoundation.org.

NAPERVILLE

Springbrook driving range closes Aug. 1 for renovation 

Springbrook Golf Course‘s driving range, first tee and west practice green will close for renovations, beginning Aug. 1. The project will expand and improve the driving range tee and practice green, add another chipping green and improve the overall traffic flow of the first tee and practice areas. The golf course is at 2220 83rd St, Naperville.

The driving range expansion will result in a larger, level tee with the newest variety of low-cut bluegrass. In addition to enlarging the driving range tee, Springbrook Golf Course also will relocate and expand the west practice green from its current location to a new location adjacent to the driving range tee. The larger, less contoured space will provide more practice space and will include a new chipping green, practice bunker and chipping area.

To accommodate the new practice area, the first tee will be moved farther south, essentially trading places with the existing west practice green. Golfers will use temporary tees near the 250- to 270-yard range during construction.  

Logistics and timing of the project are as follows: 

The driving range, first tee and adjacent practice green will close Aug. 1. Construction of the new range tee will take place in August, and with minimal weather delays, the driving range will re-open in early September. The practice green and new first tee will open in the spring of 2017.

To accommodate the new practice area, the first tee will be moved farther south, essentially trading places with the existing west practice green. Golfers will use temporary tees near the 250- to 270-yard range during construction.

The existing chipping green on the east side of the parking lot will remain open for use throughout the project. 

Construction areas will be fenced off during the project to maintain safety for golfers and workers. Signs will be posted to help golfers find the first tee and maneuver around the construction.

Food tour offers tastes of historic area

A culinary and cultural experience will take the public through Naperville’s historic neighborhood for about three hours July 31.

The Bites and Sites Food Tour will start near the 5th Avenue Station at 11:30 a.m.

Along the way participants will sample food tastings from family run restaurants and shops. Tickets for this popular tour must be purchased in advance. Purchase tickets at www.NapervilleFoodTours.com.

DOWNERS GROVE

Village mulls lifting happy hour ban

The Downers Grove Village Council may consider state-sanctioned liquor sales at is Aug. 2 meeting. If so, businesses would be able to discount any alcoholic drink during a specified time period.  During its July 19 meeting, the board was presented with a recommendation to allow the village’s businesses to operate under the allowances Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law in July 2015.

The village, as a home rule municipality, has the right to enact ordinances that are more restrictive than state law and currently prohibits special alcohol sales.

Under the 2015 changes, the conditions are:

• The price of the drink is not changed during the time it is discounted,

• The period of time during which any drink of liquor is discounted does not exceed four hours per day and 15 hours per week, divided by the licensee in any manner they choose, and

• Notice of the discount during a specified time is posted on the premises or on the licensee’s publicly available website at least seven days before the specified time.

Currently, the village’s municipal code restricts those activities. The last time village officials considered a change in liquor laws was October 2015, when the Downers Grove Liquor Commission recommended the staff consider the amendment to the code.

HINSDALE

Trio of fire department mainstays reach milestones 

During a recent Village Board meeting, village trustees formally recognized Fire Chief Rick Ronovsky and Fire Captain Dave DeWolf for reaching their respective 30th anniversaries with the Hinsdale Fire Department.

Ronovsky was appointed fire chief in 2012 after previously serving as captain and lieutenant. He also serves on the Illinois EMS Region 8 Advisory Board, the Triton College Fire & EMS Advisory Board, the MABAS 10 Incident Management Team and the DuComm Executive Board.

DeWolf, who was promoted to captain in 2012 after previously serving as lieutenant, was one of the founding investigators of the DuPage County Fire Investigation Task Force, and currently serves as a commander. He also is a member of the MABAS 10 Fire Investigation Task Force.

In addition, Fire Captain John Gianelli was recognized for his 25th anniversary with the department. Gianelli became a captain in 2012, and currently is a shift commander as well as the department’s training officer.

WHEATON

Cars, motorcycles will be on display

Front Street near Main Street in Wheaton will be the location for the next vintage rides antique car and custom motorcycle show.

The show will be held from 6-9 p.m. July 29. The free family-friendly event is hosted by the Downtown Wheaton Association, and a different make or model of a classic car will be featured each week. Musical entertainment also will be provided. 

–Dupage County News Briefs–