NAPERVILLE

Museum carves out special time for special needs children, families

The DuPage Children’s Museum will host a special Family Night Out March 17 for families with special needs children. The evening, 5:30-8 p.m., provides time for play and learning for these families, focusing on the autism spectrum and other sensory processing disorders as well as physical disabilities.

Finding places for the whole family to play without stress can be difficult, but this after-hours event allows for a time to experience the museum in a calmer, less crowded environment. Some lighting and sound will be muted, and additional sensory activities and cool down spaces will be provided. In an effort to provide a sensory-friendly environment, admission will be capped at 225 guests. Complimentary snacks and beverages will be available. Family night out attendees are welcome to bring their own food.

Admission is free, but registration is required. Registration opens for each Family Night Out the Monday four weeks before each event. The next Family Night Out is scheduled for April 27. Registration opens March 25. The museum is at 301 N. Washington St., Naperville. For tickets, go to 8667.blackbaudhosting.com.

Alive Center, Fry Family Y join to offer more teen drop-in hours

Beginning March 13, Alive Center will expand its free teen drop-in hours to a satellite location at the Fry Family YMCA, 2120 95th St., in south Naperville.

The two organizations are piloting Alive@Fry to meet the demand of students who pass by the YMCA on their way home from Neuqua Valley High School and other schools.

The free drop-in hours will be from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays.

Activities will include teen-initiated art, games, STEM programs, fitness programs, health and wellness, and more.

The Alive Center, based in a facility at 500 W. Fifth Ave. in Naperville, strives to empower teens to become impassioned, resilient leaders by giving them a chance to create programs that inspire other youth.

Alive provides free mentoring; classes and workshops on a variety of topics such as leadership, career development, healthy cooking, art and music; drug prevention and awareness; anti-bullying and cyber safety information; community service projects; and many clubs and activities related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.

Parents can register their children, and then they will be able to log onto the Alive system at any time to see when their teen signs in and out of the drop-in center. Teens can register themselves onsite at alivecenter.recdesk.com/Community/Member/Signup.

For more information, email info@alivenaperville.com.

WHEATON

Seminar to reveal 10 telling signs of Alzheimer’s

The warning signings of Alzheimer’s disease are often dismissed as side effects of normal aging. If you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss or behavioral changes, it might be time to learn the facts. A representative from the Alzheimer’s Association will speak at 7 p.m. March 18, at the Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St., to help the audience separate myths from reality. Registration required. To register, call 630-868-7520, or visit wheatonlibrary.org/events/calendar.

The Rev. Bob Bossie, SCJ

Speaker to talk about challenges of nuclear war, climate change

The Rev. Bob Bossie, SCJ, will offer both a warning and a challenge as keynote speaker at the 15th Annual Gathering of the West Suburban Faith-based Peace Coalition (WSFPC) that will be held at 1 p.m. March 23, at Hope Presbyterian Church, 1771 S. Weisbrook Road, Wheaton. The meeting is free.

Peace activist Father Bossie will discuss “Our Absolute Challenge: Nuclear War and Climate Change” at the meeting. Father Bossie is a co-founder of Voices in the Wilderness, a campaign to end the economic and military war against Iraq, and was a prominent participant in the 8th Day Center for Justice for more than 30 years.

Father Bossie will explain why faith communities have no choice but to commit immediately to helping humanity return to an essential relationship with creation. During his interactive presentation, he will invite ideas from the audience about other steps that must be taken as a community of faith.

Father Bossie’s presentation is part of the lecture series dedicated to the memory of the late Rev. Dr. J. Robert Sandman, a retired United Church of Christ minister and an outstanding chiech leader and member of the organization’s Servant Leadership Team.

WSFPC is an initiative of faith-based peace makers from Chicago’s western suburbs and the general area. WSFPC includes clergy, congregations, other peace organizations and more. It is committed to sustaining the work of peace through activities such as vigils, education, lobbying/legislative initiatives and interfaith dialogue.

VILLA PARK 

Library hosts exhibit, drawing for movie buffs

Reel fun for all movie maniacs, film freaks and cinema-centrics is guaranteed with the mounting of an exhibit at the Villa Park Public Library, 305 Ardmore Ave.

Starting at 9 a.m. March 16, the library will display a large array of movie posters from pop culture films (current and upcoming). Visitors who wish to test their skill of observation, may match several descriptions with the corresponding posters displayed (correctly) for a chance to win a prize. Twenty participants will get a bonus entry into the prize drawing. Visit eventbrite.com to claim a free ticket/confirmation code. Then, bring a printout and present it for the drawing.

–DuPage County News Briefs–