Thursday, Aug. 3
• COD admissions representative visits Library
The Villa Park Public Library is hosting a College of DuPage admissions representative from 5-7 p.m., just ahead of the fall term beginning on Aug. 21. All interested individuals are invited to drop in and meet one-on-one with an adult admissions representative from the College of DuPage to learn more about attending COD and to have all of their questions answered. Registration is not required. Info: vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
• Kindermusik Storytime returns to the Library
The Villa Park Public Library is offering Kindermusik Storytime, presented by certified instructor Leah Egan. This special program is open to children ages up to 5 years old with an accompanying adult and involves singing, instrument play, movement, storytime and more. Attendees must choose between two time sessions: 9:30-10:15 a.m. or 10:30-11:15 a.m. Registration is required. Info: vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
Friday, Aug. 4
Dine Out with Friends of the Library
The Friends of the Villa Park Library will hold monthly fundraising dine-outs at local restaurants throughout the summer to benefit the library. Partial proceeds from each Dine-Out will be donated to the Friends by the restaurant. The Dine-Out for August takes place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Chipotle (298 W. North Ave.). Chipotle will donate 50 percent of the proceeds to the Friends. Info: vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
Saturday, August 5
Coffee with the Village Board
At 9 a.m., residents are invited to Village Hall for “Coffee with the Board.” Bring your questions and concerns and discuss them directly with the Village Trustees and officials. Free and open to the public.
Monday, Aug. 7
MSI Kids Club returns to the Library
The Villa Park Public Library is pleased to host an all-new Science Minors: MSI Kids Club. Children ages 8-and-older can get their top hats and bunnies ready as they prepare to make some magic. A world of illusion, tricks, and phenomena awaits them at this fun, educational program. This session will be held from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Registration is required. Info: vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
Tuesday, Aug. 8
Stuffed Animals Sleepover at the Library
The Villa Park Public Library is excited to hold another Stuffed Animal Sleepover from 7-7:30 p.m. Children of all ages are invited to bring a favorite stuffed animal to the library for an evening of bedtime stories and delicious milk and cookies! Before leaving, children will tuck their stuffed friends into bed so that they can have a slumber party at the library. Children can then return on Wednesday, Aug. 9 from 10-10:30 a.m. for a Stuffed Animal Breakfast. Attendees will enjoy a light breakfast and check out pictures of their friends’ night in the library. They will even receive a small memory book to keep and see the adventures their stuffed animals had at the library. Registration is required. Info: vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
Wednesday, Aug. 9
Children’s art program at the Library
The Villa Park Public Library will hold Art Starts! from 2-3 p.m. Children ages 7-and-older will learn about the basics of art, different artists, and different art styles and techniques, and then do an open-ended project based on each session’s topic. Registration is required. Info: vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
Thursday, Aug. 10
• Library hosts storytimes at Oakbrook Terrace Park District
The Villa Park Public Library will bring storytime to the Oakbrook Terrace Park District (1S325 Ardmore Ave., Oakbrook Terrace), delivering stories, songs, and movement. Tales for Twos and Threes at the Oakbrook Terrace Park District will be held from 9-9:30 a.m. Registration is not required. Info: vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
• Library program sparks creativity
Kids can spend their summer making fun crafts at the library. The Villa Park Public Library will hold Crafternoons from 2-3 p.m. Open to children ages 7 and older, each session will feature new projects, using a wide variety of materials. Registration is required for each session. Info: Info: vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
Saturday, Aug. 12
Super Sensational Saturday Mornings
Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and the family to Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park, 320 E. Kenilworth, from 10 a.m.-12 noon for a Super Sensational Saturday Morning. You’ll enjoy an interactive performance by entertaining groups, crafts and face painting. The lineup includes Ken Schultz The Flying Fool. This family event is free to all ages; no pre-registration is necessary. Info: call 630-834-8970 or vprd.org
Monday, Aug. 21
Garden Club program at the Library
The Villa Park Public Library will hold Basic Fresh Cooking from 7-8 p.m., the last in a series of gardening programs sponsored by the Garden Club of Villa Park and presented by Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh. At this session, attendees will learn easy stir frying, baking and pickling techniques. Registration is required. Info: call 630-834-8970 or vprd.org
Saturday, Aug. 16
Career workshop at the Library
Feeling stuck in your current job? Bring an open mind to Career Passioneering at the Villa Park Public Library and begin the career path that you design. The next meeting will take place from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tom Somora, an employment services representative with IDES (Illinois Department of Employment Services), will provide participants with the necessary tools to re-enter the job market and find a rewarding and fulfilling career. Each two-hour session is designed to provide practical, actionable, and relevant advice to those who are attempting to revive an old career or begin a new one. Registration is required. Info: vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
Saturday, Aug. 26
Career workshop at the Library
Feeling stuck in your current job? Bring an open mind to Career Passioneering at the Villa Park Public Library and begin the career path that you design. The meeting will take place from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tom Somora, an employment services representative with IDES (Illinois Department of Employment Services), will provide participants with the necessary tools to re-enter the job market and find a rewarding and fulfilling career. The two-hour session is designed to provide practical, actionable, and relevant advice to those who are attempting to revive an old career or begin a new one. Registration is required. Info: vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
Monday, Aug. 28
Library holds storytime at Cornerstone Books
Villa Park Public Library staff will be at Cornerstone Books, 22 S. Villa Ave., to tell stories and visit the community. Community Storytime @ Cornerstone Books will be held from 9:30-10 a.m. All children will receive a small goody bag, courtesy of Cornerstone Books. Registration is not required. Info: vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
Wednesday, Aug. 30
Therapy dogs visit the Library
The Villa Park Public Library will hold Bark for Books from 6:30-7:30 p.m. A variety of dogs, certified by Therapy Dogs International to be gentle listeners, will be at the library, waiting for a reader. Children of all ages are invited to sign up for a 10-minute session with a furry companion. Those under the age of 7 must attend with an adult. All participants should choose a book to read to in advance. Registration is required for each session. Info: vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
Saturday, Sept. 16
Calling all cool readers!
The Friends of the Villa Park Library will be hosting its third annual Readathon from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Consider being one of their Cool Reader fundraisers by volunteering to read out loud for a 30-minute shift at the Readathon. Cool readers will be asked to raise funds on behalf of the Friends of the Library. For more information or to sign up for a shift, contact the Friends of the Villa Park Library at [email protected]. The Friends are a 501(c)3 organization.
Ongoing events …
Parks and Recreation Mini Adventure Camps for kids
Villa Park Parks and Recreation offers a great program for kids ages 3-5 to keep them busy this summer. Mini Adventure Camps are accepting registrations and are available as a Monday/Wednesday/ Friday or Tuesday/Thursday option. The two camps can be combined as a full week if needed. Register for all eight camp sessions and pay a 10 percent discount. These mini camps are a great way to introduce children to camp in a relaxed and carefree atmosphere. Each camp sessions includes daily swimming at Jefferson’s wading pool, crafts, music, stories and games. Weekly themes will create a fun-filled camp atmosphere to keep kids active. Campers bring a non-perishable lunch each day. Drop off is at the Iowa Community Center at 9 a.m. and pick-up will be at 1 p.m. at the entrance of Jefferson Pool, 341 N. Harvard. Info: call 630-834-8970 or vprd.org for mini-camp dates and fees.
Parks and Recreation Summer Camp
Parks and Recreation is accepting registration for Summer Camp for kids ages 5-12. Summer Camp runs 10 weeks starting now through Aug. 11 and meets daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Iowa Community Center, 338 N. Iowa. You can register children by the week or by the day. If a camper needs to extend their camp day Sunrise and Sunset Camps are available for additional fees. The camp is packed with outdoor adventures, arts and crafts, games, sports, fishing, cookouts, special events, weekly field trips and afternoons at Jefferson Pool. All activities are included in the camp fee. Each week of camp has a different theme that is celebrated on Theme Fridays. Call 630-834-8970 for camp fees and information on the different weekly themes and field trips.
Swim lessons available at Lufkin Pools
Villa Park Parks and Recreation offers swim lessons throughout the summer at both Jefferson and Lufkin Pools. Lessons are available for all ages and skill levels including parent/tot lessons. Morning, evening and Saturday lessons are available to work with busy schedules. Private lessons are available for children as young as 5 years old and are tailored to specific needs such as overcoming a fear of water, improving a certain swim stroke or simply learning how to swim. Call 630-834-8970 for fees, dates and times.
Patron Appreciation Days at Lufkin Pools
Villa Park Recreation announces Patron Appreciation Days and Three Dollar Thrifty Thursdays at Jefferson and Lufkin Pools this summer. Spend the day on Patron Days, 1-6 p.m. at the pool with family and friends enjoying DJ music with games. Food will be available for purchase. Patron Appreciation Days will be held at Jefferson Pool Tuesday, Aug. 15. Patron Days at Lufkin Pool are Monday, Sept. 4. Enjoy the pools for just $3 per person on Thursdays Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. Call 630-834-8970 for more information.
Aqua fitness classes at Lufkin, Jefferson Pools
Villa Park Recreation is offering aqua fitness classes this summer at both Jefferson and Lufkin Pools. Participants can choose classes to attend and pay the drop-in fee of $7 each class (cash only) at the pool on the day of class. Deep Water Workout meets Saturdays, 8-9 a.m. followed by Aquacize from 9-10 a.m., both at Lufkin Pool. Churn the Water is held at Jefferson Pool on Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. and Aqua Zumba is on Wednesdays from 7:15-8 p.m. at Lufkin Pool. Info: call 630-834-8970 or invillapark.com
Travel Kids Summer Camp
Kids ages 5-12 can be a camper for a day by attending Villa Park Recreation’s Travel Kids Summer Camp on Wednesdays which is field trip day. All trips are supervised by camp staff and generally leave the Iowa Community Center at 9 a.m. and return by 4 p.m. Sign up for all 10 trips or just the weekly trip you want. Destinations include Haunted Trails in Joliet, Brookfield Zoo, York Theatre, Santa’s Village Azoosment Park and Rainbow Falls Water Park in Elk Grove Village. The fee is $33 per trip resident; $36 non-resident. Sign up soon because the field trips fill up quickly. Info: call 630-834-8970 or vprd.org
LEGO® DUPLO program for younger children at the Library
All children ages 2-5 are invited to come to the library to build, play, and socialize with other kids and families at LEGO® DUPLO® Build + Play. Sessions will take place at the Villa Park Public Library on Fridays Aug. 18, and Aug. 25, from 10-10:30 a.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required for each session. Info: vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
Library screens summer Monday movie matinees
Children of all ages are invited to stop by the Villa Park Public Library all summer long for Monday Matinees. Screenings of new DVD releases (rated G, PG and PG-13) will be held at 1 p.m. on the following dates: Aug. 7 and Aug. 14. Registration is not required. Info: vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
Library screens outdoor movies
The Villa Park Public Library is hosting Movies in the Park on Monday, Aug. 7 and Aug. 14 at 7:45 p.m. All are invited to bring a lawn chair or a picnic blanket to enjoy a movie outdoors on the big screen at Cortesi Park (320 E. Kenilworth Ave.). Concessions will be available for purchase. Movies will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. This event is co-sponsored with the Villa Park Parks and Recreation Department. Registration is not required. For more information, including the movie titles and running times, vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
Gymnastics program
Parks and Recreation has announced a new gymnastics program in partnership with Tumbling Times Gymnastics, 400 Rohlwing Road. A wide variety of gymnastics classes are available for all ages and skill levels. Info: vprd.org or call 630-834-8970.
VFW Friday Night Fish Fry
From 5:30-8 p.m. every Friday evening, the Villa Park VFW Post #2801, 39 E. St. Charles Road, holds its Fish Fry. Menu available for purchase includes fried shrimp, fish/shrimp combos, beef/sausage sandwiches, combos and hot dogs.
Widows or Widowers meeting
Widows or Widowers (W.O.W.) of the Western Suburbs meets on the third Thursday of each month starting at 6:30 p.m. Held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 537 S. York Road, Elmhurst. Admission: $5. Info: (630) 620-4060 or wow.cfsites.org.
