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George W. Bush coming to Naperville for book signing

Former president also will attend private charity event in Lombard

Former President George W. Bush is scheduled to make two appearances next week in DuPage County, including one in Naperville to promote his new book, “41: A Portrait of My Father.”

Bush's Naperville appearance will begin at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, at the downtown Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave.

Also on Monday, Bush is expected to attend a private charity event hosted by Daniel L. Goodwin, chairman and CEO for the Inland Real Estate Group of Companies, according to sources close to Goodwin.

The annual Dan Goodwin Holiday Luncheon is planned for 10 a.m. at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center hotel in Lombard. In past years the event has featured Jeb Bush and Karl Rove.

Bush's public appearance in Naperville is expected to draw more than 1,000 people,

“This is really a big deal,” Anderson's spokeswoman Candace Purdom said Tuesday. “We're very honored they've allowed us this opportunity.”

Purdom said she believes Anderson's is the first independent bookstore to host an appearance by the former president.

The Bush family, however, is well acquainted with Anderson's — Laura Bush appeared at an event sponsored by Anderson's in 2008 and one of the Bush daughters, Jenna, has appeared at two Naperville book signings — including the one with her mother.

Purdom said the store expects to distribute about 1,200 wristbands for those who purchase the book and wish to meet the former president. The wristbands will be color-coded based on the order in which people purchase the book (a maximum of two copies) and the time they will be allowed into the store.

When customers arrive on Monday, they will be able to meet Bush, but the books will be pre-signed and distributed at the end of the greeting line. The former president will not personalize books or sign other memorabilia, she said.

Those hoping to meet the president must have their wristband and receipt, Purdom said, and one wristband is required for each person 12 and older. There will be no family or group access with one wristband.

Security at the event will be heavy, she said, and patrons will not be allowed to bring in cameras, cellphones, purses, backpacks, briefcases, beverages or other such items. She said patrons entering the store will go through screenings similar to those at airports and will only be allowed to bring in their coat, wristband, receipt and keys.

“If people try to bring in anything else we'll ask them to return to their cars and put it away,” Purdom said. “We need to have things as simple as possible.”

She said people are being asked to arrive at least 90 minutes before their scheduled time. Customers with orange wristbands will line up at 12:30 p.m., with green wristbands at 1 p.m. and with pink wristbands at 1:30 p.m. Those with pink bands will not be guaranteed a chance to meet the former president.

Purdom said Anderson's learned Saturday night that Bush would be visiting.

Bush visited Naperville on Labor Day 2000 when campaigning against Al Gore for his first term as president. At that time he attended a brief rally at Naperville North High School and marched in the city's Labor Day parade.

The book, “41,” has been described as an intimate biography that covers the entire scope of President George H.W. Bush's life and career.

• Daily Herald Staff Writer Robert Sanchez contributed to this report.

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