Briefs: City searching for manager

The process for finding a new Naperville city manager will be a lengthy one, according to a recent city memo. The city is expected to put out a request for proposals later this month to find a search firm. It will choose a company in late March or early April. The firm then will begin work to find a manager. Peter Burchard resigned from the position last month after a 10-year tenure. The city council selected Assistant City Manager Robert Marshall to step in as manager pro tem until a permanent replacement is found.

Bensenville safety checks

Bensenville police will conduct roadside safety checks this weekend on the 600 block of South York Road. Motorists will be directed to a checkpoint and asked to provide their driver's license and proof of insurance. Police will check for a variety of violations.

Town center meeting

Winfield will sponsor an open house and workshop Jan. 10 for residents interested in its town center development. Officials hope residents and business owners will be able to provide insight to help determine the most important issues for developing the 48-acre downtown district. The session will be at 6:30 p.m. in village hall, 27W465 Jewell Road. For details, call (630) 933-7100.

College scholarship offered

DuPage Sheriff John Zaruba said the Illinois Sheriff's Association is offering a $500 scholarship to residents enrolled full time in college during the 2008-09 school year. The money must be used for tuition, books and fees. Students must complete the application, answer the essay question and return all documentation by March 14. Applications are available between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the sheriff's administration office, 501 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton. A form also may be obtained at www.ilsheriff.org. For details, call (630) 407-2000.

Winter farm work

DuPage County Forest Preserve District is offering programs that highlight winter farm work from the 1890s. Presentations will be Jan. 12 and 13 at Kline Creek Farm in Winfield to teach visitors about activities that kept farmers busy during winter. A presentation on making sausage and bacon takes place every hour for four hours beginning at 12:30 p.m. both days. Presentations on pruning apple and pear trees will be offered between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. both days. On Saturday only, a blacksmithing demonstration will be offered between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Kline Creek Farm is on County Farm Road, a half-mile south of North Avenue. For details, call (630) 876-5900.

YMCA offers savings

Area residents looking to make good on New Year's resolutions and improve their health may sign up at the Heritage YMCA Group through Jan. 21 and save up to $120 on the joiners fee. The offer includes the Y's three locations in Naperville and the Oswego facility, but excludes the Aurora YMCA. The first session of winter/spring programs runs Jan. 7 through Feb. 24. For details, call (630) 420-6270.

Pantry seeks volunteers

Woodridge Community Pantry is seeking volunteers to pickup food from merchants in Downers Grove, Lisle, Willowbrook and Woodridge. Volunteers may use their own vehicle or drive the pantry's panel truck. Volunteers also are needed to drive a 16-foot cabover unit that can lift food by pallet load (no special driver's license is needed). They may choose a regular schedule, once a week or be on a substitute list. Other volunteer opportunities also are available. For details, call Anne Banks at (630) 512-9921 on Monday, Wednesday or Friday or e-mail her at Abanks@wcpinc.org.