DuPage County in 60 seconds
Run for Nicarico Fund
For years, hundreds of people have gathered to either walk or run in a 5K event for literacy held in honor of 10-year-old Jeanine Nicarico of Naperville. Before her 1983 murder, the brown-eyed, dimple-faced girl overcame her struggle with reading. Her family wants to help other children facing the same challenge. The seventh annual run/walk for reading steps off at 7:30 a.m. May 18 at River Woods Elementary School, 2607 River Woods Drive, Naperville. So far, The Jeanine Nicarico Fund for Literacy has doled out more than 100 grants equaling more than $100,000 to public and private schools within Districts 203 and 204. Organizers are seeking corporate sponsors and participants for the family friendly event. To register, go to www.SignMeUp.com or www.nicaricoliteracyfund.org. Corporate sponsors may contact Mary Bazan at (630) 527-1100 or mary@lynmarlending.com.
Concert at Glenbard East
The Glenbard East Music Department presents the Lilac Band Concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Biester Auditorium, 1014 S. Main St., Lombard. It includes the two concert bands and the symphonic band. Senior Elisa Lieb, who plays the alto saxophone, will perform Alexander Glazounov's "Concerto in E flat for Saxophone." The program also includes "Colours" by Roger Cichy, "In Storm and Sunshine" by J.C. Heed, "Variations on a Korean Folk Song" by John Barnes Chance, "As Summer Was Just Beginning" by Larry Daehn, "Night Dances" by Bruce Yurko and "La Fiesta Mexicana" by H. Owen Reed. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for senior citizens and students. Music booster passes are accepted.
Fighting child abuse
Friends of the DuPage County Children's Center is reaching out to the public and businesses to help make the nonprofit group's annual fundraiser a success. The family brunch and silent auction is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27 at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. Last year, the center investigated 363 cases of abuse involving 396 children. Proceeds from the fundraising event help pay for victim counseling, family support programs and staff training. Tickets are $50 for adults, $15 for children ages 5-12, or free for kids under 5. Corporate sponsors also are needed. For more information, visit www.fdccc.org.
Students win Nicor award
Posters showing how to communicate energy efficiently translated into prizes for three area students. The "Energy by Design" competition sponsored by Nicor and the National Energy Foundation required students to design the poster and write a report on the most important lesson they learned about energy efficiency. Grand prize winner Allison Tang from Jefferson Junior High School in Naperville received a $1,000 bond, a pizza party and a $1,000 classroom grant. Grace Lee from Kennedy Junior High School in Lisle, who was a second-place finalist, and Rebekah Landgraf from Monroe Middle School in Wheaton, who was a third-place finalist, received a $250 savings bond and a classroom pizza party.
District 44 summer school
Summer school in Lombard Elementary District 44 will run July 7 through July 31 at Hammerschmidt School, 617 Hammerschmidt Ave. The program offers a tutorial-style study in reading and math plus an enrichment art class. Three class sessions are offered in the morning: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., 9:40 to 10:40 a.m., and 10:50 to 11:50 a.m. The fee per session is $115 for residents, or $130 for nonresidents. For details, contact Elaine Burnell at (630) 827-4000.