Briefs: Design contest for kids

Youngsters ages 5 to 13 are being asked to design a program cover for Naperville Park District's performance of "The Love for Three Oranges," an adaptation of the opera by Sergei Prokofiev through dance and narration. Visit napervilleparks.org to download an entry form and story summary or pick one up at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave; the Barn Recreation Center, 421 W. Martin Ave.; the south maintenance facility, 3415 Book Road; or the park district administration building, 320 W. Jackson Ave. Completed entry forms may be turned in through Dec. 6 at the administration building and should be labeled "Attention: 'The Love for Three Oranges' Program Cover Design Contest." Three winners will be chosen and the design of the first-place winner will be used on the cover of the program.

District seeks spruce tree

Naperville Park District is seeking the donation of a 20- to 25-foot spruce tree to display on the Riverwalk during the holiday season. The tree will be placed in the Dandelion Fountain area adjacent the Santa House. The district will cut and remove the tree from the donor's property. For details, call (630) 848-3593.

Wheaton streets get beets

Wheaton is experimenting with a mixture of beet juice and salt (Geomelt) to treat ice- and snow-covered streets during the winter season because of the skyrocketing cost of road salt. Geomelt uses the beet juice that is left after sugar has been extracted from white sugar beets and is considered more environmentally friendly. Road salt mixed with calcium chloride alone stops melting at roughly 18 degrees. With the addition of Geomelt and calcium chloride, melting would continue to about -30 degrees. The change is expected to save $100,000.

Easter Seals elects chairman

Margaret Resce Milkint of Hinsdale has been elected chairman of the board of directors of Easter Seals DuPage and Fox Valley Region. Milkint has served on the Easter Seals board since 2000. She is the managing partner of The Jacobson Group based in Chicago, a provider of professional and human capital services to the insurance, health-care and financial services industries.