DuPage County briefs
Theft from Turner School
West Chicago Elementary District 33 is asking residents to be on the lookout for a large welcome mat that was taken during the weekend of Sept. 25-27 from Turner School, 750 Ingalton Ave., West Chicago. The green mat measures about 6 feet by 7 feet and reads "Welcome to Turner School; 1953-2003; 50 Years of Excellence." It has the face of a tiger in the center. The mat was purchased by the Turner Parent-Teacher Organization to commemorate the school's 50th anniversary. While there is no reward, no questions will be asked if it is returned. For details, call Principal John Rodriguez at (630) 293-6050.
Pace plans Naperville cuts
Pace, the suburban bus service, is considering eliminating five commuter routes in Naperville as part of a plan to address a $3.8 million budget shortfall. Routes that could face the chopping block are 676, 685, 687, 689 and 781. Pace also is proposing a fare increase for ADA paratransit service. The proposed cuts and fare increase will be discussed at a Pace budget hearing from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the College of DuPage Building 128A at 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The Naperville cuts are part of a larger plan to eliminate or reduce service for 51 routes. For details, visit www.naperville.il.us/transit.aspx or www.pacebus.com.
Seeking haunted houses
If your house is haunted or has ghoulish Halloween decorations, it has what it takes to entered in the second annual Halloween Decorating Contest. Winners will be selected in two categories: scariest and most original. The contest is open to park district residents who live in Aurora, North Aurora and Montgomery. The entry fee is $10. Judging will take place between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 to Oct. 22. Each household that enters receives free admission to Halloween Family Night on Oct. 30 in the Prisco Community Center, where the winners will be announced. Winning households will receive gift certificates from local businesses. Registration forms may be picked up at Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora, or at Eola Community Center, 555 S. Eola Road, Aurora. For details, call (630) 859-8606.
Free repairs for food
In an effort to help The Northern Illinois Food Bank collect food, the owners of Auto Plus in Addison and CK Auto Repair in Lombard will install free brake pads or shoes on clients' cars when they bring in five nonperishable food items this month. The goal is to help restock shelves, since the food band has seen a 35 percent increase in demand at partner agency sites in the last year. Anyone who would like to help can visit Auto Plus at 515 S. Grace St., Addison, (630) 543-1488 or CK Auto Repair, 21W079 Roosevelt Road, Lombard, (630) 629-7799. Call to make an appointment; Brake labor and any additional repairs are not included. For a complete list of most-needed items, including canned meals and vegetables, visit autoplusinc.com or northernilfoodbank.org.
Benedictine names curator
Teresa J. Parker, an adjunct professor at Benedictine University in Lisle, has been appointed curator of the Benedictine Art Collection. She replaces the late Rev. Michael Komechak, who had collected more than 3,000 pieces, one of the largest private collections in the United States. Parker worked with Komechak in the past. An artist herself, she taught printmaking, drawing and design at College of DuPage for 20 years and conducted art seminars at numerous colleges and art museums throughout the Chicago area.
Lions collect used glasses
The Glendale Heights Barangay Lions Club collected 1,200 used eyeglasses that were deposited in the club's box near the Jewel store at Army Trail and Bloomingdale roads. Five bags of sorted, used glasses will be donated to The Lions of Illinois Foundation to be cleaned, recalibrated and distributed to Third World countries. The club also provides free eye exams and prescription eye glasses to the poor of Glendale Heights by working with LensCrafters of Straford Square Mall.