DuPage County briefs

New Web look debuts:

West Chicago's newly designed Web site launches today at westchicago.org. The home page has been updated to incorporate more news and includes new icon options for browsers interested in specific topics. "People were bypassing our homepage with a bookmark to the news page, signaling a preference to dive right into timely features and content immediately," said Rosemary Mackey, the city's communications coordinator. The redesigned site includes a flash element to highlight some of the news stories.

Opening reception scheduled:

A free opening reception for "Creating Mexican-American Identities: Multiple Voices, Shared Dreams" will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the West Chicago City Museum, 132 Main St. The traveling exhibit tells the story of West Chicago's Mexican community through oral histories conducted by high school students and funded by a grant from the History Channel. Exhibit galleries are open 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Tournament postponed:

The Bags Tournament for Naperville high school students, originally planned for Sunday, Nov. 1, has been postponed to Dec. 13, at Naperville Park District's The Barn, 421 W. Martin Ave. The tournament is sponsored by the park district's Youth Ambassadors Program.

Choral director wins award:

Lee Kesselman of Glen Ellyn, the choral activities director at College of DuPage, recently was named recipient of a 2009-10 ASCAPLUS Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. This is the 17th consecutive year he has won the award, which recognizes writers in the early or middle stages of their careers and established writers who work outside of the broadcast media. Kesselman has had more than 75 of his compositions published.

Leftover candy wanted:

Leftover Halloween candy doesn't have to get stale. Restor Healing Center, 416 E. Roosevelt Road, Suite 107, Wheaton, is collecting candy Nov. 2 through 12 to ship to U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The center also will give a dollar for each pound of candy to the People's Resource Center. For details, call (630) 682-5090.

Aurora seeks military names:

Aurora once again is planning to send gifts to residents in active military service. Service personnel will receive a one-pound box of mixed nuts - donated by the Kiwanis Club of Aurora - and a card in time for the holidays. Names and mailing addresses of Aurora residents in active service may be phoned into the mayor's office of special events from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at (630) 844-4731 or e-mailed to syoung@aurora-il.org. The deadline for submitting names is Nov. 13.