Briefs: Naperville eyes water rates

Naperville residents likely will see a rate increase on their water bills this fall. The city council gave preliminary approval to an increase of 20 cents per 1,000 gallons beginning Oct. 1, followed by a 23-cent increase May 1, 2009, and 25-cent increase on May 1, 2010. Officials say the increase is necessary to offset City of Chicago and DuPage Water Commission rate hikes. Naperville residents currently pay about $21.23 a month for the average use of 8,000 gallons.

Food drive for pantry

You can help feed the needy while you shop for your own groceries during a food drive from Aug. 25 to 31 at Casey's Foods, 124 W. Gartner Road, Naperville. Customers can pick up a list of items needed by Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry in Naperville, buy them with their own purchases and donate the items at checkout. Casey's will match the value of the donated items. The store is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Historical trolley tours:

Downers Grove Park District Museum will offer four trolley tours on Sept. 13. Sears Catalog Homes tours will be offered at 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Historic Downers Grove tours at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. For details, call (630) 963-1309 or (630) 729-0380.

Film festival seeks volunteers:

Volunteers are needed to participate in a variety of events for the Naperville Independent Film Festival from Sept. 24 through 27. Interested persons are needed to work on committees before the event. During the four-day festival, volunteers are needed to take tickets; staff film screening venues; and work at the opening gala, screenwriting sessions, the family fun day and the closing event. Those interested in volunteering should e-mail Volunteer@NaperFilm.org or use the volunteer form on the Web site. In addition, two dozen volunteer photographers and videographers are needed to help record events throughout the festival; contact Edmond Coisson at edmondcoisson@yahoo.com.