Briefs: Casting call for kids
Duracell, the battery manufacturer, invites kids ages 6 to 15 to a casting call from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville. The call is to find one child in the Chicago area to become a Duracell Holiday Ambassador for the "Power A Smile" program this holiday season. The Chicago winner will join actress Abigail Breslin in the Power A Smile campaign to spread smiles and cheer to children in hospitals across the country. The five ambassadors will win a trip to New York City to meet Breslin, a $500 shopping spree and Duracell batteries to power all their holiday toys. Children will demonstrate their most enthusiastic smile by being handed a gift and being asked to re-create the moment they open it for the first time. They also will be asked about the best gift they have received and why it made them smile. Winners will be selected by Nov. 26. For details, call (847) 949-0097.
Three officers promoted
Three Aurora police officers have been promoted. Raymond Parks, John Fichtel and Gerald Marrero, all currently assigned to the Special Operations Group which investigates drug and vice crimes, are the newest commander, lieutenant and sergeant, respectively, effective Saturday. The promotions are the result of openings created after Cmdr. Greg Thomas was appointed deputy chief earlier this month. "These three officers have demonstrated their commitment to the citizens of Aurora and their chosen profession over their entire careers," Chief William Powell said.
Leaf collection begins
Free curbside leaf collection began this week in Aurora. Residents should gather leaves in 30-gallon kraft paper yard waste bags and place them near the curb on their regular garbage day. Leaves in other types of bags won't be collected. A waste sticker isn't required for yard waste bags containing only leaves. Collection of other bagged yard waste -- grass clippings, twigs -- shouldn't exceed 60 pounds and must have a waste sticker attached. Brush collection also continues as normal. Questions can be directed to (630) 264-INFO.
Naperville fundraiser
Neo Bella Salon will sponsor a fundraiser to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 28 at the salon, 1292 Rickert Drive, Suite 136, Naperville. The salon will offer haircuts for $25 and both conditioning treatments and manicures for $15. All net proceeds will benefit the foundation, along with 10 percent of any retail products sold also going to the charity. Naperville native Jes Rickleff, hair stylist and star of VH1's "Rock of Love with Bret Michaels" will attend the event, which also will include merchandise raffles. Appointments for salon services are recommended. For details or an appointment, call (630) 717-8966.
Author appears at Cantigny
Author James Campbell will discuss the journey that resulted in his recent book, "The Ghost Mountain Boys: Their Epic March and Terrifying Battle for New Guinea -- The Forgotten War of the South Pacific." He will be featured from 7:30 to 9 p.m. today at the First Division Museum of Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Campbell traced the 130-mile journey the U.S. Army's 32nd Division traveled in 1942, covering mountains and disease-ridden jungle before fighting the Japanese to take New Guinea as the first land victory of World War II in the South Pacific. For details, call (630) 668-5161 or visit www.cantignypark.com.
Library scholarships
The DuPage Library System's Scholarship Fund awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Nancy Falciani of Wheaton, reference associate and instructor at Wheaton College's Buswell Memorial Library. It also gave $500 to Helen Walsh of West Chicago, circulation manager at West Chicago Public Library District. The fund provides educational opportunities for DuPage Library System members who are entering or continuing in the library field. This fall, supporters raised more than $4,000 for the fund during a benefit in Lombard. DuPage Library System is one of nine regional library systems in Illinois and consists of almost 140 members in portions of Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will Counties.
Senior program expands
The DuPage Senior Citizen Council's Community Dining Program plans to expand its popular sandwich buffet program next month. Currently, the sandwich buffet only is offered Tuesdays at Peace Memorial Manor, 3737 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. It now will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Nov. 1. The program also will be launched Nov. 27 at Castle Towers, 325 S. York Road, Bensenville, and Nov. 29 at York Township Senior Center, 1502 S. Meyers Road, Lombard. The DuPage Senior Citizen Council is a not-for-profit, volunteer-driven agency that provides programs and activities for residents 60 and older. Call (630) 620-0804 or visit www.dupageseniorcouncil.org.
Itasca likes Character
Two Itasca residents were honored Tuesday for community involvement. Each year, the Itasca Character Counts! Coalition presents the "Show Your Good Character Award" to individuals or businesses in Itasca that exhibit character traits aligned with the Character Counts! program. Kristen Grisamore, a freshman at Lake Park High School, was nominated for the award by Peacock Middle School Principal Reinhard Nickisch. He highlighted Kristen's fundraising efforts on behalf of an Itasca family whose daughter has been battling a serious illness. Kristen organized an all-school fundraiser at Peacock and was instrumental in creating a get well card signed by the entire student body and staff. Cindy DeLuca was also honored with the award. DeLuca is a teacher at St. Peter the Apostle School as well as a liturgist for the church. She was nominated for the award by the members of the Character Counts! Coalition for stepping into the coalition's leadership role as a volunteer upon the departure of a part time, paid coordinator.