Copyright Chicago Tribune
New Elmhurst University building officially opens A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of Elmhurst University’s new Health Sciences Building, which features 45,000 square feet of space and is the home of the departments of Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Public Health and Troy D. VanAken and Communication Sciences and Disorders. The building, designed and built according to strict environmental sustainability standards, boasts more than 300 solar panels on the roof, which are one reason the building received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Other innovations include a 360-degree immersive virtual-reality lab for students to practice procedures in real-world settings such as an ambulance or operating room, an occupational therapy apartment so students can practice assisting people who have mobility issues with activities common for daily life, and simulation labs with patient simulators that have seizures, respond to medical intervention, sweat and breathe. “I could not be more gratified by how our trustees, faculty, staff, donors, alumni, students, the City of Elmhurst and other stakeholders came together to support this project at every step, from fundraising to finish line,” President Troy VanAken shared, according to a media release. Smash pumpkins to keep them from landfills The Forest Preserve District of Will County Pumpkin Smash takes place noon to 4 p.m. at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 419 Stout Farm Road in Bolingbrook. Area residents are invited to roll, drop or pound their pumpkins to smash them into smaller pieces for composting. “Keeping pumpkins out of the landfill is the number one goal of Pumpkin Smash,” Brittany Schaller, interpretive naturalist at Hidden Oaks, shared via a media release, adding that 80% of pumpkins end up in landfills. “People can walk away knowing they did the responsible thing with their pumpkins.” The event is led by School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education, or SCARCE, a DuPage County organization that promotes the wise use of resources, including composting. Last year, its programs composted more than 164 tons of pumpkins, per the release. In addition, vendors, activities and refreshments will be available.Academy hosts International Food Festival International Food Festival set in Hinsdale The third annual International Food Festival is planned from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at Hinsdale Adventist Academy, 631 E. Hickory St. in Hinsdale. International cuisine will be served; participants can dine in or do carryout. Proceeds will go to the Hinsdale Trailblazers and FIL-AM Challenger Pathfinder clubs. Admission is free. Attendees buy tickets and use them to obtain food from individual booths. Information is at 630-323-9211. Hinsdale South presents ‘Mean Girls: High School Version’ “Mean Girls: High School Version” comes to the stage at Hinsdale South High School, 7401 Clarendon Hills Road in Darien. The show will be performed at 7 p.m. Nov. 13-15 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 16. This PG-13 production is presented by Hinsdale South High School Fine Arts. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for students. They are sold online at www.hinsdalesouthmusicboosters.org until two hours before the show and at the door one hour before showtime. Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra tackles giants of classical music The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra’s next performance, Classical Giants featuring oboist William Welter, is set for 3 p.m. Nov. 16 at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road in Elmhurst. A pre-concert talk takes place at 1:45 p.m. Pieces include Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture, Op. 84 and Mozart’s “Oboe Concerto in C, K. 314” and “Symphony No. 39 in E-Flat, K. 543.” Welter, the principal oboist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, is making his solo debut with the ESO for this program. Tickets cost $12 for students and $35 to $45 for adults, with a $3 discount for older adults. Buy tickets at elmhurstsymphony.org or call 630-941-0202. Paintings share emotion of WWII letters Meet the artist who created a solo art exhibition based on more than 500 World War II-era letters turned into mixed-media paintings from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 11 in the Schoenherr Gallery in the Wentz Fine Art Center at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave. in Naperville. Marilyn Dale, a contemporary painter who is a Signature Member of the National Association of Women Artists, will attend a Veteran’s Day reception. Refreshments will be available. She’ll also present a meet the artist preview from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 8 at the gallery. Details are at www.marilyndale.com/letters. The exhibit continues through Dec. 5 and can be seen 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 11:30 to 6 p.m. Thursdays, 2:30 to 7 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m .Saturdays. Send news to pioneerwest@tribpub.com.
