NAPERVILLE’S SAILY JOSHI WINS SINFONIETTA HONOR
Naperville resident Saily Joshi was recognized at the Chicago Sinfonietta’s annual fundraiser for years of service to the orchestra.
Joshi was honored for bringing in new audiences, creating community among music lovers in Naperville, and supporting the orchestra’s public performances and its education in schools, a news release said.
Receiving the Elizabeth Wilkins Impact Award was a meaningful honor, she said in the release.
“For more than 15 years, I have watched the Sinfonietta inspire audiences, celebrate the rich diversity of composers and musicians it brings to the stage, and strengthen communities through the transformative power of music,” Joshi said.
“As someone who has seen its influence reach communities like mine in Naperville, this award represents not just recognition but a shared commitment to expanding access to the arts and celebrating every voice within them.”
The annual fundraising event on April 11 raised nearly $275,000 for the orchestra’s education and community engagement programs and its annual concert series.
NAPERVILLE MEN WIN BEST BALL GOLF TOURNEY
Naperville men Raghu Ramanathan and Vijay Sundarararjan won the Partner Best Ball Challenge tournament with a score of 63, according to the Naperville Park District.
The event held April 18 featured 72 golfing pairs at the Naperbrook Golf Course. It was the first golf event of the 2026 Brooks Tournament Series.
The tournament was scored in a best ball twosome format, so the lowest score of either golfer was the recorded score for each hole. Ramanathan and Sundarararjan captured the title with a 9-under par, the park district said.
In second place were Brien Gerber and Greg Cornwell, both of Naperville, with a score of 65.
Tied for third with a score of 66 were Brandon Kowalczyk and James Gedvilas, whose hometowns were unavailable, and Phillip Morton and Brayden Morton, both of Aurora.
Rick Ose and Brett Nelson, both from Naperville, came in fifth with a score of 67.
DUCKS BEING SOLD FOR ANNUAL RIVERWALK RACE
Ducks are on sale now for those who want to take part in the annual Riverwalk Duck Race.
Benefitting the Riverwalk Foundation, the event will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 5, with 2,026 plastic ducks dropped into the DuPage River from the foot bridge near Centennial Park. They will race to the Eagle Street Bridge near the Naperville Municipal Center, a news release said.
The ducks can be adopted for $10 each, three ducks for $25 or 15 ducks for $100.
Duck purchasers do not have to be present to win, and the ducks will race rain or shine, organizers said.
The winning duck’s owner will receive $1,981, celebrating the year Naperville Riverwalk was dedicated. Second place will receive $300 in downtown Naperville gift cards and third place will receive $150 in gift cards.
Duck sales will end at 11:59 p.m. June 4, and no ducks will be sold the day of the race.
For information and to buy ducks, go to www.downtownnaperville.com.
PARKING DECK SPRINKLER UPGRADES PLANNED
Fire sprinkler line upgrades will start Monday, April 27, at the Van Buren Parking Deck, 43 W. Van Buren Ave. in downtown Naperville.
Portions of the second and third levels of the parking deck will be closed, and work will be done in phases to maintain as much parking as possible, city officials said. Work is expected to take about two weeks, pending weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Once the Van Buren deck is finished, workers will do similar upgrades on the second level of the Central Parking Facility, 75 E. Chicago Ave. Work is expected to take about a week.
Crews will generally be working from about 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, and most parking spaces will reopen for the weekend. Traffic signs and barricades will be posted.
All parking spaces should be reopened by the end of May, city officials said.
For more information, go to www.naperville.il.us/parking-maintenance.
