Is corned beef and cabbage a traditional meal from Ireland?

New Water Tower under Construction in Lombard

Lombard Brew Fest Gets Green Light from Village Board

The Lombard Village Board voted on March 5 to approve a $19,000 Local Tourism Grant for the Lombard Junior Women’s Club to support this summer’s Brew Fest fundraiser, scheduled for July 18.

The funding will help cover event costs, including security, waste removal, tents, fencing, entertainment, and village services such as barricades, public works support, and police overtime.

While the Community Promotion and Tourism Committee previously recommended approving only $3,500 to cover village services, several trustees expressed support for funding the full request when the issue came before the full board.

Trustee Brian LaVaque described Brew Fest as a strong community event that brings residents together and attracts visitors to Lombard.

Village Manager Scott Niehaus noted that the grant funding comes from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund, not from residents’ property taxes. The funding is also reimbursement-based, meaning event organizers must provide receipts and documentation after the event to receive the funds.

Trustee Bob Bachner added that Brew Fest helps position Lombard as a destination and has demonstrated economic impact by bringing visitors to the area.

The Lombard Junior Women’s Club, which took over the event from the Glenbard East Boosters several years ago, estimates that Brew Fest costs about $85,000 to produce. Organizers expect the event to attract around 1,200 attendees and generate some overnight hotel stays.

Brew Fest has become one of Lombard’s popular summer events, bringing together local breweries, food, music, and community support for charitable causes.

Controlled Burns Scheduled March 19th

The Village's Public Works Department will conduct controlled burns at several locations throughout the community to help maintain healthy native vegetation and improve natural areas. These carefully managed burns are part of routine environmental maintenance that supports plant health and habitat restoration.  The burns are currently scheduled for March 19, weather permitting, with alternate dates between March 30 and April 6 depending on weather and site conditions. Residents will receive one-day advance notice before burns take place.  Learn more about the locations and schedule on the Village website.

Drive Sober This St. Patrick’s Day Weekend 

As the St. Patrick's Day holiday approaches, the Lombard Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies across Illinois to help keep our roads safe. From March 13 through March 23, officers will take part in a stepped-up traffic safety campaign focused on stopping impaired driving and encouraging seat belt use.  If your plans include alcohol or other impairing substances, plan a sober ride home before the celebration begins. This one responsible choice can protect you, your passengers and everyone on the road.

Police Explorer Program - DuPage County Sheriff's Office

Local Students Invited to Participate in Police Explorer Program The Lombard Police Department, in partnership with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, Glen Ellyn Police Department and Wheaton Police Department, is recruiting participants for DuPage Metro Police Explorer Post #644.  The program offers students ages 14 to 20 the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and learn about careers in law enforcement. Participants work alongside local officers and take part in training, educational sessions and activities that provide insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of police work while building leadership and teamwork skills.  For additional information about participating, contact Lombard Police Officer Loh at lohe@villageoflombard.org.

VFW Lent Fish Fry Fridays

Date: Fridays, February 20-April 3

Time:  5:00 – 7:30 pm •

Location: Villa Park VFW (39 E. St. Charles Rd.)

Find Lucky ☘️ By Shopping Local in Villa Park

Find Lucky in Villa Park

Event: Sunday, March 1 - Tuesday, March 17

Location: Various locations in Villa Park

Lucky is back for 2026 and will be visiting four different Villa Park businesses beginning March 1.

Shop, dine, and work out locally for a chance to spot Lucky while you’re out and about. If you find him, be sure to ask for a lucky ticket.

Four winners will be selected on March 17.

The Villa Park F.U.N Commission will be sharing clues on their Facebook page, so check back often for updates. Good luck!

Helen Plum Library Presents " Kiss Me, I'm Irish" ☘️

Plum Library programs Sunday Music Series: Kiss Me, I’m Irish with Heather Braoudakis

DATE:  Sunday, March 15,

Time: 2 p.m.

Enjoy classic Celtic tunes with vocalist Heather Braoudakis, for the Irish in all of us. Register at helenplum. org or by calling (630) 6270316. 

Illinois Libraries Present: Beyond the Page with Percival Everett

Date: Thursday, March 19, 

Time: 7 p.m.

Join Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winning author of James, Percival Everett, live on Zoom. Register at helenplum. org to receive the Zoom link in your email.

 Celebrating 25 years of Those Were the Days at WDCB

CALLING ALL PLANT LOVERS

Lombard Park Dist. Presents Youth Theater Production "Matilda"

About the Play: Based on Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book, this show tells the story of Matilda, a bright young girl who loves to read and faces neglect and cruelty from the adults in her life—a witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination. Matilda’s bravery inspires her classmates (and the audience) to be “revolting children” who stand up for themselves and each other.

Instructor: Jessica Curtis

Location: Sunset Knoll Recreation Center

Performance Dates: Friday, March 20 – Sunday, March 22 

Online ticket sales open on Wednesday, February 25

Autograph Appearance with the Chicago Blackhawks Rookie Nick Lardis

Give A Dog A Second Chance

Shower of Crafts - COD Craft and Art Show

St. John Lutheran Church Easter Egg Hunt

St. John's Lutheran Church is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for Children ages 2 through 4th Grade will enjoy egg hunts, crafts, games in the gym, and a colorful telling of the Easter story that will help kids remember the events leading up to Easter and its true meaning.

Date March 21st 

Time 10 am to 11:30 an

Location: St John Lutheran Church, 215 & 220 S. Lincoln, Lombard

 Each child will receive a goodie bag, and the event will be allergy-friendly.

 Please register using the link https://bit.ly/4slOOPq
  So they can plan accordingly.

 Invite your friends and neighbors to this joyful celebration of Easter. 
.

Westmore Elementary Celebrating 100 Years — Alumni Stories Wanted

Westmore Elementary School in Lombard is preparing to celebrate a major milestone this spring — its 100th anniversary — and the school is inviting alumni, families, and community members to help mark the occasion by sharing their memories.

As part of the centennial celebration, Westmore is collecting short video and audio stories from people connected to the school to be featured during a public open house on April 28.

Organizers are hoping to hear from a wide range of voices, including recent graduates, longtime alumni, former students, relatives, neighbors, and friends of the school. Historic photographs that capture Westmore’s story over the decades are also welcome.

Submissions should be 30 seconds to two minutes long and must be submitted by April 1. Audio submissions should include a photo to accompany the recording.

Selected stories and photos will be showcased during the open house as the school reflects on a century of learning, friendships, and community connections.

“As we prepare for our Centennial Celebration in April, we’re gathering stories from our Westmore community to feature during our Open House,” said Principal Scott Dart. “We are looking for recent grads, older alumni, relatives, family members, friends, and neighbors who have been part of the Westmore story. We’re even hoping to find the oldest living Westmore alumnus.”

Located in Lombard, Westmore Elementary has served generations of local students and families, and the centennial celebration will honor the school’s long history and the lasting impact it has had on the community.

Residents interested in sharing a story or photo can learn more at:
westmore.d45.org/westmore100

Glenbard East Rams Season Ends in Heartbreaking Sectional Final

The Glenbard East Rams boys basketball team saw an incredible season come to a dramatic end Friday night, falling to York 37–36 in the IHSA Class 4A Bartlett Sectional championship.

The Rams finished the 2025–26 season with an outstanding 30–4 record, the most wins in program history.

After trailing 25–14 at halftime, Glenbard East mounted a strong comeback, shutting out York in the third quarter and tying the game at 25–25 heading into the final period. The Rams took a 35–29 lead late in the fourth quarter, but York rallied in the closing seconds. A three-point play with 5.4 seconds remaining gave the Dukes the narrow 37–36 victory.

Senior Keenan House led the Rams with 8 points, while Michael Nee and Sam Walton added 7 points each.

Despite the tough loss, head coach Eric Kelly praised the team’s senior class for leading the program to a historic season.

“This is a class that won’t be forgotten,” Kelly said. “They took us somewhere we haven’t been since 2011.”

York advanced to the state semifinals after winning its next playoff game, while Glenbard East closes the year with a record-setting season and a strong legacy from its senior leaders.

Willowbrook Girls Track Wins Lady Raider Invite

The Willowbrook High School girls' track and field team captured first place at the 12-team Lady Raider Invite, held Saturday at Bolingbrook High School, with 122 team points. Joliet West placed second with 62 points.

The Warriors earned several standout performances during the meet. The 4×800 relay team of freshmen Rachel Simek and Paige Simek, senior Mariangela Popoca, and sophomore Juliet Oddo won their race in 10:36.36, finishing more than 40 seconds ahead of the next team.

Willowbrook also took first in the 4×160 relay, with Khloe Adenji, Jada Johnson, Quintia Stallworth, and Kenya Hernandez-Rodriguez finishing in 1:28.92.

Individual event winners included:

• Kate Borho (freshman) – 3,200-meter run (11:56.69)

• Kenya Hernandez-Rodriguez – 55-meter hurdles (9.29)

• Bethany Yurich (junior) – 1,600-meter run (5:34.7)

The strong showing helped the Warriors dominate the meet and bring home the team title.

LHS presents "The Irish In Illinois" ☘️

Join LHS in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day as we present NIU Professor Sean Farrell speaking on his book, The Irish in Illinois.

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026

Time: 7 - 8 pm 

Location: LHS Carriage House 23 W Maple Lombard

Today, over a million people in Illinois claim Irish ancestry and celebrate their love for Ireland. Sean Farrell brings together both familiar and unheralded stories of the Irish in Illinois, highlighting the critical roles these immigrants and their descendants played in the settlement and the making of the Prairie State.

Going, Going, Gone by Dick's Sporting Goods

Major Redevelopment Underway at Burj Plaza on Roosevelt Road

A major redevelopment project is transforming the Burj Plaza property at 505–515 W. Roosevelt Road in Lombard, bringing a wide mix of restaurants, shops, and services to the busy Roosevelt Road corridor.

Construction and demolition began in 2025 after the 10.8-acre site was sold in December 2024. The redevelopment includes renovations to several existing buildings as well as site improvements to support new businesses.

The former Dania Furniture building is being remodeled to accommodate retail and restaurant space along Roosevelt Road, while a banquet facility will occupy much of the southern portion of the building. An existing auto repair building on the property has been demolished to create additional parking for the development.

Two other existing structures on the property are also being repurposed. The former Fifth Third Bank building is proposed to become a Bumper 2 Burger restaurant with a drive-through, while another building previously used for auto glass repair is planned to house a smoking lounge, pending approvals through the village’s planning process.

When completed, Burj Plaza is expected to bring a diverse lineup of international restaurants and specialty businesses to Lombard, with several new openings anticipated in 2026.

Planned businesses include:

• Banquet Facility

• Usmania – Pakistani restaurant

• Panwaari – Dessert shop

• Platinum Cuts – Barbershop

• Melt-n-Dip – Dessert café

• Al Manakeesh – Palestinian restaurant

• Shelby’s – Middle Eastern restaurant

• MFC – Fried chicken restaurant

• Milk Cake Bakery – Dessert café

• Dosa Inn – Vegan Indian restaurant

• Easy Suites – Salon suite rentals

• Gulf Fragrances – Arabian perfumery

• Karahi Boys – Pakistani restaurant

• Bumper 2 Burger

• Lyla Lounge

The project represents one of the largest recent commercial redevelopments along Lombard’s Roosevelt Road corridor, bringing new dining options and businesses to the area while revitalizing a long-standing commercial site.

Meet Bozena

A: Not originally. Irish immigrants in America adopted corned beef as a cheaper substitute for bacon, and it became a popular St. Patrick’s Day dish in the U.S.

RelyLocal Lombard Area helps connect residents with trusted local businesses while keeping dollars circulating in our community. We partner with locally owned shops, restaurants, and service providers to offer exclusive rewards, digital coupons, and community-based promotions that benefit both businesses and customers. Through our RelyLocal Rewards Card and local fundraising programs, we help schools, teams, and organizations raise money while supporting small businesses. Our mission is simple: strengthen the local economy, support neighborhood businesses, and make it easy to shop local in Lombard and surrounding communities.