🏛️ A flurry of activity from Batavia City Council

The latest Batavia City Council meeting featured several notable developments:

Ashton Ridge SSA: The city plans to establish a new Special Service Area (SSA) for the forthcoming Ashton Ridge subdivision. This would serve as a dormant, tax-funded backup plan in case the subdivision's homeowners association fails to maintain common areas and infrastructure. Residents can provide feedback on the proposed SSA at a public hearing in October.

Read more: 🔒 Shaw Local article | ✔️ Official ordinance document

Public Art: City Council also approved the Batavia Mural Series initiative. If all goes according to plan, local artists will transform the boarded windows on the Government Building’s east side into beautiful murals visible from the river and Riverwalk.

Key building redevelopment: By purchasing a property at 330-338 Webster Street for $550K using TIF funds, the city will be able to remodel (or demolish) the dilapidated building on the site. This way, the city can develop the property to align with the vision of its long-term Downtown Plan.

Officials also approved the “road diet” project — more on that below.

📰 News to use

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☑️ Seat seeking: Toying with the idea of running for local office? Get key information and/or nomination packets for the 2025 Consolidated Election for Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles.

☑️ Family resources: Congresswoman Lauren Underwood recently visited the Kane County Health Department (KCHD) to discuss maternal/infant health and highlight programs for supporting expectant and new mothers.

☑️ Compact luxury: From pet nooks to mini offices, builders are finding creative ways to maximize space in new Illinois homes — even as those homes are getting smaller.

☑️ Vehicular matters: To accommodate Sunday’s Concours D'Elegance Car Show, Geneva will implement temporary downtown parking restrictions starting at midnight Saturday.

🔒 Troubling crimes: A Campton Hills woman was indicted on child porn charges and sentenced to six years in prison.

🏘️ In the community

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🔒 Local tree defenders: Neighbors of the historic Riverbank Laboratories property in Geneva are concerned that a proposed subdivision could endanger a 100-year-old oak tree. Here’s a brief history of the property.

☑️ Outdoor unveilings: Batavia is holding dedication ceremonies for two new parks on Saturday (8/24) — Peter Frieders Park at 10AM and Coventry Hills Park at 11AM.

☑️ Forest preserve wins: Kane County has protected 2,698 acres of public open space and increased the size of 24 preserves according to its 2024 progress report.

☑️ Rev up your luck: The Batavia Rotary Club is spinning the wheel again with their 36th Corvette Raffle — for a hundred bucks, you get a shot at winning a 2025 Corvette or pocketing $50K.

🔒 Local literature: A local author (who did much of her writing at the now-closed Graham’s 318) is set to unveil her debut Geneva-based novel. She’ll be signing copies at Harvey’s Tales next month.

🎸 Live music

It’s not live music, but thought it was worth noting that Bogart’s in St. Charles is hosting “Emo Night” tomorrow at 8:30PM. If, like me, listening to bangers from your angsty millennial youth fills you with gleeful nostalgia, perhaps you should consider a visit.

Oh, and here’s the full weekend lineup of live music performances across the Tri-Cities.

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😎 Fall vibes and one-of-a-kind experiences

Eager to immerse yourself in autumn's ambiance? The Little Traveler offers an abundance of seasonal treasures to ensure you’re ready when fall arrives. While you’re there, receive a Wild Cat Sunglass Case FREE with the purchase of any pair of Brighton sunglasses.

💥 Upcoming events: Events at The Little Traveler tend to sell out fast. See what’s coming up and secure your spot!

🏬 Local biz

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☑️ Carnivore’s delight: Today (8/22) through 8/31, The Graceful Ordinary is serving up the renowned PQM burger (featured on FX’s The Bear!) on their late-night bar menu.

☑️️ Repping the STC: The Fox 32 Chicago news team featured Tony & Mike from GIA MIA St Charles in a lively segment about the city’s al fresco dining scene.

✳️ Home renovation dreams: If anyone knows how to transform “meh” into “marvelous,” it’s 212° Construction Group. Check out some of the local projects they’ve recently completed.

🎈 Fun stuff

☑️️ On the market: Take a gander at this $3.5M, 13K-square-foot mansion for sale on Meadows Drive in Geneva. Or this 6-acre estate for sale on Raddant Road in Batavia for about $1.5M (pond and mini-waterfall included).

☑️️ Batavia icon: Read a quick history about the many businesses that’ve called today’s Wilston Street Tavern building home since its era as “Essling & Millet’s tavern” in the 1890s.

🗓️ Events & things to do

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☑️️ End of Summer Sale | Fri 8/23, 10AM - Sun 8/25, 4PM | Batavia Boardwalk Shops | Take advantage of ultimate end-of-season savings at a variety of shops.

🎟️ Annual Corn Boils | The Geneva High School Corn Boil is TONIGHT (8/22) at 5:30PM. The Batavia High School Corn Boil is Friday (8/23) from 4-7PM.

🎟️ Downtown Walking Tours | Sat 8/24, 9:30AM & 11AM | St. Charles History Museum | Learn about local history and iconic buildings on a beautiful summer morning.

🎟️ Moose-a-Palooza | Sat 8/24, 1-9PM | The Moose, Batavia | The 7th annual music fest and fundraiser will bring the good vibes in droves.

🎟️ Game Night | Sat 8/24, 3-10PM | Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, Geneva | A board, dice and card game bonanaza — with proceeds benefitting charities.

☑️️ Concours d'Elegance | Sun 8/25, 10AM-4PM | Campbell & 2nd Streets, Geneva | View a beautiful collection of antique, classic and modern automobiles.

🎟️ Monarchs & Mimoas | Sun 8/25, 10:30AM | Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, STC | Eat, drink and delve into the fascinating world of monarch butterflies.

🎟️ Heirloom Garden Show | Sun 8/25, 11AM | Garfield Farm Museum, Campton Hills | Get tours and see historic varieties of vegetables, fruits and antique flowers.

🎟️ Duke’s Cornhole Tournament | Sun 8/25, 1PM | Duke’s Northwoods, STC | Show off your “bags” skills and win prizes while supporting local charity.

🌖 Weather snapshot

🌤️ Today: High 79F | Low 53F | 0% chance of rain

🌤️ Friday: High 78F | Low 61F | Stupendous

⛅ Saturday: High 86F | Low 67F | Rain possible

🌤️ Sunday: High 86F | Low 67F | More summer temps

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