Welcome to Tri-Cities Central, a twice-weekly newsletter highlighting the area’s top stories, local happenings, live music performances and essential community updates in an entertaining, digestible format.
Get yours: subscribe here.
🕰️ Making sense of Daylight Saving Time in Illinois

Daylight Saving Time (DST) can be confusing. For example:
The correct usage is “saving,” not “savings.”
DST begins in March and ends in November. So we’re actually leaving DST on Sunday.
The period during DST is called “Daylight Time” (abbreviated DT). So March through November, we should use CDT to reference Central Daylight Time, whereas November through March, we should use CST to denote Central Standard Time.
And no, it’s not just you — the clock adjustment screws with our systems.
You might be aware of some of the alarming stats associated with the Monday after the spring time change, when US hospitals report a 24% spike in heart attack incidents.
Well, luckily (in this case, I guess?), the opposite is true for when we fall back: Heart attack visits decrease by 21% the Monday after the switch.
So it’s no surprise that the practice of DST has its detractors; I admit that I’m not certain where I land on the spectrum (as a morning nerd, I’m actually looking forward to early daylight).
The anti-DST’ers will not sit by quietly, as evidenced by a legislative push to eliminate the time change that has at times gained steam in recent years.
A “permanent daylight savings time” bill was introduced for Illinois in 2021, but has since died. Legislation for permanent daylight savings on a national level has similarly stalled.
Every U.S. state except Arizona and Hawaii observes DST, while several U.S. territories (including Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands) do not use it.
Nothing appears to be happening on this front anytime soon, but you’re now equipped with enough conversational fodder to be dangerous when the discussion inevitably arises with colleagues and friends over the next few days.
And if this didn’t quite satisfy your thirst for DST knowledge, the Old Farmer’s Almanac has got you covered.
📰 News to use
The 🔒 icon indicates a potential paywall. The *️⃣ icon indicates that an account/login is needed.
☑️ Postseason football, round 2: Geneva’s heading to Lake Forest for a 7PM Friday night game, while Batavia’s hosting Lincoln-Way Central at 1PM on Saturday. To quote T-Swift in her Chiefs suite, “Let’s f***ing go!”
☑️ Plan accordingly: Portions of several downtown Geneva streets will be closed on Sunday to allow for the Ooh La La Chocolate half marathon, 10k and 5k runs.
🔒 3 for 3: School districts for Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles have been listed in the top 10 percent of highest-performing schools in the state.
☑️ Investing in education: Pressure appears to be mounting for Illinois lawmakers to address the Invest in Kids scholarship program, which is set to expire at the end of the year.
☑️ The youth perspective: Know any heady high schoolers with a passion for civic engagement? Geneva’s Strategic Plan Advisory Committee is seeking a student member.
🏘️ In the community

☑️ Smashing pumpkins: Evidently, Saturday has been dubbed “gourd giveback day,” as both Geneva and St. Charles are hosting sustainable pumpkin recycling events in the morning.
🔒 Represent the STC: Remember when we mentioned that St. Charles hobbyist baker Liz Suwanski landed an appearance on Food Network's “Halloween Cookie Challenge?” SHE WON.
☑️ The power of nature: From invigorating hikes in the woods to educational sessions on becoming a certified naturalist, the Kane County Forest Preserve is offering a variety of programs this fall.
🔒 Blitzing bulldogs: The Batavia Bulldogs’ linebackers don’t operate as a well-oiled machine on accident — it’s a combination of great coaching, solid technique and player talent.
☑️ Talkin’ housing: Batavians can engage in discussion about zoning regulations for mobile homes and mobile home parks during a public hearing on 11/15.
☑️ Leave the leaves? If, like me, you irrationally stress about leaf cleanup, this advice from Kane County’s recycling coordinator may grant you relief — while benefitting your yard’s plant life.
🏬 Local biz

☑️ They came, they sawed: The Geneva and STC Chambers celebrated 30 years for Skyline Tree Service and Landscaping Inc. last week — fittingly eviscerating that ribbon with a chainsaw.
☑️ Vacation made easy: Ribbon Coastal Sands is the expert in taking the time-sucking stress out of travel planning, and the new local business will be celebrating in the community on Monday.
☑️ Fashionably comfy: A new women’s clothing and accessory shop has opened up a brick-and-mortar space in Batavia. To highlight the occasion, Barn Boutique is hosting “Barn Bash” on 11/12.
☑️ Mini but mighty: Maybe you’ve already stopped by for your morning jolt, but things become official tomorrow with the ribbon-cutting celebration for the new Moka Coffee in Batavia.
🎈 Special events
Saturday
☑️ Batavia Indoor Market: Open from 9AM to noon at The Dock, the first event of the season will feature a plethora of local vendors minglin’ and slingin’ produce, meats, sauces, baked goods, handcrafted goods and more.
☑️ Cocoa & Chocolate Crawl: Tis’ the season for indulging in chocolatey goodness, and by hitting Geneva’s shops and restaurants on foot, you’ll be burning calories as you consume them! The crawl kicks off at 11AM.
🎟️ 2023 Ecker Fundraising Gala: Head to the St. Charles Country Club at 6PM for vibrant music, inspiring stories, Latin cuisine and exciting raffles/prizes — all for a good cause.
Sunday
🎟️ Holiday Fashion Show at Sturdy Shelter: The Batavia brewery is partnering with House of 423 to showcase snazzy, festive products from local businesses from 10:30AM to 12PM.
🎸 Live music
*Below are “listed” start/end times — actual play times tend to vary. The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee. Links to band/event info are provided where available.
Note: We’ve confirmed that 93 Octane Brewing is done with live music for the season.

Wheels North Bluegrass Band will perform at Riverlands Brewing on Friday evening.
Thursday (11/2) ⬇️
✔️ Junkyard Groove: Flagship on the Fox | St. Charles | 4-7PM | Band info
✔️ Jake Mack: Preservation | Geneva | 6-9PM | Event info + video
✔️ Sam Wyatt: Pollyanna Brewing | St. Charles | 7-11PM
✔️ Chris Powell: ROX at Hotel Baker | St. Charles | 7:30-11PM | Musician info
🎟️ Jimmy Farace: Moonlight Theater | St. Charles | 7:30-9:30PM | Event info
🎟️ Abbey Road - Beatles Tribute: Arcada Theatre | St. Charles | 7:30PM | Event info
✔️ Matt Kopecky: The House Pub | St. Charles | 9PM-Midnight | Musician info
Friday (11/3) ⬇️
✔️ New Vintage Strings Live: Art History Brewing | Geneva | 5-9PM | Band info
✔️ John Ivan: Geneva Winery Bistro & Wine Bar | Geneva | 5-8PM | Musician info
✔️ Wheels North Bluegrass Band: Riverlands Brewing | St. Charles | 6-8PM | Band info
✔️ Michael Rawls & Fiddler: The Wine Exchange | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Band info
✔️ Lisa Marie & Myles Greene: Eden Restaurant | St. Charles | 6:30-9:30PM | Musician info
✔️ Michele McCarthy: Preservation | Geneva | 6:30-10PM | Event info + video
✔️ Big Dog Mercer: Foxfire | Geneva | 7-10PM | Event info
✔️ Tom Linsk: ROX at Hotel Baker | St. Charles | 7:30-11PM | Musician info
🎟️ Gloria Gaynor (Ladies Night Dance Party): Arcada Theatre | St. Charles | 8PM | Event info
✔️ Warren Douglas Band: Pollyanna Brewing | St. Charles | 8:30-10:30PM | Band info
✔️ Amy Stephen & Company: Bar Evolution | Batavia | 8:30-11:30PM | Musician info
✔️ Anna P.S: Sidecar Supper Club | Batavia | 9-11PM | Event info
🎟️ Modern Day Romeos: EvenFlow | Geneva | 9PM | Band info
Saturday (11/4) ⬇️
✔️ Matt Keen: Art History Brewing | Geneva | 4-8PM | Musician info
✔️ Andi Balloun: Geneva Winery Bistro & Wine Bar | Geneva | 5-8PM | Event info
✔️ Sam Wyatt: The Wine Exchange | St. Charles | 6-9PM
✔️ Tom Holland: Preservation | Geneva | 6:30-10PM | Musician info
✔️ Cheryl Rodey: Sturdy Shelter | Batavia | 7-9:30PM | Musician info (+ Coop’s Fresh chicken)
✔️ Wally Swiatly: Foxfire | Geneva | 7:00-10PM | Event info
✔️ Jason Blake: Riverlands Brewing | St. Charles | 6-8PM | Event info
🎟️ Lou Gramm: Arcada Theatre | St. Charles | 8PM | Event info
✔️ Afternoon Logic: ROX at Hotel Baker | St. Charles | 8:30PM | Band info
✔️ High Stakes: The Hive | St. Charles | 8:30PM | Band info
✔️ Fresh Hops: Pollyanna Brewing | St. Charles | 8:30-10:30PM | Band info
✔️ Austin Hopkins Duo: Bar Evolution | Batavia | 8:30-11:30PM | Band info
✔️ Old Fashioneds: Sidecar Supper Club | Batavia | 9-11PM | Band info
🎟️ Reckless Band w/ Magnificent Villians: EvenFlow | Geneva | 9PM | Band info
✔️ Corey Dennison Band: The House Pub | St. Charles | 9:30PM-2AM | Band info
Sunday (11/5) ⬇️
✔️ Jesse Perez: Preservation | Geneva | 1-4PM | Musician info
✔️ Josh Graham: St. Charles Public Library | 2PM | Musician info
✔️ Tom and Amy Malouf: Sturdy Shelter | Batavia | 2-5PM | Musician info
✔️ Fox Valley Concert Band - “Tributes”: Norris Cultural Arts Center | St. Charles | 3-5PM | Band info
✔️ Blue Grass Sunday: Sidecar Supper Club | Batavia | 4-7PM | Event info
🎟️ Ron Hawking - Frank Sinatra Tribute: Arcada Theatre | St. Charles | 5PM | Event info
🌖 Weather snapshot
*️Fun fact: Tuesday’s snowstorm marked the ninth Halloween with snow recorded in Chicago. Halloween 2019 was the snowiest ever recorded at O’Hare (3.4 inches — I vividly recall slipping and sliding through the sloppiest of all kickball games).
🌤️ Today: High 53F | Low 38F | Emerging from mini-winter
🌥️ Friday: High 54F | Low 39F | Repeat of Thursday
🌥️ Saturday: High 59F | Low 40F | Mild + cloudy
🌤️ Sunday: High 60F | Low 47F | Get outside people!
📱 Follow TCC
We’re also on Facebook and Instagram. We tend to be a bit more active on Instagram throughout the week.
What’d you think of this issue?
🔥 Loved it, keep up the good work [this]
😐 Better than the Bears, at least [this]
🛑 3 minutes I’ll never get back [this]
📖 Thanks for reading
If you have any questions, feedback, tips or suggestions, don’t hesitate to reply to this email — I respond to all replies. Same goes if you’d like to explore newsletter sponsorships or working together in any other way.
Cheers,
Sam
P.S. If you enjoy Tri-Cities Central, please SPREAD THE WORD and/or leave a review! We grow primarily through word of mouth.