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🎸 Open Jam Fest: A day to celebrate local musicians
If you were a TCC subscriber wayyy back in January, you might recall this profile on local Realtor and musician Ryan Carney.
He’s the creator of Fox Valley Jammer’s Club, a Facebook group that unites local musicians and aspiring performers around in-person open mics and jam sessions across the region, from the Tri-Cities to Oswego and Naperville.
The idea is still gaining momentum. The group has nearly doubled in size since we published that profile, growing from 650 to more than 1,200 members in five short months.
“It's a cool group where like-minded musicians can collaborate, support each other, share ideas, and give each other some confidence,” Carney says. “It’s a very positive playground.”
Summer Open Jam Festival
The evolution of Fox Valley Jammers Club will take another step on July 20 with its first Summer Open Jam Festival at the Aurora Athletic Club. Several hundred attendees are expected.
From 2PM to 11PM, they’ve lined up two stages for dozens of performances throughout the day. The event will also feature food from Island Boy Food Truck, drum circles, bonfires, visual artists and more.
For those unfamiliar, the Aurora Athletic Club (550 Clearwater Dr, North Aurora) is a hidden gem on the riverfront with both indoor and outdoor bars, an outdoor pavilion and plenty of space for activities.
One of the core themes of the event — and, really, FVJC in general — is that anyone can be an artist and everyone deserves to be heard. This festival gives folks that platform, plus pro audio equipment and a supportive community.
Festival admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated to cover costs and can be sent to @RyanCarney20 on Venmo or [email protected] on PayPal or Zelle.
Folks planning to attend are encouraged to register here to give organizers an idea of head count. Note: Musicians should bring only instruments, not amps.
📰 News to use
The 🔒 icon indicates a potential paywall.
☑️ Hitting the road? The July 4th travel period in Illinois and across the nation is expected to be the busiest ever. Here are the best and worst times to travel by car based on peak congestion.
☑️ Homeless man arrested: On Monday afternoon, several 911 callers reported a masked man in black clothing alarming drivers on Third Street in Geneva by wielding his phone like a gun.
☑️ Alternative routes: Due to a repair project, the Prairie Street bridge in St. Charles will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians beginning Monday (7/8) through August 9.
☑️ Project in works: Geneva's East State Street may get a new mixed-use development after a committee recommended a $2M TIF deal for a Great Western Flooring building.
☑️️ Very smart people: FBI leaders and local quantum technology experts held a first-of-its-kind meeting at Fermilab to discuss protecting the Chicago area’s R&D ecosystem — underscoring the region's key role in developing cutting-edge computing tech.
☑️ Financial planning: If you don’t have an employer-provided retirement plan, the state-facilitated Illinois Secure Choice program makes it easy for anyone to save for retirement.
🏘️ In the community
☑️ Parks & rec: From a month-long scavenger hunt and giveaways to Windmill City Fest and a free night at the Quarry, Batavia has prepared a July to remember at its various parks.
☑️ Plastic problems: Kane County is encouraging folks to embrace Plastic Free July, an initiative to reduce pollution by minimizing individuals’ reliance on single-use plastics.
🔒 Pollination station: The Geneva Park District installed a new Bee Yard at the Community Gardens at Prairie Green to enhance pollination and potentially produce honey for local sale at Peck Farm Park.
☑️ Ready for fall? Those hoping to participate in St. Charles’ annual Scarecrow Weekend — which takes place downtown Oct. 11 to 13 — can start submitting applications now.
🔒 30 years & counting: The Kane County Chronicle recently ran a nice feature about what makes the Batavia Farmers Market such a special tradition for both residents and vendors.
🎸 Live music
While a couple of venues seem to be taking a live-music breather this weekend following the holiday, it’s all systems go at most spots.
Mark “Spiv” Grzelak and the Kelli Ann & Ken duo show up twice each in this weekend’s lineup — plus a busy Sunday featuring the Indie Music & Arts Fest at Moonlight Theatre and a special “Taylor Experience” at Arcada Theatre.
LOCAL SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
👀 Did I see that right — 75% off at The Little Traveler!?
At The Little Traveler, the term “dog days of summer” doesn’t apply. Their Summer Clearance Sale makes sure of that.
Whether you’re looking to revamp your look, refresh your decor or stock up on creature comforts, you’ll find can’t-miss deals throughout the store starting tomorrow. We’re talking 50%-75% off select items!
Summer flies by in a blink — and so will these deals. Our advice: swing by The Little Traveler ASAP.
🏬 Local biz
☑️ STC riverfront: Hotel Baker’s scenic waterfront patio opens for the season today with an all-day BBQ featuring small plates, drinks and live music.
☑️ Frosty founders: The latest episode of the “What’s Up St. Charles” podcast features a conversation with Kimberly & Isaac Yates, the owners of Kimmer’s Ice Cream.
🗓️ Events + things to do
The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee.
🎟️ BYOB Sunset Cruise | Fri 7/5, 7:15PM | Paddlewheel Riverboats, STC | A unique and relaxing boating experience along the Fox River.
☑️ Kane County Flea Market | Sat 7/6 - Sun 7/7 | Kane County Fairgrounds, STC | So many treasures and antiques — you’ve gotta see it to believe it.
☑️ Adoption Events | Sat 7/6 | Geneva | Dog lovers and potential rescuers can visit PetSmart from 12-2PM and Two Bostons from 11AM-3PM.
🎟️ Elite Tuner | Sat 7/6, 3-10PM | Kane County Cougars Stadium, Geneva | Hot cars featuring drifting/burnouts, tug-of-war, music, giveaways and more.
🎟️ Moonlight Comedy Showcase | Sat 7/6, 7-9PM | Moonlight Theatre, STC | A standup bonanza hosted by comedian Rudy Ruiz.
☑️ Community Roundtable | Mon 7/8, 10AM | Depot Museum, Batavia | Enjoy coffee, donuts and a chat with other residents about the best of Batavia.
🗞️ From the archives
📸 Credit: From the July 21, 1951 issue of The Batavia Herald
I love a few things about this 1951 edition of the Batavia Herald:
The entire Batavia fireworks show was funded by $600. Not sure what it costs today, but…that’s wild.
Individual companies were donating as little as $1 to the cause. Furnas Electric blew everyone out of the water with a lavish $25 donation.
“This amount represents the contributions of hundreds of Batavians, who with their nickles, dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollar bills all have a part in making such a show and display possible for both Batavia children and grownups,” said Fire Chief Frederick Richter.
🌖 Weather snapshot
⚡ Today: High 85F | Low 68F | Afternoon t-storm
🌤️ Friday: High 81F | Low 62F | Lingering precip
🌤️ Saturday: High 79F | Low 63F | More sunshine
🌤️ Sunday: High 86F | Low 62F | T-storms around
📖 Thanks for reading
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