🍲 “Restaurant Week” season has begun

Geneva Restaurant Week is back! Well, this weekend it will be.

From Saturday (1/18) to Sunday (1/26), you’ll have nine days to savor discounted lunch and dinner menus at many of the city’s most popular eateries.

Dine on the $9's: Each participating venue will provide either a prix-fixe menu at a discounted price or special deals on featured menu items. Similar to last year, there’s a “nine” theme — deals like $9 per person, $19 for two, etc.

Find out which restaurants are participating and get a first look at their specials.

Worth noting: The first-ever Aurora Restaurant Week will overlap with Geneva’s, running from January 21 through February 4. Learn more about the program and check out an interactive map of participating spots.

📰 News to use

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☑️ Facility fixes: Geneva voters will be asked in April to weigh in on a $68M referendum to fund upgrades for outdated police and fire stations, which would address critical infrastructure issues but raise property taxes.

☑️ Justice awaits: Two Kane County cases — one involving a sexual assault at Marklund in Geneva and another tied to human trafficking in St. Charles — are progressing toward plea deals.

🔒 Hearing postponed: The pretrial detention hearing for the man accused of murdering a woman and her son in Geneva was delayed for the third time as his attorney requested more time to review newly submitted evidence.

☑️ Residential units: Geneva officials recommended that the City Council approve the Prairie Grove project, a 5.75-acre, 24-unit townhome development on Peck Road.

☑️ Eco upgrades: Kane County has secured a federal grant to launch four large-scale composting programs at key community facilities, an initiative that aims to minimize food waste and promote sustainable waste management.

☑️ New tax option: Illinois is now one of 24 other states to join the IRS Direct File program, which was launched in 2023 to allow taxpayers to file federal taxes for free. See if it makes sense for you.

☑️ Driver test changes: A proposed Illinois bill would raise the mandatory driving test age to 87 while introducing a system for relatives to report concerns about elderly drivers' safety.

🏘️ In the community

☑️ Lifesaver salute: Geneva officials honored four police officers with Life Saving Medals for their bravery and quick action in preventing a tragedy when they rescued a woman who fled a hospital and attempted to harm herself.

☑️ Sanctuary shift: Anderson Humane has relocated its wildlife center from South Elgin to Elburn Forest Preserve, a location that’s better suited for rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife.

☑️ Growth roadmap: Batavia is seeking community input to help steer development and investment for its South River Street Corridor Plan. Check out this hub featuring an online survey, meeting schedule and interactive map for providing comments.

☑️ Service celebrated: The City of Batavia declared Tuesday, January 14 as Chief Shawn Mazza Day, honoring the retiring police chief’s 26 years of service — while welcoming new Chief of Police Eric Blowers and Deputy Chief Gary LaBarbera.

☑️ Parks feedback: The St. Charles Park District is updating its Master Plan, which will serve as a roadmap for the organization’s activities for the next five years. Take the community survey to provide input.

☑️ True vintage: A 53-year-old Lombard man has gone viral nationally after discovering a decades-old Christmas gift with his name on it in the bowels of his parents’ house while doing renovations.

🎸 Live music

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Pretty standard weekday music lineup that includes a pianist performance at the St. Charles Public Library and Blues Night at the Arcada Theatre on Wednesday.

🛍️ Local biz

☑️ New tequila bar: A new Mexican cocktail bar and eatery called Revolución is now open in downtown Geneva in the space above Tia Carmen that was previously home to 1910 Bar. Read an announcement from the owner.

☑️ New bistro: A restaurant called Le Cochon Wine Bar and Bistro will open in the location recently vacated by Mandrake on 3rd Street in Geneva. That was quick, eh?

☑️ Opening party: NXT Nutrition & More — a healthy food shop specializing in shakes, smoothies, protein bars, teas and supplements — celebrated a ribbon cutting on Island Avenue in Batavia on Thursday. See photos of the event.

☑️ 3rd Street departure: Copper Fox Banquets closed its 3rd Street location in Geneva at the end of the year. Read a heartfelt farewell message from the owners.

☑️ Local specials: Gammon Coach House (aka Lucky Joe’s, not sure what they go by these days) has an $8 smash burger deal on Mondays. On Wednesdays, Ella’s offers half-price wine and Aurelio’s has half-price apps.

🗞️ Un-classifieds

☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for Kane County — including the historic Elizabeth Place property (also known as the Henry Bond Fargo House) in Geneva for $1.75M. Learn more about the mansion’s rich history.

☑️ Local obits: Recent obituaries posted by Tri-Cities funeral homes, including Sister Marie Lorentzen, Founder of Hesed House.

☑️ City meetings: 

• Monday (1/13): Geneva Special City Council meeting on referendum (agenda)

• Tuesday (1/14): Batavia Committee of the Whole (agenda)

☑️ Police reports: Batavia police report summaries (January updates included) | Geneva police reports

🗓️ Events & Things to Do

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☑️ Vine & Vinyl Night | Wed 1/15, 6:30-8:30PM | Up North Wine Tasting, Geneva | Bring your own album for a nice evening of wine and music.

☑️ The Fox: Lessons from a Local Legend | Wed 1/15, 7-8PM | Baker Community Center, STC | Local activist Gary Swick will present on all things Fox River.

🎟️ The Office Trivia with Todd Packer | Thurs 1/16, 6:30PM | Comedy Vault, Batavia | David Koechner himself will host trivia and share behind-the-scenes stories from his time as a cast member of “The Office.”

🎟️ Pour Your Own Epoxy | Thurs 1/16, 6:30PM | Penrose Brewing, Geneva | A hands-on workshop where you'll craft an epoxy river charcuterie board or lazy Susan.

☑️ Great Decisions: Pandemic Preparedness | Thurs 1/16, 7PM | STC Public Library | A policy-focused discussion on world affairs.

🎟️ January Jamboree | Sat 1/18, 11 or 11:30AM | Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, STC | SNOW much fun with activities and crafts for the kids.

💥 Winter in STC: A roundup of local cold-weather events and activities to take advantage of this season.

🌖 Weather snapshot

🌤️ Today: High 21F | Low 8F | Raw + windy

🧊 Tuesday: High 19F | Low 5F | Frigid

☀️ Wednesday: High 25F | Low 18F | Hello sun!

🌤️ Thursday: High 38F | Low 25F | Milder

📖 Thanks for reading

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