Welcome to Tri-Cities Central, a twice-weekly newsletter highlighting local happenings in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and surrounding communities.
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Who’s ready for Geneva Restaurant Week?
Geneva Restaurant Week is back! Well, this weekend it will be.
From Saturday (1/17) to Sunday (1/25), you’ll have nine days to take advantage of discounted lunch and dinner menus at many of the city’s most popular spots.
Dine on the Nines: Each participating venue will provide either a prix-fixe menu at a discounted price or special deals on featured menu items. Similar to years past, there’s a “nine” theme — deals like $9.99 per person, $29.99 for a three-course meal, etc.
By my count, it looks like about 30 restaurants are participating. And some of the deals look fantastic — you can see them all here.
Worth noting: The second annual Aurora Restaurant Week will overlap with Geneva’s, running from January 20 through February 3. Learn more about the program and check out an interactive map of participating eateries.
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🌴 Find paradise with a purpose in Geneva
What better way to break up the dreary monotony of a Midwest winter than with a tropical party?
Join the Geneva Community Chest on February 6 for Havana Nights — an evening of tropical drinks, steel drums, hand-rolled cigars, and fun games with exciting prizes.
And beyond the midwinter tropical escape, the night supports a wonderful cause — the Geneva Community Chest donates 97% of the funds they raise directly to 25+ vetted local charities.
☑️ Blacksmith shop stands: Geneva officials fell one vote short of overturning the Historic Preservation Commission's denial of a demolition request, leaving the 1840s blacksmith shop protected and blocking a teardown for at least another year.
☑️ Trail connector: The Fox Valley Park District has advanced plans for a new bike and pedestrian bridge near the Red Oak Nature Center that would link both sides of the Fox River Trail, with construction potentially starting later this year.
☑️ Batavia arrest: Batavia police charged a local man with multiple felony counts related to child sexual abuse material following an investigation that began with a national tip to Chicago police.
☑️ Parents speak out: Parents of students at Fox Ridge Elementary pressed the St. Charles School Board over ongoing safety and communication concerns, describing serious incidents and urging faster, clearer action from district leadership.
☑️ More local preservation: St. Charles officials signaled support for a city-backed agreement to restore the historic Barry House on Cedar Avenue, add new downtown parking, and bring the long-vacant property back into productive use.
☑️ Housing project hearing: Batavia officials will hold a January 21 public hearing about a proposed 72-unit affordable housing apartment building at 400 South River Street that would require zoning and land-use changes.
The 🔒 symbol indicates a potential paywall. The ✳️ symbol indicates sponsored content.
🔒 Station shortcomings: This Shaw Local article looks at the chronic space shortages, safety concerns, and failing infrastructure inside Geneva’s aging police station that officials cite as the key issues driving the $59.4M public safety referendum.
☑️ Glimpse into the past: Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley recently highlighted the transcribed diaries of St. Charles sisters Abba and Emma Durant, which offer rare, first-hand glimpses into daily life in the Tri-Cities area from the mid-1800s into the early 1900s.
☑️ Fitness goals: The Geneva Park District is opening its BestLife Fitness centers at Sunset Community Center and Stephen Persinger Recreation Center to the public for a free open house with tours and discounts on January 21 from 5–7 PM.
☑️ Community funding: Kane County is now accepting applications for the 2026 Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund, with $800K+ available to support nonprofit and local government projects focused on education, the environment, and economic development.
☑️ Winter birdwatching: The Kane County Audubon Society is inviting residents to get outside in January and February with guided bird walks, a photography-focused meeting, the Great Backyard Bird Count, and other winter birding events.
✳️ The secrets to serving others: You’re invited to “Thrive Together: Serving Well, Loving Wisely” on January 31 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Geneva, where an expert anthropology professor will lead a thoughtful community conversation about how faith-based service can move beyond good intentions to truly empower others.
Sturdy Shelter, the St. Charles Motorcycle Museum, and Old Towne Pub in Wasco are all back in on the local live music action this weekend.
Good to see plenty of options for the late afternoon and early evening on Saturday, which tends to be our go-to time to catch local performances.
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🚗 First look: Valor Carts’ 2026 lineup is here
Summer fun might not be as far away as you think.
Valor Carts just revealed their brand-new 2026 models, and Tri-Cities Central readers are getting a sneak peek before they even go live on their website.
What’s in store for 2026:
4- and 6-seater carts for cruising neighborhoods or hauling the crew
Utility models (2- and 4-seater) with all-wheel drive for work or play
All-lithium batteries for extended range and convenience
Fully street legal and ready for local roads
All models are in the showroom now, so this is a great time to start the conversation so you’re ready to cruise come spring.
Reach out to [email protected] or (708) 934-9349 and tell ‘em Sam sent you!
☑️ New training spot: Alloy Personal Training is hosting a grand opening party on January 24 at its new location on South Randall Road in Geneva, where they will offer appointment-based strength training in a supportive team environment.
☑️ Spotlight on STC: It’s been a while since we featured a “What’s Up St. Charles” podcast update — check out their page for recent episodes featuring Rec Haus, Mr. Marco’s Jewelers, Q Center, Chipko Market, and other local businesses.
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This section is sponsored by Up North Wine Tasting Room — an inviting, mother-daughter-owned Northern Michigan wine and cocktail bar located at 9 N. 2nd St. in downtown Geneva. Grab tickets to their “Sweetly Paired” Valentine event featuring mini cupcakes and wine pairings on February 14 and 15.
🎟️ Chicago Muskie Expo | Fri 1/16 – Sun 1/18 | Kane County Fairgrounds, STC | Multi-day fishing expo with vendors, seminars, and food.
🎟️ Sound Bath | Fri 1/16, 7:30–9PM | Soul Studio, Batavia | Relaxing crystal and Himalayan bowl sound healing experience.
✳️ Yoga With Puppies | Sat 1/17, Various Times | Zen Loft Collective, Batavia | Absolutely adorable beginner yoga with adoptable puppies in support of a great cause.
☑️ 3rd Annual Warehouse Sale | Sat 1/17, 10AM | Wilson Street Mercantile, Batavia | Deep discounts on unique baby, kids, women’s, and home finds.
☑️ Miss Jamie’s Musical Storytime Show | Sat 1/17, 11AM | Barnes & Noble, Geneva | Free musical storytelling with songs, stories, and autograph signing.
🎟️ Family Pinball Tournament | Sat 1/17, 1:30PM | Global Brew Tap House, STC | Parents and kids team up for friendly pinball competition to win prizes.
🎟️ Sushi Night | Sat 1/17, 6:30PM | Rosewood Farm & Market, Batavia | Learn to roll sushi, get expert tips, and enjoy what you make.
🎟️ Fireside | Sun 1/18, 1–4PM | LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, STC | Pioneer cooking, winter traditions, and historic games for all ages.
Looking ahead:
☑️ Alpha Game Night | Sat 1/24, 6:30–9PM | St. Mark’s Church, Geneva | Enjoy games, snacks, and laughs — plus meet new people or bring friends.
🎟️ Tri-City Table | Wed 1/28, 6-9PM | The Victorian Fox, STC | An immersive experience featuring a four-course French dinner with live music.
🐶 Pets of the week
Introducing this week’s featured pets:
Torri is a gorgeous 7-year-old cat with a stunning tortoiseshell coat, a slightly timid nature, and a friendly desire to be near her people. She’s looking for a calm, low-key lifestyle where she can enjoy her space and routine.
Kenzie is an adorable 6-month-old Husky/Shepherd mix with a beautiful tan coat and irresistible puppy-dog eyes. She can feel a little nervous in new environments, but once she settles in, her true personality and affectionate nature shines through.
Ready to add a loyal new friend to your family? Visit Anderson Humane’s Adoptables page or reach out to [email protected] or 847-697-2880.
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