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Happy Thursday!
Have you ever attended a murder mystery event? Where everyone gets assigned a character, one person is “the killer,” and the group spends the evening collaborating to figure out who committed the crime?
I’ve been chatting with an event organizer who run these types of outings, and we’re toying with the idea of bringing one to the Tri-Cities in October for Halloween. It’d be at a local venue, with drinks and refreshments available, likely on a weeknight.
Before we decide to move forward, we want to verify: would folks actually come?
Would you be interested in attending a "Murder Mystery" event at a local venue this October?
📮 Need to contact me with questions, tips or suggestions? Get in touch here.
LEAD STORY
Last call: join the Tri-Cities Dinner Club!
Only a few days remain to sign up for next week’s Tri-Cities Dinner Club, which will be headed to downtown Geneva on Wednesday, July 22.
The first few events have been a blast; I’ve heard from multiple attendees that they’ve continued getting together with the new friends they’ve made between Dinner Club outings.
How Dinner Club works:
Step 1: Take a quick quiz about your interests, food preferences, social style, and what types of folks you’d enjoy meeting. (Add a plus-one if you’d like.)
Step 2: Get matched with five other Tri-Cities Central community members based on the quiz results.
Step 3: Receive your invite the morning of the dinner and discover where in downtown Geneva you’ll be dining (groups will be seated at several different restaurants).
Step 4: Dinner will be on Wednesday, July 22 at 6:15PM. After dinner, all tables will be invited to a different (optional) surprise spot nearby to keep the good times going.
We’ll likely be pausing Dinner Club for August before returning in September, so if you’ve been meaning to give it a shot, now’s the time!
Can’t make it? Here’s a reminder about some local restaurants specials to take advantage of for your next outing.
SPONSORED CONTENT
👓 Summer’s here — make sure you can see it in all its splendor
50% off prescription lenses applies only to additional pairs. Not valid with insurance or any other promotions or discounts.
Summer is in full swing, and it’s the perfect time to upgrade your sunglasses.
Fox Valley Ophthalmology's Sunglass Sale runs through July, featuring 20–70% off sunglasses at their St. Charles location. But that’s only part of the deal: get 50% off an additional set of prescription lenses when you buy a frame. (Not valid with insurance or other discounts.)
Head in soon and see for yourself why the folks at Fox Valley Ophthalmology are the Tri-Cities’ trusted eye care experts.
Below are the most clicked stories from our last newsletter issue.
☑️ Virtual home tour: Local real estate expert Chris Wallace put together a video walkthrough of the 120 N. Pine St. property that’s currently for sale near downtown Geneva so you can see the 5-bedroom, 2.5-bath beauty for yourself.
☑️ A trip to the fair: The Kane County Fair is in town for the 157th time through Sunday (7/19), bringing its familiar family entertainment, farm-related demonstrations, and carnival-like atmosphere to St. Charles. See the full event schedule.
☑️ School facilities update: The St. Charles school board backed seven of eight potential referendum projects in a straw poll on Monday night (including a new $62M field house), though one project stalled and several remain to be discussed.
☑️ ACLU issues letter: The ACLU of Illinois asked Kane County officials to confirm that a new order setting guidelines for protest activity near the courthouse doesn't infringe on people's rights to monitor and document ICE activity in St. Charles.
☑️ Senior home acquisition: Carroll Tower, the affordable senior housing tower on the downtown St. Charles riverfront near Hotel Baker, has been sold to a private equity firm that plans to "extend the affordability an additional 20 years."
☑️ Elburn arrest: An Elburn man faces felony charges after prosecutors say he shared a child sexual abuse video in April and is now being held in the Kane County jail.
☑️ “Hotdoggers” in town: The famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will make an appearance at the Kane County Fair in St. Charles this Saturday from noon to 6PM, complete with hot dog games and free Wiener Whistles. Learn more about the iconic vehicle.
SPONSORED CONTENT
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Local artist Mary Ellen Segraves
☑️ Local artist profile: Mary Ellen Segraves traded a corporate HR career for watercolor painting, and now the self-described "accidental painter" is finding beauty in unpredictability across the Fox Valley art scene. Get the full story.
☑️ Adult activities: The St. Charles Park District's Adult Activity Center is offering a variety of educational programs and social outings for adults 50+ this summer, from painting and driving courses to lunch events. See what’s coming up.
☑️ Ramp dedication: Batavia officially dedicated its new Peace Pedestrian Ramp connecting the Peace Bridge to the Fox River Trail during a ceremony last weekend, where a “Peace Out Batavia” mural will be added this fall. See a recap and photos.
☑️ From STC to MLB: St. Charles North grad Jayden Lobliner, a University of San Diego catcher, was just picked by the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth round of the MLB Draft.
✳️ Thrive Together returns: St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Geneva will host a special seminar on Sept. 19 exploring the challenges and benefits of Christian outreach in the Fox Valley suburbs (led by Wheaton College sociologist and local expert Brian Miller). Get details & sign up.
PRESENTED BY POLLYANNA BREWING COMPANY
SAVE THE DATE: Pollyanna Brewing in St. Charles is bringing back its Blues & Brews on the Fox Fest for year two on August 29 — and if last year was any indication, it’s going to be an absolute blast.
My wife and I were there for the inaugural 2025 event, and it was the perfect way to close out the summer. A full, sunny day of outstanding live music performances on the riverfront, cold beer and cocktails, great food, and this year will even feature a Kid Zone and a Belgian Beer Competition. If you’re in town, don’t miss it!
And last but not least, here’s the full schedule of live music performances for this steamy summer weekend.
SPONSORED CONTENT
🧸 Here’s where to find elusive Jellies in the Tri-Cities
The Little Traveler's weekly Jellycat shipments tend to sell out fast, often shortly after they arrive.
The popular London-based plush line has built a passionate following around the country, and the iconic Geneva shop has grown into one of the largest and most consistent Jellycat destinations in the region. There’s always something fun and fresh — but you have to strike fast.
Get on The Little Traveler's email list, and you'll know the second a new shipment lands, plus receive updates on special offers and events at the store.
The ✳️ symbol indicates sponsored content.
☑️ Goodbye tour: Brother Chimp Brewing’s original North Aurora taproom will close for good on July 26 (the St. Charles location will remain open). Next week they’re hosting a multi-day celebration to send the taproom off in style.
☑️ Celebrating six: The St. Charles furniture and home goods store trend + relic is celebrating its sixth anniversary this weekend with a storewide sale, giveaways, and refreshments.
✳️ Need an event space? Check out Zen Loft Collective in Batavia, where you can rent its sunny main studio by the hour for classes, workshops, private sessions, or whatever creative gathering you've been meaning to host. See the space and get in touch.
The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee.
☑️ Sculpture in the Park: Artist's Reception | Fri 7/17, 5PM–7PM | Mt. St. Mary Park, STC | Free artist reception at this scenic downtown Fox River sculpture exhibit.
🎟️ Coldplay Candlelight Experience | Fri 7/17, 7PM–10PM | Congregational Church of Batavia | Coldplay music performed by candlelight in an intimate church setting.
☑️ Dog Days of Summer | Sat 7/18, 9AM–12PM | North Aurora Riverfront Park | Free pet parade, contests with prizes, and local rescue dogs available for adoption.
🎟️ Boom Ball | Sat 7/18, 5PM–9PM | Northwestern Medicine Field, Geneva | High-energy baseball experience with light show, fireworks, and a pre-game festival.
🎟️ Summer Cabaret | Sat 7/18, 7PM | Playhouse 38, Geneva | Live piano, singers, and community talent celebration (with concessions).
☑️ Kimmer's 24-Hour Ice Cream Marathon | Sat 7/18, 10PM – Sun 7/19, 10PM | Kimmer's Ice Cream, STC | All-night National Ice Cream Day celebration with festive scoops.
☑️ Woman’s Waves Walk | Sun 7/19, 9AM | Fabyan Japanese Garden, Geneva | Enjoy a peaceful morning walk through beautiful gardens with other women.
🎟️ Brew Ride: Riverlands to Obscurity | Sun 7/19, 11AM | Riverlands Brewing, STC | Rain-or-shine brewery bike ride with a marked route and beer tickets.
☑️ FIFA World Cup Watch Party | Sun 7/19, 2PM | Arcada Theatre, STC | Free theatre-style World Cup viewing with draft beer, pizza, and raffle prizes.
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