Welcome to Tri-Cities Central, a twice-weekly newsletter highlighting local happenings in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and surrounding communities.
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Affordability in the Tri-Cities
Affordability has become a hot topic in American life — housing costs, general cost of living, the accessibility of a middle class lifestyle.
It’s a conversation folks across the Tri-Cities are having as well. We haven't done a reader poll in a while, so here's a good one. Feel free to add a comment with your response — I'll report back next week with some of the more interesting findings.
In your opinion, how is the cost of living trending in the Tri-Cities?
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🎙️ Chris Wallace has a new show with a local focus
Chris Wallace: You know him and love him as the Tri-Cities real estate expert whose informative, entertaining videos we feature in this newsletter every couple of weeks.
Now he's launched a video podcast, and episode one features Sarah Whitt, the single mom who built House of 423 from a Batavia boutique into a thriving women's fashion destination in Geneva.
She keeps it real — so if you've ever wondered what goes on behind the counter at a place like House of 423 (or just appreciate a good female entrepreneurship story) this one's worth your time.
☑️ Potential traffic fix: St. Charles officials are exploring a planning contract to study safety and street improvements along the busy Riverside Avenue corridor, where cyclists and cars have faced challenges coexisting near the Fox River Trail.
☑️ Ready for disaster: Kane County is building a disaster preparedness network and wants local nonprofits, businesses, and community groups to work together on a collaborative approach before the next emergency hits.
☑️ Elburn's growth plan: The Village of Elburn has adopted its 2026-2029 strategic plan, with top priorities including Route 47 safety improvements, water and sewer upgrades, and attracting new businesses — all guided by a philosophy it describes as "better not bigger."
☑️ Solar project update: Kane County officials approved the Route 25 community solar project on the former Tri-County Landfill in St. Charles Township, but construction still can't begin until the developer and Waste Management finalize a formal agreement.
☑️ Watch your utility bill: Some residents in the region have been unknowingly switched to alternative energy suppliers charging two to three times ComEd's rates — and lawmakers are now pushing legislation to put a stop to the practice.
☑️ Spring cleanup: Geneva is offering free yard waste pickup during the weeks of March 16 and 23 — no sticker needed, just set out brown paper bags on your regular collection day.
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☑️ Art explosion: Downtown Geneva is turning local shops and restaurants into pop-up galleries for a free, one-day Art Explosion event on May 2 featuring painting, sculpture, music, dance, and more.
☑️ State showcase: Three Batavia High School students were selected to exhibit their work at the Illinois High School Art Exhibition, one of the state's top showcases, chosen from roughly 1,000 artists across more than 125 high schools.
☑️ Support local seniors: A local collection initiative culminating in a special "shopping event” is gathering household and personal care essentials for fixed-income seniors at Heritage Woods of Batavia through April 3. Learn more and how to donate.
☑️ Search party for a cause: TriCity Family Services is hosting a downtown Geneva scavenger hunt fundraiser on April 17 where teams of four can explore the city while raising money for local mental health services.
☑️ Student opportunity: The St. Charles Business Alliance is calling on STC high school artists to submit original designs for a custom reusable water bottle to be featured at the St. Charles Fine Art Show over the Memorial Day Weekend.
✳️ Creative Arts Camp: St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Geneva is running a weeklong summer camp for pre-K through 6th graders that includes dinner every night — making it one of the better deals for local parents looking for a kids' activity that frees up their own evenings.
In putting together this weekend’s live music roundup, I noticed that the switch to Daylight Saving Time seems to have messed up the listed time for some of the performances (particularly the ones sourced from Facebook).
I think I sorted out any issues, but wanted to flag that just in case one or two slipped through the cracks.
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☕ Your new favorite morning spot may be hiding in plain sight.
If you haven't been to Maple Leaf Coffee House along the Fox River in downtown St. Charles, here's what you're missing: a full-fledged café where the coffee is roasted in-house, the syrups are made from scratch, the baked goods come out of their own kitchen, and the breakfast and lunch menus are built around flavorful, organic ingredients.
It's the kind of place you stop in for a latte with a scenic view and end up staying for lunch — with tons of cozy seating, free wifi, and no pressure to leave.
Trust me, I spent the whole morning there last Friday working on this newsletter.
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☑️ Clutter meets its match: A Geneva woman has turned a lifelong obsession with organization and modern decor into The Polished Nest, a new home organizing and decorating business serving the Tri-Cities area. Get to know the entrepreneur.
☑️ New pediatrics facility: An Elgin-based holistic practice focused on whole-health services for kids called Thrive Pediatrics just opened a new location in Geneva with a Chamber ribbon cutting on Keslinger Road.
✳️ Spring Break camp: If your 6–10 year old could use some fun, healthy activities over break, Zen Loft Collective’s Spring Break Movement & Mindfulness Camp in Batavia runs March 31–April 2 and mixes active play, yoga-inspired activities, and teamwork in a small, intentional setting.
The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee.
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. Stop by for live music with Jack Byron on Saturday (3/14) from 6-9PM!
☑️ Spring: Color, Movement, Growth Opening Reception | Fri 3/13, 5:30PM | St. Charles Arts Council | Meet the artists, view original work, and enjoy light refreshments.
☑️ Second Friday Opening Reception | Fri 3/13, 6PM | Water Street Studios, Batavia | New works by talented local artists on display through April 4.
☑️ ArtBar Batavia: The Circus Show | Fri 3/13, 7PM | Sturdy Shelter Brewing | Circus-themed art show with beer and community from ArtBar Batavia.
☑️ Battle of the Brush Piles | Sat 3/14, 9AM | 1500 E Fabyan, Batavia | High school teams compete to remove the most invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle from local woodlands.
☑️ Illinois Home Improvement Material Auction | Sat 3/14, 9AM | Kane County Fairgrounds, STC | Score deals on flooring, cabinets, doors, appliances, and more at this live auction.
🎟️ Promise or Peril? The Annual Spring Bird Count | Sat 3/14, 9:30AM | Barbara Belding Lodge, STC | Kane County Audubon president discusses Illinois bird population data and how to help.
🎟️ Windy City Elvis Competition | Sun 3/15, 2PM | Arcada Theatre, STC | Local and national Elvis tribute artists compete for prizes and the Windy City Championship.
☑️ Oscars Viewing Party | Sun 3/15, 5:30PM | Sturdy Shelter Brewing, Batavia | Red carpet, ballots, bingo, prizes, and popcorn for the Academy Awards.
🐶 Pets of the week
Introducing this week’s featured pets from Anderson Humane:
Chilly is a 6-month-old bundle of joy with a playful spirit who loves attention —belly rubs, head scratches, and being told she’s a good girl. She’s always ready for a game, chasing toys, or bouncing around the yard.
Venus is a darling 1-year-old girl with the brightest green eyes who may be a bit shy when you first meet her, but give her a little time, and you’ll see her sweet personality and playful side.
Ready to add a loyal new friend to your family? Visit Anderson Humane’s website or reach out to [email protected] or 847-697-2880.
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