Welcome to Tri-Cities Central, a twice-weekly newsletter highlighting local happenings in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and surrounding communities.
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💝 Local guide to Giving Tuesday
With Giving Tuesday coming up on December 2, I pulled together a roundup of local nonprofit and charitable organizations in Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles.
The list spans everything from food insecurity and mental health to disability services, youth programs, and historic preservation, with dozens of organizations grouped by city. It also includes a special end-of-year Tri-Cities Central fundraiser for Anderson Humane, with a goal of raising $1,000 to support animal welfare work close to home.
If you’re looking to give back this season, there are plenty of meaningful ways to do it right here in the Tri-Cities area — and you’ll make a real impact.
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🏡 Inside a St. Charles speakeasy-era historic home
Today, our Tri-Cities real estate expert Chris Wallace isn’t visiting a local business like usual — he’s walking us through a historic 1837 home at 516 S. 6th Avenue in St. Charles.
The best part? It’s actually on the market as we speak.
Not only did the house once host Mary Todd Lincoln, but it even served as a Prohibition-era speakeasy. If you’re a local history enthusiast or considering a move, you’re going to want to see this one.
📰 News to use
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☑️ Retail revitalization: St. Charles officials will review early concept plans to redevelop the former Pheasant Run site into a 15-lot commercial center with retail, restaurants, and service uses — and the public can attend meetings to offer input.
☑️ Rental regulations: Kane County officials are discussing a new short-term rental ordinance with limits on guest counts and rental frequency, mandatory neighbor notification, and tougher enforcement for local unincorporated areas.
☑️ In a tough spot: Sugar Grove leaders say they must move forward with the controversial Crown development because binding contracts approved by the previous administration for the 1,500-residence project leave the village with no legal way out.
🔒 New neighborhood: St. Charles’ 50-home Munhall Glen subdivision on the east side is nearing completion after passing city inspections, with many of the homes already sold. Remaining available houses start at nearly $650K.
☑️ Snow + parking: Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles have policies for residents when snow parking bans go into effect and how plowing operations work as winter weather moves in. Get the details for each city.
☑️ Plan for congestion: St. Charles announced road closures, parking bans, and heavy delays around Main Street during the Holiday Homecoming Parade on Saturday evening (11/29), especially with snow possible. Get the details.
🏘️ In the community
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☑️ All things local: Small Business Saturday (11/29) brings seasonal cheer to Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles with meet-and-greets, hot cocoa, significant discounts, and special deals at several local shops.
☑️ Calls for action: Community members joined a recent Batavia Board of Education meeting urging officials to adopt a formal policy limiting or clarifying how immigration enforcement can operate on school property.
☑️ Name that plow: Kane County is inviting residents to submit creative nicknames for its snowplows this winter, with the winning names featured on trucks and those who submitted them getting a behind-the-scenes tour of winter road operations.
☑️ Delnor anniversary: On Thanksgiving Day in 1940, a 25-bed hospital opened its doors in St. Charles. But the history behind Delnor Hospital — named for its benefactors Dellora and Lester Norris — actually has roots back to 1908. Read a brief history.
☑️ Recycle responsibly: Geneva is offering a free holiday light recycling program through January 31 with drop-off bins at City Hall, the Geneva Public Library, and the Sunset Community Center.
✳️ Seasonal magic: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Geneva will celebrate the season with Carols in the Chapel on December 5 and a live performance of A Christmas Carol on December 6 — two free community events filled with music, storytelling, and holiday spirit.
🎸 Live music
The only thing better than weekend live music is long weekend live music, and we’ve got a great lineup in store for this particular holiday weekend.
Noticed a couple of names I’ve never seen before on the list — will report back if we make it out to see any of them.
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🔥 “One of the best coffees I’ve ever had”
Kurt B wasn’t kidding around when he left a review for Dragon Fire Coffee’s Black Dragon Blend:
My wife told me she is mad at me, because she can no longer drink the coffee she buys. This is some of the best beans we have ever brewed. Make the switch — oh, and they are local too, can’t get better than that.
That pretty much says it all. And remember, it’s roasted daily in Warrenville and they offer free local delivery in the Tri-Cities.
🤝 Local biz
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☑️ Good times keep rolling: Five & Hoek Coffee is turning its popular Viva Cafe summer pop-up at 416 W. State Street in Geneva into a permanent coffee shop with specialty drinks and a Bien Trucha food partnership.
☑️ New year delight: Fire + Wine, a restaurant specializing in Italian-style tapas, pizzas, and pastas, is planning to open in the St. Charles Fox Haven Square development in January. Check out the menus for its existing locations.
🔒 Goodbye to a local staple: After three decades in Geneva, The Country House has closed its doors as the owner continues trying to sell the property while keeping the Clarendon Hills location open.
🗓️ Events & Things to Do
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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. Stop by on Saturday (11/29) from 6-9PM for a night of acoustic music by the talented Joey Wilbur.
☑️ Family festivities: The STC Park District is rolling out a full slate of holiday events in the month ahead — from caroling with cows and gingerbread decorating to puzzle challenges, Santa visits, and a Grinch dinner. Get all the details.
☑️ Holiday Open House | Sat 11/29, 9AM-4PM | Raised Expectations, Batavia | A private studio opens up for one-of-a-kind holiday shopping.
☑️ Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa Arrival | Sat 11/29, 6–8PM | Geneva Commons | Enjoy caroling, cookies, hot chocolate, raffle, and photos with Santa.
☑️ Artists Sunday Road Rally | Sun 11/30, 11AM–4PM | Downtown Geneva | A self-guided art tour with studios, shops, demos, and creative activities.
☑️ Santa & Mrs. Claus at the Boardwalk | Sundays thru 12/21, 12–2PM | Batavia Boardwalk Shops | Free photos and family-friendly fun with the Clauses.
☑️ Celebration of Lights & Tree Lighting | Sun 11/30, 5–7PM | Peg Bond Center, Batavia | Experience live reindeer, carols, hayrides, Santa, and the community tree lighting.
☑️ Paint & Sip Workshop | Mon 12/1, 6:30–8:30PM | Sturdy Shelter, Batavia | Create a mandala Christmas ornament while sipping and socializing.
☑️ Cheers, Queers Holiday Party | Mon 12/1, 7–10PM | Global Brew Tap House, STC | Mix and mingle with LGBTQIA+ community and allies in a festive atmosphere.
Looking ahead:
✳️ North Pole Pop Up | December Weekends | Zen Loft Collective, Batavia | Get festive with a boutique holiday market, photo stations, live music, hot cocoa, and so much more.
🎟️ Boards, Bottles & Bikes | Wed 12/3, 7-8:30PM | STC Motorcycle Museum | A holiday charcuterie and wine tasting event — plus a charcuterie class.
🎟️ Lights & Flights Craft Beer Fest | Sat 12/13, 2–6PM | Peck Farm Park, Geneva | Holiday lights, craft beer tastings, food, and commemorative glass.
📖 Thanks for reading
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