🐕🍺 Dog-friendly dining & drinking

Take a look at the forecast — patio season is back for good.

And if your dog enjoys hanging outdoors as much as you do, you’ll want to bookmark this list of local spots. From low-key beer gardens to lively riverfront breweries, there are plenty of places around the Tri-Cities where pups are more than welcome.

Now’s a great time to start planning your next dog-friendly outing. This list should help (plus — dog photos).

_{LOCAL SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT}

🧩 Boardwalk buzz in Batavia

Tri-Cities insider and real estate expert Chris Wallace is giving you the first look at this year’s Batavia Boardwalk Shops — and the local merchants behind them.

From small-batch pet food to tabletop games, home décor and handcrafted candy, these new shop owners are bringing unique offerings and fresh personalities to the popular downtown destination.

Watch the video for a sneak peek before the doors open this Friday!

📰 News to use

☑️ Money headaches: With its reserve funds shrinking and its sales tax referendum rejected, the Kane County Board is weighing cost-cutting measures (like a hiring freeze and service reductions) to close a large projected budget shortfall.

☑️ Food pantry upgrade: Batavia has opened the bidding process to remodel a First Street building that will soon become the new home of the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry & Clothes Closet.

☑️ Advancing agritourism: Kane County has been awarded a $750K federal grant to help restore historic agricultural buildings in rural areas, aiming to boost preservation, tourism and the local economy.

☑️ Helpful resource: Geneva families can register loved ones with cognitive or medical challenges in the Police Department’s Citizens At Risk program to help first responders quickly assist in emergencies.

☑️ New volunteer group: A new grassroots group called Conservative Women Care is launching in Kane County with a May 8 kickoff event aimed at supporting local causes and conservative women candidates through volunteer work and fundraising.

☑️ Detour ahead: A section of Geneva’s Third Street will be closed to traffic from May 12 to May 23 for pavement patching work as part of the city’s 2025 Street Program, with sidewalks remaining open for pedestrians.

🏘️ In the community

☑️ Run for LIFE! Batavia-based Suicide Prevention Services of America is a lifesaving nonprofit offering 24/7 crisis support and mental health resources. Learn more about their vital work and an exciting 5K fundraiser along the Fox River.

☑️ Summer colors: The St. Charles Arts Council is hosting a series of summer public art events, including a group street mural painting this weekend (5/10), a juried gallery exhibit and a community banner project on display in Mt. St. Mary Park.

☑️ Pet protection: Kane County Animal Control will host its next low-cost, drive-through rabies vaccine and microchip clinic on May 14 in Geneva, offering discounted services for all pet owners (especially seniors).

☑️ Sacred spot: Healing Gardens at Stone Hill Farm in St. Charles is celebrating their 20th anniversary as a tranquil local destination to reconnect with nature. Their first of several seasonal events is this Sunday (5/11).

✳️ Room to grow: Known for its dynamic yoga/fitness classes and community events, Batavia’s Zen Loft Collective also offers flexible, welcoming spaces for rent — ideal for creatives, entrepreneurs and anyone seeking a purposeful place. Take a virtual tour of the space.

🎸 Live music

_{PRESENTED BY PRESERVATION}

If you're looking break up your normal routine with a unique live music experience, WC Social Club in West Chicago delivers big-name acts, underground favorites and a one-of-a-kind vibe just outside the Tri-Cities. Check out their upcoming shows.

Closer to home, we’ve got a busy weekend in store.

_{LOCAL SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT}

🌺 Must-plants for May — expert tips

In a sunny Saturday morning video, Wasco Nursery owner Matt Zerby shared what’s blooming now and offered a behind-the-scenes greenhouse tour — complete with helpful insights on this season’s most popular plants as we head into peak growing season.

And if you’re looking for the best way to repair your lawn in the spring after winter damage, Matt shares his top tips and tricks in another useful video.

🤝 Local biz

☑️ Smoked special: Chef Chris Curren of The Graceful Ordinary has teamed up with Food Network BBQ champ Dominique Leach to feature a smoked brisket burger for a limited-time menu collaboration running May 9–18 in St. Charles.

☑️ Hometown hero: Charlie Murphy, owner of Midwest Compost and longtime community champion, was named the 2025 Charlemagne Award winner by the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce. See photos from the award dinner.

☑️ Tooth time: Smile Haven Dental Studio is celebrating a grand opening on Saturday (5/10) in its new space above the moto imoto restaurant in St. Charles.

🗓️ Events & Things to Do

The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee.

☑️ Plant Sales: The Batavia Lions Club Annual Plant Sale is Friday (5/9) and Saturday (5/10), while the Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners Native Plant Sale is Saturday morning. There’s also a Plant Sale at Heritage Prairie Farm in Elburn on Saturday.

🎟️ Twelfth Night | Fri 5/9 - Sat 5/24 | Albright Community Theatre, Batavia | William Shakespeare’s tale of secrets, love stories and hilarity.

☑️ Farmer & Artisan Market | Sat 5/10, 10AM-2PM | The Rustic Fox, N. Aurora | The popular event is held the 2nd & 4th Saturday of each month.

🎟️ Fishing the Fox | Sat 5/10, 10-11:30AM | Creek Bend Nature Center, STC | An expert local fisherman reveals his secrets to fishing the Fox River.

☑️ Mother’s Day Event | Sat 5/10, 11AM-1PM | Geneva Commons | A family-friendly music show, photo booths and more.

☑️ World Collage Day Workshop | Sat 5/10, 2-4PM | Water Street Studios, Batavia | Create collage-style art — free for all ages.

🎟️ Vines in Bloom: A Spring Wine Tasting | Sat 5/10, 2-5PM | Geneva Wine Cellars | An exclusive spring tasting featuring the best selections from Flowers Winery.

☑️ Discoteca Club | Sat 5/10, 7PM-Midnight | The Lewis, STC | A Latin-inspired DJ party.

🎟️ Country Dance Party | Sat 5/10, 7-11PM | The Dance Lab, STC | Who’s ready for a BYOB line dancing party? Yeehaw.

☑️ Mother’s Day Festivities | Sun 5/11, 11AM-8:30PM | Preservation, Geneva | Live music and food/drink specials for lunch and dinner.

☑️ A Bright Future: Putting the Public Back Into Our Public Utilities | Mon 5/12, 6:30-8:30PM | STC Library | Learn about policies affecting the local power grid.

📖 Thanks for reading

If you enjoy Tri-Cities Central, please spread the word!

_{Subscribe to Tri-Cities Central | Advertise with us | View previous newsletters}