🎊 “Beyond brunch” Mother’s Day activities

Mother’s Day brunch — a tradition as American as apple pie.

Thanks to a healthy array of local eateries offering special events and deals for the occasion, you really can’t go wrong here in the Tri-Cities.

But I could fill this entire newsletter with brunch spots, so let’s focus instead on a few non-brunch (or before-brunch, or after-brunch) Mother’s Day ideas:

✅ Mother’s Day Tea | Oak + Rose Team Room, Geneva: Even if you do brunch, why not save room for an elegant afternoon tea? You’ll get to enjoy scones, biscuits and desserts with your organic tea — and the event is BYOB for those 21 and above. (Saturday, May 11)

✅ Mother’s Day Flower Walk | Windy Acres Farm, Geneva: If strolling through a sweet-smelling labyrinth of outdoor flower displays amid live string music sounds like mom’s wheelhouse, this is your spot. Each ticket includes a beverage and a treat, too. (Saturday, May 11 & Sunday, May 12)

✅ Mother’s Day at the Merc | Wilson Street Mercantile, Batavia: Here, five unique local businesses — Arlo.Hendrix, Desmond Grown, Light & Pine Collective, Lily & Pie, and the Blue Owl Market — all share a single roof. They’ll have a pop-up plant shop on Saturday, a candle bar on Saturday/Sunday and special treats available throughout the weekend. (Saturday, May 11 & Sunday, May 12)

✅ Mother’s Day Celebration with Debby Boone | Arcada Theatre, STC: Music-fan moms may enjoy this unique performance from a multi-time Grammy winner at one of the Tri-Cities’ top venues. (Sunday, May 12)

🍷 Also, a heads up that moms get a free glass of wine at Bien Trucha in Geneva on Mother’s Day — brunch, lunch, dinner, doesn’t matter.

🎁 Looking for last-minute gift ideas? Wander through The Little Traveler in Geneva for just a few minutes and you’ll find everything from fashionable clothing and jewelry to decor, housewares and wine. Chances are good that you’ll find something unique and memorable for mom.

📰 News to use

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☑️ Transportation overhaul: Illinois lawmakers have proposed merging Metra, Pace and CTA into a single comprehensive entity that would replace the RTA.

☑️ Police activity: Two Batavia schools went into lockdown on Tuesday due to a "suspicious person" reported at a nearby park. Officers found him and determined that he wasn’t a threat.

☑️ Going green: Using funds collected through the 10-cent non-reusable bag fee, the City of Batavia bought reusable bags for residents — you can pick them up downtown while supplies last.

☑️ Upcoming rehab work: St. Charles is allocating $1.82 million to upgrading streets, curbs, pavement and sidewalks in about 50 locations around town.

☑️ Key tax info: Due dates for this year’s Kane County real estate tax bills have been announced. The bills should’ve been mailed yesterday.

☑️ Top high schools: In a recent U.S. News & World Report roundup of Illinois’ best high schools in 2024, our four local schools ranked from #36 to #87. See the full rankings and where each school landed.

🏘️ In the community

🔒 Quality time: After surviving treatment for bone marrow cancer, a Geneva mom is thrilled about celebrating Mother’s Day with her young daughter.

☑️ Experience history: Located in Geneva’s Fabyan West Forest Preserve, the Fabyan Villa Museum is now open to the public for the season with guided and self-guided tours.

☑️ Library access: Starting Tuesday, the Geneva Public Library’s south entrance will be temporarily closed for safety upgrades. Visitors can enter the library via the north Campbell Street entrance.

☑️ Hard-to-recycle items: Kane County will be hosting several shredding/recycling events in the area throughout the year, including a “Shredding & More” event in St. Charles on Saturday.

☑️ I-PASS changes: Illinois Tollway reps will be on hand in downtown Geneva tomorrow to assist people with new I-PASS services, like the I-PASS Sticker Tag and I-PASS Assist.

🎸 Live music