Good morning!

Fun fact: On this day in 1952, members of the Batavia and Geneva Knights of Columbus served up 1,000 pounds of corned beef to the community during their fifth annual corned beef and cabbage festival at Columbian Park.

Kind of makes you wonder what happened to the annual corned beef and cabbage fest, doesn’t it? A story for another day, perhaps.

📮 Need to contact me with questions, tips or suggestions? Get in touch here.

The future of the Pheasant Run site redevelopment plan is uncertain.

The project, which had been recommended for approval by the St. Charles Plan Commission in July, is now stalled after the city’s Committee of the Whole declined to advance the latest version of the plan.

Notably, an alderperson said more than 80 residents submitted written objections to the city.

The 33.7-acre property is the portion of the former Pheasant Run Resort complex that previously housed the main resort buildings and hotel, located at the southeast corner of E. Main Street and Kautz Road.

Read on for more details, including concerns from residents and council members.

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After a long, hectic day of screen time, I really feel it in my eyes — sometimes even accompanied by a headache.

If you find yourself in the same boat, that could be your eyes asking for a better pair of glasses. Fox Valley Ophthalmology's Computer Glasses Sale gets you a high-quality pair, including a frame and special occupational lenses, for just $219.

The deal expires at the end of the month, so act fast. Trust me, your eyes will thank you by the third Zoom call of the day.

Below are the most clicked stories from our last newsletter issue.

☑️ Fox Haven Square update: Fox Haven Square has quickly transitioned from construction site to new business openings, with Lou Malnati's and Rosebud Steakhouse coming soon and a massive entertainment venue still on deck.

☑️ Calling all corn lovers: Sweet corn season is fantastic, but it’s fleeting — here’s a list of Kane County farm stands where you can stock up on locally grown cobs.

☑️ Demolition decision: Batavia officials will review a request to tear down the former Hubbard's building in Batavia, which has been vacant since 2019 after more than a century as a fixture of the downtown corridor.

☑️ Blacksmith shop update: Geneva has now fined developer Shodeen more than $500K over the plastic-wrapped historic blacksmith shop downtown, and a hearing officer just pushed the next compliance hearing to October.

☑️ Salt scramble: A statewide road salt shortage forced North Aurora, St. Charles, and other suburban communities to seek out emergency deals, which could cost St. Charles 53% more than its 2025 salt purchase.

☑️ Road work ahead: Kane County crews are repainting lane markings on 236 miles of county highways through October, causing temporary lane closures on weekdays.

☑️ Election prep begins: Geneva released its candidate guide for the 2027 City Council election, with five aldermanic seats up for grabs.

☑️ News notes:

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☑️ Still setting records: A 51-year-old St. Charles carpenter with a shelf full of Guinness World Records is now training to run a half marathon in under two hours and 20 minutes — while juggling a soccer ball the whole way. Here’s his fascinating story.

☑️ New rental regulations: Owners of short-term rental properties in unincorporated Kane County must now register with the county, pay a $200 fee, and meet new safety and occupancy rules.

☑️ Beyond the numbers: A St. Charles tax professional spent decades documenting clients' life stories during appointments, and now he's turned those narratives into a new book called "Taxing Revelations." Here’s how it all happened.

☑️ Anniversary weekend: Unity of Fox Valley, a Batavia congregation that started in a kitchen back in 1973, will celebrate 50 years with a special gala and a public concert over Labor Day weekend.

☑️ Art meets physics: Fermilab is accepting applications through Sep. 10 for its 2027 Guest Artist and Guest Composer Program, which pairs Midwest artists with scientists for a year of research-inspired work and results in a public exhibition at the lab’s art gallery.

☑️ Filling a transit gap: Geneva now has a Pace VanGo vehicle service connecting the Metra station to job sites within 13 miles, making it easier for commuters to get to and from their workplaces.

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Somehow, we’ve reached the last week of August, which is kind of a bummer — but at least the forecast looks perfect for some patio tunes this week.

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That freezing room upstairs and the one that never cools down during summer? It's probably not your furnace or AC struggling. It's likely a leaky duct, quietly costing you money (and more importantly, comfort) every single month.

State Automatic, a Batavia-based HVAC company serving the Tri-Cities, knows how to seal those leaks from the inside in a single day. No torn-up walls, no weeks of work…just a simple fix that solves the problem long-term.

We asked them how common this problem really is, and the number of homes losing money to it might surprise you.

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☑️ Last hurrah: Geneva Home Works, located near Kirk and Route 38, announced that it’s closing its doors after 36 years — the McConnaughay family is retiring and has kicked off a storewide sale before shutting down at the end of the year.

☑️ Berry bowls await: Açaí Republic, a chain with 40+ locations that sources its ingredients from Brazil, will open its first Geneva location on Friday (8/28) and offer 50% off bowls, smoothies, and pastries all day.

✳️ Play ball! Both Chicago baseball teams are playing well heading into the home stretch of the season, and Urban Artisan in Geneva a whole selection of unique Cubs and Sox-themed gear to show off your pride or gift to a fan in your life.

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☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for the Tri-Cities area — including this $1.3M mansion on Brookhaven Lane in Campton Hills with an in-ground pool, a bar, and an outdoor fireplace.

☑️ Local obits: Recent obituaries posted by Tri-Cities funeral homes.

✳️ Need a local Realtor? Get in touch with the Tri-Cities’ trustworthy expert Chris Wallace at [email protected] or sign up for his newsletter.

☑️ Police reports: View police reports and arrest logs for Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and Campton Hills.

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🎟️ Celebrating 20 Years: Special Dinner Events | Tue 8/25 - Thu 8/27 | Niche Restaurant, Geneva | Three dinner celebrations featuring special whiskey & wine.

🎟️ Grain to Glass: Agriculture in Action | Tue 8/25, 5:30PM-8PM | Riverlands Brewing, STC | Kane County Farm Bureau hosts a guided brewery tour and farmer talk. 

☑️ Great Decisions Discussion: U.S. Engagement With Africa | Wed 8/26, 4PM-5:30PM | Geneva Public Library | Discuss Africa's rise and related U.S. strategy. 

☑️ Unwind Wednesday | Wed 8/26, 6PM-8:30PM | 1st Street Plaza, STC | Midweek live music with refreshments from area restaurants and pubs.  

🎟️ SPLIT: The Ultimate Divorce Event | Thu 8/27, 5PM-9PM | 123 On Third, Geneva | Navigate divorce with confidence through expert insight and shared stories. 

☑️ New Art History | Thu 8/27, 6:30PM-8PM | St. Charles Public Library, STC | Professor Timothy Campbell discusses modern art, from expressionism to architecture. 

🎟️ Area Code: Batavia LIVE | Thu 8/27, 7PM | Sturdy Shelter Brewing, Batavia | Live podcast recording featuring local experts from various industries.

☑️ Sculpture in the Park - Artist's Reception | Fri 8/28, 4:30PM | Mt. St. Mary Park, STC | Meet the sculptors over wine and refreshments before the awards.

🔥 Loved it, keep up the good work

😐 Mediocre, could take it or leave it

🛑 3 minutes I’ll never get back

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