Happy Thursday!

A couple of readers mentioned they were having trouble finding past newsletter content, so here’s a tip: you can always visit tricitiescentral.com for quick access to past issues and individual articles (most recent content on top).

Click the “Categories” menu item on the top navigation if you’re looking for a specific type of content. For example, you can always access the latest live music listings here (similarly, there are categories for obituaries, property sales, artist profiles, etc.).

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Did you realize that — if not for objections from railroad officials back in the 1880s — Elburn would be called “Melbourne” (after the Australian city) today?

True story. And that’s just one chapter in the saga of the Tri-Cities' westerly neighbor, which has quietly become one of the fastest-growing towns in the region. The village’s population is up 130% since 2000, more than four times Kane County's growth rate over the same span.

We took a deeper look at Elburn's history, its "better, not bigger" motto, and how demographic trends compare with the Tri-Cities today.

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Summer is in full swing, and it’s the perfect time to upgrade your sunglasses.

Fox Valley Ophthalmology's Sunglass Sale runs through July, featuring 20–70% off sunglasses at their St. Charles location. But that’s only part of the deal: get 50% off an additional set of prescription lenses when you buy a frame. (Not valid with insurance or other discounts.)

Head in soon and see for yourself why the folks at Fox Valley Ophthalmology are the Tri-Cities’ trusted eye care experts.

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

☑️ Bellevue history: Before it became Mary Todd Lincoln's sanitarium, Batavia's Bellevue Place building played a key role in a failed 1857 bid to bring the new Illinois State University to town (Abe Lincoln was involved, too).

☑️ New Sturdy outdoor space: On Monday, we shared a photo of Sturdy Shelter Brewing’s soon-to-open deck on the Batavia riverfront. Now it’s officially open (and it’s dog friendly!).

☑️ Restaurant revamp: The new owners of Nuova Italia restaurant, which is located in an 1850s church building in downtown St. Charles, plan to remodel the space and reopen as "Tranita" — also an Italian restaurant concept.

☑️ New solar site: Geneva officials approved a 5-megawatt solar farm for a 13-acre site at Fabyan and Kirk, but because the city runs its own electric utility, none of the power will actually go to Geneva homes or businesses.

☑️ Gaming debate: Batavia's city council is leaning toward capping video gaming licenses at 14 citywide, with new rules dictating where they can operate and how existing licenses carry over. Learn more about possible changes.

☑️ Redevelopment keeps rolling: St. Charles officials voted to hire a consultant to help set up a TIF district for a housing project that would add 100+ homes to a long-vacant industrial site near downtown.

☑️ Courageous cops: Four Batavia police officers received the department's highest honor for showing extraordinary bravery while rescuing two children from an armed individual during a dangerous encounter last August.

☑️ Trail interrupted: A stretch of the Fox River Trail in Geneva will close for two months starting July 27 as crews build a new sewer river crossing near the Wastewater Treatment Plant. A temporary detour route will be available.

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☑️ Fireworks date set: St. Charles' July Fourth fireworks event has been rebranded as an end-of-summer Labor Day celebration and rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 3 at Langum Park and Mt. St. Mary Park (Sept. 4 is an Institute Day, so kids have school off).

☑️ An evening for community: National Night Out (the annual initiative connecting police with the community) returns on August 4 across the Tri-Cities, with Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Campton Hills, and North Aurora all planning special events.

☑️ Particle pioneers: Batavia's Fermilab is marking 70 years of neutrino research this month, with its next big project (the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, or DUNE) aiming to deliver the world’s most intense neutrino beam by 2031.

☑️ Downtown canvas crawl: The Geneva Arts Fair returns to Third Street this Saturday and Sunday, featuring talented artisans from across the country showcasing their work — plus a debut from local painter Elizabeth Kindig.

☑️ Extended leadership search: Geneva’s school district has named two co-interim principals at Harrison Street School for the 2026-27 school year while the district runs a longer search for a permanent leader.

✳️ Season of connection: From a fun, no-pressure game night with other locals to their annual Ministry Fair and intriguing community discussion events on timely topics, St. Mark’s Church in Geneva has a dynamic lineup of programs coming up in late summer and early fall.

If you’ve never gotten around to catching some live music at Brother Chimp Brewing’s North Aurora taproom, this is the weekend to do it — it’s the final weekend that location will be open.

Dozens of other local options are lined up this weekend as well. Enjoy!

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The Little Traveler's weekly Jellycat shipments tend to sell out fast, often shortly after they arrive.

The popular London-based plush line has built a passionate following around the country, and the iconic Geneva shop has grown into one of the largest and most consistent Jellycat destinations in the region. There’s always something fun and fresh — but you have to strike fast.

Get on The Little Traveler's email list, and you'll know the second a new shipment lands, plus receive updates on special offers and events at the store.

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☑️ Brew challenge: Six St. Charles breweries are brewing Belgian-style beers this August for the fifth annual STC Six initiative, though this year will feature a head-to-head brewing competition with some proceeds going to the St. Charles History Museum.

☑️ Alma Café: A new cafe has settled into a space within the new-ish Cinco de Mayo Market in Batavia, where they’ve been serving up agua frescas, açaí bowls, and bolis since a May ribbon cutting.

☑️ Abrupt closure: Firewater BBQ and Brew, which was located at 524 W. State Street in Geneva across from the Ace Hardware complex, is now permanently closed. Their website shows other locations in Elmhurst, New Lenox, Alsip, and Crest Hill.

✳️ Need an event space? Check out Zen Loft Collective in Batavia, where you can rent its sunny main studio by the hour for classes, workshops, private sessions, or whatever creative gathering you've been meaning to host. See the space and get in touch.

The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee.

☑️ Friends Summer Book Sale | Fri 7/24 – Sun 7/26 | Geneva Public Library | Three-day used book sale with half-price books on Sunday benefiting the library. 

☑️ Kamoho Days | Fri 7/24 – Sun 7/26 | Riverlands Brewing, STC | Three-day stout festival with barrel-aged releases, food trucks, and live music. 

☑️ Pilsner Fest | Fri 7/24 – Sun 7/26 | Art History Brewing, Geneva | Fifth annual pilsner fest with guest taps, food trucks, and live performances. 

🎟️ The Why & the How to Sustainable Health | Sat 7/25, 8:45AM | The Healing Gardens at Stone Hill Farm, STC | Morning healing workshop covering fasting, food choices, and wellness.

🎟️ Christmas in July | Sat 7/25, 10AM–12PM | Support Over Stigma, STC | Celebrate service members and veterans with cookie walks, arts, crafts, raffles, and Santa. 

☑️ Geneva Arts Fair | Sat 7/25, 10AM–5PM | Third Street, Geneva | Explore fine art, live music, and the Arts Garden. 

☑️ Strong Towns Batavia Ward Walk | Sat 7/25, 1PM–3PM | Prairie Lathem Park, Batavia | Walk Ward 4, enjoy ice cream, and help strengthen Batavia together.

☑️ Frida Destination | Sat 7/25, 5PM–9PM | Enigma, Geneva | Celebrate Frida Kahlo with art, music, food, and family activities.

☑️ Summer Science Party | Sat 7/25, 6PM–8PM | American Science & Surplus, West Chicago | Explore science experiments, demonstrations, games, and prizes for all ages. 

🎟️ Best of Fest 2026 | Sat 7/25, 7PM | Fine Line Creative Arts Center, STC | Outdoor short film screening with food and lawn seating. 

☑️ 2000s Throwback – This Is 40! | Sat 7/25, 7PM–11PM | Moto Art Bar, STC | Celebrate the 2000s with DJs, dancing, and local vendors. 

☑️ Mini Mood Mart | Sun 7/26, 11AM–3PM | Batavia Boardwalk Shops | Free pop-up mini mart with handmade clay “desk buddies.”

☑️ Buzzed in the Burbs Summertime Sip & Shop | Sun 7/26, 12:30PM–5PM | Pollyanna Brewing, STC | Sip local, shop small, and enjoy family-friendly summer fun. 

🎟️ Pickle Palooza | Sun 7/26, 1PM–4PM | Durant Garden and Sholes School, Durant | Family afternoon of old-timey pickling with fresh cucumbers and dill.

🔥 Loved it, keep up the good work

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