Good morning!

Thanks to everyone who made it out to Dinner Club at Fox Haven Square last Thursday — always a great time. Shout out to Rosebud for making the indoor-outdoor bar area available to our crew for the afterparty; lovely spot, they do a great job.

For Halloween season, we’re mixing things up. No October Dinner Club event. Instead, Tri-Cities Central is partnering with Murder Mystery Mingle for a special event on Oct. 28: A Tri-Cities Murder Mystery.

Generously hosted by 25N Coworking in downtown Geneva in their slick event space, the Wild West-themed whodunit will be part socializing and part collaborative crime-solving — a fun, low-pressure way to meet new local people.

We’ll also have drinks provided by Pollyanna Brewing and light bites from Entree Kitchen.

Sound fun? Learn more and register here. Early-bird pricing ($10 off) expires on Oct. 9.

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

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You may recall the question we posed a few issues ago: what's your go-to date night around the Tri-Cities?

Many readers responded, and the answers ranged from classic to refreshingly unexpected.

In some cases, the responses surfaced the types of outings that you might expect — dinner, drinks, and maybe a stop for some sweets.

Others shared a more distinctive local perspective. Busy parents suggested sneaking in a mid-morning coffee date. Some recommended an interactive cooking class. One couple said they enjoy a riverfront picnic before browsing their favorite downtown shops.

Keep reading for the full breakdown.

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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.

☑️ Pheasant Run update: St. Charles officials advanced a revised Shops at Pheasant Run plan last week, though many residents and some council members said they don't think it's the best fit for the city's eastern gateway.

☑️ Blacksmith shop blueprint: Shodeen Group has proposed a development plan for three five-story buildings with 84 residential units on Geneva's historic blacksmith shop property.

☑️ Hollywood moment: Netflix will bring about 80 crew vehicles to Town House Books in downtown St. Charles on Tuesday (9/29) to film a movie, which is reportedly a rom-com based on a popular novel.

☑️ Gaming limits: Batavia officials will discuss implementing a hard limit on video gaming licenses this week, plus new rules on how close gaming locations can be to schools, places of worship, and possibly parks.

☑️ School scare: Batavia police increased their presence at Batavia High School on Thursday after the district received a voicemail threatening gun violence, though officials found no credible threat and classes continued as scheduled.

☑️ Stars departing: Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy have listed their St. Charles home for $2.8M, which comes three months after the Wahlburgers location on Randall Road abruptly closed. Read more and see the listing.

☑️ Fatal crash: The Adams County Coroner has identified 61-year-old Ahmet Trashani of Batavia as the driver who died last week in a single-vehicle semi-truck crash near Mendon, Illinois.

☑️ Vikings marching: Geneva High School's homecoming parade will shut down State Street between Third and Ninth streets (plus several other streets) starting at 2PM on Friday (10/2). Get street closure details.

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☑️ Fall fest refresh: Friendly reminder that there are a wide variety of family-friendly, farm-focused festivals near Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles happening through October. Check them out here.

☑️ Frighteningly fun: Did you know you can hunt monsters with paintball guns from a giant monster truck bus just outside the Tri-Cities? Monster Purge just opened its new season at Silver Spur Ranch in Maple Park and runs through Nov. 1.

☑️ A warm welcome: St. Charles VFW Post 5036 hosted a rest stop Saturday morning for Gold Star 500 cyclists during the final day of their 500-mile ride honoring Illinois service members who died in the line of duty. See photos from the event.

☑️ Community champion: TriCity Family Services will honor Lynn Queen, who has spent years connecting Batavia Apartments residents with food assistance, youth programs, and other resources, with its 2026 William D. Barth Award at an October event in Geneva.

☑️ New book nook: Students at Vanguard Gifted Academy in Batavia painted a new Little Free Library, which was unveiled last week and is now open for anyone to take or leave a book — see video from the ribbon cutting.

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If you’re looking for some unconventional fun this week, pop by the Batavia Popcorn Depot on Wednesday (9/30) at 6PM to see a group of Alphorn players perform traditional Oktoberfest music.

And, of course, indulge in some delicious popcorn.

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Pets aren’t just animals that live in your home. They’re devoted friends. Family. Frankly, I don’t know what I’d do without my dogs.

On Sunday, Oct. 4, the courthouse lawn in downtown Geneva will be filled with wagging tails, curious faces, and the cheerful buzz of community. In a tradition that spans two decades, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church invites you and your pet to join them for the Blessing of the Animals — an afternoon dedicated to both a charitable cause and celebrating our cherished companions.

See you (and your furry friends) on Sunday!

The ✳️ symbol indicates sponsored content.

☑️ Smokin’ expansion: Puff Shack BBQ in St. Charles announced that it’s opening a second location in Sugar Grove next to the Jewel with an expanded menu alongside its usual smoked meats.

☑️ Boxes in bloom: Batavia MainStreet awarded its first Downtown Design Grant to Farmdog Flowers, which used the funds to replace the aging planter boxes that support its colorful Wilson Street flower displays.

☑️ Under new ownership: An investment firm bought the 226-unit Ashford at Geneva apartment complex on the city’s west side and plans to renovate the units and outdoor spaces.

✳️ Bear down in style: With football season in full swing, Urban Artisan's Chicago Bears collection has something for every fan in the house — unique apparel, toddler gear, fun decor, and even a framed 1924 World Champs team photo.

The ✳️ symbol indicates sponsored content.

☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for the Tri-Cities area — including this $1.1M Mill Creek home on the Tanna Farms golf course.

☑️ 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.

The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee.

☑️ Election Expo 2026 | Tue 9/29, 5:30PM-7:30PM | Waubonsee College, Sugar Grove | Educational, nonpartisan event featuring candidates, games, and refreshments. 

🎟️ Single Mingle Mixer @ Niche | Tue 9/29, 7:30PM-9:30PM | Niche Restaurant, Geneva | Meet new people at this lively singles mixer event. 

☑️ What If It Is Dementia? | Thu 10/1, 6PM-8PM | Chi-cuterie, Geneva | Gerontologist Lavon Lenaway discusses dementia advocacy, coping, and planning. 

🎟️ But Seriously, Folks... Season Premiere 2026 | Thu 10/1, 7PM-8PM | Batavia Fine Arts Centre | Kick off the season with this live comedy performance. 

☑️ Autumn Fest Geneva: Jack O' Lantern Walk | Fri 10/2, 4PM-8PM | Downtown Geneva | Self-guided walk with pumpkin displays, live carving, deals, and treats.

🎟️ Hops for Hope 5K & BrewFest | Sat 10/3, 10AM-4PM | Mount Saint Mary Park, STC | A 5K race with a BrewFest after, benefiting adaptive cycling nonprofit Project Mobility.

☑️ Rebuilding Your Life After Divorce Workshop | Thu 10/8, 6:30-8:30PM | STC | Experts cover emotional healing, finances, legal questions, and housing after divorce.

🔥 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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