Welcome to Tri-Cities Central, a twice-weekly newsletter highlighting local happenings in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and surrounding communities.
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Happy Thursday!
The Batavia Boardwalk Shops kick off their season this weekend with a ribbon cutting celebration on Friday (5/8) at 10:30AM. More on the 2026 class below.
Also — if you have one laying around, the Tri-City Corps of Salvation Army is still in need of children's bikes following a donation drive last weekend in St. Charles. Bikes can be dropped off at the Salvation Army location at 1710 7th Ave. in St. Charles on weekdays from 9AM-3PM.
Correction: On Monday, I reported that Union Pacific's “Big Boy” locomotive will pass through Elburn, La Fox, and Geneva on June 3 before stopping in West Chicago. The schedule shows that it will actually likely pass through the aforementioned communities on the afternoon of June 2 before being on display the morning of June 3 in West Chicago.
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Dinner Club is back on May 21
Although it feels like the first event just wrapped up, the second Tri-Cities Dinner Club outing is only two weeks away.
Based on the positive feedback last month, it seems reasonable to expect another great experience on May 21 in downtown Geneva — so many excellent restaurants will be featured.
One element that really stuck out from the April outing was just how many people genuinely connected and exchanged contact info, leaving as friends after going into the evening as complete strangers.
That being said, a few folks had a message for a certain segment of the TCC readership: let’s get some more men to join! A few extra fellas would certainly help balance the male-female ratio this time around.
All are welcome. Give me a shout if have you have any questions.
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🎨 Creative Arts Camp for the kids. Five free evenings for you. Only $50.
What if you could arrange five straight evenings where your kids are having the time of their lives — and you're doing whatever you want?
Well, if you sign the kiddos up for Creative Arts Camp at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Geneva, that’s exactly what you’ll get. The camp, which runs June 8-12, is open to any child preK through rising 6th grade — no church membership required.
Kids spend the week doing art, music, theater, and movement, all built around a Biblical hands-on program designed to spark imagination, creativity, and connection. Cost is $50 for one child, $75 for two, with a $100 family max. Complimentary childcare is available for younger siblings.
Below are the most clicked stories from our last newsletter issue.
☑️ Blacksmith shop drama: Geneva's historic blacksmith shop was wrapped in white plastic last week, raising questions about whether the move will protect or accelerate the deterioration of a landmark at the center of a lengthy standoff.
☑️ Massive property’s future: The Q Center hotel and conference campus — which features 1K+ rooms and 15 buildings on 95 acres along the Fox River in St. Charles — is up for sale, which could potentially lead to parts of it being redeveloped if sold.
☑️ Downtown dealing: St. Charles officials are considering whether to hand a developer a $340,000 city-owned lot in the heart of downtown for free to complete the First Street Redevelopment project, but questions remain before a final decision.
☑️ An “eclectic mix”: The Batavia Boardwalk Shops open for their seventh season this Friday (5/8) with a new lineup that includes a hot sauce shop, dirty sodas, a tufted rug maker, a bakery, and the program's first-ever independent bookstore.
☑️ STC salutes: The St. Charles Chamber honored several people and projects for remarkable leadership and civic vision at its Charlemagne Awards dinner last week, include 84-year-old Harrison Schneider for his decades of community service.
☑️ Surplus land strips: The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is considering auctioning five small parcels along the Fox River in St. Charles after the properties were left stranded when the Fox River Trail was built east of them decades ago.
☑️ Council vacancy: Bob Gehm recently stepped down as St. Charles Ward 3 alderman after 16 years of public service, and now the city needs someone to fill his seat, with applications open through May 25.
☑️ New local range: The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is opening a new public archery range in Elburn next month, with a free grand opening event on June 6 and a permit system kicking in July 1.
☑️ Be vigilant: The Kane County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about an active phone scam where callers impersonate local deputies and threaten arrest unless you pay up immediately for “missing jury duty.”
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☑️ Local artist profile: Lynn Caldwell has spent 20 years as Executive Director of Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles — and the weaver, teacher, and self-described "Art Instigator" is still as inspired by the work as the day she signed up for her first loom class.
☑️ Baby birds: Baby sandhill cranes (called colts) have hatched at Fermilab in Batavia, joining the lab's newly born bison calf as the latest signs of spring in the natural areas and prairies of the major physics campus. Learn more and see photos.
☑️ Swedish Meatballs: The Kane County Cougars will play three games this season as the Swedish Meatballs — a fan-voted alternate identity that’s a nod to Geneva's Swedish immigrant roots and its "Little Sweden" nickname.
☑️ Cop on a rooftop: Local police officers will take to Dunkin' rooftops across Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles on May 15 to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois, allowing residents to stop by, donate, and grab a coffee for a good cause.
☑️ New home, same mission: Support Over Stigma — a St. Charles nonprofit that supports veterans, military members, and first responders — just moved into a new space and is hosting an open house Thursday night (5/7) to celebrate.
✳️ The best local brunch: The Little Traveler's Sunday brunch has been a Tri-Cities tradition for decades — and at $13, it's one of the area's best deals. Omelets, Swedish pancakes, Crab Cakes Benedict, and more. Check out the Sunday brunch menu before you visit.
Woo boy, this weekend’s live music list is starting to resemble the jam-packed roundups that are common in the summer season. Choosing just one spot will be tough — better carve out time for at least a couple of stops.
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🥂 Bocaditos is much more than empanadas and coffee
You already know Bocaditos for the delicious food, empanadas, and that Belgian chocolate mocha — but there's more to this downtown Batavia spot than most people realize.
Every Thursday, they run a 2-for-1 deal on alcoholic beverages, valid all day. Make sure to note that on your calendar.
And while you're there, browse the shelves — Bocaditos carries one-of-a-kind merch and a curated selection of books right inside the cafe. So pop in for a meal, stay for some light reading, and leave with a local gift for someone special.
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✳️ The gift of independence: Meet AllThumbs, a new tech coaching service in the Fox Valley that pairs older adults with a dedicated personal advisor for phones, tablets, streaming, and scam prevention — and possibly the most useful Mother's Day gift you'll find this year. Learn how the business started.
☑️ A budding business: Dutchess Cannabis is celebrating the opening of its new Batavia location at 144 S. Randall Rd. on Saturday (5/9), with a noon ribbon cutting, pop-ups, exclusive prizes, and free tacos for the first 50 guests.
☑️ New Mexican spot: Taco Dále, the family-owned Mexican restaurant chain with a location in Batavia and several others across the suburbs, just opened its newest location on East Main Street in St. Charles.
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✳️ Spring season excitement: Not only is Zen Loft Collective in Batavia launching outdoor yoga classes in May, but another adorable puppy yoga session is coming up — not to mention space rental availability at its unique downtown studio. Get all the details.
☑️ Plant paradise: The Batavia Lions Club, Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners, and Heritage Prairie Farm will all host plant sales over Mother's Day weekend, offering locally grown hanging baskets, native plants, and certified organic vegetables.
☑️ Paint the Street | Sat 5/9, 6AM–2PM | Riverside Avenue, STC | Join this annual public art project and paint a community mural, no experience needed.
🎟️ Mother's Day Family Activities at Windy Acres Farm | Sat 5/9 & Sun 5/10, 10AM–4PM | Windy Acres Farm, Geneva | Celebrate Mother's Day with mini golf, petting zoo, lawn games, and more.
🎟️ All Animal Expo | Sat May 9, 10AM-3PM | Kane County Fairgrounds, STC | Family-friendly expo with reptiles, birds, mammals, puppies, kittens, and animal supplies.
☑️ Mother's Day Vintage Garden Decor Outdoor Pop Up | Sat 5/9 & Sun 5/10, 10AM–5PM | Warehouse 55, Batavia | Annual outdoor vintage garden decor pop up.
☑️ Meet Authors, Drink Beer Book Fair | Sat 5/9, Noon–4PM | Pollyanna Brewing Company, STC | Meet local authors, browse books, and enjoy craft beer.
☑️ Massages for Moms | Sat 5/9, 2PM–5PM | Riverlands Brewing Company, STC | Complimentary 10-minute chair massages by Mella Massage, registration required.
🎟️ Intro to the World of Coffee Roasting | Thu 5/14, 6PM–7:30PM | Maple Leaf Coffee House, STC | Owner Alex guides attendees through the coffee roasting process. (subscriber discount code TCCNL automatically applied for $5 off).
Looking ahead:
🎟️ Noble Discontent: Louisa May Alcott | Fri 5/15, 10AM–11AM | Geneva History Museum | Debra Ann Miller portrays Alcott as poet, nurse, abolitionist, suffragist, and more.
🎟️ Run For LIFE! 5K Run/Walk | Sat 6/6, 9AM | Laurelwood Park, Batavia | Join the Fox River run/walk benefiting Suicide Prevention Services of Batavia.
Pets of the week
Introducing this week’s featured pets from Anderson Humane:
Rya is a gentle, loving girl with a sweet soul who truly enjoys the simple things in life — fresh air, time outdoors, and being close to her favorite people. Rya is happiest when she’s by your side.
Leela may be a little shy when you first meet her, but give her a moment and you’ll see her true personality shine. Once she feels comfortable, she turns into a cuddler who can’t get enough attention.
Ready to add a loyal new friend to your family? Visit Anderson Humane’s website or reach out to [email protected] or 847-697-2880.
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