🍫 Tri-Cities trick-or-treating: What you need to know

While today's watered-down version of Halloween may not quite measure up to the epic adventures I recall from my childhood, trick-or-treating still feels like a nice opportunity for kids to spend the day in anticipatory excitement, climb into their costumes and venture out into the neighborhood for some interactive, real-world fun.

Whether you’re braving the elements on foot or supplying the sweets from the comfort of home, here’s what you need to know:

✔️ Hours: Official trick-or-treating hours are 3-7PM for Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Campton Hills and Wayne. Hours are 4-8PM for Elburn and North Aurora.

✔️ Forecast: Mixed rain/snow during the day, eventually transitioning into a cold, breezy evening with a low of 22 degrees. Bundle accordingly! (And maybe opt for a hot bev in your Thermos if you’re the roadie type)

✔️ Special considerations: Halloween isn’t an official city holiday, so trick-or-treating can’t really be “canceled” due to inclement weather or otherwise. Use good judgment.

✔️ Tips:

• If you’re participating, be a dear and turn your porch light on.

• Make sure to talk to your kids about common-sense Halloween safety.

• That includes talking to teenagers about safe, vigilant driving.

• Don’t be that person who gives out an apple. Unless there’s taffy all over it.

And have fun out there!

📰 News to use

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🔒 Funding essential services: St. Charles homeowners could see a small property tax hike in 2024. City Council will make a final decision following a public hearing on 12/4.

☑️ Science is intimidating cool: Fermilab is set to get a $9M federal funding boost to support its efforts to build national quantum networks. Yeah, I had to Google what that means, too.

🔒 Going in circles: How do we feel about roundabouts? Asking because the new one connecting Fabyan, Main Street and Bliss Road is expected to open by Thanksgiving.

🔒 More local housing: A plan to convert the Heritage Square II development on Illinois Ave. in St. Charles into apartment units has received a green light from the city.

🔒 Hospital recognition: Having earned an elite designation from the American Heart Association, Delnor Hospital has emerged as a leader in stroke treatment.

☑️ Calling all STC eateries: If you’re a restaurant manager looking to participate in the 2024 St. Charles Restaurant Week in February, the STC Business Alliance wants to hear from you.

🏦 Local biz

☑️ Slick new look: Rookies Geneva — the sports pub connected to the Fox Valley Ice Rink — now features a redesigned patio, with a pergola and a shipping container that will soon be transformed into an outdoor bar. The staining and painting finishing touches are courtesy of Midwest Detail & Powerwash. Summer’s almost here, right?

☑️ New burger joint: If (like us) you felt last year’s closing of Burger Shop left a hole in Geneva’s food scene, you’ll be pleased to learn that Nacho Burger from Bien Trucha Group has emerged to fill the void.

🎸 Live music

*Below are “listed” start/end times — actual play times tend to vary. The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee. Links to band/event info are provided where available.

Wednesday (11/1) ⬇️

✔️ Terry Byrne: Preservation | Geneva | 6-9PM | Event info + video

✔️ Bobby K: Flagship on the Fox | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Musician info

*️ 93 Octane Brewing: Usually a lock for some Wednesday tunes, the St. Charles brewery said they may be pausing regular shows for the winter. We’ll provide an update when we learn more.  

Thursday (11/2) ⬇️

✔️ Junkyard Groove: Flagship on the Fox | St. Charles | 4-7PM | Band info

✔️ Jake Mack: Preservation | Geneva | 6-9PM | Event info + video 

✔️ Sam Wyatt: Pollyanna Brewing | St. Charles | 7-11PM

✔️ Chris Powell: ROX at Hotel Baker | St. Charles | 7:30-11PM | Musician info

🎟️ Jimmy Farace: Moonlight Theater | St. Charles | 7:30-9:30PM | Event info

🎟️ Abbey Road - Beatles Tribute: Arcada Theatre | St. Charles | 7:30PM | Event info 

✔️ Matt Kopecky: The House Pub | St. Charles | 9PM-Midnight | Musician info

🏘️ In the community

☑️ Post-work paradise: According to World Atlas, assets like beautiful natural areas and a historic downtown helped Geneva rank as one of the best small towns in Illinois for retirees.

🔒 An exclusive club: For Batavia resident Jon Habegger, two decades of volunteering at the Northern Illinois Food Bank isn’t about recognition or accolades. But he’s getting them anyway.

🔒 Scary stories: As a Geneva resident, I’m already looking at certain downtown buildings in a different light now that I know their ghostly histories.

☑️ New parade? During Batavia’s recent Committee of the Whole meeting, the idea of a 4th of July parade gained traction. No actions were taken; we’ll keep you posted on future developments.

🔒 Revenue generator: Batavia’s School Board approved an intergovernmental agreement to create a TIF district for the new Hollywood Casino in Aurora.

🔒 Fun in Bat-avia: Costumed families showed up in droves to Batfest downtown on Saturday. Check out the photos.

🎈 Special events

🎟️ Be A Superhero Luncheon: CASA Kane County, a local organization that advocates for children in need, will host its 11th annual Superheroes fundraiser at 11:15AM on Thursday at the Q Center in St. Charles.

🎟️ Day of the Dead Dinner: Head to Copper Fox in Geneva on Thursday for their annual “Dia De Muertos” dinner party — complete with special cocktails and a five-course meal.

🏛️ Civic info/events

☑️ A chance to weigh in: A public hearing will be held in Batavia on Wednesday to consider a conditional use permit for Barnaba Autosport’s proposed location at 1805-1825 Phelps Drive.

☑️ Constituent Coffee: Support local, get caffeinated and share your perspective with State Representative Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) at Luau Coffee in Campton Hills on Thursday at 8AM.

☑️ Public Metra hearing: If you’ve got strong feelings about the fare restructuring in Metra’s proposed 2024 budget, you can offer input in person in Geneva on Thursday at 4PM.

☑️ AAUW hosts local leader: Meet state Rep. Maura Hirschauer and learn about legislative issues that impact the American Association of University Women on Thursday at 7PM at the Batavia Public Library.

*️⃣ Implementing a vision: Recent progress on Batavia’s strategic plan includes streetscape improvements, downtown marketing, the Route 31 “Road Diet,” a river dam plan and more.

🌔 Weather snapshot

☀️ Today: High 40F | Low 24F | “Real feel” of 50F (hopefully)

🌨️ Tuesday: High 35F | Low 20F | First snow of season 😨

☀️ Wednesday: High 42F | Low 30F | Cold n’ bright

🌤️ Thursday: High 49F | Low 35F | Chilly but nice

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Sam 

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