Batavia MainStreet plans Cocktails on Clark

• Batavia MainStreet will host its inaugural Cocktails on Clark at 7 p.m. May 19 at Clark Island. The event will showcase the restaurants of downtown Batavia. The event will include live music, drinks, appetizers and an auction to support downtown Batavia. Casual attire is suggested. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. Sponsorships are available. For more information, call Batavia MainStreet at 630-761-3528. 


• The Kane County Bar Foundation is accepting applications for law school scholarships. The foundation awards at least two scholarships of $1,500 each year. Qualified applicants must be residents of the 16th Judicial Circuit (DeKalb, Kane, and Kendall counties) and must attend law school during the 2012-13 academic year. The application deadline is April 27. 


• The First Baptist Church of Geneva will host a Moms Connected event from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. April 26 at 3435 Keslinger Road, Geneva. The program will feature Wilma Walls, the founder of Moms Connected. The cost is $6 at the door. Registration is encouraged and can be completed by calling 630-232-7068. 


• The Sugar Grove United Methodist Church will host its spring buffet from 4:30 to 7 p.m. April 28 at the Sugar Grove Community House, 141 Main St., Sugar Grove. For more information about the event, call 630-466-4501. 


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Columnist reports on Kish river researchers

Roger Klocek gathers mussels from the Kishwaukee River.

Submitted photo

• The Daily Chronicle's Barry Schrader, one of my favorite columnists, writes about the efforts of Al Roloff and others to document the various species to be found in the Kishwaukee River. Roloff, a natural resources manager for the DeKalb County Forest Preserve District, is working with researchers from the Kishwaukee River Ecosystems Partnership to identify river creatures and track the river's overall quality.


• The Kane County Chronicle is seeking summer interns. Those interested in applying for an internship should email a resume and samples of their work to Karen Gresey, editor of the Kane County Chronicle, at kgresey@shawmedia.com.  


• McNally's Irish Pub,109 W. Main St., St. Charles, offers live music throughout April, including traditional Irish music from 4 to 7 p.m. every Sunday afternoon. For more information, call 630-513-6300.


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Geneva High School names Students of the Month

Geneva High School Students of the Month for March.

Submitted photo

• Geneva High School recently named its March Students of the Month, including sophomore George Keenan (from left), freshman Matt Loberg, freshman Alec Latham, freshman Stephen Loomis, freshman Mitchell Spencer and senior Sarah Andersson. Not pictured: Sophomore Grace McVey, senior Elijah Wesley, sophomore Kevin Riordan and junior Tom Feltenberger. Congratulations to each of the students.

• The Kane County Sheriff's Office and Hearts of Hope will partner to present a heroin education program at 7 p.m., April 16 at Christ Community Church, which is located near the intersection of Randall Road and Bolcum Road in St. Charles. The two-hour program will offer parents and others a variety of information. Presenters will represent a variety of fields, including law enforcement, prevention, education and treatment. 

• Waubonsee Community College will host a cheerleaders' open stunt clinic from 5 to 8 p.m., April 28 at the Erickson Hall Gymnasium on the college's Sugar Grove campus. Elizabeth Leone, cheer coach at Waubonsee, will lead the clinic. The fee for the program is $20. For more information or to register, call the Athletic Department at 630-466-2524.

• PR Daily.com offers some simple tips for improving your writing in just 15 minutes. I hope you find them as helpful as I did. 

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Elburn welcomes Chico's Tacos

Jaime Lopez bags a carry-out order at Chico's Tacos in Elburn.

Kane Country Chronicle photo

• Chico's Tacos opened about a month ago in Elburn and already is a popular destination for area diners. Felipe and Juanita Lopez relocated the business from a site south of Elburn, near the intersection of Main Street and Route 47, to the new location, 107 Valley Drive, just south of Route 38. The couple's three sons help run the business. The restaurant is open 7 days a week. For more information, call Chico's Tacos at 630-962-2001.

Marty Kane, my favorite baker.

Submitted photo

• Marty and Kim Kane, co-owners of the Great Harvest Bread Co., 13 N. Third St., Geneva, are offering hot cross buns and honey bunnies during the week leading up to Easter Sunday. Marty is my favorite baker. To learn more about his holiday specials, call 630-208-8080. 

• The Kane County Audubon will host a bird walk at 8 a.m., April 7 at Nelson Lake and the Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia. The hike is open to all. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and should meet at the silo, which located near the parking lot. For more information, call 630-896-3219.

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Magazine features McHenry County golf courses

Bull Valley in Woodstock, IL.

Kane County Magazine photo

• Steve Young of McHenry County Magazine offers a listing of McHenry County golf courses, private and public. Young notes that his report is not comprehensive, but his listing is balanced and provides readers with an idea of the fees and features to be found at McHenry County courses. I have played a few of the courses on Young's list. I think beginners and longtime golfers will be interested in his report. I also believe that a bad day on the golf course can be better than a good day in the office.


• The Northwest Herald recently published an article that reported how children who receive lessons in cooking frequently make healthier food choices. That's good to know as rates of obesity continue to rise in the U.S. The article noted how it important it is for parents to take an active role in teaching children the many benefits of home cooking. I don't consider myself a "foodie," but I do enjoy cooking, and I believe cooking offers many positive lessons for cooks of all ages.


• Congratulations go out to Eric Mathewson of the Batavia Police Department. Mathewson was formally promoted to the rank of sergeant during a ceremony April 2 at City Hall. 


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NIU names Scholar-Athletes of the Week

NIU's Troy White

Submitted photo

• Northern Illinois University named Troy White of Chicago and Haley Dekkinga of Allegan, Mich., as the school's Scholar-Athletes of the Week for March 26-April 1. White, a senior, is an infielder for the Huskies' baseball team. In 2011, White started in 57 games, recorded 12 stolen bases, posted 45 RBIs and batted .304. Dekkinga, a sophomore, plays tennis for NIU and finished with the most wins for the team as a freshman. She was one of two Huskies to win back-to-back matches on the season.

• The Batavia Chamber of Commerce will host a Meet and Greet event from 5 to 7 p.m., April 10 at the Gammon Coach House, 3 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. The event is open to the public, but registration is encouraged. For more information, call the chamber at 630-879-7134.

• Chicago artists Wilco and Andrew Bird will perform July 8 at Fifth Third Bank Park in Geneva. The event also will include a performance by the Congregation. Tickets will go on sale April 7, according to information posted at Wilco's website.

• The Geneva Chamber of Commerce will host its city-wide garage sale April 27 and April 28. The event will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Maps of registered sales will be available at the chamber's office, 8 S. Third St., prior to the sale. 

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