Christian band building a fan base

The Christian rock band TOW is building a fan base.

Submitted photo

• The Daily Chronicle recently featured an article about my friends Steve Allen and Ann Seisser and their Christian rock band, TOW, which stands for Time of Worship. The seven-member band started at the Crosswind Community Church in Genoa and has developed a regional fan base. The band released its first album, Step in his Presence,"  in 2011 and is at work on a second album.  The band will perform at Genoa Days on June 14, at Kirkland's festival on July 3 and at Crosswind Community Church on July 21. Best wishes to Steve, Ann and the other members of the band. I plan to be in the audience on June 14.


• The Swedish American Children's Choir will host its 13th annual Swedish Pancake Breakfast benefit from 9:30 a.m. to noon June 2 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 6 to 10. The breakfast will feature Swedish pancakes, sausage, Swedish cardamom coffee cake and lingonberries. For more information, call 630-414-9700. I will be there early. Please stop and hello. I will be the guy with the big plate of pancakes and an even bigger smile on his face.


• I love a bargain, so I will be in Sugar Grove for the annual Community Garage Sales on June 1 and 2. The sales will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days at sites throughout the town. For more information about the event, call the Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce at 630-466-7895.


• I also hope to attend the bird walk at 8 a.m. June 2 at Nelson Lake/Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia. The event is free and open to all ages. I've attended several of these walks, and I'm always impressed with the people I meet at the event and the amount of information they have to share about local birds. For more information about the walk, call 630-896-3219.


• The Village of Maple Park will conduct a free drive-through electronics recycling event from 8 a.m. to noon June 2 at the Maple Park Civic Center, 302 Willow St. Accepted items include computers, software, TVs, cellphones, microwave ovens and other small appliances. Sorry, no large appliances, chemicals or batteries will be accepted. For more information, call 630-208-3841. 


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Arcada Theatre to host Kevin Costner and his band

Submitted photo

• Kevin Costner and his band, Modern West, will perform at the historic Arcada Theatre in St. Charles on July 14. Tickets will range in price from $69 to $175. Tickets will go on sale May 28 at www.oshow.com. The show will feature original material and cover songs. Costner, a two-time Academy Award-winning actor and director, formed the band in 2005. The band has released two albums. The Arcada Theatre is located at 105 E. Main St. in downtown St. Charles.


• The North Aurora Mothers Club will host its annual North Aurora Community parade at 2 p.m. June 3. The parade will step off at Clocktower Plaza at Randall Road and Oak Street. The parade will proceed east down Oak Street to Adams Street, south to State Street and end at the North Aurora Island Park. More than 40 groups are scheduled to participate in the parade, including the West Aurora High School Marching Band. The Fox Valley Fife & Drum Corps and local fire departments also are scheduled to appear in the parade. The North Aurora River District Alliance will host a community party after the parade, featuring local food vendors, a DJ and other attractions. 


• Hosanna! Lutheran Church in St. Charles is sponsoring Kids Feeding Kids, a food drive to benefit the church's Community Care Center food pantry ministry. The food drive will continue through June 3. The church is located at 36W925 Red Gate Road, near Randall Road. The food pantry is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays. The pantry regularly provides food to about 40 families each week. The families come from Aurora, Batavia, Carpentersville, Elgin, Huntley and St. Charles. For more information, call 630-584-6434.


• Hosanna! also will host its annual two-day rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 8 and from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 9. The sale is open to the public. The sale will benefit Lazarus House in St. Charles.


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'Steinbeck in Vietnam' offers author's dispatches from the war

For those seeking a military-related book to read during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, I suggest "Steinbeck in Vietnam: Dispatches from the war," edited by Thomas E. Barden (2012, University of Virginia Press).
The book offers a compilation of John Steinbeck's dispatches from Vietnam, which he toured from December 1966 to May 1967. Steinbeck, the author of several books, including the classics "Of Mice and Men" and "The Grapes of Wrath." was 64 years old when he visited Vietnam for Newsday.
Steinbeck's dispatches remain engaging and highly readable. His columns were controversial at the time (and probably mildly so today) because he supported the American effort in Vietnam and the soldiers fighting the war. Whether they agree or disagree with Steinbeck's opinions and observations, I think most readers will like his lean and concise writing style.
If you read "Steinbeck in Vietnam," please send me an email telling me what you think of the book. 


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Fine Art Show to include free trolley tours

The 14th annual Fine Art Show will take place May 26-27.

Submitted photo

• The Downtown St. Charles Partnership will host free historic trolley tours of the city's downtown district May 26 and 27. The tours will be part of the city's 14th annual Fine Art Show. Participants can start or end the tour at any of the five stops along the tour. For more information, call 630-513-5386.


• American Legion Post 312 in Maple Park will conduct Memorial Day observations at six local cemeteries May 28. The ceremonies will begin at 9:15 a.m. at Pierce Cemetery, near Pritchard and Owens roads. The cemetery visits will conclude at about 11 a.m. The observation will continue with a presentation at 11:15 a.m. at the post, 203 Main St., Maple Park. The public is invited. For more information, go to www.mapleparklegion.org.


• Batavia VFW Post 1197 will conduct a Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. May 28 in the Hangar, 625 S. River St., Batavia. The featured speaker will be retired Army Col. Jill Mergenthaler, the first woman battalion commander in the 88th Regional Support Command. The Batavia High School band will perform. The public is invited. For more information, call 630-879-9630.


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Geneva Marine completes leadership training

Cpl. Neil O. Garity of Geneva.

Submitted photo

• Cpl. Neil O. Garity of Geneva recently received a non-commissioned officer sword aboard the USS Pearl Harbor after completing a non-commissioned officer leadership training program. Garity, 23, serves as a mortarman for Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/1. Congratulations, Cpl. Garity, and thank you for your service to our country.


• TriCity Family Services will present a Layperson's Guide to Mental Illness, a free workshop, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 22 at the St. Charles Public Library. The program is part of TriCity Family Services observation of Mental Health Awareness Month in May. The library is located at 1 S. Sixth St., St. Charles. For more information about the event, call 630-232-1070.


• The Batavia Park District and the Batavia Senior Citizens Club will host the fourth annual Super Savvy Senior expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 6 at the Eastside Community Center, 14 N. Van Buren St., Batavia. The free event will feature a variety of services available to local seniors and their caregivers. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 630-879-5235.


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GreenFields hosts ribbon-cutting ceremony

• GreenFields of Geneva, above, recently hosted a grand opening celebration that included a ribbon-cutting ceremony. GreenFields is a senior living community located at 0N801 Friendship Way. GreenFields will host a free brunch and tours at 10 a.m. May 22 and May 30. For more information about the tours, call 800-930-4023. 


• TriCity Family Services will celebrate Mental Health Month with a special event at the St. Charles Public Library. The counseling center will present A Layman's Guide to Mental Illness from 7 to 8:30 p.m., May 22. The program will feature a variety of information about mental illness, including details about the economic impact of untreated mental illness. The program is free. For more information, call 630-232-1070.


• The United Methodist Church of Geneva, 211 Hamilton St., will host a free community dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. May 22. The meal will include baked pasta, a choice of meatball or Italian sausage, salad and fresh fruit. A carry-out service is available. The meal is part of the church's monthly community meal program and is open to all. I can tell you that food is always good and the church's members always offer a warm welcome to visitors. For more information, call 630-232-7120. 

• The Kane County Cougars will host Ozzie's Home Run and Walk 5K event May 19 at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, 1 Cougar Trail, Geneva. Day of the event registration will begin at 6:45 a.m. The run will begin at 8 a.m. The registration fee is $25 for adults and $12 for kids ages 5 to 12. For more information, go to www.kccougars.com. I will be at the ballpark, and I hope to see you there.


• While we're talking about the Cougars, the team recently announced its entertainment plans for the Memorial Day weekend, May 25 through May 28. The full schedule of plans is available here. The Cougars will host the Burlington Bees and the Beloit Snappers during the weekend.


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LivingWell Cancer Resource Center opens new site

• Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns, center above, and Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 7 at the new home of the LivingWell Cancer Resource Center, 442 Williamsburg Ave., Geneva. The center is a vital component to comprehensive cancer care and offers comfort to anyone experiencing the effects of cancer. For more information about the center, call 630-262-1111.


• The annual Hope for Haitians 5K walk and run will take place at 8:30 a.m. May 12 at the Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., (Route 31) Geneva.  The registration fee is $25 for adults and $20 for children ages 6 to 10. Registration will begin 7 a.m. An awards ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. The event will include live music, face painting and other activities. Proceeds from the event will benefit humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti.

• The Waubonsee Community College Foundation will conduct its 25th annual golf outing May 23 at the Whitetail Ridge Golf Club, 7671 Clubhouse Drive, Yorkville. The registration fee is $175 per golfer or $700 per foursome. The fee will include 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch, dinner, beverages and chances to win a variety of games. The registration deadline is May 16. The event benefits scholarship programs and other activities at the college. For more information, call the Office of Fund Development at 630-466-7900, ext. 2316.

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Kimmer's creation to aid TriCity Family Services

Kimmer's Ice Cream is offering a special sundae in May.

Hallie Hudson photo

• Kimmer's Ice Cream in St. Charles created a special black raspberry sundae to benefit TriCity Family Services in Geneva during May, Mental Health Awareness Month. During May, 10 percent of the sales of the sundae will be donated to TriCity Family Services, which provides counseling and related services. Kimmer's is located at 1 W. Illinois St. in downtown St. Charles. 

• The Children's Stage at Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles will present "Rapunzel" beginning May 12 and continuing through June 3. The show will be presented at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays.  The theater is located at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. For more information, call 630-587-8521.

• The Montessori Academy in Batavia will host its annual Bridge to Bridge 5K and 10K run on May 12 at the Batavia Riverwalk in downtown Batavia. The 5K event will begin a 7 a.m., followed by the 10K run at 7:30 a.m. The registration fee is $25 for the 5K and $30 for the 10K. Food and entertainment will be available.  

• The Geneva Park District's Stone Creek Miniature Golf facility is open for the 2012 season. The facility is located at 101 North St., Geneva. For more information, call 630-232-4542.


   The item above about the opening of the Stone Creek Miniature Golf facility reminded me of a family vacation we enjoyed more than 10 years ago. I have fond memories of every family vacation, but this particular trip was special because it involved a visit to a mini golf site in Door County. 
   The golf site was in itself a memorable facility, elaborate in its design and challenging to play. Our visit that day was unique because it was my daughter's first visit to a mini golf course. Megan, age 5 at the time, was frustrated early on with the complexity of the course, but she didn't give up. Her perseverance paid off. Megan made a hole in one on the 17th hole. 
   We have a picture of Megan grinning and displaying the golf ball she played that day. It's one of my favorite pictures.


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Geneva welcomes Third Street Eyecare

Third Street Eyecare in Geneva conducted a ribbon-cutting May 1.

Shawmedia.com photo

• Members of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 1 at Third Street Eyecare, 500 S. Third St., Geneva. For more information about the new business, call 630-232-7800.

• Sycamore will host its 15th annual Cinco de Mayo Festival from 6 to 10 p.m. May 5 and from 2 to 9 p.m. May 6. The festival will be located on Bill Johnson Blvd., behind Taxco restaurant, 223 W. State St. The festival will include live music, food and a variety of children's activities, including a petting zoo and games. For more information about the event, go to www.sycamorecincodemayo.com.

• The Daily Chronicle in DeKalb recently won 20 awards, including five first-awards, in this year's Illinois Associated Press Editors Association News and Photo Contest. The Chronicle competed in Division C for small dailies. The awards will be presented in June. As a longtime reader of the Chronicle, I am happy for the newspaper's staff. In addition to the news and sports reports, I also enjoy the Chronicle's columnists.

• As a Batavia resident, it pains me a bit to share the Kane County Chronicle's sports report about St. Charles North's 10th straight baseball victory over Batavia May 2. North topped Batavia 14-7. The two schools will meet again May 9. Watch for updates.

• NIU men's golf will host the MAC Championships beginning May 4 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. The 72-hole contest will continue May 5 and conclude on May 6. The Huskies' team includes Bryce Emory and Kurtis Luedkte, juniors from Aurora, and Griffin Bauman of Crystal Lake. The event is open to the public and admission is free. Go Huskies.

KB 

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Jimmy John's opens in Sugar Grove

Local officials welcome a new Jimmy John's to Sugar Grove

Al Lagattolla photo

• The Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a ribbon cutting to welcome a new Jimmy John's restaurant at 472 N. Route 47. Village President Sean Michels and other village officials attended the event. For more information about the restaurant, call 630-466-1300.


Batavia Boy Scout Troop 6 will conduct a plant sale from May 3 through May 6 at the Moose Family Center, 1535 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. The sale will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 3 to May 5 and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 6. Prices vary. Proceeds from the event will benefit the troop's activities.


• Kaneland High School will host a presentation of "A MathStart Musical" at 2 p.m. May 6. The high school is located at 47W326 Keslinger Road, Maple Park. The show is presented by the Main Street Kids' Club. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. A family ticket is available for $25. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Kaneland Fine Arts Festival. For more information, call 630-365-5100, ext. 180. 


• Hairstylist Ericka Koehn-Sunday and her husband, Ben Sunday, plan to open Mobbela Salon Suites by June 1. The new business will be located at 601 W. State St., Geneva. The couple told the Kane County Chronicle the site will include 10 salon suites in a 2,000-square-foot building. For more information about the business, call 630-800-2079.


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Batavia Enterprises names Kotalik project manager

Julie Kotalik 

Submitted photo

Austin Dempsey, vice president of Batavia Enterprises, Inc., recently announced the promotion of Julie Kotalik to project manager at BEI.

Kotalik previously served as special projects coordinator at BEI. As project manager, Kotalik will direct commercial build outs and major construction projects. She also will continue to manage BEI’s marketing program.

Kotalik graduated from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. She is working on her MBA from NIU and is scheduled to graduate in August. In addition, Kotalik is working on a project management professional certification through the Project Management Institute.

Kotalik was a founding member and is vice president of the Fox Valley Young Professionals Network. She also volunteers with the Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice, serving on the hospice’s Nominating and Development Committee. Kotalik is a member of the Batavia Fireworks Committee, volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America, Batavia United Way and helps with the arts movement in downtown Batavia by volunteering at the annual Art In Your Eye Fine Art Show. She regularly supports the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, Batavia Women in Business, and the Batavia MainStreet Organization events. 

Batavia Enterprises is located at 140 First Ave., Batavia. The company has properties in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Elburn and West Chicago. BEI offers new and historical buildings for lease in five categories — residential, retail, office, warehousing and manufacturing.

For more information about BEI, call 630-879-3680 or go to www.bataviaenterprises.com.

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