Cougars to host a visit with Santa

The Kane County Cougars will host a visit with Santa from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 14 at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva. Attendees will have an opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa and Ozzie, the Cougars mascot. The event also will offer a variety of activities for children, including a coloring station, an ornament decorating station and a cookie decorating station. Admission is free, but there is a $5 fee per child for ornament and cookie decorating activities. Attendees are encouraged to bring a gently-used winter coat for donation to the Cougars’ annual winter coat drive. For more information, call 630-232-8811.

Library to welcome Santa

The Geneva Public Library will celebrate the holiday season with music and a visit with Santa during a special event from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. The event will include crafts, refreshments and performances by Geneva High School’s Jazz Choir and the school's chamber orchestra. Admission is free, but visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the St. Peter Food Pantry. The library is located at 127 James St. in downtown Geneva. For more information, call 630-232-0780.

St. Mary’s to host Breakfast with Santa, cookie sale

Our friends at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Maple Park sent word about their annual Breakfast with Santa event from 9 a.m. to noon. Saturday, Dec. 14. The event also will include a holiday cookie sale. The church is located at 123 S. County Line Road in Maple Park. For more information call Anne at 815-827-3302.

A last-minute gift idea

If you’re need of a last-minute Christmas gift for someone on your list, you might consider an Operagram from our friends at Operagram.biz. Opera singer Rose Guccione launched the message-delivery service after friends told her how much the enjoy sing “happy birthday to them. Customers can select the delivery method for their operagram — in person, by telephone or online video. The Chicago Tribune and other media operations have featured Operagram in reports. 

In case you missed these items:

• Residents opposed to a proposed increase in the Batavia School District’s tax levy are expected to crowd a Batavia School Board meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, according to report by Rick Nagel, editor at Batavia Patch. The proposed 2013 tax levy would be a 13 percent increase over 2012, according to Nagel’s article. Opponents of the proposed increase recently launched lowerthelevy.com, a website with information about the levy. The school district also has information about the proposed increase posted here.

• The Kane County Chronicle’s Mystery Diner recently wrote a very positive review of Altiro Latin Fusion, a tapas-style restaurant in Geneva, and I agree with its hearty endorsement. I was pleased with each item ordered and had difficulty selecting the tastiest item. Altiro Latin Fusion is located at 308 Anderson Blvd, Geneva. For more information, call 630-232-7717. For more good eating, be sure to visit Ari’s Kitchen Company, 362 Randall Road, North Aurora and the Golden Egg Pancake House at 459 S. Randall Road, North Aurora, just north of Ari’s Kitchen Company.

• I’m a fan of Barry Schrader, a columnist for the Daily-Chronicle in DeKalb. Schrader frequently writes about local history and last month offered an interesting column about Annie Glidden and the Glidden House at 217 Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb. I think his report is interesting and just as interesting is a subsequent column Schrader wrote about the Glidden House. Take some time to read both items. I think you'll find them informative and thought provoking.

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O' Sole Mio Cafe opens in Batavia

Tony Natale, left, Tory Chiappelli and Andrea Chiappelli 

Kevin Botterman photo

The O’ Sole Mio Gelato Cafe recently opened at 27 N. River St. in downtown Batavia. Owners Tony Natale, Tory Chiappelli and Andrea Chiappelli offer authentic Italian gelato, coffee and desserts. The menu includes grilled panini sandwiches, beer and wine. We have visited O’ Sole Mio cafe twice, enjoyed both experiences and encourage friends to visit Tony, Tory and Andrea soon. The trio is finalizing plans for the cafe’s grand opening celebration in May. We’ll share the details here. 

Waubonsee to host merchandising workshop

Nicole Leinbach Reyhle

Nicole Leinbach Reyhle, the founder of Retail Minded magazine, will present a retail merchandising workshop from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Waubonsee Community College’s Aurora Campus, 18 S. River Street. The workshop will cover 10 merchandising tips to help maximize retail space. Leinbach Reyle works with a number of area retailers and offers a wealth of knowledge. The registration fee for the workshop is $35, and registration is required.

Altiro Latin Fusion opens in Geneva

Miguel Villanueva and Roberto Avila recently opened Altiro Latin Fusion restaurant at 308 Anderson Blvd. in Geneva. The tapas-style restaurant offers tacos, mini enchiladas and seafood dishes For more information, call 630-232-7717.

— Share news and photos about your business or organization here. Email information and pictures to kbotterman@gmail.com. Please include caption information for each submitted photo.