Rock River Fest to benefit autism awareness

7th Heaven is scheduled to perform at the River Rock Fest.

Submitted photo

The River Rockhouse, 106 S. Riverside Ave.,  St. Charles will host River Rock Fest from Sept. 28 through 30 to benefit autism awareness. The River Rockhouse was formerly Chord on Blues. The three-day festival will include live music, bags, a beer garden and other attractions. The event's live music will begin at 5 p.m. each day and continue to 10:15 p.m. Admission is $5 before 9 p.m. and $10 after 9 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), a national organization committed to increasing awareness of autism. For more information about the event, go to www.river-rockhouse.com.

Steel Beam Theatre sets final performance for 'Mermaid'
The Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles will present its final performances of its production of "The Little Mermaid" at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sept. 29. The theatre is located at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. 

Huntley to host Fall Festival
Huntley's annual Fall Festival will begin at 4 p.m. Sept. 28 and continue through Sept. 30 at Deicke Park, 12015 Mill St. The festival will offer music, children's activities, a fireworks display, food, a beer garden and many other attractions. Admission is free during the day, but  $5 after 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

St. Mark's plans blessing of the pets
St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Geneva will conduct its sixth annual Blessing of the Animals at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at the old Courthouse, 100 S. Third St. in downtown Geneva. The event is open to the public and all kinds of pets are welcome. The blessings will be conducted by the Rev. Mark Tusken and the Rev. Claudia Nalven.

Waubonsee to host College Night
Waubonsee Community College will host representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities during its annual College Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at the school's Sugar Grove Campus, Route 47 and Waubonsee Drive. The event is open to the public and admission is free. Visitors can gather information about the college selection process, attend presentations and learn about financial aid. For more information, call 630-466-7900, ext. 5756.

NIU running back Leighton Settle in action against Kansas.

Shawmedia.com photo

NIU football set to begin MAC schedule
The Northern Illinois University football team will open Mid-American Conference play at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 29 when the Huskies host Central Michigan University. The Huskies enter conference play 3-1 under head coach Dave Doeren. NIU enters conference play as the defending conference champion — a title the Huskies last held in 1984. NIU won the MAC West Division two years in a row. NIU defeated Kansas, 30-23, at Huskie Stadium Sept. 22 and the Chippewas of Central Michigan topped Iowa, 33-31 on the same day. For more information about the game or to buy tickets, go to www.niuhuskies.com. I am an NIU grad, and you can bet I back the Red and Black Attack. 

A preview of the Big Ten's games for Week 5
I am a big fan of Big Ten Conference football and enjoy reading a variety of previews of each week's round of games. Bleacher Report provides a preview of Week 5 in the Big Ten Conference. Enjoy the games. 

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K. Hollis Jewelers starts next phase in expansion project

Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke, Karen Hollis and Roger Breisch.

Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke recently helped Karen Hollis start the next phase in the expansion of the K. Hollis Jewelers store on Randall Road in Batavia.

Schielke and Roger Breisch, executive director of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, joined Hollis and others Sept. 6 in starting the demolition of a wall separating Hollis’ existing location and a neighboring unit. The renovation project will expand the store to more than 4,000 square feet, more than doubling Hollis‘ space. K. Hollis Jewelers is located at 147 S. Randall Road, near the Jewel-Osco store.

The expansion effort is in its final stages and Hollis plans to mark the completed project with a special celebration that will start Thursday, Oct. 4 and continue through Saturday, Oct. 6.

Hollis opened the store in 2005 and now employs 10 workers. The store offers hundreds of items, ranging in price from $20 to $20,000. The store also features a variety of popular brands, including Pandora, Patricia Locke, John Medieros, Lori Bonn and Galatea. 

To learn more about K. Hollis Jewelers, call 630-879-8003 or go to www.khollisjewelers.com.

Geneva to host Festival of the Vine

Geneva's Festival of the Vine begins Friday, Sept. 7.

Kane County Chronicle photo

Geneva will host its annual three-day Festival of the Vine event beginning Sept. 7 in downtown Geneva. The event celebrates autumn and offers food, attractions and a variety of wines for purchase. Local restaurants set up beneath a large tent and offer three of their most popular items. Visitors buy tickets to sample the various offerings. The festival also features a crafts show, music, demonstrations and children's activities. For more information about the event, call the Geneva Chamber of Commerce at 630-232-6060.

Staff and guests at Wild Monk Gastropub conduct a ribbon-cutting.

Submitted photo

Wild Monk Gastropub conducts ribbon-cutting

St. Charles Mayor Don DeWitte assisted owner Stratos Dimitrakakos at a ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 30 at the restaurant, 51 S. First St., St. Charles. The eatery offers an extensive beer list and quality food. Sounds like a winning combination.

The Mystery Diner suggests a visit to Fio's Pizzeria in Campton Hills.

Kane County Chronicle photo

Mystery Diner endorses Fio's Pizzeria

While we're on the topic of fine food, the Kane County Chronicle's Mystery Diner recently endorsed a visit to Fio's Pizzeria in Campton Hills. Fio's offers a variety of pizzas, including more than a dozen versions of its signature thin-crust pizza. I consider the Mystery Diner a reliable source for dining suggestions, so I will try Fio's Pizzeria soon. 

Teen center to host skateboard contest
The Batavia Teen Center will host is third annual skateboard competition Sept. 9 at the Blackard Skate and Bike Park, 411 S. River St. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. at the park, and the contest will begin at noon.  For more information, call the Batavia Park District at 630-879-5235.

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Maple Park Fun Fest to feature Toilet Bowl Races

Beth Miller, seated, displays her A Load Ha racing toilet.

Sandy Bressner photo

Maple Park will celebrate Labor Day weekend with its annual Maple Park Fun Fest, a three-day event featuring a variety of attractions for all ages. The fest will open at 7 a.m. Sept. 1 and continue through Labor Day, Sept. 3. The fest takes place in downtown Maple Park and at the nearby Civic Center. The fest will include a 5K run, food, an arts and crafts show, musical entertainment, a car show, a parade and a fireworks show. The popular Toilet Bowl Races also will be featured. The fest also offers a beer garden. The fest opens at 7 a.m. daily. 

Kuipers Family Farm will host battle re-enactments.

Submitted photo

Kuipers to host World War II tribute, re-enactments

Kuipers Family Farm in Maple Park will host a tribute to World War II Sept. 1 and Sept 2. The event will include battle re-enactments at noon and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Kuipers is located at 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park. For more information, call 815-827-5200. 

Eric Wilson offers dog training at Woofbeach in Batavia.

Submitted photo

Woofbeach offers dog grooming 
Woofbeach in Batavia offers dog grooming, training and supplies. Owners Christina and Eric Wilson have more than 10 years experience in grooming and training dogs. Christina supervises the grooming and Eric handles the training. Woofbeach is located at 1840 S. Mill St., Batavia. For more information, call 630-326-9277.

Batavia Mothers' Club to host raffle
The Batavia Mothers' Club Foundation will conduct a 50/50 raffle during its 27th annual Autumn Arts and Craft Show at Batavia High School. The drawing will take place Oct. 20. The raffle will include only 150 tickets. Tickets are $20 each. The 10th ticket pulled will win a mystery prize. The last ticket drawn will win half of the money raised in the raffle. For more information, call 630-748-1501.

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Dancer's Dream conducts a ribbon-cutting ceremony

Mayor Kevin Burns, left, helps welcome Dancer's Dream to Geneva.

Submitted photo

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns and members of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce were on hand Aug. 17 to help owner Penny Anderson conduct a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Dancer's Dream, 322 W. State St., Geneva. Dancer's Dream is a full-service dance apparel store. For more information about the store, call 630-465-0830.

Batavia Scout Troop 21 recently honored three new Eagle Scouts

New Eagle Scouts
Congratulations to new Eagle Scouts Eric Wall, Cody Jankowski and Timothy Wiley. Batavia Holy Cross Scout Troop 21 recently honored the three at a Eagle Court of Honor ceremony at Holy Cross Church in Batavia. 

Dr. Manjari Malkani

Doctor joins Rheumatology office at Dreyer Medical Clinic

Doctor Manjari Malkani recently joined the Reheumatology Department at the Dreyer Medical Clinic. Malkani completed her residency at the University of Illinois Chicago in 2004. She sees patients at the clinic's Highland location. She has hospital privileges at Provena Mercy Medical Center and Rush-Copley Medical Center. She is a member of the American College of Rheumatology.

Sheriff to host annual car show
Kane County Sheriff Pat Perez will host his sixth annual Charity Car and Motorcycle Show from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Martin Family Farm, 2S111 Green Road, Elburn. The show will include stock cars, muscle cars and emergency vehicles. The show also will include a disc jockey, food, prizes and other attractions. Spectator admission to the show is $5 per car. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. In the event of rain, the show will be conducted Sept. 2. For more information about the show, call Dawn at 630-208-2003.

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The Blackberry Bar and Grill opens in Elburn

The Blackberry Bar and Grill recently opened in Elburn.

Ashley Rhodebeck photo

• The Blackberry Bar and Grill recently opened at the corner of Route 47 and Main Street in Elburn, according to a report the Kane County Chronicle's Ashley Rhodebeck. The business is located in the same building that previously housed the Blackberry Inn. The restaurant is owned by Pam and Dennis Moutray and Mark and Sandy Plante. The menu includes fried chicken, Reuben sandwich, burgers, Italian beef and other items. The restaurant features a chicken special on Wednesdays and a fish fry on Fridays. For more information, call the restaurant at 630-365-2200.

The Mendota Sweet Corn Festival features free corn.

Time for some sweet corn
The 65th annual Mendota Sweet Corn Festival continues Aug. 10 and Aug. 11 at 800 Washington St., Mendota. The weekend weather forecast calls for near-perfect conditions for a visit to the festival, which offers attractions for all ages. The festival offers a carnival, music, a craft fair and a parade at 1 p.m. Aug. 11. Oh, and the hot, buttered sweet corn is free. The festival will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. both days. The festival's beer garden will be open till midnight Saturday. For more information, call 815-539-6507.

A new face at City Hall
Batavia City Council recently named Scott Buening the city's new community development director. Buening previously served as community development director in neighboring North Aurora. Buening will oversee planning, zoning, building inspections and code compliance. He replaces Jerry Swanson, who recently retired. Buening will be paid $111,244 a year. The city received 85 applications for the position, according to a report in the Kane County Chronicle.

Michels to seek another term
Sugar Grove Village President Sean Michels recently announced that he will seek another election to another term in 2013, according to a report in the Daily Chronicle. Michels has served as village president since 1999. He cited economic development as a key accomplishment. 

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Newspaper looks at development on the Fox River

The Hotel Baker in downtown St. Chalres overlooks the Fox River.

Sandy Bressner photo

• The Kane County Chronicle recently published a two-part series about development on along the Fox River. The first part looked at the early history of the Fox River and the second part reported on what's in the future for the area. I enjoy reading about all types of history, so I found the first installment most interesting, but I liked reading both parts and encourage others to give it a tumble.

Joe Grace 

• I received several emails after writing here about Sue Sullivan's blog. Each correspondent stated they enjoyed Sue's blog and asked me if there are other blogs I frequently read. I enjoy reading a variety of blogs each week. One that I read regularly is Joe Grace's Going For Gusto, which is featured at Chicago Now, a Chicago Tribune product. In the spirit of full disclosure, I should note that Joe and I worked at the same newspaper several years ago and I consider him a friend. Joe started writing columns during his high school days and has plenty of experience at it. I think that is reflected in his ability to write about a range of topics. Spend some time with Joe's blog, and let me know what you think of his contributions. I will write about some of my other favorite blogs in future posts.

• I also encourage readers to pick up a copy of "In Country: Remembering the Vietnam War." The book was published in 2011 and offers a collection of first-hand testimonies from veterans of the war and is edited by John Prados, an author of several books about Vietnam. The veterans provide readers with a sense of what life was like on the ground and in the air during the war. Readers who are familiar with the war's history will find the book valuable. Readers new to the subject will appreciate Prados' explanation of military acronyms and background history he offers to introduce many of the excerpts. And all readers will find Prado's bibliography a useful resource for further reading. 

Chicken Piccata at Stockholm's.

Kane County Chronicle photo

• While I am sharing recommendations, let me share one from the Mystery Diner, a writer at the Kane Chronicle who reviews local restaurants. The Mystery Diner recently visited Stockholm's in downtown Geneva and gave it a nice review. In addition to fine food, the eatery offers several microbrews. I always enjoy a visit to Stockholm's, particularly during the late fall and winter. If you've been there, you know exactly what I mean. If you haven't visited Stockholm's, make sure you stop in for a meal.




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