Author: Fox Valley Magazine

Hot on the heels of the beloved Galena Cellars Tasting Room announcing their departure from Geneva at the end of January, a new and exciting wine tasting room will enter the Geneva market. Up North Wine Tasting Room has announced a Spring Opening at its new location at 9 North Second Street in Geneva. Conceived by Geneva natives Cathy Humphreys, Amy Goedken, & Mary Humphreys, the new venue will feature award-winning wines from the Leelanau County and Old Mission Peninsula regions adjacent to Traverse City, Michigan. “We’re so excited not only as future business owners but also as a family…

At the request of the Elgin Police Department, the Illinois State Police is activating an Endangered Missing Person Advisory. The Elgin Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Lewis J. Onderko, who is an 84-year-old white male, 5 foot 5 inches and weighing 140 pounds. Lewis has gray hair and is wearing a black or blue sweater, blue jeans and black shoes with thick soles. He was last seen at 3853 Olympia Fields Drive in Elgin at 5:00pm on January 8th. Lewis was driving a Silver 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe with Illinois license plate, G359812. Mr. Onderko has…

Geneva Chamber of Commerce will be highlighting culinary excellence by offering the Geneva Restaurant Week – an entire week of delicious discounted dining at some of Geneva’s finest restaurants. Starting January 24 and running through January 30, the Geneva Restaurant Week will showcase many restaurants throughout town. From fast casual to fancy dining, each venue will provide either a prix-fixe menu at an appetizing price, or discounts on featured menu choices. Come in out of the cold and sample something new or enjoy an old favorite! For ONE WEEK ONLY foodies will be able to eat their hearts out at participating restaurants that will offer lunch…

BMO Harris Bank in St. Charles was robbed at gunpoint this morning. According to the St. Charles Police Department, three men brandishing guns – including a long rifle – robbed the BMO Harris Bank located at 300S. Randall Road in St. Charles. According to the report, a note was presented to a teller demanding funds. It is currently unclear if the teller complied and, if so, how much was stolen. As is usually the case in bank robberies, the FBI has taken the lead in the investigation. The three suspects are described as follows: A Black male, approximately 5’6″ to…

A landmark on Geneva’s legendary 3rd Street since 2004 is closing permanently at the end of the month. According to a statement, Galena Cellars Tasting Room, located at 477 S. 3rd in Geneva, will close permanently on January 31. “The impact of the pandemic was felt very hard at our Geneva location,” the statement read. Galena Cellars Vineyard and Winery, based approximately 2.5 hours west of Geneva in Galena, Illinois, began in MacGregor, Iowa, and was originally called Christine’s Winery, after Christine Lawlor who opened it with her husband in 1974. After purchasing an additional winery in Wisconsin, the Lawlors…

Welcome to our latest edition of Fox Valley Magazine’s 4 FOR THE WEEKEND where our New Year’s resolutions are always more like guidelines. So let’s get to it, starting with….. Midnight Approaches For Cinderella It’s been a lovely run, but the clock is about to chime midnight, and Cinderella’s coach is about to turn into a pumpkin. Now admit it, you don’t get that kind of penetrating metaphor just anywhere, are we right? Where were we? Oh yes, The Paramount Theatre’s magical production of Cinderella: The Musical comes to a close this weekend, with it’s final performance at 5:30pm on…

Bring your daughter out for a magical evening of dinner and dancing at the 2022 Daddy Daughter Dance in Elgin. Register soon, as this event sells out quickly. This year’s dance celebrates Princess Merida from Disney’s Brave. The evening includes a buffet-style dinner, dancing, a raffle drawing for an American Girl doll and prizes for Dad, too. There will be a photo booth, goodie bags and delicious kid-friendly catering, a decorated cookie dessert sponsored by Herb’s Bakery, beautiful, immersive decorations and a royal appearance by princess Merida herself.Girls aged 2-17 and their dads (or guardian/parental figure) are invited to attend. Tickets are $40 for a…

(Another in a series of 2021’s top stories in the Fox Valley.) 2021 wasn’t all gloom and doom, of course. And we would be remiss were we not to note the greatest draft pick for the Beloved Bears since that glorious day in 1975 when the name “Walter Payton” was announced. And yes, we are still drinking the kool-aid. April 29 Chicago Bears Shock Pretty Much Everybody! We didn’t think it possible, but the Chicago Bears just may have made the deal of the century. Trading up from the 20th spot in the NFL Draft to the 11th, the Bears…

Better buckle up in Kane County during January because the Illinois State Police will be watching. Illinois State Police Acting District 02 Commander, Juan Valenzuela, has announced that the state police will conduct Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP), colloquially known as seat-belt checks, in Kane County during January. OREPs allow the ISP to focus on safety belt and child safety seat laws. Illinois law requires all vehicle passengers (front and back) to be buckled up. Safety belts are still one of the most effective safety devices in vehicles, estimated to save nearly 14,000 lives each year. Half of vehicle occupants…

Following two days of a handful of school closures, Superintendent Tony Sanders announced this evening that all U-46 schools will be open tomorrow. The closings, numbering 5 on Tuesday and 3 today, were the result of staffing shortages due to COVID protocols. East Aurora School District 131, however, announced this evening that East Aurora High School will be closed from Friday, January 7 to Friday, January 14 due to “the high incidences of staff positive COVID-19 cases.” Illinois has seen a surge in COVID cases recently, largely driven by the new Omicron variant which is much more contagious than prior…