Author: Fox Valley Magazine

The City of Naperville will once again shine during the holidays this year with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s events and activities. Here’s a run-down of all the fun. Letters to Santa MailboxMONDAY, NOVEMBER 25–FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20 Kids can drop off holiday wish lists at Santa’s Mailbox at the corner of Main and Jefferson. Santa and his magic elves will send a personalized reply! (Include child’s name and return address.) Holiday Painted WindowsTHANKSGIVING–NEW YEAR’S Discover winter-themed artwork in downtown windows. Check downtownnaperville.com/events for a complete list. Naper Lights on Water Street!THANKSGIVING–NEW YEAR’S Enjoy a Winter Wonderland with giant displays and…

The Village of South Elgin Parks and Recreation will host “An Almost Winter Day” festival on Saturday, November 23 from 2-5pm at Seba Park in South Elgin. Make s’mores, decorate cookies, enjoy craft projects, get a balloon animal, drop-off a letter to Santa (and get a reply from the North Pole). The afternoon includes an ice sculptor, bonfire, a tree decorating contest and snowball sling shot fun. New this year: dog sled demos by Free Spirit Siberian Rescue. Plus…Santa arrives at 2pm and will stay until 4:45pm for pictures (bring your camera). At 5pm, the event shifts to Panton Mill…

Paramount Theatre in Aurora has release sneak peeks of its holiday production of the smash Broadway musical Frozen, featuring Kristen Morris as Elsa, based on the enormously successful Disney animated movie. The production runs through January 19, 2025, and tickets are available here. And listen to the Justa Coupla Guys podcast with Paramount’s extraordinary Artistic Director Jim Corti.

KaneCountyConnects.com The box holds two Purple Hearts, honorary discharge papers, a picture ID, a dog tag, belt buckles, miscellaneous papers, an American Legion cap from Elgin, and a grainy photocopy of the hero believed to be the rightful owner of these military items—Michael B. Zielinski. “We know Mr. Zielinski enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, trained at Naval Station Great Lakes, served on the U.S.S. Birmingham, and was discharged in 1945,” said Julie Mann, Kane County’s Public Information Officer. “What we don’t know is the identity of his family members who might like to have these memories of a man who…

Aurora’s 2nd Annual City of Lights Film Festival opens tonight at 6:30pm with the Aurora premiere of the family dramedy All Happy Families, shot and set in Chicago, at Two Brothers Roundhouse in downtown Aurora.  Cast and crew from the film will join festival goers in the Tavern Room during the festival’s opening night—which will feature a cocktail hour, community panel with local film organizations, and a Q&A with the talent behind All Happy Families.  Day two of the festival will start at 11am on Saturday as independent films will screen across three different venues in downtown Aurora. Documentaries, features,…

KaneCountyConnects.com Ceremonial events to honor the nation’s veterans will be held at several locations throughout Kane County on Monday, November 11, in addition to special services and collection events. Other Events and Services to Honor Veterans: For more information on Veterans Assistance Programs and obtaining benefits, please go to the Kane County Veterans Assistance website at https://www.kanecountyil.gov/pages/veterans.aspx​.

Featured selections of Craft Beers created by local Fox Valley area brewing companies. Graham’s Chocolate Ale6.0% ABV. Penrose Graham’s Chocolate Ale, a collaborative creation by Penrose Brewing and Graham’s Chocolates, is a luscious fusion of chocolate and craft brewing in Geneva. Pouring a rich, velvety brown, this beer envelops your senses with an irresistible aroma of roasted malt and chocolate, using the same chocolate ingredients as Graham’s Chocolates. With each sip, you’ll be treated to a luxurious medley of chocolate and roasted malt, perfectly balancing sweetness and bitterness, with even MORE CHOCOLATE than the last iteration. Penrose Brewing509 Stevens St.Geneva,…

The St. Charles Business Alliance and the Events Committee annouced yesterday that Jarrett Payton and his family have been selected as the Grand Marshal for the 2024 St. Charles Electric Christmas Parade, which will be taking place in downtown St. Charles on Saturday, November 30. The Electric Christmas Parade is part of St. Charles Holiday Homecoming, which is a two-day event that begins on Friday, November 29 with a Lighting of the Lights Ceremony. Payton, the son of the late Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton and a St. Charles resident, had a successful football career at the University of Miami,…

By Fox Valley Orthopedics Lumbar stenosis, also known as lumbar spinal stenosis, is a medical condition characterized by a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back. This narrowing can lead to pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, resulting in pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling in the back, legs, and feet. While the condition may occasionally affect younger individuals due to developmental causes, it is most commonly seen in individuals aged 60 and older. Spinal stenosis is primarily a degenerative condition but can also be caused by other conditions, such as arthritis or spinal injuries. Symptoms of Lumbar…