Author: Fox Valley Magazine

Day 7 of the Norris Cultural Arts Fourth Annual Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival features Jim Perona. One of Chicagoland’s most in-demand classically trained guitarists, Jim Perona shares a beautiful medley of two Christmas favorites, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” and “Silent Night.” Each day leading up to Christmas, Norris will post a different artist perfoming a Christmas-related piece leading up to “The Essential Christmas Carol,” a unique retelling of Dickens’ holiday classic by Norris’ Michael Sherry. Episodes are posted daily at 7pm at https://norrisculturalarts.com/bakers-dozen-festival. The Justa Coupla Guys podcast recently spoke with Sherry and the Center’s Director Mark Smith about…

A 42-year-old South Elgin man was found shot to death in a Hoffman Estates apartment parking lot early Saturday morning. According to Hoffman Estates police, at approximately 5:42am Saturday officers found a male subject lying in the parking lot of Barrington Lakes Apartments in the 2000 block of Hassell Road. The subject appeared to have suffered at least one gunshot wound. He was transported by the Hoffman Estates Fire Department to Saint Alexius Medical Center (SAMC) where he was pronounced deceased. The victim has been identified as Maurice Hill of South Elgin. The Hoffman Estates Police Detectives are conducting a…

An Aurora man is in custody and has been charged with attempted murder in relation to an October shooting incident on Aurora’s west side. According to police, at approximately 8:40pm on Wednesday, October 13, there was a “disturbance” between two individuals in the 1000 block of Grand Boulevard. One of the individuals pulled a firearm, causing the second individual to run to a vehicle occupied by a third subject. As the second and third subject began to flee the area in the vehicle, the subject with the firearm opened fire, striking the vehicle. The shooting suspect was not located at…

A freshman at Geneva High School died Sunday after suffering a stroke after swim practice Friday. The student, James Oliver, was hospitalized in critical condition until he passed away Sunday evening. “We received very sad news last evening that James Oliver, a freshman here at Geneva High School, has passed away,” Rogers wrote in an email to the GHS community. “James suffered an AVM stroke on Friday, Dec. 8th after swim practice and was in critical condition until the time of his passing last night. As a school community, our thoughts are with his brother, Sean, a GHS junior, his…

Day 6 of the Norris Cultural Arts Fourth Annual Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival features the Bethlehem Lutheran “Sounds of Joy” Handbells. In an “Encore” presentation from last year’s festival, Michelle Fisher directs this talented handbell choir in a performance recorded at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Each day leading up to Christmas, Norris will post a different artist perfoming a Christmas-related piece leading up to “The Essential Christmas Carol,” a unique retelling of Dickens’ holiday classic by Norris’ Michael Sherry. Episodes are posted daily at 7pm at https://norrisculturalarts.com/bakers-dozen-festival. The Justa Coupla Guys podcast recently spoke with Sherry and the Center’s Director Mark…

By JERRY NOWICKICAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS With Illinois lawmakers scheduled to return to legislative session in less than a month, a recent government fiscal forecast provides an overview of the budgeting landscape that awaits them.  The bottom line from the five-year forecast from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget: The current fiscal year is now projected to end with a $1.4 billion surplus, while the upcoming fiscal year 2025 is projected to face an $891 million deficit. Read the report: 2023 Illinois Economic and Fiscal Policy Report “So that five-year forecast, you know, we look at it as a guide for…

Day 5 of the Norris Cultural Arts Fourth Annual Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival features the EYSO Hanson String Quartet. One of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras’ Honors Chamber Ensembles, the Hanson String Quartet performs a rollicking arrangement of Frosty the Snowman. Each day leading up to Christmas, Norris will post a different artist perfoming a Christmas-related piece leading up to “The Essential Christmas Carol,” a unique retelling of Dickens’ holiday classic by Norris’ Michael Sherry. Episodes are posted daily at 7pm at https://norrisculturalarts.com/bakers-dozen-festival. The Justa Coupla Guys podcast recently spoke with Sherry and the Center’s Director Mark Smith about this…

Chicago’s notorious improv troupe, Second City, is back to make you laugh through the holidays with its new revue “What The Elf.” Are you tired of the same-old holiday reruns? Then dash through the snow (grey slush) to The Second City’s WHAT THE ELF. Festive family gatherings, office parties, classic holiday movies, and Mariah Carey’s entire catalogue will all get roasted like chestnuts on an open fire in this fast-paced, interactive comedy revue stuffed with seasonal songs, sketches, and of course, a generous helping of our world-famous improv comedy. Have a holly jolly holiday season with Chicago’s famed improv and…

Come celebrate Christmas and the sounds of the season Saturday evening with Music Director, Stephen Squires and the Illinois Brass Band as they present “Holiday Classics” at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles. The program will feature glorious music of the season with a cheerful mix of traditional carols, holiday fanfares, holiday classics, and jazzy updates of Christmas favorites. It will be an evening that will put the entire family in the holiday spirit. Ms. Amy Bearden is the featured vocal soloist. In its 32nd year of performing, the Illinois Brass Band is a six time national champion…

A Grand Jury has indicted a 17-year-old Elgin girl for a variety of felonies in relation to an August traffic accident that claimed the lives of two South Elgin High School students. Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Bartlett Chief of Police Geoffrey Pretkelis announced yesterday that the subject has been charged with Aggravated driving under the influence of drugs, Class 2 felony (2 counts); Reckless homicide, Class 3 felony (2 counts); Aggravated driving under the influence of drugs, Class 4 felony (2 counts); and Aggravated reckless driving, Class 4 felony. During the morning of August 31, 2023,…