Author: Fox Valley Magazine

The Elgin Master Chorale will perform Beethoven’s Mass in C Major on Sunday, November 12, from 3:30pm to 5pm in The Blizzard Theater at Elgin Community College. Filled with musical and cultural significance, Beethoven’s first mass was not initially appreciated for its ground-breaking approach…simpler and humbler than the grander Viennese model of the time. The composer chose his focus “not on God or princes,” but on a more personal contemplation of the divine from a condition of inner peace. On this same program, the Chorale presents Credo by African American composer and pianist Margaret Bonds. Inspired by the text of W.E.B. Du…

Step behind the gates and discover the magic that awaits when Paramount presents the fantastical musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which runs from Thursday, November 8 to Sunday, January 14 as part of Paramount’s heralded Broadway Series. Audiences will follow young Charlie Bucket, his Grandpa Joe and four other Golden Ticket winners on a private tour of eccentric “Candy Man” Willy Wonka’s magical and mysterious chocolate factory. Who will win the lifetime supply of chocolate? Experience their life-changing journey through a world of “Pure Imagination,” revealed with Wonka’s army of curious Oompa-Loompas. The musical, based on the book by…

The annual St. Charles Veterans Day Ceremony will be held Saturday, November 11, at 10:30am, in Fire Station 1, 112 N. Riverside Ave. The ceremony will begin with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by an opening prayer, remarks, a closing prayer, gun salute and Taps performance. WWII Veteran Duane Stevenson, who is turning 100 years old on Veterans Day, also will be recognized at the event. “On Veterans Day we gather as a community to say ‘thank you’ to our veterans for their selfless service to our country,” said Mayor Lora Vitek. “At the City, we are proud of the fact that…

On Veterans Day, the Aurora community will salute the heroes who bravely served America and returned home to continue serving in many ways throughout the community. With the theme Serving Our Country and Our Community, the annual Aurora Veterans Day Parade will begin at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday November 11, in downtown Aurora. It will conclude at the GAR Memorial Hall, 23 E. Downer Place, where veterans, parade participants, and guests will convene for a tribute ceremony. The ceremony includes a military rifle salute by veteran organizations at 11 a.m., the exact time the armistice was signed that ended WWI.…

A 58-year-old Carpentersville man has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing children under his care at the Learning Tree Child Care Center in Elgin. Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser announced yesterday that Frank R. Walaitis has pleaded guilty to the offenses of Aggravated criminal sexual abuse, Class 1 felony (3 counts) and Aggravated criminal sexual abuse, Class 2 felony (2 counts) Judge John A. Barsanti accepted the plea and scheduled Walaitis’ next court appearance for February 8, 2024, for sentencing. Between December 2008 and July 2022, Walaitis sexually abused two students under the age of 13 in his classroom.…

(Recipe by Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons) Discover the mouthwatering sensation of Big Mac Tacos, also known as Smash Burger Tacos, the viral TikTok recipe taking everyone by storm. Indulge in ground beef, crisp lettuce, diced onions, pickles, and the iconic special sauce, all wrapped in soft tortillas. Note: Make sure you use lean ground beef, 80/20 or leaner. Servings: 4 Prep: 10minutes minsCook: 12minutes minsTotal: 22minutes mins Ingredients (multiply Ingredients 2X, 3X…to make more) For the burgers: For the Big Mac sauce: Instructions: For the Big Mac Sauce:In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients.…

A Chicago man received a sentence of 23 years in prison after pleading guilty to shooting two men in Elgin in late 2021. Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser announced yesterday that 24-year-old Giovanni Ramirez of Chicago has agreed to a sentence of 23 years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to the offense of aggravated battery with a firearm, Class X felony. Judge David P. Kliment accepted the plea. On December 29, 2021, Ramirez was a passenger in a vehicle that began to follow another vehicle through a residential area…

The City of Elgin will honor our nation’s veterans during the annual Veterans Day Ceremony, scheduled to take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 10 in the Heritage Ballroom at the Edward Schock Centre of Elgin, located at 100 Symphony Way in Elgin. All are invited to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.  Seating will be provided. Parking is available in the Centre Parking deck located a the southwest corner of Symphony and Grove. For more information contact Director of Communications and Engagement Edell Fiedler at 847-931-5609.

A federal grand jury has indicted two men for allegedly robbing several banks and a credit union in Naperville and other western suburbs. According to the indictments, the two men – a 53-year-old from Villa Park and a 44-year-old from Bolingbrook – committed the robberies in 2021 and 2022. The charges allege that the pair together robbed four financial institutions and that the elder man robbed another bank by himself.  The indictment seeks forfeiture of $29,944 from the defendants. The banks robbed include the following: Both men are currently in custody.  Arraignments are set for today at 9:30am before U.S.…

A 30-year-old Aurora man has pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in exchange for a 12-year sentence in prison. Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser announced yesterday that Gabriel M. Martinez has agreed to a sentence of 12 years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to the offense of child pornography, Class X felony. Judge Julia Yetter accepted the plea. Martinez was arrested in the fall of 2022 after disseminating a video on social media containing a child younger than 13 engaged in a sexual act. “The child depicted in this…