Author: Fox Valley Magazine

In the heart of historic downtown St. Charles, Illinois, 3rd Street Dance & Theatre Academy stands as a testament to the vision of its owner and director, Alice Williams. A lifelong resident, Williams grew up in St. Charles, and 27 years ago, she embarked on a mission to create a non-competitive dance studio that inspires students to believe in themselves, spread joy and build lifelong friendships. It’s a home where, as Alice says, “Kids can be kids, have fun, and find their best friend.” At 3rd Street Dance, students embrace the beauty of dance without worrying about external pressures. As…

Take in the beauty of the Fox Valley aboard an historic paddlewheel riverboat – an iconic attraction in St. Charles for more than 75 years. This recreational activity that has spanned generations began in 1945 when the late Chet Anderson bought his first paddlewheel riverboat to charter cruises up and down the Fox River. Chet was working at the Pottawatomie Park concession stand in the-mid 1940’s when the idea of buying a boat and offering rides to the park picnickers began to take shape in his mind. Before long, he made his dream a reality when he bought his very…

Anyone who has experienced a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session knows the feeling. The technology, used by physicians to create detailed images of almost every internal structure within the human body, involves being strapped down and inserted into a narrow cylinder that feels like it’s barely large enough to fit your body, and laying motionless while intermittent pops, whirls and bangs from the machine permeate the tiny space. For those with even the slightest claustrophobia, it can be a nightmare. So much so that technicians often offer sedatives before the test. But help has arrived. One of the world’s most…

Wine selections available at local wine stores and wineries in the Fox Valley area Le Marchesine Franciacorta Brut – $29.99Straw yellow with golden reflections, fine and persistent perlage, characteristic bouquet of fermentation in the bottle, hints of bread crust and yeast enriched with delicate notes of citrus and dried fruit (almond, hazelnut, dried figs). Fresh, fine and harmonious. Second fermentation in bottle for at least 18 months of aging on the lees. Pressure in the bottle between 5 and 6 atmospheres. Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco. Geneva Wine Cellars and Tasting Room227 S. 3rd St.Geneva, IL 601341-630-232-8888 BataviaBatavia is named…

According to a report in the Daily Herald, Joe Petit, the Wayne man whose dog Ludwig was shot and killed by his neighbor Hal Phipps in 2021, has filed a civil suit against Phipps seeking $75,000 in punitive damages and an unspecified amount of compensatory damages. According to the report, Petit claims that Phipps violated the state’s Humane Care for Animals Act “by committing animal torture and intentionally causing the dog to suffer serious injury or death.” On Aug. 10, 2021, Phipps shot and killed a Dogo Argentino named Ludwig, which belonged to his neighbor, Petit. The incident sparked an…

An interview with the President & CEO of the Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau, Jill Diehl. FVM: How big is tourism to the Wisconsin Dells and what is the economic impact? Jill Diehl: The year 2022 was record-setting for tourism in the Wisconsin Dells area, reaching $1.37 billion in direct economic impact and nearly $2 billion in total economic impact. FVM: Why is Wisconsin Dells the Waterpark Capital of the World? Jill: There are more waterparks in Wisconsin Dells of every size per capita than anywhere else in the world! All told, there are more than 200 waterslides with…

Featured selections of Craft Beers created by local Fox Valley area brewing companies. Wake and Bake Sour DieselWake and Bake Sour Diesel is a Mango flavored Sour the 93 Octane Crew and Dom Brown, host of Wake and Bake created. This beer is perfectly balanced between mango and sour which makes it a palate-pleaser and extremely refreshing. Currently available on draft in our Taproom located at 1825 Lincoln Highway in St. Charles and in 4-packs at the PRIDE Beer & Wine Plus Spirits next door and many PRIDE Stores and other retailers throughout Chicagoland. If your bar doesn’t have Mango…

Aurora’s monthly First Fridays will bring the party to the street this Friday when Aurora Downtown hosts its annual Stolp Block Party from 6 to 10 p.m. on Stolp Avenue. The block party has been part of August’s First Fridays since 2017. This year, Lynne Jordan and The Shivers will be the headlining musical act at 8 p.m. at Millennium Plaza gazebo. The Instinct will open at 6 p.m. The event is free and welcomes everyone. Stolp Avenue will be closed from Downer Place to Galena Boulevard. A handful of local artists curated by If These Walls Could Talk will…

MOLLY PARKERCapitol News Illinois  Dozens of state employees across multiple agencies are under investigation by a state watchdog for claims they fraudulently obtained payments from a federal pandemic-era loan program, Capitol News Illinois has learned. Neil Olson, general counsel at the Illinois Office of the Executive Inspector General, confirmed that “OEIG has been investigating allegations of Paycheck Protection Program fraud by state employees under our jurisdiction.” The review, he said, is “systematic,” involving multiple state agencies and the other governing bodies under OEIG’s jurisdiction, which include state universities, boards and commissions, and regional transit boards. Congress intended for the loans…

After a technical glitch on the day itself, Batavia’s July 4th fireworks will finally be set off this Saturday in Engstrom’s Family Park. The July 4 show was canceled when the fireworks vendor, Pyrotecnico, experienced a computer problem just as the show was about to begin. Pyrotecnico formally apologized for the July 4 cancellation, citing failures in both its primary and backup computer systems. Pyrotecnico will provide the fireworks on Saturday while covering a portion of the event costs as recompense for the previous failure. The event will begin at 5pm with vendors and twelve food trucks available. At 9pm, what the…