Author: Fox Valley Magazine

(Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock) By PETER HANCOCK, Capitol News Illinois, and Fox Valley Magazine It’s got its own webcam. Seriously. In front of a herd of reporters and onlookers, Gov. JB Pritzker and Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II officially unveiled this year’s butter cow at the 2023 Illinois State Fair. The dairy-based heiffer was sculpted by artist Sarah Pratt and inspired by dairy farmer Lorilee Schultz, from Mill-R-Mor Dairy in Orangeville, who is depicted harvesting milk from one of her cows. The theme of this year’s State Fair is “Harvest the Fun.” This year’s display…

Prepare to be spellbound by the award-winning musical Next to Normal, playing through September 3, 2023 in Paramount Theatre’s intimate new Copley Theatre in downtown Aurora. Winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, nominated for 11 Tony Awards and winner for Best Musical Score, Next to Normal is thrilling, courageous and timely storytelling at its best, all set to a contemporary rock music score. It’s also an ideal show to set the tone for Paramount’s second BOLD Series, a three-play line-up of classic and contemporary works for those who crave live theater that is intimate, honest, fervent and emotionally…

Drinks, boots and whiskey will be out in force Friday evening as Old Republic Kitchen + Bar in Elgin holds it Country Jamboree ’23 beginning at 5pm. Tim Gleason kick things off with a variety of country hits, followed by nationally-touring Kelly Daniels at 8pm. Illinois – born, Nashville based singer/songwriter/entertainer Kelly Daniels began his journey as a professional in 2011 as the lead vocalist and Founder of the Midwest’s most popular country music tribute show “Rockstar Rodeo”.  From 2011 through 2017 Kelly fronted the band at State Fairs, Festivals, and countless live music venues and casinos. At the time Kelly was also a managing partner in two…

The City of Elgin’s popular “Movies In The Park” series has a special Friday evening lined up. This family-friendly series brings the community together to enjoy a free outdoor movie weekly throughout the months of July and August. Each movie also includes appearances by characters and concessions on offer by local not-for-profits.   On Friday at around 8pm (one hour before dusk) in Festival Park, Shuri is taking a break from protecting Wakanda and will be with us for the showing of Wakanda Forever. The people of Wakanda fight to protect their home from intervening world powers as they mourn the death of…

Either you love him or you hate him. But one thing is indisputable: Ted Nugent is one of a kind. Known in recent years for his brash political views and his advocacy for hunting (he kills all of his meat with a crossbow), not to mention his ardent anti-drug and anti-alocohol lifestyle, Nugent has been a legend in the rock world for decades. The “Motor City Madman” will make his final Arcada appearance this Sunday in his Adios Mofo ’23 Final Tour!  The show will cover over five decades of multi-platinum hits, including classics like “Stranglehold” (ranked in the Top 100…

Tickets are now on sale for Naper Settlement’s Oktoberfest, All Hallows Eve, and Howlin’ at the Moon. The museum will kick off the fall season with Oktoberfest, a festival featuring German food, beer, activities, and live music on Oct. 6 from 5-10 p.m. and Oct. 7 from 3-10 p.m. Families with children 16 years old and under will enjoy a lineup of Halloween-themed outdoor activities and performances at All Hallows Eve on Oct. 20-21 from 6:30-10 p.m. At Howlin’ at the Moon, adults (21+) are encouraged to come dressed in costumes to howl along to live music, watch thrilling performances,…

Must try appetizers, entrees, desserts or cocktails available at local Fox Valley restaurants. (Above: Garlic Prime Rib Dip, Chicago Street Pour House) Garlic Prime Rib DipDescription: Shaved slow-roasted prime rib, piled on our toasted Portuguese milk bread, with garlic herb butter, with a side of horseradish cream and au jus for dipping. Chicago Street Pour House1350 E Chicago St.Elgin, IL 601201-847-214-1708 Wood Grilled Branzino MeuniéreYukon Pommes Puree • Baby Tomatoes • Grilled Artichokes • Basil • Lemon Caper Sauce . Entourage796 Illinois Route 59Naperville, IL 605401-630-999-8980 Watermelon Tuna CrudoThe Graceful Ordinary’s refreshing Watermelon Tuna Crudo is an al-fresco dining must-have!…

On an evening in late May, 2021, 46-year-old Samuel Ortiz-Rodriguez of Aurora was standing outside a residence talking with a few individuals. At that moment, three street-gang members from a nearby neighborhood walked by and mistakenly identified him as a member of a rival gang. One of the gang members shot him dead. Fidel Bello, 19, one of those street gang members, has now been sentenced to 35 years in prison. In March, Bello pled guilty to the offense of first-degree murder. On May 24, 2021 at 7:30 p.m., Bello and two fellow members of the same street gang went…

A Maple Park man was killed this morning when his pick-up truck burst into flames after ploughing into a semi-truck on Route 47. At approximately 5:18 AM this morning, Kane County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the scene of a fiery crash at the intersection of Illinois Route 47 and Beith Road in Campton Township. Upon arrival, deputies located a semi-truck in the southbound traffic lane of Route 47 with a vehicle underneath the trailer that was engulfed in flames. The dashboard camera in the semi-truck showed the semi traveling southbound on Route 47 passing through the intersection with Beith…