Author: Fox Valley Magazine

Welcome to our latest edition of Fox Valley Magazine’s 4 FOR THE WEEKEND where we tell you: “Who’s Your Grandaddy???” So let’s get to it, starting with….. Who’s Your Grandaddy? Yes, it’s that time of year again. Time for the “Grandaddy” of Illinois festivals. That’s right, Swedish Days in Geneva. So here are a few Swedish facts for you to get you in the mood: Swedes are terrified of badgers Swedish students scream every night At a Swedish wedding, anyone can make a speech (oh dear) Don’t believe us? Well you can look it up….. Click here for more. Does…

Sundays in July offer four free nights of music along the beautiful Fox River courtesy of Geneva’s RiverPark Summer Concert Series. The concerts will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 2, 9, 16, and 23 at River Park, located at North River Lane and Peyton Street just north of State Street. The Illinois Brass Band opens the series July 2. Dedicated to bringing British-style brass music to audiences across the Midwest, the band is comprised of 30 volunteer musicians and is the most senior brass band in Illinois. The Wichita Lineman is a tribute to Glen Campbell with…

Billed as “the largest party of the year,” Old Republic Kitchen + Bar will be presenting it’s 4th annual “SmithStock” this Saturday and Sunday in Elgin. Named after owner Nick Smith’s history of (allegedly) throwing parties on his parent’s deck when they were away, SmithStock offers two evenings of outdoor music, food, drinks and fun in Old Republic’s open-air venue at 155 South Randall in Elgin. Beginning at 4pm on Saturday, the music of David Bowie will be celebrated by Spaceface, followed by Chicagoland classic rock band Anthem. On Sunday, ever-popular pop band 7th Heaven takes the stage at 2pm,…

The West Suburban Symphony will present the short opera Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) this Sunday at 3:30pm at Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville. Cavalleria Rusticana, Pietro Mascagni’s 1890 opera, spins a dramatic tale of life in a Sicilian village, complete with love, war, infidelity, revelry, and a duel to the death. One of the first operas to depict the experiences of everyday people rather than royalty, gods, and goddesses, it has been wildly popular since its premiere. The West Suburban Symphony will perform this short opera in concert with orchestra, chorus, and four fabulous soloists: Russell Hoke as Alfio, Jennifer Kosharsky as Santuzza, Reuben Lillie as…

K9 officer Udo and his Handler Deputy Arredondo wasted little time in making an impact as a member of the Kane County Sheriff staff. Early this morning, at approximately 12:30 am, Kane County Deputies responded to assist Montgomery Police and Kendall County Sheriff’s Office in the area of Rochester Drive and Cornell Avenue in Montgomery for occupants that had crashed a vehicle in a pond and then fled on foot. Udo and Deputy Arredondo were on the case and effectively tracked down one of the subjects. The second subject was also located later the search. According to the Kane County…

This weekend the Naperville Women’s Club will be hosting the 63rd Annual Naperville Fine Art & Artisans Fair at Naper Settlement. It is, according to the sponsors, the longest-running juried art fair in Illinois. The Fair will feature the juried work of over 100 artists and artisans from around the country displaying their crafts in ceramics, drawing, fiber arts, glass, metal, painting, photography, wood, jewelry and sculpture. In addition, the Fair offers activities for the entire family. This year the NWC will once again select a piece of art from an exhibiting artist that will be reproduced into an 8×12’…

Santa enjoys this Caribbean themed experience and knows it’s the perfect place for families to have fun while staying cool! While the kids play, parents can sit back and relax in the surrounding lounge chairs and cabanas. The on-site bath house can be utilized for families to change before and after enjoying the park’s other attractions. Before your visit, read our water park rules. Lighthouse Harbor features zero-depth entry to a 10,000 square foot, 8-inch deep wading pool with a two-story interactive water play structure. Children will enjoy dozens of water toys with 2 giant tipping buckets and 9 water…

Wine selections available at local wine stores and wineries in the Fox Valley area Catena Alta ChardonnayMendoza, Argentina, 2020 – $35.99. Catena Alta is an assemblage of historic rows within the Catena family estate vineyards. The blend of these historic rows, like the combination of sounds that create a symphony, gives us highly aromatic and elegant wine that speaks for the terroir and the vines that have been tended by the four generations of the Catena Family. “Alta” means high in Spanish. This makes reference to the high altitude vineyards from where the grapes are sourced, and to the high…

According to a press release from the City of St. Charles, Robert Gehm has been appointed Alderperson of Ward 3. Gehm replaces retiring Alderperson Todd Bancroft who did not seek reelection. Bancroft remained in the position until a replacement was qualified, following John Edward Frank’s withdrawal from the seat he won in the 2023 Consolidated Election. Gehm has lived in St. Charles for 33 years and has served on the Liquor Control Commission for the last 10 years. Gehm currently is the Finance Manager at Ox Industries in Aurora. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Lewis University…

Daniel Aquirre of Aurora has been sentenced to 75 years in prison for the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Fernando Carapia in his driveway in January 2021. In April 2023, a jury found Aguirre, 25, guilty of the offense of first-degree murder in the shooting. In addition, the jury found that Aguirre personally fired the gun that killed Carapia. On January 15, 2021, shortly before 5 p.m., a car driven by a co-defendant stopped in the 300 block of South Hinman Street in Aurora. Aguirre exited the front passenger door, ran through a yard to the back of 311 South Spencer…