Author: Paul Stukel

Welcome to our latest edition of Fox Valley Magazine’s 4 FOR THE WEEKEND where Rudolph’s nose is an allegory for mass automation! So let’s get to it, starting with….. And Speaking of Industrialization… ..we’ve got the Polar Express, a train to the North Pole. I mean, whatever happened to flying reindeer as Santa’s primary mode of transportation? It’s mechanization despoiling the ways of nature, exploitation of the working class (what kind of labor contract do elves have, for heaven’s sake), tyrannical patriarchy…. Oh, sorry. We thought were writing a dissertation for our sociology doctorate. Polar Express looks really fun! Click…

Welcome to our latest edition of Fox Valley Magazine’s 4 FOR THE WEEKEND where Black Friday involves nunchucks. So let’s get to it, starting with….. Let There Be Light Of all the Christmas events in the Fox Valley every year, we kinda have to tip our hat to St. Charles for sheer glitz. The annual Electric Christmas Parade is Vegas-worthy in its bright displays and wired vehicles. True, other venues have similar parades, but nothing quite on the scale of St. Chuck. So head on out and check it out. Click here for more. Ok, We Know What You’re Thinking……

Welcome to our latest edition of Fox Valley Magazine’s 4 FOR THE WEEKEND where we actually recognize the holiday between Halloween and Christmas. So let’s get to it, starting with….. We Made It! Last week, we promised the last Halloween/Pumpkin Fest events until next year. And here we are! Look, nothing wrong with Halloween/Pumpkin Fest activities. We love Halloween, and we can live with pumpkins. But it does get a little oppressive, you have to admit. So let’s start this one off with a little theatre… Click here for more. Ok, We Know What You’re Thinking… …this is a Halloween…

Welcome to our latest edition of Fox Valley Magazine’s 4 FOR THE WEEKEND where Winter is Coming. Enough said. So let’s get to it, starting with….. Gangsters Have More Fun Chazz Palminteri is an American original. There’s really no other way to describe him. At a young age growing up in the Bronx, Chazz saw a man killed by a mobster. He denied seeing it when asked by the police, and thus began a strange quasi-father/son relationship with the killer, while continuing to deeply revere his own father. Upon that experience he wrote and performed “A Bronx Tale,” an extraordinary one-man…

The Wall Street Journal recently posted a scathing indictment of K-12 education in Illinois, drawing on research by conservative Illinois thinktank Wirepoints. The article and research show a perverse form of “equity” in Illinois schools: across the racial spectrum, nobody can read. Below is part II of Wirepoint’s report, slightly abbreviated. For part I, click here. Illinois’ educational-industrial complex How does Illinois’ education system remain intact given its many failures? The answer is simple: it’s designed to self-perpetuate. A weave of labor laws, hundreds of districts, generous salaries, constitutionally protected pensions, powerful superintendents and even more powerful unions ensure the…

Update: Metra announced today that if a railroad freight workers work stoppage moves forward on Friday, all lines servicing the Fox Valley except the Milwaukee District West (Elgin) will cease operations late Thursday evening. “If the work stoppage occurs, there will be no service Friday on the BNSF, Union Pacific North, Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West lines. Both BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad, which own and operate the lines, have communicated that they will begin curtailing service after the evening rush hour on Thursday, Sept. 15 in preparation for the potential work stoppage. “The following BNSF trains…

(Full Disclosure: This article is about my daughter.) Geneva native Caroline Stukel likes to run. She also likes to help people. In October, she will combine these passions by running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on behalf of Chicago Hopes For Kids, a charitable organization based in Chicago that provides comprehensive support to Chicago students and families experiencing homelessness. This support takes the form of literacy support, homework help, cultural enrichment opportunities, field trips and personalized mentorship. Stukel discovered Chicago Hopes after returning to Chicagoland after a year in Alaska. She volunteered to be a mentor and ended up…

Featured selections of Craft Beers created by local Fox Valley area brewing companies. Atom Smasher Our Oktoberfest-style lager (7% ABV) is oak-aged, providing added layers of depth to the signature flavors of roasted malt, caramel, toasted vanilla, and toffee found in Marzen-style beers. Two Brothers Brewing Company30W315 Calumet Ave.Warrenville, IL 60555 Viking Red Ale Stockholm’s Viking Red Ale (5.2% ABV). Amber ale, balanced flavors of creamy, sweet malt and a gentle hop finish. We have found in our beer pairing dinners that this is our “miracle beer”. Pairing with many different types of food, Viking Red Ale brings out different…

The Naperville Jaycees “Last Fling” enters its final day today with still much to do. Stilt walking, more reptiles, temporary tattoos, live music and, yet again, lots and lots of food. Oh, and did we mention the parade? Here’s a rundown of what’s going on today: Monday, September 5, 2022 10:00 AM The Uber Eats Labor Day Parade. Here’s the map of the parade route. (Follow the red arrows.) 12:30 – 1:00 PM Road Show Inc. –  “Capellas” perform today under the direction of Mr. Axel Hageman and Mr. Cam Green. 12:30 – 2:00 PM Acrodazzle – Stilt Walking, Juggling and balloon animal…

After a bit of a rain delay Saturday afternoon, the Naperville Jaycees “Last Fling” moves into its third day today in high gear with a schedule that includes great music, a cupcake-eating contest, water balloon toss and lots and lots of food. Here’s rundown of what’s going on today: Sunday, September 4, 2022 11:15 AM – 1:15 PM Acrodazzle – Stilt Walking, Juggling and balloon animal making will be just a few of the magical things you will experience.  Acrodazzle is one of Chicagoland’s most successful entertainment agencies since 2005. 10:30 – 11:15 AM The Conservation Foundation – Amy Phillips will be gardening with…