Author: Paul Stukel

Welcome to our latest edition of Fox Valley Magazine’s 4 FOR THE WEEKEND where the bell tolls for thee. So let’s get to it, starting with….. Why Is The “First” Friday Privileged? (Just burnishing our “woke” creds.) Yes, it’s the first Friday of the month and we all know what that means – time to turn the calendar page. (Do people still use actual calendars?) It also means that it’s First Fridays in downtown Aurora, and that’s a good thing. The list of activities during this monthly event is too long to list….although, come to think of it, that’s exactly…

Welcome to our latest edition of Fox Valley Magazine’s 4 FOR THE WEEKEND where bowling is considered a contact sport. So let’s get to it, starting with….. Weee’re Baaack! OK, men. Brace yourselves. While we know that you were out of the woods until at least April regarding farmers marketing, I’m afraid we’ve got bad news. They’re back. Our only defense is that we’re in the deep, dark winter, and treating your special someone to a nice farmers market (note: adult beverages available!) will warm you both. Or at least that’s our theory… Click here for more. Gimme Some Of…

Miles Over Mountains and Chanson du Chat take over The Venue in Aurora this weekend. MILES OVER MOUNTAINS with Pete Jive openingFriday, January 14 8pm Advance Admission – Premium Seating – $15 Advance General Admission – $10. +$5 door Hailing from McHenry, IL Miles Over Mountains plays a modernized style of progressive bluegrass covering a wide spectrum of genres, dynamics, and feeling. Their live catalogue draws from their studio albums “Five Star Heart Breaker” (2015), “Ballads & Burners” (2017), and “Work Harder Not Smarter” (2020). The band has been performing, touring, and making records since early 2014 playing an average…

Is Shaw Media a news outlet or a shill for the Democratic Party? It’s coverage of a poorly-attended (maybe 15 people?) protest in Geneva on the anniversary of the riot at the US Capitol last year should raise serious doubts. In an article posted yesterday on Shaw’s Kane County Chronicle website, a Shaw reporter basically cobbled together a group of blatantly partisan press releases from Democratic activist groups regarding a “Vigil for Democracy” protest to be held in Geneva and other communities around the country and posted it as “news,” calling into question the objectivity of both the reporter and…

(The Michigan defensive line preparing to begin the second half against Georgia Friday evening.) The Presidents of all Big Ten Conference schools called an emergency meeting Friday night after witnessing a shocking resurgence of the dreaded “Harbaugh Variant.” A visibly shaken Kevin Warren, the Big Ten Commissioner, met the press shortly after the 10-minute meeting concluded. “In the interest of the Big Ten Conference, its students, staff and alumni, and all that is holy, we must act,” he said between sobs. “Effective immediately, we are enacting a post-season quarantine of the University of Michigan’s football program up to and until…

What is the purpose of life? Am I loved? Where do I fit in the vast universe? Is “Die Hard” really a Christmas movie? By Paul Stukel, Editor It’s Christmastime again. Which means it’s time to once again struggle with the existential questions of life: What is the purpose of life? Am I loved? Where do I fit in the vast universe? Is “Die Hard” really a Christmas movie? Well, for some of us, this season reminds us of the answer to the first three questions. The fourth, however, remains a mystery. Ok, so I don’t really want to get…

For my fellow parents and Santas out there:

Welcome to our latest edition of Fox Valley Magazine’s 4 FOR THE WEEKEND where we tackle the most profound questions: Heat Miser or Snow Miser? So let’s get to it, starting with….. It Ain’t Christmas Without The Humbug “Are there no poorhouses!?” Thus sayeth the iconic figure of Dickensian Christmas, E. Scrooge. “A Christmas Carol” is the supreme Christmas story (ok, maybe “It’s A Wonderful Life” is up there, but that classic is so associated with Jimmy Stewart that it simply can’t be replicated, where as with Scrooge and Tiny Tim and ol’ Bob Crachet, “A Christmas Carol” transcends any…

It’s that time of year again. For the 28th year in a row, the Riverfront Playhouse will present their own original version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Adapted from the classic Charles Dickens story by Riverfront veteran Jack Schultz, this production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL features 9 songs also written by Schultz. A Christmas Carol runs December 10, 11, 17 & 18 at 8:00 pm and December 12 & 19 at 3:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=rfph Here’s what you need to know: *Seats are limited! This year more than any other year, make sure you reserve your seats so you…

What better way to bring in the Christmas cheer than by a dramatic reading of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol? Bring your family and join us at the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church for some hot chocolate, Dickens, and St. Charles Holiday Spirit. The play will be read by a cast of 15 professional actors + some St. Charles residents. This event is FREE with a suggested donation of $10. This is a General Admission event (first-come, first-serve) with no ticket required. Just show up at the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church on December 17th at 7 pm and…