🎊 “Beyond brunch” Mother’s Day activities

Mother’s Day brunch — a tradition as American as apple pie.

Thanks to a healthy array of local eateries offering special events and deals for the occasion, you really can’t go wrong here in the Tri-Cities.

But I could fill this entire newsletter with brunch spots, so let’s focus instead on a few non-brunch (or before-brunch, or after-brunch) Mother’s Day ideas:

✅ Mother’s Day Tea | Oak + Rose Team Room, Geneva: Even if you do brunch, why not save room for an elegant afternoon tea? You’ll get to enjoy scones, biscuits and desserts with your organic tea — and the event is BYOB for those 21 and above. (Saturday, May 11)

✅ Mother’s Day Flower Walk | Windy Acres Farm, Geneva: If strolling through a sweet-smelling labyrinth of outdoor flower displays amid live string music sounds like mom’s wheelhouse, this is your spot. Each ticket includes a beverage and a treat, too. (Saturday, May 11 & Sunday, May 12)

✅ Mother’s Day at the Merc | Wilson Street Mercantile, Batavia: Here, five unique local businesses — Arlo.Hendrix, Desmond Grown, Light & Pine Collective, Lily & Pie, and the Blue Owl Market — all share a single roof. They’ll have a pop-up plant shop on Saturday, a candle bar on Saturday/Sunday and special treats available throughout the weekend. (Saturday, May 11 & Sunday, May 12)

✅ Mother’s Day Celebration with Debby Boone | Arcada Theatre, STC: Music-fan moms may enjoy this unique performance from a multi-time Grammy winner at one of the Tri-Cities’ top venues. (Sunday, May 12)

🍷 Also, a heads up that moms get a free glass of wine at Bien Trucha in Geneva on Mother’s Day — brunch, lunch, dinner, doesn’t matter.

🎁 Looking for last-minute gift ideas? Wander through The Little Traveler in Geneva for just a few minutes and you’ll find everything from fashionable clothing and jewelry to decor, housewares and wine. Chances are good that you’ll find something unique and memorable for mom.

📰 News to use

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☑️ Transportation overhaul: Illinois lawmakers have proposed merging Metra, Pace and CTA into a single comprehensive entity that would replace the RTA.

☑️ Police activity: Two Batavia schools went into lockdown on Tuesday due to a "suspicious person" reported at a nearby park. Officers found him and determined that he wasn’t a threat.

☑️ Going green: Using funds collected through the 10-cent non-reusable bag fee, the City of Batavia bought reusable bags for residents — you can pick them up downtown while supplies last.

☑️ Upcoming rehab work: St. Charles is allocating $1.82 million to upgrading streets, curbs, pavement and sidewalks in about 50 locations around town.

☑️ Key tax info: Due dates for this year’s Kane County real estate tax bills have been announced. The bills should’ve been mailed yesterday.

☑️ Top high schools: In a recent U.S. News & World Report roundup of Illinois’ best high schools in 2024, our four local schools ranked from #36 to #87. See the full rankings and where each school landed.

🏘️ In the community

🔒 Quality time: After surviving treatment for bone marrow cancer, a Geneva mom is thrilled about celebrating Mother’s Day with her young daughter.

☑️ Experience history: Located in Geneva’s Fabyan West Forest Preserve, the Fabyan Villa Museum is now open to the public for the season with guided and self-guided tours.

☑️ Library access: Starting Tuesday, the Geneva Public Library’s south entrance will be temporarily closed for safety upgrades. Visitors can enter the library via the north Campbell Street entrance.

☑️ Hard-to-recycle items: Kane County will be hosting several shredding/recycling events in the area throughout the year, including a “Shredding & More” event in St. Charles on Saturday.

☑️ I-PASS changes: Illinois Tollway reps will be on hand in downtown Geneva tomorrow to assist people with new I-PASS services, like the I-PASS Sticker Tag and I-PASS Assist.

🎸 Live music 

Each weekend, the live music lineup gets bigger and bigger. And it appears the Wednesday patio live music at Whiskey Business was a sign of things to come — they’ve got performances lined up for Friday and Sunday afternoon as well.

Plus, Antonia Bennett (Tony Bennett’s Daughter) is doing three shows in the Club Arcada speakeasy.

🏬 Local biz

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☑️ Now open: Hawaii Fluid Art Geneva — a new studio designed for creators of all skill levels — is celebrating a grand opening tomorrow with face painting, discounts and more.

☑️ Grab a brewski: Several local breweries are celebrating Illinois Craft Beer Week, which runs tomorrow through May 10 and typically features special promotions and activities.

☑️ Chimp champion: Speaking of craft beer, North Aurora’s Brother Chimp Brewing took GOLD at the 2024 World Beer Cup last week.

☑️ New optometry business: Sight to See Eyecare & Eyewear is now open in Geneva with a grand opening celebration planned for today.

☑️ Peaceful Parlour closes: The eco-conscious boutique shop on 3rd Street in Geneva closed its doors permanently this week after 14 years as a fixture in the downtown business scene.

🗓️ Events + things to do

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☑️ Batavia City Wide Garage Sale | Fri & Sat | The ultimate “stuff sale” benefitting Batavia’s 4th of July Sky Concert.

☑️ Cheers Through The Years | Friday, 7PM | Downtown Batavia | Part local bar crawl, part history tour — and great community fun.

☑️ Kane County Flea Market | Sat & Sun | Kane County Fairgrounds, STC | A world-renowned market featuring local vendors and food providers.

☑️ Plant/Flower Sale + BBQ | Saturday, 8AM-? | Calvary Episcopal Church, Batavia | Pick up healthy plants and stay for a tasty BBQ all while supporting local charities.

☑️ Plant Sale | Saturday, 9AM | Elder Oaks Farm Market, STC | Another local plant sale! They recommend pre-ordering here.

☑️ Comic Book Day + Fanfest | Saturday, 9AM-1PM | Geneva Library | Crafts, free comics, photo ops, face painting and fun for all ages.

🎟️ Pottawatomie Dockside Party | Saturday, 3-6PM | Pottawatomie Park, STC | Enjoy live music, refreshments and docked boat tours of the Fox River Queen.

🎟️ Pancake Fundraiser Breakfast | Sunday, 7:30AM-12PM | Valley Sheltered Workshop, Batavia | A heartwarming tradition that brings the community closer, one pancake at a time. Features a raffle, auction, live music and more.

🗞️ From the archives

According to the Geneva History Museum, the first train traveled through Geneva in 1853 (171 years ago). Geneva women leaders eventually advocated for the attractive brick depot, which was built in anticipation of the famous 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

The depot has been rebuilt several times since the construction of the original.

🌖 Weather snapshot

🌩️ Today: High 79F | Low 61F | T-storms possible

🌦️ Friday: High 76F | Low 60F | AM showers

🌥️ Saturday: High 79F | Low 56F | Warm + cloudy

🌤️ Sunday: High 79F | Low 58F | Quite pleasant

📖 Thanks for reading!

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