News
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Join the Fun - It's Dolly Parton’s 80th Birthday Extravaganza
BATAVIA, IL – January can be slow, let us help you change that! Batavia United Way is celebrating Dolly Parton’s 80th Birthday Extravaganza with 4 brand-new community events.The first is a week-long scavenger hunt designed to bring families into our local businesses while raising money for Batavia’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a monthly book-gifting program for children from birth to age 5. Participants can purchase “Good Golly, Where’s Dolly?” scavenger hunt sheets at Sturdy Shelter from Saturday,
FALL IN LOVE WITH SCIENCE AT ECOLAB: MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
GENEVA, IL — Love is in the air this February — and so is chemistry. Curious minds are invited to explore the science behind attraction in nature during “EcoLab: My Chemical Romance,” a hands-on program hosted by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. During this engaging EcoLab session, participants will investigate the chemical reactions and processes animals use to attract mates. Through interactive experiments, families will observe exciting reactions and discover whether “love” in the natural
Batavia High School Named to Advanced Placement School Honor Roll
Batavia, IL—The College Board announced that Batavia High School has been named to the 2025 Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll, earning Silver distinction. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening participation. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria reflecting a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing students with opportunities to earn college credit, and maximizing college
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Prom Dress Collection and Giveaway is Back for 2026
BATAVIA — CHIP IN Batavia and the Batavia Public Library are back with their popular Prom Dress Giveaway from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 14 and 12:30-3 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. CHIP IN’s mission is to assist low income and homeless Batavia families; however, this event is open to any student from any school district, regardless of need. The goal is to ensure that all students, regardless of income status, enjoy this rite of passage and don’t miss prom due to the typically great
POLAR-PALOOZA BRINGS NATURE-INSPIRED GAMES AND WINTER FUN TO CREEK BEND
GENEVA, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Kane County invites residents to embrace winter fun at Polar-Palooza, a nature-inspired, arcade-style event, on Saturday, Jan. 17, from noon to 3 p.m. at Creek Bend Nature Center in St. Charles. Designed for all ages, Polar-Palooza features a mix of hands-on games, interactive learning stations, and winter crafts, with activities located both indoors and outdoors. Guests can move at their own pace through themed stations, earning tickets along the way that can
Linda Schielke Named 2025 Batavia Citizen of the Year
Batavia Woman’s Club is this year’s Spirit of Batavia honoree. The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Linda Schielke as the 2025 Citizen of the Year (COTY), honoring her decades of service, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the Batavia community. The Batavia Chamber of Commerce will honor Linda on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Chamber’s Inspire 2026: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us! annual awards event. Additionally, the Batavia Woman’s Club is the Spirit of Batavia
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FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT INTRODUCES NEW NATURE PROGRAM FOR YOUNG EXPLORERS
GENEVA, IL – Building on the popularity of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s, “Little Saplings” preschool series, the District is excited to introduce, “Twigs to Trees,” a new nature program designed specifically for school-age children in kindergarten through second grade. Each session of “Twigs to Trees” invites young explorers to investigate a seasonal nature theme through hands-on discovery, guided exploration and nature-based play. Led by District naturalists, participants will spend
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Learn About Winter Wildlife During a Free Nature Program Series
GENEVA, IL – Learn about local, winter wildlife during a new nature program series by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. The lineup of free programs is designed to showcase the fascinating creatures that stay active throughout Illinois’ colder months, such as Chickadees, owls, eagles, woodchucks, beavers and more. District naturalists will lead these educational adventures throughout Kane County. The Winter Wildlife Series includes: Chipper Chickadees: These little birds are easy to spot
Turn Customers Into Champions: Smart Referral Strategies for Small Businesses
You’ve just delivered great service. Your customer is happy — maybe even thrilled. But what happens next? Too often, small business owners focus all their energy on customer acquisition while underutilizing their most powerful growth engine: existing satisfied customers. A well-executed referral strategy doesn't just bring in leads — it builds community trust and amplifies your reputation in ways paid ads never could.Why Referrals Matter — Especially Now Referrals consistently rank among the most
Your Brand Is What It Appears to Be
Every small business is selling two things: the actual product or service, and the way people feel about it. Trust doesn’t bloom in a vacuum—it grows out of consistency, personality, and attention to visual cues. Whether it’s a logo, color scheme, font choice, or even the texture of packaging, visual branding has a way of speaking long before words ever do. For small business owners, getting this right isn’t about copying the look of larger brands—it’s about creating something that feels like it could
Dressing the Digital Window: How Local Boutiques Can Win with Stunning Visuals Online
In the battle for attention online, local boutiques often feel like they're shouting into a canyon while big-box retailers and algorithm-trained influencers echo louder with every scroll. Yet the digital space doesn’t only reward the loudest—it rewards the best visuals. For small, independent boutiques, elevating their aesthetic presence online isn’t just about keeping up appearances; it’s about building identity, trust, and emotional resonance with the customer who’s looking for something that feels
Real Estate Success Begins with Smarter Client Engagement
Success in real estate hinges on skillfully managing both operations and client relationships. Complex documentation and shifting client expectations are constant demands in this field. Yet, these challenges can open doors for growth and efficiency when approached strategically. With a focus on optimizing operations, there’s potential to streamline processes and deepen client trust. Embracing effective strategies helps create lasting connections that drive ongoing success.Revolutionizing Real Estate
Empower Your LLC with the Right Business Banking Choices
Starting an LLC is a defining step that carries a lot of energy and promise. A crucial decision early on is opening a business bank account tailored to your needs. This decision extends beyond separating personal and business funds—it can unlock several opportunities that drive your LLC forward. Access to modern banking tools and services plays a vital role in navigating the complexities of managing business finances. Thoughtful banking choices provide the foundation for long-term growth and financial
Boss Moves: How Adobe Acrobat Helps Women Entrepreneurs Get It Done
Being an entrepreneur is all about juggling, innovating, and growing—but what if you had a secret weapon to make it easier? Enter Adobe Acrobat, a powerful ally that streamlines your day-to-day, helping you work smarter while leaving more room for what truly drives your business forward. This Women’s Small Business Month, we’re celebrating the ways Adobe Acrobat is empowering women entrepreneurs to elevate their hustle, simplify workflows, and realize bigger dreams. Acrobat AI Assistant: Check out
Create a Future-Ready Business by Switching to a Paperless Workflow
Imagine a world where your desk isn’t cluttered with towering stacks of paper, where finding a document takes seconds instead of hours, and where your business operations flow smoothly without manual errors and inefficiencies. Transitioning your business to a paperless workflow can make this a reality. This digital transformation not only enhances operational efficiency but also aligns with sustainable practices, reducing your carbon footprint. By leveraging modern technology, you can secure your data and
