Art in your backyard

The Tri-Cities have an abundance of cultural venues and activities for all to enjoy. Batavia is quickly becoming a burgeoning art community and Geneva is home to an assortment of art galleries and unique shops featuring inventive jewelry, fashion, and furniture. St. Charles has a niche all its own in the art world. The city has long held the market on bigger stage productions at extraordinary venues such as the Norris Cultural Arts Center, the Fox Valley Repertory Theatre, the Steel Beam Theatre and the Arcada Theatre. The St. Charles Arts Council (SCAC) is helping the city explore new artistic avenues through its neXt Pop Up Galleries and its “Art at Home” program. In addition, the Downtown St. Charles Partnership hosts the St. Charles Fine Arts Show in May, where juried artists display their creative works.

Find all the ways to express yourself here.

Do you have an anniversary on February 14?

Couples who tied the knot on Valentine’s Day may celebrate their anniversary this year with a free stay at a St. Charles hotel, thanks to a promotion coordinated by the Greater St. Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Charged with promoting overnight stays at the St. Charles hotels, the visitors bureau decided the combination of the year’s most romantic holiday and its mission to “put heads in beds” is a “Match made in heaven!,” said Jenny O’Brien, SCCVB Marketing Manager.

Four St. Charles hotels—Fairfield Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express and the Hotel Baker—are providing overnight certificates, good for one night’s stay between February 10 and 14 to couples who provide the visitors bureau with a copy of their marriage certificate and proof of identification. Seventeen certificates are available, and hotels will be selected through a lottery process while supplies last. The offer is valid February 10-14, 2012 and includes room charge only, based on double occupancy. Taxes and incidental charges are not included in the offer.

Couples with a February 14 wedding anniversary wishing to participate in the promotion should call or e-mail Jenny at 630-377-6161, ext. 105, jenny@visitstcharles.com or visit visitstcharles.com.

News briefs…

Police academy for citizens

The St. Charles Police Department is holding its annual Citizen Police Academy. Find out how to take part here.

Community news

The Easter Bunny’s coming. Find out how to make sure he stops at your home here.

Revitalizing the Chamber

Change is good! The Chamber is changing with the times and embracing the change! Be a part of it all and more with the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce.

It’s Bee time again

Literacy Volunteers of Fox Valley’s Trivia Bee for Literacy takes place March 17. BEE a part of it.

A lifetime in the arts

Good Neighbor Ron Koeppl has been guiding St. Charles citizens as educator, director and mentor for over 50 years. Meet him here.

League of Women Voters schedules candidate forums

Get an updated schedule for the forum Feb. 23 here. Democratic candidates for the newly redrawn 14th Congressional District are scheduled to appear.

More plans for First Street

New plans for First Street include rental apartments. See what’s planned here.

100 years of Scouting in St. Charles

Karl Asplund estabished the first troop of Boy Scouts in St. Charles just two years after the national organization was founded. Read all about it here.

Balancing act

Financial portfolios can shift away from their targets, especially in volatile times. See how to keep on course.