Craft Urban Kitchen to open this summer in Geneva

Bernie Laskowski knows a thing or two about preparing food after operating the kitchen at Park Grill restaurant in Chicago's Millennium Park for eight years and then starting Cinderella Paleo, his own prepared meals company in Naperville.

Still, with all of that experience, Laskowski said he was "blown away" each time he and his wife came to Geneva to dine, starting with nothing short of a revelation when visiting Bien Trucha at 410 W State St. about five years ago.

"When we sat down at that restaurant, I thought I was in an entirely different city or state, like in Manhattan in New York, because of the food they were making there," Laskowski said. "I told myself then, that if a restaurant ever became available, this would be the town to do it in."

The wait is over. Laskowski and co-owner Francisco Chavez will open the Craft Urban Kitchen at 211 James St. in August, or about two months after Nosh leaves that site and goes to its new digs at 22 N. Third St.

"There is no other town like Geneva, with so many high-quality establishments," Laskowski said. "It reminds me of being in Sonoma, California."

In that regard, Laskowski and Chavez hope to make their own history with Craft Urban Kitchen, which will feature shared-plates dining with a menu that changes weekly or monthly, based on availability from local producers.

The restaurant will also focus on cocktails, with liquor from small producers and distilled spirits from Illinois and the Midwest, as well as craft beers and small, produced wines from California.

"Our customers will talk about the variety and the controlled dining experience," Laskowski added. "We will have a signature burger and a wood smoker on the premises for different applications, from smoked beet salad to various brunch items."

He's also promising an old-fashioned pound cake that will have patrons buzzing, one featuring a berry compote and homemade ricotta cheese.

"We just kept coming back to Geneva and felt like this place is a very good match for what we wanted to do," Laskowski said.

Remembering Beth:

Just after the 2015-2016 school year ended, Western Avenue School in Geneva lost a popular teacher in Beth Shannon, who passed away.

In her honor, the school district and staff at Western Avenue is creating a memorial garden in the school's courtyard, and contributing to the Beth Shannon Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Geneva Academic Association.

The groups will host a Shannon Shuffle fundraiser on May 12, and plan to host a dedication in the fall of 2017 to honor Beth Shannon's life and her contributions to the community.

Those interested in donating can do so online on the Beth Shannon Memorial Fund page.

This is not the first time the school has acknowledged the commitment and passion of a popular teacher and community servant.

Western created a memorial on the school grounds when Mary Bencini passed away a few years ago, dedicating the Mary Bencini Reading Circle in her honor.

"The pavers and walkways converge to the center of the garden in a circular formation, and we dedicated that to Mary Bencini," Western Avenue Principal Ron Zeman said. "During her time here, and after she retired, Mary donated many, many books to the school."

Clothes a no-go:

The AFB Boutique in St. Charles has closed at 201 S. Third St.

When I wrote about this store late last year, it seemed to be a little bit of a leap of faith in thinking a clothing store could do well in that particular spot, which previously housed a NAPA auto parts store.

I'm not a retail or fashion expert, but it seems that a clothing store with window displays needs a lot of foot traffic to pull customers in. That corner in St. Charles has Zippo foot traffic.

West Valley Graphics and Print is moving into that spot, and that seems a more logical business venture for that building and location.

That's Cubbie blue:

Cubs fans are definitely a devoted bunch, but this is the first time I have seen a homeowner paint the outside foundation of the home in Cubbie blue.

But that's exactly the makeover a home on Anderson Boulevard in Geneva has undergone. The house colors are all Cub-related as well, not to mention some decorative Cubs pieces in the yard.

But it's that deep Cubbie blue foundation that jumps out at you.

That's quite a rodeo:

The Batavia Bicycle Commission has a busy schedule next month, which happens to be National Bike Month.

One of these events is called the Bike Rodeo.

They didn't call them Bike Rodeos when I was a kid, but we did have to go through skill tests and have our bikes in good working order to receive some type of license many years ago.

Regardless, it is important for kids to understand bike and helmet safety, work on skills and learn how to ride safely when in areas with traffic.

All of that and more takes place for elementary and middle school students at the free Bike Rodeo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 6 in the City Hall parking lot in Batavia.

And this is also a new twist. Parents are encouraged to bring their bikes and participate in the event.

Check out more information about the rodeo and other biking events at bikingbatavia.org.

dheun@sbcglobal.net