Batavia takes third place in IKEA decorating contest

So you won't see IKEA designers spiffing up downtown Batavia.

The city took third place in the Swedish furniture retailer's "Small Businesses, Big Dreams" contest.

The grand prize was $5,000 and $50,000 worth of furniture and interior decorating work, but as second runner-up, the group still wins $3,000.

Nine Batavia businesses, led by All Dressed Up costume shop, entered a 3-minute video to win the prize. They were announced as one of the 10 finalists last month.

Online voting counted for 30 percent of the towns' scores. The winners shook out in the same order as the online voting, with Media, Penn., in second place and Lansing, Mich., winning the big prize.

Volunteer fair: More than 40 charitable organizations will participate in the Batavia League of Women Voters Volunteer Fair on Saturday.

Anyone interested in donating their time is invited to come to the event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave.

Groups participating from the Tri-Cities area include those catered to helping children, seniors, the homeless, animals, health and the environment.

There will be giveaways, door prizes and refreshments provided.

What's planned where? The city of Batavia has released a draft of its long-term comprehensive plan for residents to see and comment on.

The plan shows what kind of land use is planned for each spot in the city.

It includes details on land use, transportation, development, housing, historic preservation, parks and open spaces. The planning area goes up to the city's boundaries with Geneva, North Aurora and Aurora, and also includes Fermilab and the Dick Young Forest Preserve.

The city plans to hold public comment sessions on it in the next few months and formally adopt it in December. Residents can comment on the plan at any Plan Commission meeting.

The plan is available on the city's Web site, www.cityofbatavia.net, and free CDs of it are available at the Municipal Center, 100 N. Island Ave.

Print copies of the plan are available to look at in the Municipal Center, the Batavia Public Library, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, Batavia MainStreet, the Batavia school district and the Batavia Park District.

Spaghetti for a cause: The Batavia Police Department and Kane County State's Attorney's Office will have a spaghetti dinner on Thursday to benefit the Special Olympics.

The dinner will be from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Riverview Banquets, 1117 N. Washington Ave. in Batavia.

Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children. Tickets are available at the police station, 100 N. Island Ave., and at the door on Thursday.

Proceeds will benefit the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics.