New parking deck sure had people talking during 2007
We have gone through the revelry of ringing in the new year, so we must take a moment to reflect on this key question. If this column is titled "Talk of the Town," then what topic or subject likely sparked the most comments or opinions last year?
In short, who or what earned the most talk last year?
In an absolutely unscientific conclusion, simply because I can't read minds, I can only point to the one topic on which I heard the most one-line comments or long-winded yeas or nays.
The winner is: The new parking deck along First Street in St. Charles, a cornerstone of the city's redevelopment project. I think it edges Batavia's Wilson Street bridge rehab work by the slimmest of margins. And the budget crisis at Fermilab came a little too late in the year to qualify.
Think about it for a minute. As people from all over the area drive by the construction site of the new parking deck, one of two thoughts most certainly crosses their minds.
One, this thing is monstrous, way too big for everything else around it. Or, two, it's about time that parking for the downtown St. Charles region will finally be solved.
Either way, it's nearly impossible to not make a comment about it.
My suggestion is to maybe reserve judgment for the summer of 2008, when the parking deck is scheduled to open for use.
For warmer climate
Plenty of folks in this area retreat to warmer climates at this time of year, and those of us left behind can only dream of such an escape.
The Women of St. Patrick's in St. Charles has that "dream" locked in for its annual Christmas Dinner Dance this Saturday in Dempsey Hall at the Crane Road church.
It's called "Hawaiian Holiday." Anyone who hasn't purchased tickets in advance can do so at the door for $10 per person. Participants are asked to bring a dish to share for eight people.
Back in the Tri-Cities
It was good news for Geneva when it was announced that Ellen Divita was returning to the area to become the city's economic development director.
After holding a similar post in St. Charles for many years, Ellen took a job in Mount Prospect for the last two years.
She sounds excited about coming to Geneva. She worked in St. Charles long enough to know about the history of Geneva's Third Street, the dawning of Geneva Commons and the potential for a renewed east side.
As the area continues to grow, it will be a great benefit for city development personnel in all three towns to have a working knowledge about their neighbors.
Bloody-good incentive
A flick or food for your blood. That's what the Red Cross is offering donors at a blood drive from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the St. Charles Moose Lodge. Donors will have a choice of free movie tickets or a free appetizer at the new Bistro Thai restaurant in Geneva.
If you haven't registered for this drive, walk-ins are welcome.
dheun@sbcglobal.net