Gentlemen, start your engines!
What qualifies as a bikers' haven?
Heather Martinello, owner of Nello's Motorcycles in Batavia, figures that would be a motorcycle shop that offers storage, apparel and food in addition to motorcycles.
The shop at 555 S. River St. will host its third open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and those who stop in will enjoy music, food and giveaways.
And Heather is excited about the prospect of the shop opening its own diner soon.
"We're working on the kitchen now and getting things square with the health department, but we want this to be like Poopy's in Savannah, Ill., only on a smaller scale," Martinello said. "We're hoping to open this summer and we just think it is going to be a real good match for this location."
The heart of paradise:
Former St. Charles Mayor Fred Norris used to sum up his love for his city in one word -- paradise. Though big-city problems like traffic congestion and deteriorating streets and buildings afflict the Pride of the Fox like any other city, many residents realize Norris' take on St. Charles is not too far-fetched.
You can capture that vision of paradise through the "Heart of St. Charles" program offered by the Downtown St. Charles Partnership. A beautiful portrait by Ukrainian artist Vitaly Mikhailov is available in various forms -- artist's proof, giclee or poster.
With colorful flowers in the forefront and the Fox River and Hotel Baker in the distance, this does qualify as a peek at paradise. Take a look at the artwork and place orders at www.dtown.org.
The partnership also has been busy promoting "Make Tracks to First Street" in which prizes have been given weekly to someone who has purchased an item at participating stores during the construction along First Street.
Legs will be busy
I am thankful for the good "wheels" below me, as this weekend represents quite a workout for my legs.
My wife and I were asked again to dance in State Street Dance Studio's summer show Saturday night at the Paramount, and we'll be joining others in a snappy Fox Trot this year.
On Sunday afternoon, I'll be hoofing the Swedish Days parade route with my service club brethren as we hand out the small American flags to youngsters at the start of festivities. Geneva city officials are going to walk the route this year, rather than drive in
cars. But I do one better -- I walk the full route, then double back all the way to Anderson Boulevard to watch the last part of the parade with my family.
When is it over?
Summer doesn't officially start until Friday, but the end of Swedish Days always signals to me that summer fun goes by rather quickly around here.
When do you start to feel it is time to bid farewell to summer? Fourth of July? Windmill City Festival in Batavia? Elburn Days? The collapse of Chicago baseball teams? Your kids driving you crazy at home?
Let me know your thoughts and I will share them in this column. My e-mail address is below.