Youth judges needed for Concours d'Elegance
Adults aren't the only ones who find themselves enthralled with the various cars on display each summer in the Geneva Concours d'Elegance show along Third Street.
Youngsters ages 8 to 12 actually have been a big part of past events, taking on the role of youth judges through the Hagerty's Youth Advocacy Program.
It's basically in place to get kids involved in the collector vehicle hobby by having a chance to look at the cars up close, meet the owners, and then cast ballots for their favorites.
A week ago, Patt Barrett, director of the show, said she was looking for about 15 to 20 kids in that age bracket to participate in the judging program.
“It's a great experience for these young people, and I do mean boys and girls,” Barrett said.
Each youth judge is given a score card and encouraged to ask questions of the event guides and car owners to learn about automotive history while formulating opinions about favorite vehicles.
It's likely that Barrett is still looking for some kids to be judges for a day. Parents can connect with Barrett at pattb@genevaconcours.net to get information about the program or sign up their kids. And, yes, there are two t's in Patt.
Registering for the program is the key. You can't just show up the day of the event to see if your child can participate.
The kids and their parents can join in on the presentation of awards for their selected winners.
The 13th annual event takes place Aug. 27 and will feature 175 automobiles and 125 club cars.
As anyone who has attended this show knows, it has become quite popular. Barrett estimates it draws between 18,000 and 20,000 visitors.
Nuts about 'Nutcracker':
You can't keep a good dance production down, nor can you keep good dance instructors idle when it's time to start planning a holiday tradition.
Even though State Street Dance Studio in Geneva has closed, its former artistic director — Ashlie Andersen — plans to continue what was one of the studio's showstoppers in the annual “Fox Valley Nutcracker” production.
Andersen, now the ballet director at A Step Above Dance Academy in Batavia and involved with the nonprofit Fox Valley Ballet, has been the artistic director of the show the past three years.
Though the production is not affiliated with any particular studio this time around, it is being presented through Fox Valley Ballet.
Proceeds from the show will go to a Fox Valley Ballet scholarship fund to award a dancer in the area the chance to attend a summer program next year.
Most youths and adults interested in being a part of this show are likely already registered for the open auditions.
But for those who are not, and this sounds like something you'd want to try, the auditions take place Sunday, July 30, at the A Step Above Dance Academy, 129 Flinn St., in Batavia. Various age groups are scheduled at different times, so it is best to check the foxvalleynutcracker.com website for information.
For the arts:
A reader was wondering if the property around Richards and State streets in Geneva, an area in which residents spoke out against a Marquette apartment complex proposal, might somehow serve the purposes of the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission in its hunt for an arts center site.
I'm thinking the commission doesn't have the money or the desire to oversee new construction, so it would be a case of somehow repurposing the building there that many moons ago housed the WXFW radio station.
I'm guessing this would be a long shot, but the commission members I have spoken to appeared open to any possible discussions.
Add the tables:
There's no doubt the CASA Grow a Healthy Child Garden just outside the old Kane County Courthouse entrance in downtown Geneva is a perfect place to sit and rest or read on a nice day.
But the courthouse has added to that setting, putting up picnic tables just near the entrance steps and ramps, for employees to enjoy their breaks or lunches.
Being so close to the garden makes this an attractive spot for workers to decompress for a short time.
Save a few bucks:
If you are signing up to play in the TriCity Family Services golf outing on Sept. 11, do it by Monday, July 31, and save $10. The cost is $165 for the golf, dinner and auction at Royal Fox in St. Charles. After July 31, it is $175.
This event, highlighting the 50th year for TCFS, will also feature a dedication to local emergency responders as part of a Sept. 11 remembrance prior to the start of golf that day.
It also has a new twist I haven't seen before: A helicopter dropping golf balls.
Those who “buy” a ball, or more, will have their ball loaded on the helicopter, which will drop them to a designated green. The ball that is closest to the pin after the drop splits a 50/50 pot, of which proceeds will go toward a Sept. 11 memorial.
Registration is taken on the TriCity Family Services website, or information is available by calling the agency at (630) 232-1070.
dheun@sbcglobal.net