Train station parking residuals provide slight boost
Even with a new parking deck and a large lot or two near the Geneva train station, I could not find a spot to park the other morning when I was running late and had only a few minutes before my train was going to chug into town.
So I did what others who are not regular commuters might do: Parked along Fulton Street in an area marked with "No Parking between 2 a.m. and 8:30 a.m." signs. This was about 7:45 a.m., so I was thinking maybe Geneva's finest wouldn't make a round in the next half-hour or so.
Wrong. That nice little yellow envelope with a $10 fine, or parking fee in this case, was stuck in my window when I returned some 10 hours later.
I certainly have no complaint with the police. I'm glad to see they're on the ball. I wish the street sign would say no parking between 2 and 7:30 a.m., but I guess the idea is to make sure no one parks in the neighborhoods or the lot directly across the street, which has the same time restrictions, until after those popular 7:25, 7:49 and 8:17 a.m. trains have left. The restrictions assure some parking options exist the rest of the day.
Most people wouldn't hunt around the neighborhoods for parking, believing the new parking deck was supposed to alleviate that kind of search. But this weak economy has more people using trains than anyone could have predicted, so all bets appear to be off once again regarding better parking around Geneva's station.
That other garage: Speaking of parking places, you shouldn't have to worry about finding a spot in downtown St. Charles anymore. The new parking garage along First Street offers plenty of spots, and the east-side parking deck near the Heritage Center remains an excellent choice.
Seeing as how Geneva's parking deck at the train station is filled so quickly during the week, could the two cities cut a deal to have a shuttle bus going to and from the new St. Charles garage?
OK, I'm throwing a crazy idea out there. That's all St. Charles needs - having people complain that the new garage is filled so quickly because commuters are using the train depot shuttle bus.
There was a time when we all thought that depots in LaFox and Elburn would ease the crunch in Geneva. In reality, it could be the new St. Charles garage.
A good combination: It seemed like the Hotel Baker and the Arcada were the natural combination for a dinner-theater package for hotel guests. And it is certain that many visitors staying at the hotel do take in Arcadia events.
But with his purchase of the 18 North restaurant - with its history dating back to being St. Patrick Church more than 150 years ago, and the popular Old Church Inn in the 1960s and '70s - Arcadia owner Ron Onesti has now locked down his perfect combination.
The restaurant, with its nice location near Lincoln Park and St. Patrick's Church, remains one of the most interesting in the region with original hardwood floors and stained-glass windows.
When my wife and I go in there, she points out where her classroom was - back when the building served as St. Patrick School.
Candy vs. football: Normally, a kid would rejoice in knowing that Halloween falls on a Friday night this year. It should equate to a little more time on the candy trail, and more time the next morning to bask in the glory of a load of new sweets.
But that particular Friday, Oct. 31, will be the first for the high school football playoffs, of which most of our area schools should be participants. That means a lot of people might not be home after 6 p.m.
Good choice: Speaking of high school football, which has reached unprecedented heights of popularity around here, I believe Batavia scored a hit with its twist on the recent homecoming week.
Other than a few grumblings about tying up evening traffic downtown, most of the feedback regarding the first evening homecoming parade that week was positive.
Planners might come up with a few new ideas to make the evening setup even more fun.
dheun@sbcglobal.net