Century Station on target for firefighters' new home
You think you've seen enough construction vehicles and workers along First Street in St. Charles the past few years?
Be prepared for some more, as First Avenue gets into the act. Any future road closing along First Avenue, as well as the current sidewalk closing between Cedar and State, is part of the equation as the Century Station building site gets transformed into the new St. Charles fire station.
City and fire officials have already been busy, overseeing demolition of the interior parts of the building. It won't be long before the summer of 2009 rolls around and firefighters will be in their new home.
"The remodeling is going very well and the interior demolition was ahead of schedule," said Joe Schelstreet, assistant fire chief.
Schelstreet said the main construction phase of the project, converting the building's basement into the emergency operations center, and the former office space into a kitchen and dorms, will begin soon.
The current station across the street from the new site is earmarked for the wrecking ball at some point, and Schelstreet said the location's future use will be a topic of debate.
"Many different groups are involved, and some want the space for parking along the river corridor," he said. "Some want it to be green space. It will be going through the process of public input."
Coming 'really soon': We're losing some local restaurants to the poor economy, but we continue to occasionally gain a new one.
With a sign on its Third Street location proclaiming "Coming Soon" since last January, it appears the Front Street Cantina restaurant in Dodson Place in Geneva should open its doors this coming week.
Front Street Cantina has been a popular Mexican food chain restaurant in other locations throughout the suburbs. But with that sign teasing Third Street shoppers and Metra commuters for nearly a year, anyone who is a fan of Mexican fare will be anxious to give this new spot a try.
Waiting for the Knight: Rent a movie at Blockbuster these days and you're likely to be asked an important question at the checkout line: Do you want to reserve your copy of "The Dark Knight"?
People were so anxious to reserve a copy, they were asking Blockbuster employees about it late last summer - shortly after this Batman tale completed its wildly successful movie theater run.
The fellows working the cash registers at the Geneva store on Randall Road told me last week that more than 300 copies had already been reserved for the DVD, which comes to shelves Dec. 9. They said about 10 to 20 a week were being ordered. As we edge closer to the holidays, something tells me that pace will pick up.
Many in need: Based on the economy and what various charitable organizations and social service agencies are telling us about needs, it is not surprising that 220 families have asked Salvation Army for some assistance. The Tri-City Salvation Army will hand out Thanksgiving food baskets to needy families from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday. Families in need of holiday food and toys can apply at agency's center, 1710 S. Seventh Ave., St. Charles. To volunteer or donate a toy call (630) 377-2769.
Coyotes taking a stroll: I know coyotes have been roaming Kane County since the days when only Potawatomi Indians were calling the Fox River Valley their home.
And I know they have been a frightening annoyance for area neighborhoods in which residents have small pets. But I hadn't really seen one up close and personal until last week.
When driving home around 10 p.m. along Bent Tree Drive in Geneva, I spotted two coyotes - taking a leisurely stroll down the sidewalk near the Eagle Brook Country Club driving range!
These were two large and apparently domesticated creatures, using the sidewalk we use every day to walk our dog. We have seen some torn up rabbit and squirrel fur near that sidewalk recently, so the coyotes must figure if they can't get in the nearby Chipotle restaurant, they're going to do their own dining nearby.
Info for the kids: It was fun to chat with several fifth-graders from Harrison Street School during the mentoring segment of last week's Community Leadership Breakfast at Geneva High School.
Of course, the topic was how much fun it has been to write about Geneva football games this year. The young boys got their biggest chuckle when I told them I stay fairly warm in the press box until some knucklehead opens one of the windows.
dheun@sbcglobal.net