Speakers look to break silence on domestic violence

Jim Kintz earned a Barth Award from TriCity Family Services for devoting so much time to the issue of domestic violence.

He views it as a calling that he had to continue after his long career in police work, including as an officer for the St. Charles Police Department.

The fruits of his labor will be evident when the Zonta Club of St. Charles-Geneva-Batavia conducts a free presentation titled “Breaking the Silence on Domestic Abuse” from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Pottawatomie Community Center in St. Charles.

Kintz, a member of the 16th Judicial Family Violence Council, will speak, along with Michelle Curry of Mutual Ground, Gretchen Vapnar of Community Crisis Center, Liz Eakins of Lazarus House, Judge Linda Abrahamson and Jamie Mosser, head of the Domestic Violence Division of the Kane County state's attorney's office.

All of these people have been on the front lines of dealing with families that have been shattered by the crime of domestic violence. Kintz has talked to church leaders and others the past several years in establishing awareness and prevention measures that can save women from serious injury or death.

Those ideas and many others are sure to be shared at this event.

Some aging rockers

The tunes of famous rock bands eventually fall into the category of “oldies,” even those that were popular in the 1980s.

Put hard-rocking Foreigner into that category. And yes, the band still blows the roof off the place, though it appeared the Arcada Theatre in downtown St. Charles was still in one piece after the excellent shows last weekend in which a “PBS Rocks” segment was being taped.

My ears are still ringing after high-energy versions of “Urgent,” “Hot-Blooded” and “Jukebox Hero” had the Arcada shaking.

It was another entertaining event that Arcada owner Ron Onesti brought to town, proving again his theater is a great place to see live music.

Dim those lights

It's a big deal when Ryan Seacrest asks crews to “Dim the lights, please,” because it means more contestants on “American Idol” will be told whether they are staying or going.

Fox Valley Repertory at Pheasant Run may not need the lights for reality TV effect, but the theater group's ability to dim and brighten lights on a stage will be much easier because of a Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley grant.

The capital improvement grant of $3,450 reduces long-term lighting costs by covering the purchase of 10 dual dimmer cards to improve stage lighting, particularly for the academy's youth ensemble.

It replaces custard

Gramp's Frozen Custard was always a good spot for a cold treat during a summer walk around downtown St. Charles.

Naturally, I hated to see Gramp's close — but a new sweet treat has risen from the ashes of lost custard, and it's called Kimmer's Place.

When columnist Sammi King recently wrote about Kim Elam opening her ice cream shop at this location in Fox Island Square, it was music to my ears — and taste buds.

Elam makes fresh ice cream daily, making this sound like a place I'm likely to visit even before warmer weather sets in.

dheun@sbcglobal.net