Are more marked bike lanes needed in St. Charles?

It's been a debate in these parts for a long time. Is there enough room for bicyclists, walkers and motorists to coexist on our various streets?

Also, are there enough marked bike lanes and sidewalks to serve all of those who like to pedal or walk to work or for exercise?

Reader Bryan Ketter, an urban studies teacher in Geneva, isn't sure.

He initially sent a note saying St. Charles does not offer enough marked bike lanes, and it has some odd sidewalk configurations, particularly in trying to get to Mount St. Mary Park on foot from Prairie Street or the Brownstone townhouses.

He admits to being an avid bicyclist, but has two young girls, so he is more concerned about the safety of kids and adults who walk or bike for leisure.

I'm definitely more of a walker, putting me in the league of those who sometimes wonder how much room bikers really want or need.

But this is more an assertion of what "bikability and walkability mean for property values and quality of life," Ketter said.

Unlike Geneva, Batavia and other communities in the area, St. Charles has not put down markers for bike lanes on various streets.

"Dean Street, Prairie Street and Campton Hills Road are definitely not too narrow" for designated lanes, Ketter said. "There should be bike lanes along Dean to the Great Western Trail and from Campton Hills Road to Otter Cove."

I can see where Ketter is coming from, but also realize certain older portions of St. Charles are not going to be conducive to significant changes or new sidewalks. Also, we have to remember that Campton Road west of the Bike Rack was not long ago considered the "countryside."

But it's time for city officials to get that thought out of their minds whenever considering new sidewalks or bike lanes in that region.

It's barbecue time:

In what has quickly become a popular fundraising event, the Fox Valley Food for Health organization will host its Backyard Barbecue at 6 p.m. Friday, May 20, at Mill Creek Golf Club in Geneva.

Cost for this 21-and-older event is $75 per person. Tickets are available at backyard-bbq-2016.ticketleap.com.

Karate for diabetic kids:

This sounds like a win-win for families with children dealing with Type 1 diabetes.

Burhop Martial Arts in St. Charles is offering free Type 1 diabetes Karate seminars from 1-4 p.m. Saturdays, May 7 and 15, at the studio, 720 N. 17th St., Unit 5.

"My daughter was diagnosed last October and we belong to a local support group, 'Touched by Type 1,' and I thought it would be great for the kids and families to get together and get to know each other, exchange information, plus learn a bunch of cool karate stuff," owner Jeff Burhop wrote.

Burhop, who has been studying martial arts since 1981 and achieved the rank of black belt at age 15, says it will help kids learn self-defense and stranger-danger awareness, but in a fun setting.

For details, call Burhop at (630) 386-3728 or email jburhop@sbcglobal.net.

Tilapia hits the spot:

My wife and I have made it through 32 years of wedded bliss, so we celebrated such a feat with dinner at Francesca's in St. Charles.

Here it is in a few words: Tilapia con Capesante.

Yep, that's what I had. Couldn't tell you exactly what was what as I ate it, other than it was tremendous. But the menu tells me I had roasted tilapia with sea scallops, red and yellow peppers, capers, garlic, tomatoes, spinach and white wine.

Has some friends:

Golf instructor Rich Flores was correct when saying he had the contacts that might be interested in participating in some manner with his new Studio 59 indoor golf center in the Campana Building in Batavia.

The flow of visitors was consistent during his recent open house at the site, and the large parking circle at Campana was overflowing with cars.

That's not a sight seen often these days at this old warehouse.

Is this possible?

The strong starts for our Chicago baseball teams make one drift off into heavenly dreams. What if the Cubs and Sox actually squared off in the World Series?

I'd be so giddy, I wouldn't even mind if Donald Trump actually became president a week or so later. And that's an extreme case of giddiness.

dheun@sbcglobal.net