Step-on Guides

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce is offering customized step-on guided tours of historic downtown Geneva. A knowledgeable costumed tour guide will acquaint your group with historic points of interest as well as many of Geneva’s notable landmark buildings. For more information call...

Fabyan Villa Museum & Japanese Garden continued…

Tucked away in the Fabyan Forest Preserve at the southern tip of Geneva is a marvelous community treasure, the Japanese Tea Garden, celebrating 100 years. Once discovered, visitors are enchanted by the tranquility and harmony of this Japanese-style garden. Most are unaware the Fabyan Japanese Garden has delighted community members and visitors for 100 years! The one-acre garden was designed circa 1910 for George and Nelle Fabyan, who owned a large country estate straddling the Fox River from 1905-1939. It was designed by Taro Otsuka, an emigrant Japanese landscape architect, who had an office in downtown Chicago and designed gardens for the wealthy across the U.S. Inspired by their mutual interests, the Fabyans’ Japanese Garden was a uniquely serene oasis and was featured on many postcards in the 1920s and 30s. While the Fabyans added personal elements, such as tulips, a gazing ball and an electrified lantern, their garden exemplified traditional gardens of Japan, incorporating water, stone and plants to represent the natural world. Today’s visitors to the Fabyan Japanese Garden can see many of the historic features and can experience the singular serenity of Japanese-style gardening. The garden has been restored twice through efforts of the Geneva Garden Club, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County and community volunteers. Owned by the Kane County Forest Preserve District, and operated by Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley, a non-profit historic preservation advocacy group, the Garden is open for strolling on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons and often is the site of concerts and cultural demonstrations. When you visit, look for original plants, the Ginkgo Tree and Weeping Spruces, and original elements, the Mt. Sumeru representation, the Moon Bridge, the Tea House and the oversized lantern–all icons captured in hundreds of photos taken by visitors over the years. Historic photographs can be viewed in the Waiting Bench Chamber, a replicated structure offering a restful viewing place. For more information about the fascinating history of the Fabyan Estate, the inimitable lives of George and Nelle Fabyan, visit the Fabyan Villa Museum, located in the Frank Lloyd Wright redesigned Villa, located just up the hill from the garden. For a complete list of days and times that the attractions at the Fabyan Forest Preserve are open visit www.ppfv.com. This text provided by Lynn Dransoff, Director of Fabyan Villa Museum and Japanese...

Rain Barrels on Parade

The City of Geneva Natural Resources Committee is hosting the 3rd Annual Rain Barrels on Parade. These painted rain barrels promote water conservation while adding a colorful splash to Geneva’s downtown. Various community groups, schools, businesses, and organizations have sponsored rain barrels that will be on display throughout the downtown until mid-September. The rain barrels will be auctioned off during the Festival of the Vine and proceeds will benefit the NRC and their continuing efforts to promote conservation in the community. Local photographer Kelly Nowak is on a mission to photograph every barrel in town before summer is over. Check out her rain barrel photos- and many other wonderful photos of Geneva –...

Monthly Committee Meeting Schedule

Merchants Meeting Third Wednesday of the month at 8 a.m. City Hall Council Chambers Contact:  Paul Evans, 630-845-9654 Cultural Arts Commission First Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. 2nd floor conference room at City Hall Contact:  Tim Vetang, 630-232-4051 Business Improvement & Retention Committee (BIR) Fourth Wednesday of the month at 8 a.m. Wildwood Restaurant 477 S Third St Contact: Larry Kaspar, 630-338-3871 Geneva Bride/Wedding Walk Second Wednesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. Riverside Receptions 35 N. River Lane Contact:  Elizabeth Wray, 630-232-1975 or Anton Englemann, 630-232-6685 Geneva By Design Contact: Lisa Nelson of Carlson Floors at (630) 406-9361 Gardenology Committee Meeting times vary- next meeting, June 4, 2010, 2 p.m. 2nd floor conference room at City Hall Contact: Larry Kaspar,...

Bike, Dine, Shop

The Bike, Dine, Shop promotion is being hosted by downtown Geneva merchants and is not directly affiliated with the City, however participating merchants may find the following information useful. Additional questions can be directed to Country Naturals at 630-232-1172. Businesses who participated in Gardenology were automatically enrolled in Bike, Dine, Shop at no cost. Participating businesses should have received a special hole punch. When a customer brings in their bright green card which lists all participating businesses, the business should punch the card next to their name. Once the customer has obtained five punches they can turn the card in at COSTCO’s Customer Service Desk, Core Wellness Centre, Country Naturals, The Geneva Green Market, Geneva Jake’s, Persimmon Tree, Sergio’s Cantina, or Town and Country Gardens. The customer will then automatically be entered to win a specialized Crosstrail Bicycle courtesy of Mill Race Cyclery. Bike, Dine, Shop will take place from May 15, 2010 – September 19, 2010. Each $15 packet has an entry card to win the bike, $9 in gift certificates, 15% off at one of our restaurants, and the chance to receive 10% of your check at participating restaurants on Tuesdays. Participating restaurants include: Bistro Thai, Chianti’s, Geneva Ale House, Genoa Pizza, Gratto Italian Tapas, Little Owl/Flagstone Pub, Mel’s Diner, Mike and Miguel’s Cantina, Nosh, Old Towne Pub, Sergio’s Cantina, Sout to Nuts, Stockholm’s, The Dam Bar, Tia Maria’s, Fresh and Delicious Up on Third, Urban Grill, and Villa Verone. For more information visit...