Fox Valley Voice

016: Theories Of How We Can Be Friends by Andrea Dawn

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 04:57:00 +0000

Enjoy Episode 016 (59m59s, right click to Save As...) wherein we get a preview and some behind-the-scenes from the new album Theories Of How We Can Be Friends by Aurora's own Andrea Dawn. Among the topics discussed: carpet stores, singing chain gangs, frightening children in the forest, Nintendo, backing up your backups, and giant hippie teddy bears.

And no, this isn't an April Fool's prank. It really is a new episode.

Links from this episode
Andrea Dawn's Website
Andrea Dawn on Facebook

Sponsored By: Kiss The Sky
301 W State St, Geneva, IL (630) 232-1888

015: Made In Aurora Concert Showcase

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 21:04:00 +0000

Enjoy Episode 015 (42m03s, right click to Save As...) wherein I discuss the upcoming Made In Aurora concert showcase with some of the perpetrators. Featuring Jeremy Keen, Noah Gabriel, The Kevin Trudo and Greg Boerner.

Can the original music scene thrive in our local establishments?
Share your thoughts by commenting below, send an email or leave a message on the hotline at 630-492-0369.

Links from this episode
Made In Aurora
Jeremy Keen
Noah Gabriel
The Kevin Trudo
Greg Boerner It's pronounced Burner!

Concert poster by Lisa Gloria

Sponsored By: Kiss The Sky
301 W State St, Geneva, IL (630) 232-1888

014: Blues On The Fox 2011

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:41:00 +0000

Enjoy Episode 014 (17m06s) wherein I'm happy to have the blues at the Blues on the Fox music festival in Aurora. Featuring interviews with real live blues musicians Charlie Musselwhite and Eric Lindell.

Which is your favorite outdoor music festival?
Share your thoughts by commenting below, send an email or leave a message on the hotline at 630-492-0369.

Links from this episode
Blues On The Fox
Charlie Musselwhite
Big City Rhythm and Blues Magazine

Get a free issue! Email Robert Jr Whitall at blues@bigcitybluesmag.com or call 248-582-1544 and tell him you heard it on the Fox Valley Voice!

Kiss The Sky
Eric Lindell
Robert Cray
Buddy Guy

Photo by Jessica D'Amico (a.k.a. jeda21)
Music by Kevin MacLeod

Sponsored By Seriously Fun Events
Earn $50 each time we book an event thanks to your referral!

013: Aurora ArtWalk 5

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:32:00 +0000

Enjoy Episode 013 (38m58s) wherein I talk the talk about the Aurora ArtWalk. Other topics include: free bicycle tune-ups, sketchy t-shirts, Bad Monkeys, locked car keys, and Life cereal.

Art is...?
Share your thoughts by commenting below, send an email or leave a message on the hotline at 630-492-0369.

Links from this episode
Aurora ArtWalk

June 3, 2011, 7pm to 11pm, Downtown Aurora

Jon Schratz's Etsy Page
Jon Schratz's Tumblr
7 West Studio Lisa Gloria
Bad Monkey Circus Greg Iteen
Don Picton
Joanna Goss
Jen Evans

Photos by Fox Valley Voice
Music by Kevin MacLeod and Lisa Gloria

Sponsored By Seriously Fun Events
Earn $50 each time we book an event thanks to your referral!

012: DuPage Derby Dames

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Fri, 20 May 2011 22:49:00 +0000

Enjoy Episode 012 (39m51s) wherein I roll with the punches thrown by the DuPage Derby Dames. You'll meet Millie Brawl, Stormin' Stella, Judge Mental and the rest of the angry (yet sweet) roller girls.

Ever been to a roller derby bout?
Share your thoughts by commenting below, send an email or leave a message on the hotline at 630-492-0369.

Links from this episode
DuPage Derby Dames
Chicago Outfit Roller Derby
Windy City Rollers
Whip It (Drew Barrymore film)
Trapeze School NY - Chicago

Photo by Fox Valley Voice
Music by Kevin MacLeod

Sponsored By Seriously Fun Events
Earn $50 each time we book an event thanks to your referral!

011: Hix Brothers Ukulele Club

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Fri, 13 May 2011 19:08:00 +0000

Enjoy Episode 011 (28m55s) wherein I have a great seat amongst the Ukers of the Hix Brothers Ukulele club. Skydiving, Jimi Hendrix and the Catholic Church also get a mention.

What do you think about all this ukulele business?
Share your thoughts by commenting below, send an email or leave a message on the hotline at 630-492-0369.

Links from this episode
Hix Brothers Music

Ukulele Club

Mondays from 7:15 to 8:00p.m. in Aurora (map)
Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:15p.m. in Batavia (map)
Only $10 bucks to attend! Bring your Uke. No experience necessary. Expert instruction.

Hix Brothers Marching Guitar Band
Jimi Hendrix
The Vatican

Photo by Infrogmation
Intro music by Popof

Sponsored By: Kiss The Sky
301 W State St, Geneva, IL (630) 232-1888

010: Downtown Aurora with Marissa Amoni (May 2011)

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Mon, 02 May 2011 18:36:00 +0000

Enjoy Episode 010 (21m44s) wherein Downtown Auroran Marissa Amoni tells me about being caught cheating with a fish, what Aurora tastes like, and how to rub elbows with Orson Welles.

Whatcha gonna do in Aurora in May?
Share your thoughts by commenting below, send an email or leave a message on the hotline at 630-492-0369.

Links from this episode
Marissa Amoni
Downtown Auroran Magazine
David L. Pierce Art and History Center
Aurora Historical Society
Grand Army of the Republic, Post 20
Comfort Zone BBQ
H2O Catering
7 West Studio
American Red Cross
Annies Om Towne Fitness
Made In Aurora, Vol. 1
Paddle and Trail of Aurora
Exchange Club of Aurora Downtown Aurora Taste (Tue, May 10)
First Annual Riverfront Cinema Exhibition Sun, May 22
Riverfront Playhouse
Second to None 5K Run/Walk Sun, May 22
Alley (ART) Festival Sat, Aug 27
Aurora ArtWalk Fri, Jun 3
Louche Puce Market
Downtown Aurora Arts Mixer (DAAM) Thu, May 5
Chef Amaury

Photo by Samantha Oulavong
Music by Kevin MacLeod

Sponsored By Seriously Fun Events
Earn $50 each time we book an event thanks to your referral!

009: Joe Gagnepain - Artist/Mad Scientist

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:34:00 +0000

Enjoy Episode 009 (38m56s) wherein I tinker around with artist (and mad scientist) Joe Gagnepain. We ruminate about the Business of Art, the birthing of Water Street Studios, and how to make an invisible spy car. Because he did.

What kind of art do you enjoy the most?
Share your thoughts by commenting below, send an email or leave a message on the hotline at 630-492-0369.

Links from this episode
Art by Joseph Francis Joseph Gagnepain IV
Water Street Studios
Life by Joseph documentary about Joe
American Science and Surplus Geneva/West Chicago

Photo by John Dziekan
Music by Kevin MacLeod

Sponsored By Drendel and Jansons Law Group
Mention this ad and receive 25% off of an Estate Planning Package!

008: Aurora Public Library with Amy Roth

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:01:00 +0000

Enjoy Episode 008 (38m13s) wherein I get shushed at the Aurora Public Library by Amy Roth. We'll whisper about the library's summer programs and events, Amy will make a personal plea to the mayor, and we'll discuss plans for the new library.

What's your favorite thing to do at the library?
Share your thoughts by commenting below, send an email or leave a message on the hotline at 630-492-0369.

Links from this episode
Amy Roth
Aurora Public Library
Gayle Treend (Ebay Expert)
Teen Space Blog
Audrey Niffenegger
MyMediaMall (check out library e-books)
Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry

Music by Kevin MacLeod

Sponsored By Seriously Fun Events

Episode 007: Kiss The Sky with Steve Warrenfeltz

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:09:00 +0000

Enjoy Episode 007 (01h45m44s) wherein I have breakfast with Steve Warrenfeltz of Kiss The Sky Records in Geneva. You'll learn: about his humble beginning as a corporate bean counter/racquetball champion; our embarrassing guilty pleasure songs; who gets it and who doesn't. (Yes, he names names)

Warning: Salty language ahead.

View the handy Listening Guide for this episode.

What's your most embarrassing guilty pleasure song?
Share your thoughts by commenting below, send an email or leave a message on the hotline at 630-492-0369.

Links from this episode
Kiss The Sky
The Beatles Take America
Hegewisch Records
Jake Shimabukuro makes his ukulele gently weep
Juggalos
Hix Bros. Music
Blues On The Fox
Record Store Day
The Spice House
State Street Dance Studio (Linda Cunningham)
Backthird Audio
Made In Aurora
Paul Ruby Foundation for Parkinson's Research
Bistro Thai

Music by Jeremy Keen and the False Starts

Sponsored By:

Listening Guide (Liner Notes?)

(00:04:26)	Coffee?
(00:04:52)	Humble Beginning
(00:18:09)	Bowling with the Beatles
(00:24:26)	Old School Record Stores
(00:27:03)	Finding Hidden Treasure
(00:30:01)	The Batavia Store
(00:32:42)	Enter The Juggalos
(00:36:34)	Lost Our Lease
(00:37:42)	Mayor Kevin Burns
(00:39:18)	Batavia has a lot of potential, but... (On the record)
(00:41:54)	Ukulele
(00:45:02)	Blues On The Fox
(00:49:02)	Customers – Who Are They?
(00:52:35)	Coke or Pepsi?
(00:53:26)	Demographics
(00:55:13)	The Resurgence of Vinyl
(00:57:29)	Records vs. CDs
(00:59:06)	Record Store Day
(01:04:45)	Downtown Geneva Shops
(01:07:54)	Contact Info, or, “The website got hacked”
(01:09:04)	Made In Aurora: The Album
(01:16:46)	The Paul Ruby Foundation
(01:18:00)	Waterloo Sunset
(01:19:23)	Sky Club Stage
(01:20:15)	Made In Aurora: The Musical?
(01:20:50)	Adding Positive Ions to the City of Lights
(01:25:55)	The Death of CDs
(01:28:24)	Microchip Brain Implants
(01:29:31)	Guilty Pleasure Songs
(01:33:07)	Old-time Country
(01:34:25)	Bubblegum Music
(01:35:05)	Why should we buy at Kiss The Sky?
(01:40:33)	One record we should all own

Episode 006: Backthird Audio with Benjie Hughes

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:31:00 +0000

Enjoy Episode Six (53m52s), wherein I visit Backthird Audio in Aurora to talk with Benjie Hughes about making strange noises in the corner of the room, and about the upcoming Made In Aurora album. (Two different topics there.)

What's the last album you listened to on vinyl?
Share your thoughts by commenting below, send an email or leave a message on the hotline at 630-492-0369.

Links from this episode
Backthird Audio
Made In Aurora
Kiss The Sky
Record Store Day
Greg Boerner
Jimi Allen Productions
Paul Ruby Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Music by Dave Ramont

Sponsored By:

Episode 005: 2011 Geneva Film Festival with Scott Rolf

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:41:00 +0000

Enjoy Episode Five (29m46s), wherein I share a soda with Scott Rolf, Executive Director of the Geneva Film Festival. April 14-16, 2011 at Riverside Receptions. In Geneva, duh.

What's your favorite film and why?
Share your thoughts by commenting below, send an email to talk@foxvalleyvoice.com or leave a message on the hotline at 630-492-0369.

Links from this episode
2011 Geneva Film Festival
Riverside Receptions

Music by Kevin MacLeod

Sponsored By

Episode 004: Batavia Beat With Shirley Mott - April 2011

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:56:00 +0000

Enjoy Episode Four (28m25s), wherein I visit with our Batavia correspondent Shirley Mott to chat about what's going on in April.

Share your thoughts by commenting below, send an email to talk@foxvalleyvoice.com or leave a message on the hotline at 630-492-0369. I might play your message on the next show.

Shirley's Links
The Write Word website
Batavia Patch
Facebook
Twitter

Links from this episode
Eggs and Issues - Kane County Update with Karen McConnaughay
Batavia Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, April 7, 7:30a - 9a

Bullet Proof Your Business In The Current Economy
Batavia Women In Business
Tuesday, April 12, 11:30a - 1p

Conservation @ Home – Rain Barrels and Rain Gardens
Conservation Foundation
Thursday, April 14 7p-9p

11th Annual Fox Trot 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, April 16

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Batavia Park District
Saturday, April 16

Laughing Your Way To Success And Happiness
Thursday, April 21, pm

Citywide Garage Sale
April 29 & 30

Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners – Garden Walk
Sat, June 25

Batavia House Walk
Sunday, September 25

5k for Batavia United Way
October 22

Music: “Time” by Patrick James

Sponsored By

Episode 003: Downtown Auroran Spring 2011 Release Party

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0000

River's Edge Cafe

Enjoy Episode Three (51m46s), wherein I crash the Downtown Auroran Magazine Spring 2011 release party. A very, very big thank you to Marissa Amoni for allowing me to follow her around like an old school loan that won't go away.

Share your thoughts by commenting below, send an email to talk@foxvalleyvoice.com or leave a message on the hotline at 630-492-0369.

Links from this episode
Don Picton
Brian Hipp
Garden of Steph
Samantha Oulavong
Chef Amaury
Triple Threat Mentoring (Nate Miller)
Uke up and smell the coffee
Gail Chrisse
Andre Salles
Tony Scott
Louche Puce Market (Jeanne Norris)
Aurora Green Lights (Mavis Bates)

Sponsored By

Episode 002: Marissa Amoni, the Downtown Auroran

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:55:00 +0000

Jake's Bagels & Deli

Enjoy Episode Two (15m32s), wherein Marissa and I discuss Downtown Auroran Magazine, nudity, and events happening in April. But mostly nudity.

Share your thoughts by commenting below, send an email to talk@foxvalleyvoice.com or leave a message on the hotline at 630-492-0369.

Links from this episode
Paramount Theatre Broadway Series
Critical Mass Bike Ride (Melissa Stoneking)
Gideon Haynes IV
Molded Heroes Art Show (Opening reception on Saturday, April 9, 6p-10p)
Annie's Om Towne Fitness (Open House on Saturday, April 2, 1p-4p)
7 West Studio (Japan Relief Show on Friday, April 15, 5p-9p)

Sponsored By

Episode 001: St. Patrick's Day 2011

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 04:11:00 +0000

Episode 001: St. Patrick's Day 2011 (Click this link to play)

Here's the first show wherein I visit seven different bars and pubs on March 17, 2011, interviewing anyone who didn't run away from me. Thank you to all those who were kind enough to chat with me.

This one turned out to be somewhat lengthy. Just think of it as a special one-hour series premier episode.

Looking forward to hearing from you. Share your thoughts by commenting below, send an email to talk@foxvalleyvoice.com or leave a message on the hotline at 630-492-0369.

Links from this episode
Ballydoyle (Aurora)
O'Brien's (Batavia)
Claddagh (Geneva)
Filling Station (St. Charles)
Pub 222 (St. Charles)
The Beehive (St. Charles)
McNally's (St. Charles)

Dan Becker
Celtic Sounds
Tunes of Glory

Sponsored By

Switching Gears - New Podcast Shows On The Way

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:26:00 +0000

In 2009 and the early part of 2010, I blogged about events in and around the Fox Valley area. I scoured the internet and newspapers for every listing I could find in order to maintain the most comprehensive event calendar in the area. I believe I achieved that goal: I listed 80 to 100 events happening each weekend.

After doing this for over a year, however, I realized that I was completely missing another goal: to connect with people in a meaningful way and foster a community of online "neighbors," so to speak. I received a grand total of one comment on my website posts during that time. I was spending hours upon hours compiling these events each week but I had no idea if anybody cared. Well, I guess I had an idea due to the lack of response. So I stopped blogging on a regular basis.

During the past twelve months the desire to connect with people still burned inside me. On top of that, I wanted to tell interesting stories worth listening to. Which brings us to the present.

Today I am announcing the new Fox Valley Voice podcast. I will seek out stories that are informational and entertaining. Or, as Ron Burgundy would say, "compelling and rich." I have a decent starter list of topics I'd like to explore, but I want ideas from readers/listeners as well. What kind of stories am I looking for?

Interviews with fascinating people of all ages and backgrounds
Special events like holidays, celebrations, fundraisers
Features about businesses and organizations
Musicians and artists who'd like to share their work
Students and athletes who have accomplished great milestones
And anything else that would be a great story in a radio show format

And don't think that just because the show is called the "Fox Valley Voice" that stories will be limited to the communities on the river. The Chicago Sun-Times doesn't ONLY print stories about Chicago, does it? If you're within shouting distance of my voice (which, on the interweb, is everywhere) I want to hear from you.

I'm in the midst of editing the first three shows, including: a tour of several Irish pubs on St. Patty's Day and in-depth interviews with Benjie Hughes, owner of Backthird Audio in Aurora, and Joe Gagnepain, artist extraordinaire.

I'm also looking for sponsors, so if you'd like to get in on the ground floor of this once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity (that didn't sound too salesy, did it?) please contact me.

Oh, and give me your show ideas. Call the hotline at 630-492-0369 OR send an email to talk@foxvalleyvoice.com OR visit the Facebook page OR Twitter. There, you have no excuse now.

Back to editing!

All Around The Towne Holiday Vendor Faire (Aurora)

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 16:17:00 +0000

Got a note from Jan DuRall, local scrapbooking queen, asking if we could spread the word about her upcoming Vendor Faire benefiting the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry. So here it goes!

"All Around The Towne" Holiday Vendor Faire
Saturday, November 13
1 to 4 PM
Hampton Inn
2423 Bushwood Drive, Aurora, IL

FREE Dessert provided by Harner's and St. Lucia Bakeries
FREE coffee and tea provided by Hampton Inn
DOOR PRIZE DRAWINGS - FREE GOODIE BAGS TO THE FIRST 100 PEOPLE.

Join us for an afternoon of shopping from over 20 vendors, prizes, food and fun to benefit the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry. Donation $2.00 per person or non perishable food items.

Vendors Include:
Crafters Outlet
Designer Purse Replicas
Discovery Toys
Essential Bodywear
Free Spirit Massage
Homemade Gourmet
Jewels by Park Lane
Mary Kay
Miche Handbags
Our Time, Our Creations, Our Cards
Pampered Chef
PartyLite
Premier Designs
Reliv International
Scentsy
Scrapbooks for YOU!
Shaklee
Tastefully Simple
Usborn Books

This will be Jan's seventh benefit event in the past four years. "I am not affliated with the pantry at all, I do this to benefit the community I live in and love," says Jan. In the early days of the Vendor Faire she had to advertise and attend other events in order to find vendors.

"Now because this has been such a great and rewarding Vendor Faire for both those attending and the vendors, I have vendors calling me to see how they can get in to be a vendor. I look for a good mix of vendors with something for everyone."

Rock For Hope Wall Benefit Concert (Aurora)

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:12:00 +0000

My intake of local live music is not what it used to be. What with the small children who require babysitters when we're not around (the nerve!) and the struggle to stay awake past 9:30pm, we just can't seem to make it to our favorite venues to see bands play.

Which is why we will DEFINITELY be at the Rock For Hope Wall benefit concert at Ballydoyle in Aurora this Sunday, April 25, from 1pm to 6pm. (Well, we might not be there for the entire 5 hours but you know what I mean.) We get to enjoy a family-friendly rock show during daylight hours at one of the best music rooms in the Fox Valley. The admission is $5 and all proceeds go towards the Hope Wall School in Aurora.

Artists who are scheduled to perform include:

Side Of Beef
Hix Bros Junior All Stars
Kevin Trudo [Friend of the Voice] and Meathawk
Blue Smoke [featuring Friend of the Voice Greg Iteen]
The Captains Of Industry

The fundraiser will also include a silent auction, raffles and games for the kids. 95.9 The River will bring their River Road Crew and I believe they will be broadcasting live from the event.

Keep an eye out for a goofy looking guy with a goatee trying to keep his kid from running onto the stage. See you there!

Vivid Dreams Artshow (Aurora)

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:08:00 +0000

Had a great time meeting folks at the Downtown Auroran magazine release party this past Wednesday evening at the River's Edge Cafe in, appropriately enough, downtown Aurora. I finally got to meet publisher Marissa Amoni in person after exchanging several messages online over the past year. She was kind enough to introduce me to some interesting people who share her passion for all things Aurora.

In addition to meeting such local luminaries as Beacon News columnist Anthony Stanford and acupuncturist Mavis Bates, I also spoke with Tim Smith who will be one of several featured artists at the Vivid Dreams Artshow this Saturday, April 24, from 5pm to 10pm at 60 South River Street in Aurora. I didn't get to speak with Tim as long as I would have liked because he had to get back to work preparing for the show. But he asked if I could let everybody know that in addition to paintings, photography and sculpture you will also find food, drinks and music. So consider this your notice.

Image Awards Sponsors Bracket Buster Bonanza

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:36:00 +0000

Patty Donahue, owner of Image Awards and Engraving in Geneva, has agreed to provide the Championship award for our Bracket Buster Bonanza. Patty is a long-time Friend of the Voice and creates the best trophies and awards in the Fox Valley. I wrote a feature post about her back in April of 2009.

So to claim what is sure to be a glorious first place award and the Miller Lite Bucket Set, read my previous post on how to sign up. Thanks!

The Bracket Buster Bonanza Is Here (Win Stuff)

The Fine Print

No purchase necessary to enter
Void where prohibited
Must be 18 years of age or older to participate
Prizes must be claimed in person within the FoxValleyVoice.com coverage area (St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, North Aurora, and Aurora, Illinois)
Employees of FoxValleyVoice.com are not eligible to win prizes

The Bracket Buster Bonanza Is Here (Win Stuff)

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:09:00 +0000

It's a bit of a last-minute idea, but I'm running an NCAA Men's Basketball tournament pool called the FoxValleyVoice.com Bracket Buster Bonanza. It's hosted by CBSSports.com and the structure is fairly standard. For each winner you choose correctly you receive the following point value:

First Round - 1 point
Second Round - 2 points
Third Round - 4 points
Fourth Round - 8 points
Semifinals - 16 points
Finals - 32 points

The deadline to enter is this Thursday, March 18, at 11am, so hop to it. Here's how to sign up:

Go to this web address: http://foxvalleyvoice.mayhem.cbssports.com/e
Sign in with your CBSSports.com ID and password. If you don't have one yet, you can register for free
Enter our group password: voice
Pick your winners
Enter the total score of the final game (tiebreaker)
Bob's your uncle!

I'd like to give out some prizes to the winner. What those prizes might be, however, is still up in the air. At the very least the winner will take home a fabulous Miller Lite Bucket Set (pictured above), complete with 15 Pulpboard Coasters, Metal Ice Bucket and 4 Screenprinted Pub Glasses. And they're dishwasher safe! [The glasses not the coasters]

If you or someone you know would like to sponsor our contest, donate some prizes and get some massive local publicity please contact me.

And tell every single one of your friends to play. The more players we have, the better chance we have of scoring more prizes. The madness starts... NOW!

UPDATE 3/16/2010 9:30AM
Image Awards and Engraving (Geneva) has signed on as a sponsor! First place will now also receive an award. Click here for details.

The Fine Print

No purchase necessary to enter
Void where prohibited
Must be 18 years of age or older to participate
Prizes must be claimed in person within the FoxValleyVoice.com coverage area (St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, North Aurora, and Aurora, Illinois)
Employees of FoxValleyVoice.com are not eligible to win prizes

Blues On The Fox 2010 Lineup Announced

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:39:00 +0000

The annual Blues on the Fox festival is one of the highlights of the summer. It's free and fun for the whole family, featuring food and beverages from local purveyors as well as internationally heralded blues artists. Thousands of people turn out for this party and you should definitely be one of them.

This year (their 14th) the event takes place on Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19 in the streets of downtown Aurora. Here's the lineup:

Friday, 6/18/2010 (starting at 6:45pm)

Tinsley Ellis (Memphis rhythm and blues, Southwest blues, and urban funk)
Trombone Shorty (rock, funk, jazz, hip-hop and soul)

Saturday, 6/19/2010 (starting at 2:00pm)

Hix Brothers Junior All-Stars
Guy King and his Little Big Band ("gutbucket" blues, "uptown" soul and Jazz)
Ronnie Baker Brooks (Chicago blues guitar)
Joined at the Hip

featuring Pinetop Perkins (Mississippi blues piano) and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (blues harp)
with special guests Hubert Sumlin and Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin (guitarists both)

Jimmie Vaughan (guitarist and former leader of The Fabulous Thunderbirds)

Blues on the Fox is a part of the Downtown Alive! festival series, which also includes Rock on the Fox on July 9 (last year's headliner: Billy Squier) and Fan Favorites night on July 23 featuring local artists.

Blackhawks Q&A with Brent Sopel (St. Charlie's Pub)

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:10:00 +0000

A few years ago you'd be hard-pressed to find even a mention of last night's Blackhawks score on the radio. Fast forward to this morning. 670 The Score's Mully and Hanley spent 20 minutes talking to Hawks legend Darren Pang about the team's goaltender situation, then followed that up with a conversation with former Hawks anthem-man Wayne Messmer (who sang the most memorable anthem ever during the 1991 All-Star game).

The Hawks are again the toast of the town. And you can toast defenseman Brent Sopel at the Hockey Night in Chicago Chalk Talk Q and A session led by The Score's Jay Zawaski. The event takes place TONIGHT, Tuesday, March 9 from 7pm to 8:30pm at St. Charlies Pub and Grill in St. Charles (map). You may even win tickets to an upcoming game. And if you do, you're taking me with you.

Batavia Beer Walk 2010

talk@foxvalleyvoice.com (Jaime S. Gutierrez) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:08:00 +0000

Saturday looks to be the first officially glorious day of the year. Sunny and temps in the mid-40's, which is going to feel like mid-80's. What better way to celebrate the impending arrival of spring than by raising a glass in a toast? Again and again and again...

It's the latest edition of the annual Batavia Beer Walk, Saturday, March 6. The event kicks off at 2pm and goes until, well, let's just say that it probably goes on longer than it should for some folks. Here is the order of the walk: (from the Facebook event page)

Fox Grill and Outpost (35 N Water St)
Fox's on the River (31 N River St)
O'Briens Pub and Grill (12 N River St)
Stop Lite Inn (105 E Wilson St)
The RendezVu (1 E Wilson St)
East China Inn (140 W Wilson St)
Full Moon Bar and Grill (113 S Batavia Ave [Rt 31])

If you attend, be sure to have one in honor of the Batavia Bowl, a popular former stop on the beer walk. Also, please be careful getting there and getting home. And send us your photos.