5 Things You Should Know for Tuesday, April 3

Want to give blood today? Or go to an open audition?

From noon to 5 p.m. today, the Heartland Blood Center donation coach will be in the Municipal Center parking lot. Log on to www.heartlandbc.org and click on “Schedule Appointment Online" in the "Donating" tab to schedule an appointment. Call (630) 377-4446 or send an email to hr@stcharlesil.gov for more information. Open Auditions will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight for a production of Godspell at The Congregational United Church of Christ, 40W451 Fox Mill Boulevard.  The show is open to actors ages 8 to 20. Self Esteem for Life Foundation, which is putting on the, is a nonprofit organization which seeks to build self-esteem in youth. More details are available if you click here. The National Weather Service forecasts a small chance of …

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5 Things You Should Know for Wednesday, March 28

Learn how Patch can help you with high gas prices.

Fight back against gas prices As gas continues to cost you an arm and a leg, check back with St. Charles Patch to find the lowest prices around. Patch utilizes Mapquest's maps and gas widgets to bring you a combination of features that every commuter should know about. The gas information lists the three best prices in town. And the map shows you  Weather St. Charles can expect another sunny and mildly warm day today. The National Weather Service forecasts a high near 66. There will be some wind, with gusts up to 25 mph. You won't believe it, though. Patchy frost could come after 4 a.m. Thursday morning as the temperature falls to a possible low around 36.  See more from the National Weather Service here. Midnight Swinger Looking for a '…

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5 Things You Should Know

5 Things You Should Know for Wednesday, March 14

Sunny and warm during the day, meeting tonight and more.

1. Warm weather has arrived. Today is expected to be sunny with a high near 77, according to the National Weather Service. Gusts are possible—as high as 30 mph—and it will be breezy through the day. Tonight, there's a 30 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms with a low of about 59. 2. Author Betty Green will speak 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at the Municipal Center. Green will discuss her book, “Zook: A Look at R. Harold Zook's Unique Architecture" at the Historic Preservation Committee meeting. 3. The City of St. Charles Tree Commission and the Tri-Com Board are both scheduled to meet tonight. For more information, visit the City of St. Charles website at www.stcharlesil.gov/meetings. 4. The Fox Valley Knitters' Guild will meet…

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5 Things You Should Know

5 Things You Should Know for Tuesday, March 13

Water-based art, one week until the Illinois primary and more.

1. The Watercolor 2012 Exhibit at the Norris Cultural Arts Center is open for viewing through April 21. This popular annual exhibition showcases traditional and contemporary water-based media. A reception for the exhibit is scheduled for March 18. Visit www.norrisculturalarts.com or call 630-584-7200 for more information.  2. Want a break from the usual Tuesday night? Try Vino van Gogh. The group painting session will be held at 7 p.m. inside Alley 64. Vino van Gogh provides a few hours of fun, after which you get to take home your own hand-painted canvas. For more information, visit www.vinogogh.com. 3. The Illinois primary is a week away. Have you seen St. Charles Patch's Election Central guide? Read up on the candidates to become …

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5 Things You Should Know for Friday, March 9

Frankie Avalon, a wine tasting for a good cause and more.

1. Frankie Avalon and Sha Na Na will play the Aracda Theatre tonight. The show starts at 8 p.m. Once a teen idol, Avalon is currently one of the busiest nightclub performers in the country. Visit the Onesti Entertainment website for more information about this and other upcoming shows. 2. The St. Patrick's Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday. If you haven't already planned to do so, come downtown early to visit the shops and set up where you'll watch the parade go by. To get more information about the parade, visit the Pride of the Fox Riverfest website. Pride of the Fox is putting on the St. Pat's Day parade. You should also visit the St. Patrick's Day festival. The festival tent will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and will be …

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5 Things You Should Know for Thursday, March 8

Ladies night, a wine dinner and more.

1. Named the "Best Acoustic Band" in the Chicago suburbs, Cirrus Falcon will play McNally's Irish Pub tonight, starting at 8:30 p.m. Cirrus Falcon is known for playing favorites from the Beatles, Plain White T's, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, the BoDeans and Jimmy Buffet, as well as some Irish tunes. Click here for more details or visit McNally's website. 2. Bistro One West is hosting a four-course dinner with wine pairings tonight. Wines will be provided by Donati Wines. For more information, visit www.bistro1west.com. 3. Tonight is Ladies Night for two downtown St. Charles spots.  Cousin Dud will perform live during ladies night at Chord on Blues. For more information, call 630-513-0074 or visit www.chordonblues.com. "Girls Night Out" starts …

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5 Things You Should Know

5 Things You Should Know for Tuesday, March 6

Teen Tech Week, Mr. Lincoln's Wars and more.

1. This week is Teen Tech Week at the St. Charles Public Library. Visit the Loft for details.  The first ever Geek Out Trivia Contest will be held during Teen Tech Week where you can win "Geektastic" prizes. Visit St. Charles Public Library's website for more details. 2. We have launched "Election Central," the one-stop resource for the March 20 primary. Election Central is just the launching the beginning. Click through to find more information about early voting, information on the races that impact St. Charles and profiles of candidates in the upcoming primary. 3. The Heritage Center is hosting an event at the St. Charles Public Library tonight. At 7 p.m., Mr. Lincoln's Wars: A Novel in Thirteen Stories by Adam Braver will be featured …

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5 Things You Should Know for Monday, March 5

"No Texting While Driving," Casimir Pulaski Day and more.

1. The St. Charles City Council will vote on a measure tonight to declare March 21 "No Texting While Driving Awareness Day."  Driving while texting creates a risk of crash 23 times greater than driving without distractions, according to the City proclamation. "One of the most effective means of encouraging safer and smarter behavior by motorists involves convincing drivers of the need to devote their full attention and energy to driving by avoiding distractions including texting," the proclamation reads. It goes on to call all residents to make drive without texting and save lives. More information about tonight's City meetings is avaiable on St. Charles' newly updated and improved website.  2. McNally's Irish Pub is hosting a food driver …

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5 Things You Should Know for Thursday, March 1

Are you thinking about summer yet? The people at Otter Cove are.

1. It's only March 1 and the St. Charles Park District wants you to start planning for summer. Otter Cove Aquatic Park and the St. Charles Park District are readying for the opening of their water facilities. Season passes go on sale today. You can also renew a membership from last year. Click here to get pass information. Otter Cove opens May 26. 2. South Elgin Budokan Martial Arts School will run a second youth martial arts class starting today. The ongoing sessions run 4-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.  The martial arts school is located on North La Fox Street in South Elgin. The independent traditional dojo serves students in Elgin, St Charles, Bartlett, Geneva, Pingree Grove, West Dundee, Barrington, Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, West …

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5 Things You Should Know

5 Things You Should Know for Wednesday, Feb. 29

Leap Day, Chicago-style weather forecast and more.

1. Leap Year Day happens but once every four years. Today is intended as a calendar correction but I like to think of it as a little bit extra time to do ... whatever.  2. Prepare for some potential Chicago-style weather today and tonight. The National Weather Service is predicting a chance of showers early this morning, then less of a chance after 3 p.m. The high could reach near 54. But, tonight, scattered flurries are possible after midnight. The low is expected to be around 30. If you don't like the weather now, wait five minutes.  3. Today is the last day for to receive a free wellness exam at Chiro One Wellness Center in St. Charles, according to TribLocal. Click here to find more information. 4. A veteran of more than 100 comedy …

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