This Week: The Post-Fireworks Hangover
PLUS: 5 Ways to Branch Out, Dig In, and Belong in Batavia
Hey neighbor!
I hope you had a great July 4th, however you celebrate. For me, with the family out of town, I spent most of the day doing whatever I wanted to do, which included biking down to Ekstrom Park to hang out and watch the fireworks.
The fireworks were pretty great this year, but I almost always prefer the two hours before, when everyone’s just kind of hanging out. It’s a whole vibe.
A hearty welcome to our brand new Title Sponsor for this season: Kristine Clemens, Real Estate Broker with @properties Christie's International Real Estate. You may recognize that name from her ongoing video series, Know Your Neighbors.
And we’ve been working together on a brand new segment for the podcast, starting this month. I think you’re going to like it. In the meantime, if you need to buy or sell a house, you know where to start.
-Richard
Recommended Batavia Businesses
These businesses are more than just sponsors; they're invested in our community and share our vision for a vibrant, connected Batavia. So when you’re looking for a specific service or product, you can rest assured you’re choosing one that’s both trustworthy and engaged in the community.
🏠 Buy or Sell a House: Kristine Clemens, @properties Christie's International Real Estate
🪠 Plumbing: Bulldog Plumbing
💡 Marketing Agency: Plimsoll
❤️ Dementia Care Services: Dragonfly Senior Navigation Services
🔨 Exterior and Interior Contractor: 212° Construction Group
☂️ Home & Auto Insurance: Tyler Nelson – Country Financial
We’re always looking for more sponsors who are interested in sponsoring Area Code Audio. If you or your business is interested, you can find out more information here.
Think Your Water is Safe? Get a Backflow Test and Be Sure
Area Code: Batavia is brought to you by Bulldog Plumbing Inc., a family-owned and operated business serving our community for years.
I'm not exactly a plumbing expert, so I had no idea what backflow testing was or why I needed it.
Turns out it's kind of like putting up a “DO NOT ENTER” sign in your pipes so nothing goes the wrong way and contaminates your water. Sounds pretty important to me.
If you need backflow testing, or anything else, like an energy-saving tankless water heater installed, give them a call to schedule an appointment: 630.313.9109.
5 Ways to Experience Belonging in Batavia This Week
In every issue of this newsletter, I offer suggestions that run the gamut, from events to volunteer opportunities to everyday moments that make you feel more connected to the place you live.
🏛️ Attend a City Council meeting. I was honored to be asked by the Chamber of Commerce to present to the City Council this week and let them know about Area Code: Batavia. But I was also struck by how helpful it was to be present at all. Just putting faces to names and seeing how decisions are made helped me to feel even more connected to the city.
👫 Save the Date for Becoming Neighbors, at Sturdy Shelter June 14th! Co-hosted by David Fraccaro (our family knows him as “pretend Elvis”), Becoming Neighbors is a unique opportunity to hear from a range of voices on a specific topic in a way that cultivates understanding and connection. This time, they’re discussing “what flags mean to us.” Timely! According to Sturdy Shelter’s Instagram post, “it will include special guest speakers: Sal Dazzo of Gun Barrel Coffee, Rev. Paige Wolfanger of Congregational Church of Batavia, and Richard Clark with Area Code Audio.” Hey, that’s me!
💌 Subscribe to Joe Erbentraut’s excellent newsletter, Queering the Burbs. I didn’t mention this last week, but I should have: Joe was an integral part of last week’s episode, connecting me with guests and providing background and insight. And his newsletter is an absolute must-read if you want to understand more deeply what it means to “find yourself in a place that wasn’t built for you,” as he puts it.
🔎 Do a scavenger hunt with Bruce the Spruce! Clues will be released starting June 28. Fill out a letter card sheet found on the park district’s National Park and Rec Month page with each letter found. Completed letter cards can be brought to the Civic Center where participants will then be entered to win a prize.
👩🌾 Check out the Wednesday night Farmer’s Market. If you’re like me and not anxious to venture out on a Saturday morning, Wednesday nights are for you.
Don’t miss our latest episode, a series of conversations about the origins and impact of the Batavia Community flag, and the Unity Pride flag, relatively new symbols in the town.
Listen below, and/or subscribe using whatever podcast app you’re most comfortable with. We’re available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and even YouTube if that’s your thing, as well as our website.
Area Code: Batavia is produced by Area Code Audio. If you’d like to discuss how you or your organization can build connection and a sense of belonging through podcasting, reach out.