Tom & Eddie’s donates to local educational charities

Tom & Eddie’s Geneva is pleased to announce it will donate $4,000 to two local organizations – the Geneva Academic Foundation (GAF) and the Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence (BFEE). The funds were raised during the nine day grand opening celebration of the restaurant which is located at the Shops at Geneva Commons, 1042 Commons Dr., Geneva.

“It is a pleasure to support these two important not-for-profit organizations,” said Ed Rensi, co-founder of Tom & Eddie’s. “We are 100 percent behind them and their missions to raise funds that benefit students in the Geneva and Batavia school districts.”

“We are committed to giving back to the communities in which we do business,” said Tom Dentice, co-founder. “As a result, we have chosen to support organizations that focus on youth and education. We are proud to do so.”

Each year, GAF provides grants to pay for supplemental programs, equipment, and educational resources to benefit the students at each school in Geneva. The programs funded are based upon requests by teachers. Also GAF is committed to the long-term success of the Geneva schools.  Each year, a portion of the funds collected are allocated to an Endowment Fund that will continue enhancing educational opportunities well into the future.

“We are so pleased at this news,” said Deborah Brown, president of the GAF. “The donation will go into a fund for next year’s grants, and we are most grateful. Tom and Ed can be very proud of everything they do, and their commitment to the community shows. Plus, we’re enjoying their food!”

The Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence has been established to provide a long term, self-sustaining financial program to enhance the Batavia Public School system beyond the limits of normal tax support. The foundation provides support for the development of enrichment programs and services which make the critical difference between a very good education and an excellent education.

“It was a total pleasure working with Tom & Eddie’s,” said Joanne Spitz from the BFEE. “We so appreciate the donation. We are working toward a $1 million endowment, and every dollar helps.”

Tom & Eddie’s is a family-friendly, gourmet burger restaurant focused on giving its customers delicious food made from natural products, personal customer service, and a relaxed and happy dining experience. Beyond the ambiance and food, the two things that Tom and Ed believe in are integrity and commitment to community.

For more information, call 630-208-1351 or visit http://www.tomandeddies.com or http://www.facebook.com/TomandEddies.

Tom & Eddie’s hosts a grand opening celebration

Tom & Eddie’s Geneva location will have its grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Shops at Geneva Commons, 1042 Commons Dr., Geneva, IL. Tom & Eddie’s is a family-friendly, gourmet burger restaurant focused on giving its customers delicious food made from natural products, personal customer service, and a relaxed and happy dining experience.

In celebration of the grand opening, guests will receive more than a week’s worth of special promotions. It’s Tom & Eddie’s way of welcoming the public and saying, “See if you agree with us. We serve a terrific burger.”

The theme of the grand opening is “Dressed to the Nines.” Why nine? There are nine signature burgers on the menu. Just for fun and to go along with the theme, any guest who is “dressed to the nines” in formal wear (a tuxedo or evening gown) will receive a free meal (entree, side and soft drink). Business wear is not eligible. This “formal wear freebie” is for the first nine days of celebration – from Saturday, Jan. 29 through Sunday, Feb.6.

Co-founders, Tom Dentice and Ed Rensi, believe in commitment to the community, so 10 percent of net sales from the grand opening nine days will go to support education in the tri-cities area. Specifically, the not-for-profit beneficiaries are the Geneva Academic Foundation and the Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence.

In addition, 81 lucky people will win a weekly burger meal (entrée, side and soft drink) for one year. Every day of “Dressed to the Nines”, nine names will be drawn to win a free weekly burger meal for one year.

But back to burgers…Tom and Ed agree that a world-class burger starts with the meat: hand-formed patties of Fresh 100% Natural Angus. “Natural” means the cattle were raised without growth hormones or antibiotics and fed a vegetarian diet. Very important, the beef is “Certified Humane,” by the Humane Farm Animal Care, a national non-profit 501(c)3 organization created to improve the lives of farm animals by setting rigorous standards, conducting annual inspections, and certifying their humane treatment.

Tom & Eddie’s buys from very select companies, many of which use organic and natural ingredients: Boylan’s all natural sodas, Turano Bread Company, Puckered Pickles, Heinz organic ketchup, Mustard Girl Mustards, and Redmond Natural Sea Salt.

The restaurant has a warm and inviting look and feel. Orders are placed at the counter, cooked in an open view kitchen and delivered with a smile to the table. Other features include a customer loyalty club, a kids’ menu, free Wi-Fi, carry-out with biodegradable packaging, and online ordering.

Both Tom and Ed have a ton of energy and an equal amount of food creativity. They spent more than a year developing recipes and searching for organic and natural ingredients. Cheeseburgers and sandwiches are paired perfectly with many choices of freshly-made sides. The menu also features a line-up of chicken sandwiches, soups, crisp salads and a bountiful selection of beer and wine.

Beyond the ambiance and food, the two things that Tom and Ed believe in are integrity and commitment to community.

“You can have the best food in the world,” Ed said, “but if you don’t have happy, satisfied customers, you can’t have a successful business. We welcome any and all feedback and suggestions from our guests.”

For more information, call 630-208-1351 or visit http://www.tomandeddies.com.

Area Happenings for Geneva in January

With Christmas decorations packed neatly away and a list of New Year’s resolutions fresh in your mind, why not take some time to explore Geneva this January? Throughout the month, various events will provide participants with an escape from icy temps and a chance to flaunt community pride.

On Saturday, January 2, the Geneva High School Girls Varsity basketball team kicks off 2010 with a game against Batavia. Fans are encouraged to pack the Bulldogs’ gymnasium with a sea of Viking blue and white.

Reservations and voting for “Dancing with the Geneva Stars” will be available beginning Monday, January 4. The event will take place on Saturday, February 6, at the Eagle Brook Country Club. Tickets are $35 per person, and all proceeds benefit the Geneva Academic Foundation and Geneva Cultural Arts Commission. Remember to view the city’s Web site for the profile of your favorite local celebrity couple. Contestants this year include: Geneva High School alumni, prominent merchants and other community supporters.

From Wednesday, January 20, through Sunday, January 24, stop by the Geneva Commons to witness professional and student sculptors carve elaborate figures from snow. Perhaps you will be encouraged to go home and create your very own masterpiece on your lawn this winter.

On Friday, January 29, members of the Geneva History Center can preview the Scouting Exhibit, which is open to the public on Saturday, January 30. Aside from highlighting one troop’s intricately carved totem pole, the display provides visitors with an opportunity to recall their own days spent selling Thin Mints and sewing on patches. Specific questions regarding Geneva’s Scouting History can be answered by Jessica McTague at a Brown Bag Lunch on Tuesday, January 12.

Another engaging event hosted by the History Center occurs on Monday, January 18. Geneva’s youth can spend their day off listening to Pamela Welcome and her portrayal of the courageous Sojourner Truth. So whether your resolution is to become more involved in the community or you wish to fight off the winter blues, remember to take advantage of all Geneva has to offer this New Year.

Meaghan Kilroy is a senior at GHS who has served as news editor for the Viking View and plans on pursuing a career in journalism.

This article first appeared in the January 2010 issue of eGeneva Magazine.

Dancing with the Geneva Stars Returns

February 6, 2010

7:00 pm

A year ago I said that Dancing with the Geneva Stars was the most entertaining and innovative event I’ve ever attended in Geneva. And I believe my comments didn’t do it justice. Besides my resounding “WOW”, the 2009 fund-raiser received rave reviews from those attending the sold-out event. Fabulous, amazing and impressive were only a few of the adjectives used to
describe the evening where 12 brave performers, dressed in costumes appropriate for their dance,
entertained the over 360 enthusiastic people attending the standing-room-only contest.

Now here’s your chance to decide for yourself. This successful event, modeled after the popular TV show “Dancing with the Stars”, returns on Saturday, February 6, 2010, with a new cast of dancers. These local celebrity teams are already in rehearsal preparing their dances in hopes of
generating enough votes to become the 2010 Dancing with the Geneva Stars champion.

The 2010 line-up includes David and Shawn Ginsberg doing the Cha-Cha, Weldon Johnson and Joanne Buckley doing the Quickstep, Matt and Kimberly Lennert doing the Tango, Tim and Barb Moran doing the Waltz, Harry and Marcia Smith doing the Swing and Jim and Susan VanderVeen doing the Salsa. If you know any of these soon to be amazing dancers, lend them your support.

Ticket reservations and voting for the event (every dollar contributed is equal to one vote), which benefits the Geneva Academic Foundation and Geneva Cultural Arts, will begin on January 4,
2010. The committee anticipates another sold-out event.

More info on Dancing with the Geneva Stars. You absolutely, positively do
not want to miss it!

This article first appeared in the January 2010 issue of eGeneva Magazine.

Geneva Academic Foundation hosts silent auction party at Old Towne Pub & Eatery

October 22, 2009
7:00 pm	to	9:00 pm

Geneva, IL October 1, 2009 – The Geneva Academic Foundation will host its second annual Silent Auction Party October 22nd from 7 – 9 PM at Old Towne Pub.

Festivities will include free admission, free appetizers, a cash bar and a 50/50 raffle. Many items are available including GHS graduation seats, Key Club fall clean up certificate, a floral arrangement from Strawflower Shop, a pocket watch from State Street Jewelers and much more.

The Geneva Academic Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the educational experience of Geneva students. GAF aspires to connect students at all grade levels to new encounters, ideas and challenges by funding technology, services, programs and equipment. Since our beginning in 1987, GAF has given more than $800,000 to Geneva schools. GAF members are parents, faculty and administrators, community leaders and business proprietors.