On each episode of Area Code: Batavia, host Richard Clark explores the heart of Batavia, Illinois, and what it means to truly belong in Batavia, IL. Through one-on-one conversations with local small business owners, we uncover the essence of Batavia's community spirit.
Produced by Area Code Audio. Tune in every two weeks for new episodes.
📻 Siste episoder av Area Code: Batavia
Her er de nyeste episodene tilgjengelige via RSS-feeden:
How Batavia Built a Habit of Justice (And How We Can Keep It) (00:48:38)
What makes Batavia "Batavia"? We often talk about our town’s identity as if it’s a permanent fixture—a "vibe" we inherited. But a closer look at our history reveals that our reputation for being on th...
How Batavia United Way Is Winning an Uphill Battle (00:49:09)
It's not easy to make a difference. So often our attempts to make the world a better place are pushing against strong headwinds - there are cultural forces in the world and in our nation that simply m...
10 Stories That Charged (and Challenged) Our Community in 2025 (00:47:45)
Welcome to 2026! It's been an eventful year in Batavia. There was a mayoral race, local business transitions, shocking revelations, and some controversial moves in city government.We set aside some ti...
It's a Wonderful Life in Batavia! (00:32:57)
For this episode of Area Code: Batavia, former guests share their "George Baileys", people who have made a huge impact on them and their community just by existing. On this episode we hear from the fo...
How the Batavia Food Pantry Defines Our Town (00:45:55)
Take our listener survey to help shape the future of Area Code: Batavia. (and earn a chance to win $25 in Chamber Bucks!)Is Batavia actually special, or is that just something we tell ourselves?In thi...
Paula Passes the Torch (00:40:58)
Take our listener survey to help shape the future of Area Code: Batavia. (and earn a chance to win $25 in Chamber Bucks!)A few weeks ago, Paula Mueller, the owner of Paula’s Couture Consignment droppe...
Two Local Icons Share Their Favorite Things About Batavia (00:20:38)
Take our listener survey to help shape the future of Area Code: Batavia. (and earn a chance to win $25 in Chamber Bucks!)This week, we're dropping a bonus episode to hold you over until our next main ...
Area Code: Batavia LIVE - A Spooky Season Celebration (00:39:35)
Just in time for Bat Fest, it's the live recording of our Spooky Season Celebration hosted at Sturdy Shelter. This episode features:A conversation about Bat Fest with Kristen Desler and Beth Walker fr...
A Therapist on the Human Cost of ICE in the Fox Valley (00:58:54)
Jennifer Orta is on the front lines of a crisis of belonging. As the only Spanish speaking licensed mental health provider at Suicide Prevention Services of America, located here in Batavia, she's tal...
How Change Happens in Ward 5 (00:40:46)
Don't forget! Our 2nd ever live episode, a Batavia Spooky Season Celebration, is happening October 9th, 7pm at Sturdy Shelter. We'll be featuring conversations with the people behind Batfest, the guy ...
Feeling Seen at the Batavia Popcorn Depot (00:42:15)
Heads Up! Our 2nd ever live episode, a Batavia Spooky Season Celebration, is happening October 9th, 7pm at Sturdy Shelter. We'll be featuring conversations with the people behind Batfest, the guy resp...
Batavia’s Ward 1: Where Old Roots Meet New Growth (00:58:16)
Today's episode features the second conversation from our City Council series, with Jennifer Baerren and Christopher Solfa, alderpersons from Ward 1. Ward 1 is a unique blend of the old and the new. T...
Cinco De Mayo Market: Bridging Cultures in Berkeley’s Historic Space (00:34:28)
The closing of Berkley Finer Foods left a hole on Batavia's east side. But what seemed like a community loss quickly turned into a win with the arrival of Cinco De Mayo Market. For this episode, I spo...
Arlo.Hendrix: A Batavia Mom Balances Business and Boundaries (00:51:04)
This episode is a conversation with Brittany Sabatino, the owner of Arlo.Hendrix. A store that carries children’s clothes, toys, and accessories, Arlo.Hendrix is located in the heart of The Mercantile...
Ward 3's Alice Lohman and Kevin Malone: In Dialogue with Diversity (00:55:50)
This week, we're kicking off a brand new series that we'll be running throughout the year. Every so often I hope to share a new conversation with aldermen and alderwomen from various wards in Batavia....
Big News for Area Code: Batavia Listeners! (00:07:24)
Introducing Area Code: Batavia's new community, The 630. This isn't just about supporting a podcast; it's about becoming part of a community dedicated to fostering a deeper sense of belonging right he...
Boo Boo Days: A Celebration of Downtown Batavia's Imperfections (00:43:30)
On the day this episode is released, Batavia kicks off Boo Boo Days. For me, Boo Boo Days is a new concept, a sort of quaint and slightly bizarre throwback that just started a few years ago. But the r...
Riverside Pizza & Pub's Chris Otepka: Musician and "Utility Man" (00:43:00)
Just before the pandemic, Chris Otepka helped open Riverside Pizza and Pub in his hometown of Batavia with a few of his friends. Now he's helping run it. But most of his adult life, Chris Otepka was a...
History Hits Close to Home At the Depot Museum (00:58:29)
It's not easy to live in Batavia while remaining unaware of its historical roots. Around here, it's talked about a lot. But what does this history really mean for a town in the here and now? According...
Books and Belonging at the Batavia Public Library (00:45:14)
From landscape to architecture, spaces matter. And for Josephine Tucci, creating spaces that inspire belonging is a lifelong pursuit that started with museums and continued into the Batavia Library. O...
Daddio's Diner: A Batavia Fixture That's Paying it Forward (00:40:34)
Some, who make grand claims of being self-made, might see their success as being a result of their own hard work. But Scott Beltran openly acknowledges the many people who have come alongside him to h...
2025 Boardwalk Shop Owners Bet On Batavia (00:59:36)
The stakes are high. Every year, an entirely new group of entrepreneurs set up shop on the corner of Wilson and River street, each one with their own idea of what it means to thrive in Batavia. And by...
Coming This Friday: Boardwalk Shops 2025 (00:01:37)
There's no new episode in your feed today because we're working fast to turn around a special Opening Day Boardwalk Shops episode. That episode will release this Friday. Thanks! Subscribe to our newsl...
For Tom Kim, Failure is Not an Option (00:50:07)
Batavia Public School Superintendent Tom Kim was forced to grow up fast. But as a second generation immigrant surrounded by family, teachers, and mentors willing to help him achieve his goals, he foun...
REVISITING: Hearth & Hammer: Coming Home and Making It Your Own (00:36:20)
This episode was first published on March 8, 2024.Building on a successful candle-business, Ariane Scholl wanted to create a space that was welcoming, people-oriented, and comfortable. And with her ne...
