Snow? Have some winter fun in Aurora

Winter Fun In Aurora!

The City of Aurora maintains two ice skating rinks and a sledding hill, weather permitting. Enjoy winter fun at all three facilities from sunrise to 10 p.m.

The ice skating rinks are at Garfield Park, Church and Sheffer Roads, and features a warming shelter. The other is at Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive, east of the Phillips Park Aquatic Center.

Phillips Park also has a sledding hill with lights that were just added this year. It is located southeast of the Aquatic Center. The City has its own snow-making machine for those times when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.

For information, call (630) 256-3730, or (630) 256-INFO (4636).

Location: Garfield and Phillips Parks, Aurora, Illinois

Contact: (630) 256-3730

More spots:

Lincoln Park on Aurora's West Side (Lakewood and Harrison by Holy Angels School) has a pleasant sledding hill that is good for the whole family. Check out the many trails for snow sports like cross country skiing, snow shoeing, etc. Bundle up and have fun!

When you're ready to warm up, visit River's Edge Cafe in downtown Aurora. It recently reopened with new owners who are ready to serve you some hot coffee and a cup of soup.

Cold? Warming center list for Aurora

Warming and cooling centers are available at the following locations. Senior citizens who require additional services should contact Senior Services, Inc, a local social service agency, which provides much needed services to local seniors. They may be contacted as follows:

• Senior Services, Inc.
• Address: 900 N. Lake Street, 2nd Floor Aurora, IL 60506
• Phone: (630) 897-4035 (24 Hour Answering Services)
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday

Warming And Cooling Centers

• Salvation Army
• Address: 437 E. Galena Blvd.
• Phone: (630) 897-7265
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday

• Prisco Community Center
• Address: 150 W. Illinois Ave.
• Phone: (630) 859-8606
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; Closed Sunday

• Aurora Public Library Main Branch
• Address: 1 E. Benton Street
• Phone: (630) 264-4100
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday (only during the school year)

• Aurora Public Library East Branch
• Address: 555 S. Eola Road
• Phone: (630) 264-3400
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday (only during the school year)

• Aurora Public Library West Branch
• Address: 233 S. Constitution Drive
• Phone: (630) 264-3600
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday (only during the school year)

Feb. 19: Free tax prep at AU

Free income-tax preparation to open Feb. 19 at Aurora University;

Class project to school aspiring accountants with hands-on experience

AURORA—Free income tax preparation is back at Aurora University.

The Dunham School of Business will offer its ninth annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, a partnership with IRS, from 8 to noon Feb. 19, 26, March 5, 19, 26 and April 2 in the lobby of Dunham Hall, 1400 Marseillaise Place in Aurora.

The free service, including immediate e-filing, is available to low-income, elderly, and disabled residents, including non-English speaking taxpayers earning up to $50,000. No reservations are accepted.

Taxpayers should bring copies of personal documents to the service. Requested are copies of Social Security cards, driver’s license, 2010 W2s and other tax statements, state and federal 2009 returns, voided check or deposit slip, 2010 real-state tax statement and childcare provider identification (if any).

Bilingual college students will provide translation assistance for Spanish-speaking taxpayers.

About 35 business students under the tutelage of three CPAs who are accounting professors in the Dunham School—Tim Moran, David Diehl and Len Scholl—will prepare state and federal tax returns.

For a second year, students from the School of Nursing and School of Social Work will assist with tax preparation and healthcare activities.

In conjunction with the tax preparation, a third annual Health Expo at Dunham Hall will offer free blood pressure checks and memory screenings for the public.

This is the ninth consecutive year that the IRS has approved AU accounting students to prepare tax returns free for the public in the VITA program.

Last year, about 40 AU students, faculty, staff members and former students prepared a record 1,050 tax forms—525 each federal and state forms—free for the public.

AU volunteers recovered $463,500 in refunds for taxpayers last season. The largest single refund, $11,120, went to an Aurora resident. Refunds included the new rebate recovery and first-time homebuyer credits.

Since AU introduced the VITA program in 2002, AU tax preparers have prepared more than 3,000 returns, generated more than $3 million in refunds and saved taxpayers an estimated $600,000 in tax preparation fees.

Call (630) 844-7557 or e-mail au-vita@aurora.edu for information.

Feb. 5: Fine arts festival at West High

Dist. 129 residents are invited to an extraordinary day of music, dance, drama and art at School District 129’s Fine Arts Festival, from 10 a.m.-3:45 p.m., Feb. 5 at West Aurora High School, 1201 W. New York St., Aurora.
“At the festival, young artists and musicians from all the public schools in West Aurora come together to celebrate the arts,” says Meg Papadolias, choir director and Fine Arts chair at West High. “Choirs sing. Children dance. Bands play. And young painters, potters, photographers and artists of many media share the work that they have created with all who wish to come to the celebration.”
Admission is free for this event. Visitors are welcome to enter at doors 1 and 22
“Visitors will feel the energy that comes from artistic creation,” Papadolias says. “They will see and hear the accomplishments of hundreds of School Dist. 129’s young people, attained through practice and the coaching of teachers of the arts.”

Feb. 18: AU play "Obligatio"

Play by Montgomery college student to premiere at Aurora University Feb. 18

AURORA, Ill.—“Obligatio,” a two-act play by Aurora University student Travis Winkler of Montgomery, will premiere at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18-19 and Feb. 23-26 in AU’s Perry Theatre in the Aurora Foundation Center at 1305 Kenilworth Place in Aurora.
The public is invited. Admission is free.

John Curran of St. Charles, Associate Professor of Theatre, will direct the production.

Set in 1582 Europe, the play focuses on Lady Joan, a forward-thinking noblewoman of the court. After her father's death, she must decide whether to fulfill her obligation to her kingdom by agreeing to an unwanted marriage to her cousin John.

Offering their help are Prince Edward, Lady Joan’s charge Britta and Mother Catharine, her best friend.

Winkler, a senior theater major with minors in English and music, is a 2006 West Aurora High School graduate who launched his playwright career there with a one-act.

“‘Obligatio’ has never been performed before,” Winkler said. “It's a little nerve racking, but I'm rather excited.”

According to Winkler, the idea for “Obligatio” (Latin for “obligation,” meaning entangling or ensnaring) came during a Drama Literature course during his sophomore year. He said, “We were discussing verse drama during the Renaissance and we had to write a scene that was in iambic pentameter.

“Being my goofy self, I decided to just write a scene during the Elizabethan time period. And with my love of royalty, fencing and unrequited love, I developed the characters of Lady Joan, Prince Edvard and Lord John.

“At the time, I didn't think that I would take the story anywhere, however, in the fall of 2009, (Assistant Professor of Theatre) Denise Blank reminded me of the story of Joan and how developed the characters already were.”

Winkler said the play’s completion culminated a year of work. There were a few months where he took a break from it so he could sit back, let it settle and then go back into it with his mind refreshed. Six months were devoted to rewrites and developing the scenes.

Winkler added, “I've enjoyed every minute of the process. It's been great working with Denise and with John Curran, the director. They both have helped me immensely.

“This production is not just my senior seminar project but also senior projects for Patricia Bily, who is costuming, and Jeff Shilling, who is playing Count John. Both have given me their thoughts, and I have appreciated every single one of them.”

The play features swordfighting. Curran brought in Bryce Bermingham, an actor and fight choreographer from New York City, for a week to teach the actors how to use rapier swords. Bermingham also conducted an evening workshop in film fighting for AU and North Central College students.

Curran’s stagecraft class constructed the set. They worked from a virtual scale model created with free Google software.

Cast members are:

Joan: Alissa Duvall of Naperville
Mother Catharine: Heidi Schultz of Aurora
Edward: Matt Sanders of Oswego
Count John: Jeff Shilling of Crete
Britta: Emily DeFelice-Curran of St. Charles
Albert: Chris Larsen of DeKalb
Lady Irling: Lydia Starring of Sparta, Mich.
Messenger/understudy: Lauren Dwyer of Hampshire
Lady of Court/Female Understudy: E. Ashley Shain of Aurora
Lady of Court: Sarah A. Ward of Sugar Grove
Lady of Court: Patricia Liu of Bloomington, Minn.

Crew members are:

Director/scenic design: John Curran Jr. of St. Charles
Playwright: Travis Winkler of Montgomery
Prop design/graphic design: Tavia DeFelice of St. Charles
Costume design: Patricia Bily of St. Charles
Sound design: Christopher Kriz of Chicago
Lighting design: Matt Gawryk of Chicago
Stage manager: Tegan Rogers of North Aurora

Call (630) 844-4924.

Feb. 3-16: Free dental services for kids

Aurora Children’s Dental Services has organized the 10th annual “Dentist With a Heart” scheduled for February 3 -16, 2011. Thirty-four area dentists from throughout the Fox Valley will open their doors to the needy, offering free services during specific times. Over the last nine years, the free services provided to the people of the Fox Valley have totaled $1,033.786. Yes, the services are FREE.

No appointments are needed, and calls at the dentist offices will not be taken. Simply arrive at the location selected prior to the starting time listed for that office. Patients will be treated on a first come, first serve basis. Be sure to arrive early to ensure your chances of receiving treatment that day. Services are limited to patients over the age of 3 years and an adult must accompany anyone under 18. No proof of income or need is required.

Free services for the day (unless noted below) include: cleanings, x-ray, diagnostic services, fillings and extractions. Dentists will not be able to provide more involved services such as crowns, bridges, root canals and dentures due to time constraints. For additional information www.dentistwithaheartonline.org or contact Sue Rahn 630-892-4260 (English) or Dee Rodriguez at 630-906-9530 (Spanish).

Dates, times and locations when "Dentist With a Heart" services are available:

February 3:

1 – 4pm: Dr. Jim Garvin (101 N. Lincoln St., Batavia)

February 9:

8am – 12 noon: Dr. Elizabeth Sacrey and Dr. Scott Capper (328 Anderson Blvd., Geneva); Dr. Mark Weinhold (One E. County Line Rd, Suite A, Sandwich); Boulder Hill Dental, Dr. Amita Raval and Dr. Mark Commean (20 Boulder Hill Pass, Montgomery)

8am – 1pm: Young Dental Care, Dr. Kimberly Young and Dr. Cynthia Chen (1132 Prairie St., Aurora)

February 10:

8am – 5pm: Fairview Dental, Dr. Gary Ahasic, Dr. Larry Sexton, Dr. Brian Tonner, Dr. Michele Bruno and Dr. Don Flynn (541 Sullivan Rd., Aurora)

February 11:

7am – 12 noon: Prairie Dental, Dr. Mary Parkhurst (2424 W. Indian Trail, Aurora).

8am – 1pm: Prairie Dental, Dr. Linda Weglarz (2424 W. Indian Trail, Aurora).

8am – 12 noon, 1pm -3pm (will do extractions): Waters Dental Group, Dr. John Waters and Dr. Adam Winckler (420 E. Church St., Sandwich)

9am – 12 noon: Dr. Khaja Mohsinuddin (2460 S. Eola Rd, Aurora)

9am – 1pm: Dr. Erika Krouth (1128 Douglas Rd, Oswego)

8:30am – 12:30pm: Dr. Andrea Adam (40W320 LaFox Rd, Suite D, St. Charles)

February 14:

8am – 2pm: Bancroft Family Dental, Dr. Mark Bancroft (1940 W. Galena Blvd Suite 7, Aurora)

8:30am – 2pm: Dr. Richard Bertoglio, Dr. Jess Bertoglio and Dr. Julie Keilty (1940 W. Galena Suite 11, Aurora)

9am – 2pm: Dr. Narda Coronado (454 N. Lake St., Aurora)

9am – 12noon, 1:30pm – 5pm: Pauly Family Dental Group, Dr. James Pauly and Dr. Gina Jacobson (1940 W. Galena Blvd, Suite 10, Aurora)

February 15:

8:30am – 1pm: Celebrating Smiles, Dr. Felicia Chu (750 Fletcher Drive Suite 302, Elgin)

1am – 5pm, Periodontist services (by referral only): Dr. Frank Maggio (2000 Larkin Ave, Elgin)

February 16:

8am – 1pm: Dr. Richard Chroust (no cleanings) (1217 Oak St., North Aurora); Dr. Michael Montminy (201 N. Constitution, Aurora)

9am – 6pm (exams, cleanings, extractions): Dr. Martin Kolinski and Dr. Tricia Crosby (525 Tyler Rd, Suite E, St. Charles)

1pm – 8pm: Dr. Robert Davidson (708 N. Main St., Elburn)

Feb. 8: ID Theft seminar in Monty

Free Seminar—Preventing Identity Theft

A free seminar on Preventing Identity Theft will be offered at the Montgomery Village Hall at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 8, 2011. Detective Jeff Ricedorf of the Montgomery Police Department will present information on how to safeguard your personal information, how to detect fraudulent activities and how to report this if it occurs.

This seminar is being offered by the Village of Montgomery. There is no charge and the event is handicapped accessible.

For additional information on this event, please call the Montgomery Village Hall at (630) 896-8080 ext. 1114.

Jan. 19: Free Chipotle

Grab some free Chipotle at 1480 N. Orchard Rd. in Aurora if you're one of the first 50 in the door. Or try these other Aurora area locations. Good luck!

Jan. 25 & 27: Free flu shots

VNA of Fox Valley offers Free Flu Shots to those
experiencing financial difficulties

VNA of Fox Valley is offering free flu shots for adults and children on Tuesday, January 25 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the River Valley Workforce Investment Board office, located at 1 Smoketree Business Park in North Aurora and on Thursday, January 27 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the Kendall County Food Pantry, located at 1204 Deer Street in Yorkville. The free flu shot clinics are open to anyone who is unemployed or is experiencing financial difficulties. It is not too late to get a flu shot for protection against this year’s flu strains. Shots are available for children ages 6 months and older and adults. Free shots limited to the first 200 people.

VNA of Fox Valley is a humanitarian, not-for-profit organization based on the concept that each individual has the right to quality health care and is to be treated with dignity. VNA has been at the forefront of health services in the Fox Valley area since 1918, bringing exceptional nurse-centered care wherever it's needed. For more information about VNA, call 630-978-2532 or visit www.vnafoxvalley.org.

Jan. 17: MLK Day at Paramount Theatre

Celebrate Dr. King at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora. Event welcomes the public for free. Starts at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

A youth-focused event includes performances by several area high schools.

Come share the dream!

Jan. 13: AU art opening reception

Jan. 13: AU art opening reception

"Boots," a 45- by 78-in. acrylic on canvas, is among a dozen surrealist paintings showcased in "Recent Works by Steve Lowery," a free exhibit to Feb. 27 at the Aurora University Schingoethe Gallery in Dunham Hall, 1400 Marseillaise Place in Aurora. Lowery, a Geneva resident, is professor of art at Aurora University. An opening reception for the exhibit is Thursday, Jan. 13, from 4:30 to 6:30 at the gallery. Call (630) 844-7843 for information.

Feb. 13: Lupercalia Craft Fair & Bake Sale

Come cozy up and treat yourself to local crafter selections of hair and fashions accessories, handcrafted creatures, paintings, photography, hula hoops, pocket belts, knitted goods, jewelry and paper flower Valentine's Day bouquets. There will also be yummy treats for sale including brownies, cookies and chocolate covered bacon! Also, FREE COFFEE WoOt!

Date: Sunday, Feb. 13

Time: 10-6

Location: Belles Terres Condos Clubhouse at 1080 N. Farnsworth Ave. in Aurora

Come out and support local artisans!

Jan. 22: Spoken Word and Jazz Show in downtown Aurora

Come witness the Founding Fathers and Mothers of the Poetry Scene here in
Aurora! In the greatest Spoken Word and Jazz show ever assemble in the
area! "The Great Reunion" Wurdkraft, V.E.N.T. Movement, and Just Sum Poets along with Ray Silkman and Blu Note Blvd; along with the hottest up and coming jazz acts in the land, all under one roof! Same great food and drinks provided! 25 cent wings! Great New Location! Same $10 donation! So come join us for a night you really won't forget! A brief open mic before the show so if you want to perform get there early to sign up on the list!

Date: Sat. Jan. 22

Time: 8 p.m.

Location: 76 LaSalle St. at Community 4:12

Support the arts in Aurora!

Want to be a vendor? Call 630.888.1104 limited space available so call and
book a table now!

Sponsored by: AAMOU, Quickvanns, and Atown BBQ

Jan. 26: AU Biz workshop

Recognizing employees: Aurora University business workshop Jan. 26

AURORA, Ill.—"Developing an Effective Employee Recognition Strategy" will be explored at the Aurora University Human Resources Institute from 8 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26, in the University Banquet Hall at Alumni Hall, 1410 Marseillaise Place in Aurora.

The public is invited. Admission is free. Networking and refreshments are at 7:30 a.m.

The guest speaker is Greg Boswell, managing director, client solutions, O.C. Tanner Recognition Co. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, the international appreciation company has offices throughout the U.S. and in London, England, and Ontario, Canada.

Boswell will discuss:
• Top drivers of employee engagement from Towers Watson Global Engagement research.
• Impact that recognition/appreciation has on top drivers of engagement.
• Recognition program best practice standards.
• Tips for making effective award presentations.

The Institute is co-sponsored by the Aurora University Dunham School of Business and Human Resource Management Systems, LLC of Naperville.

Reservations are requested. Call (630) 844-4894 or (630) 844-4917.

Future workshops scheduled are:

Feb. 23: “Reality-Based Leadership”

March 30: “How to Effectively Utilize Social Networking”

April 27: “Beyond Compliance: Consultative Approach to HR”

May 25: “Trends in Labor Relations”

June 29: “Current Federal and Illinois Legal Issues”

Aug. 31: “What You Need to Know to be in Legal Compliance”

Sept. 28: “Benefits/Compensation Trends”

Oct. 26: “Caterpillar—Developing and Maintaining a High Performance Work Culture to Achieve Business Results”

Jan: Free family movies at Paramount Theatre

Jan. 6: Free toys at La Quinta in downtown Aurora

La Quinta de Los Reyes: Celebrates The Three Wise Men,

Free Toys For 1500 Children

Aurora- La Quinta de Los Reyes Restaurant is hosting the 5^th annual celebration of the Three Wise Men or El Dia de Los Reyes. This holiday is celebrated twelve days after Christmas on January 6th. It commemorates the day the Three Wise Men (Melchoir, Gaspar, and Baltazar) arrived in Bethlehem to bring gifts to baby Jesus.

“We give toys to the children in Aurora to maintain the traditional celebration of El Dia de Los Reyes, as is celebrated inMexico” explains Jesus Sanchez, owner of La Quinta de Los Reyes. “This year marks the 5^th year in which we have been celebrating this tradition”.

The first year approximately 200 toys were gifted this year the restaurant, along with sponsors AHCC, Comcast, Cano Containers, El Gallito Products, The River 95.9, Brain Pool State Farm, and Chapa Accounting IncoTax they will give out 1500 toys. They will also be serving the traditional “Rosca de Reyes” donated by la Chicanita Bakery. This 15 foot-long 3 foot-wide oval pastry is made by the bakery especially for this event.

When: Thursday, January 6, 2011

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: La Quinta de Los Reyes Restaurant

36 E. New York St

Aurora, IL 60505

Jan. 15: Art opening at Eola branch library

Opening reception for art gallery

set at Eola Road Library Branch

AURORA – The Eola Road Branch of the Aurora Public Library has created an art gallery within the library that will feature 10 works of art on a rotating basis.

An opening reception for the Reflections Art Gallery is set for 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Eola Road Branch, 555 S. Eola Road, Aurora. The exhibit will continue through March.

Original artwork by 10 Aurora artists has been chosen to launch the gallery, which encompasses spaces throughout the library.

Artists whose work has been chosen for exhibition include: Sharon Ann, Cassandra Eldridge, Jo Fredell Higgins, Rae Ann Hoehn, Rita Moon Kain, Pat Lagger, Peggy Lynn McGahan, Bryna Nasenbeny, Robert Oppenborn and Lori Thomason.