Oct. 31: Trick or Treat Hours for Aurora

The City of Aurora is asking residents to adhere to its official trick-or-treat hours, which are 4 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, and to make safety a top priority when collecting Halloween candy this year.

Parents accompanying their children are encouraged to go out earlier when it still is bright outside. Residents should remember the following Halloween safety tips when it comes to costume selection, trick-or-treating and the candy they choose to eat.

· When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, look for labels clearly indicating they are flame resistant.

· Carry a flashlight and wear costumes that are bright or reflective while trick-or-treating to help see and others see you. Putting reflective tape on costumes is another option.

· Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.

· Stay on the sidewalks and look both ways before crossing the street; use established crosswalks wherever possible.

· Check to make sure swords, knives or other props are made of soft or flexible material.

· Collect candy from homes only with a front porch light on; enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult, otherwise stay outside.

· Verify addresses of sex offenders living in your neighborhood by visiting www.isp.state.il.us/sor prior to trick-or-treating.

· Bring a cell phone while trick-or-treating in case of an emergency.

· Eat only factory-wrapped treats; avoid homemade treats unless you know the cook well.

Oct. 29: Drug Take Back Day in Montgomery

On October 29, 2011, the Montgomery Police Department, in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), will focus on removing potentially dangerous controlled substances from citizens’ medicine cabinets. The National Drug Take Back Day provides an opportunity for citizens to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications to law enforcement officers for destruction. This one-day effort will bring national focus to the issue of pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse and provide proper disposal of these drugs.

Medications that will be collected include controlled, non-controlled and over the counter medications. Medications that are turned in will be placed directly in a collection bin. If they are in a labeled medication bottle, please remove any identifying information prior to disposal. Medications that will not be accepted include intravenous solutions, injectibles ,syringes and liquid medications. The Montgomery Police will be collecting unused, unwanted and expired medication on October 29, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the Montgomery Police Department. If you have any questions, please call Officer Mauer at 630-897-8707 ext. 3243.

Nov. 8: Free Living History - Civil War

In honor of Veterans Day 2011 and the 150^th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, the Village of Montgomery will offer a free living history presentation on the Civil War on Tuesday, November 8^th at 10:00 a.m. at the Montgomery Village Hall. If you have ever wondered what it was like to fight in the Civil War, this is an opportunity to find out. Historian and author Robert I. Girardi will discuss the experience of the Civil War soldier using uniforms, weapons and artifacts to describe what the soldiers wore, the equipment they used, the food they ate and the medical care they received. Girardi will discuss the nature of army life, the motivations of the soldiers and the conditions in which they gave service. This is a hands on, interactive presentation, so questions are welcome.

This free presentation is being offered by the Village of Montgomery. There is no charge and the event is handicapped accessible. The monthly Senior Lunch and activity will begin at 11:00 a.m. after the presentation. There is a $4 suggested donation for the lunch.

For additional information on this event, please call the Montgomery Village Hall at (630) 896-8080 ext. 1227.

Oct 27: Health Cafes

The Kane County Health Department is hosting Community Cafes to identify health and human service needs in Aurora and improve the health of all Kane County residents.

The Café sessions, which will include a complimentary dinner and child care, will be held from 5:15-8 p.m. at Community Christian Church, 76 S. LaSalle St., Aurora on Oct. 20 and 27. There will be sessions in both English and Spanish on each night.

The questions will cover education, employment, housing and health. Registration is required. For questions and to register: contact Jackie Forbes, Kane County Health Department, at 630-208-5155 or e-mailforbesjackie@co.kane.il.us

For detailed information, go to http://www.kanehealth.com/iplan.htm

Pumpkin FUN!!! in the Aurora, Fox Valley area

Happy FALL!!! Here is a list of area pumpkin patches and farms that are sure to delight on a nice, crisp autumn day. And on free things we like to remind folks to compost old pumpkins, or better yet, make some pumpkin bread or pumpkin pie. Enjoy the bounty of fall.

Abbey Farms of Marmion Abbey, 850 Butterfield Rd., Aurora

Click: www.abbeyfarms.org

Anderson Farm, 251 Montgomery Rd., Montgomery

Click: Anderson Farms on Facebook

Ben's Giant Pumpkins & Farm Stand, 43W200 Jericho Road - Sugar Grove

Click: www.bensgiantpumpkins.com

Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch - two locations - Hampshire and South Barrington *kid's pick*

Click: www.pumpkinfarms.com

Kuipers Family Farm, 1N318 Watson Rd., Maple Park *editor's pick*

Click: www.kuipersfamilyfarm.com

Windy Acres Farm, 37W446 Fabyan Pkwy., Geneva

Click: www.windyacresfarmstand.com

Are we missing any? Which pumpkin patch is your favorite? Leave a comment!

Nov 5: Free seminar on home ownership

The City of Aurora has partnered with the Quad County Urban League and several local businesses to assist people with purchasing their own home at a free seminar.

The Steps to Homeownership Workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Quad County Urban League, 1685 N. Farnsworth Ave., Aurora. The program will be offered in both English and Spanish.

The Joseph Corp. will provide homebuyer counseling to seminar participants, Consumer Credit Counseling Service will discuss how to improve credit scores, and Harris Bank and the Illinois Housing Development Authority will present information about down payment assistance and incentive programs. Information about purchasing City-owned homes that have been rehabbed also will be a featured topic at the seminar. The City was able to buy and renovate homes after receiving a $3 million federal stimulus grant designed to stabilize neighborhoods and create jobs.

The first 20 attendees at the seminar will receive a $20 voucher for groceries from Cermak Foods in Aurora. Program registration is not required.

For more information about the seminar, call the City’s Neighborhood Redevelopment Division at 630-256-3320.

Oct 22: Breast Health Awareness Day

All area women are invited to Breast Health Awareness Day: Building Hope for Women, taking place on Saturday, October 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at VNA Health Care, 400 N. Highland Avenue in Aurora. This free event is co-sponsored by VNA Health Care, American Cancer Society, and Provena Mercy Medical Center.

Women’s health services will be featured, including digital mammography.

Activities include:

· Healthy eating tips from a nutritionist

· Learn how to fit exercise into your daily routine

· Professional bra fitting advice

· Learn how to do a breast self-exam

· Mammography specialist will display mammography test film and answer your questions

· Qualified participants will be scheduled for free mammograms and pap testing

After completing the education stations, each woman attending will be treated at the Pampering Station with free hand massages, chair massages, and nail polishing. The event also includes a free lunch and goody bag. Spanish translators will be available.

There is no charge to attend, but you must make a reservation by calling 1-866-PROVENA (1-866-776-8362).

Since 1918, VNA Health Care has been a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate, dependable, and comprehensive health services to the community. Today, VNA Health Centers provide affordable primary and preventive health care to men, women, and children. In addition to the Health Centers, VNA offers home care and hospice services. VNA serves over 50,000 people across all programs with a team of over 300 physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, rehabilitation therapists, registered dietitians, medical social works and support personnel. For more information, call VNA at 630-978-2532 or visit us at www.vnahealth.com.

Oct. 17: Free leaf pickup in Aurora

Aurora residents will once again be able to dispose of their leaves for free as part of the City’s annual fall leaf collection program.

The fall leaf collection will start the week of Monday, Oct. 17 and will last through Friday, Dec. 2. Leaves must be put into a 30-gallon Kraft paper yard waste bag and placed at the curb on the residents’ regular garbage pickup day. Garbage stickers will not be required for bags that contain only leaves.

Yard waste collection also will take place through Dec. 2. Yard waste, such as grass clippings, weeds and brush; and branches and limbs less than a ½ inch in diameter, must be placed in a 30-gallon Kraft paper yard waste bag weighing a maximum of 60 pounds. A waste sticker, which is the same used to dispose of garbage, must be attached to the paper bags. However, yard waste mixed with garbage or leaves and yard waste put in a garbage can or plastic bag will not be collected.

Residents looking to dispose of tree branches and limbs should cut them down to ½ to 4 inches in diameter and 2 to 4 feet in length. They may be placed unbundled at the curb without a waste sticker. Branches and limbs must be put in neat, manageable piles with the cut side of the limbs facing the street. Brush that is found in unorganized piles will not be collected. If a contractor is used to cut down branches, it is the responsibility of the contractor to remove and dispose of that material. Unbundled brush collection will end Friday, Nov. 4.

Leaf collection, yard waste and unbundled brush collection takes place on residents’ regular garbage collection day and should be placed at the curb by 6 a.m. For more information, visit the City’s website at www.aurora-il.org or call the City’s Customer Service Division at 630-256-INFO.