June 8: Aurora Green Fest at Prisco Center

What:   Aurora Green Fest

When:  June 8, 2013, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Where:  Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora

Why: For activities, exhibits, speakers, recycling, live music and kids' activities, bring the whole family out to Aurora Green Fest on June 8th at the Prisco Community Center. Get energized and motivated by the sustainable community in the Fox Valley. It's free! 

New this year: Bats!!! A bat can eat 7000 mosquitoes in one day! Come see our little furry and slightly scary friends. Plus a snake from Phillips Park Zoo. Chickens and goats--bringing natural and local food closer to you.

  

"It's our fourth year in Aurora, and we are bringing together the brightest stars in our environmental community to create the most exciting Green Fest ever," said Mavis Bates, Chairman of the Aurora Green Fest. "Our emphasis this year is to raise awareness for making positive changes in our daily lives, from the food we eat, to the cars we drive, to the choices we make every day that affect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and our whole quality of life."

The event combines local businesses with environmental non-profits. It is an opportunity for people with an interest in greener living to meet local non-profit environmental groups, eco-businesses, including sustainable energy businesses, local farmers, and healthy home advocates.

Highlights of the Aurora Green Fest include:
* Green car show--Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, Toyota Prius, and more
* Green activities for kids
* Rain barrels and eco-friendly home and personal products for sale
* On-site recycling--Styrofoam, electronics, cell phones, compact fluorescent     light bulbs, and old medication sponsored by Fox Metro
* Shred-it-and-forget-it
* Sustainable food
And much more...

This is a family-friendly event, with plenty of activities for kids. Children's activities include art projects from recycled objects, face painting, nature-themed balloon creations, and "kids teaching kids".

Aurora Green Fest is an enjoyable and engaging way to learn more about earth-friendly practices and resources in the community, while networking with local people and businesses that share an interest in preserving the earth. For information on the festival please visit www.auroragreenfest.com or "Like" Aurora Green Fest on Facebook.

Also on June 8: Louche Puce Market on Water Street Mall and Art in the Park at Phillips Park in Aurora. 

May 27: Memorial Day Parade in Aurora, IL

Memorial Day ceremony and parade Monday, May 27. Noon.

A pre-parade ceremony titled “Expressions of Remembrance” will be held at 11:15 a.m. at the reviewing stand outside the David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place.  In commemoration of the 60^th anniversary of the Korean War, which is frequently known as the “Forgotten War”, Korean War Veterans Rich Gaffino and Jim Coulos from the 23^rd Infantry Regiment, 2^ndInfantry Division; and Ed Murtraugh , from the 2^nd Marine Division will be honored. 

The ceremony will kick-off with the East Aurora High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps honor guard presenting the colors and Cub Scout Pack 643 and Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, Circle of Friends, leading the Pledge of Allegiance.  Various selections will be performed during the event by the Metea Valley High School Apollo Singers along with Meliton Chaidez, a National Speech Competition finalist from West Aurora High School.

The parade steps off at noon from River and Benton streets, heads east to Broadway Avenue, turns north to Downer Place and concludes at River Street.  The best viewing area will be the in front of both the GAR building, 23 E. Downer, and the Stolp Avenue Parking Deck at Downer and Stolp.

June 8: VNA Free Health Fair, Celebrate Good Health in Aurora, IL

AURORA, IL.  On Saturday, June 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., VNA Health Care is hosting “Celebrate Good Health” – a health fair for men and women.

“Since women are usually the ones making the social plans for the family, we are encouraging the women to bring the men in their life to our party,” says Cheryl O’Donoghue, Vice-President of Human Resources & Marketing and Chief Communications Officer. “The event features a series of energizing 10-minute fitness sessions (such as chair aerobics and line dancing), health screenings, a DJ, food samples, raffles and a variety of wellness and lifestyle presentations.  The focus of this event is on making healthy choices fun!”

The health fair takes place at VNA Health Care, 400 N. Highland Avenue in Aurora. Spanish translators will be available. No appointments are needed to attend this free, public event.  

Celebrate Good Health

June 8, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Healthy cooking demonstration by Deepa Deshmukh, MS, RD, LDN offered at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.
• “3 easy steps to Diabetes Management and Prevention” –presented by Sandra Meister, MS, RD, LDN offered at10:00 and 11:00 a.m.
• DJ Jeremy from “A DJ for You” will keep the energy level high and announce raffle winners every 15 minutes.
• 10-minute fitness classes offered by local instructors, including Zumba-Lite session, Line Dancing instruction, and Chair exercise/beginner fitness. Offered every 30 minutes.
• Free tastings and samples of healthy lunch and snacks options from The Corner Bakery and other vendors.
• Complimentary chair massage offered by Dr. Houston Brown and other local massage therapists.
• Complimentary Health Tests including blood pressure and body fat.
• Sign up for free mammograms (for uninsured and low-income women through VNA’s Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program)

     For additional information on  Celebrate Good Health!  community members can contact Amy Downing at 630-482-8113 oradowning@vnahealth.com.

2013: Community & Church Sales, Garage Sales, Rummage Sales in Aurora, IL Area

Aurora - Searching for some treasures? Here's the lowdown on the sales to be at this garage sale season in Aurora and beyond.

Community Garage Sale: Aurora, Prisco Community Center, Sat. May 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the southeast corner of Lake Street and Illinois Avenue. Sponsored by the Fox Valley Park District.

Cherry Hill Subdivision Sale, Aurora: Sat. May 18 from 8 to 4. Enter on Galena Boulevard just west of Orchard Road.

Spring Community Garage Sale: Village of Montgomery, May 16, 17 & 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Prestbury's Annual Garage Sale, Sugar Grove, May 18 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Boulevard District Neighborhood Sale, Aurora on Memorial Day Weekend. Downer & Garfield west of downtown Aurora and east of Edgelawn.

Village Bible Church, Sugar Grove Campus, Fri & Sat, May 24 & 25 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the corner of Bliss and Route 47.

Sugar Grove Community-wide Sale: Friday & Saturday, June 7 & 8 from 8 to 4 p.m.

Our Lady of Mercy Church, 701 S. Eola Rd., Aurora, June 7, 8 & 9

St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 925 Sard Avenue, Aurora, June 6, 7 & 8

Orchard Valley Complex-Wide Garage Sale, Aurora: June 21 & 22

Free Summer Concerts in Aurora, IL (near Montgomery, Oswego, Batavia, North Aurora, and Naperville)

Aurora - Want free music in Aurora this summer? Everyone is talking about new venues like RiverEdge  Park and the big names they will bring, and while that is exciting, you might need to even our your budget with a little free music this summer. Enjoy all the great, local talent in Aurora for FREE!

Free concerts in June:
Friday, June 7 - Town Band (pictured above) plays Millennium Park on Stolp Avenue in downtown Aurora
Saturday, June 8 - Louche Puce Market shows off local talent from 9 to 4
Thursday, June 13 - Cattleprod at North Aurora's Riverfront Park
Thursday, June 27 - Montgomery Park

Free concerts in July:
Thursday, July 11 - St. Malarkey at North Aurora's Riverfront Park
Saturday, July 13 & 27 - Town Band plays Aurora's Farmers Market at 9 a.m. located at the Aurora Transportation Center
Saturday, July 13 - Louche Puce Market shows off local talent from 9 to 4

Free concerts in August:
Thursday, Aug. 8 - Todd Kessler and the New Folk Trio at North Aurora's Riverfront Park
Saturday, Aug. 10 - Louche Puce Market shows off local talent from 9 to 4
Saturday, Aug. 31 from noon to 5 p.m. - Alley Art Festival brings a handful of local musicians to perform all day long at the family-friendly artsy fringe fest.

Free concerts in September:
Saturday, Sept. 14 - Louche Puce Market shows off local talent from 9 to 4

Free shows every Monday - Culture Stock at 43 E. Galena Blvd. invites local musicians to perform from 6 to 7 p.m. as part of M.U.S.I.C. Mondays.

* May 14: Lonesome Stranglers Concert

Lonesome Stranglers Concert near Aurora, IL

A free musical presentation will be offered at the Montgomery Village Hall at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2013.  The Lonesome Stranglers will play their guitars and share old country and western favorites. 

This program is being offered by the Village of Montgomery as part of its Senior Citizen Program, but is open to all ages.  There is no charge and the event is handicapped accessible.  The monthly Senior Lunch and activity for ages 55 and up will begin at 11:00 a.m. after the presentation.  There is a $4 charge for the lunch.

For additional information on this event, please call the Montgomery Village Hall at (630) 896-8080 ext. 1559.

* Compete in Montgomery's Battle of the Bands this Summer

Ready to compete in an epic battle? You'll want to sign up for the Battle of the Bands at the 2013 Montgomery Fest for a chance to rock out and showcase your musical talent.  Playing in front of a live audience is why bands are formed!  So if you’re ready to battle, sound-check your amps and pick up an application at the Montgomery Village Hall, or download one from www.ci.montgomery.il.us.  The winner of this contest will have the opportunity to perform as the opening act for the headliner band on Saturday, August 10^th!

            This is a new event offered for the first time by the Village of Montgomery.  The 2013 Battle of the Bands will take place on Friday, August 9^th from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. at Montgomery Park, at the corner of Mill and River Street.  Bands will be judged on musical talent, showmanship and overall performance quality by a panel of three judges.

            This will be a fun and unique family-friendly event as Montgomery’s 2013 Battle of the Bands is open to all age groups.  Interested?  Applications, along with a $25 application fee and a link to a video of your band performing, are due by July 19^th.

            Food vendors and carnival rides will help make this an evening to remember.  So make Friday, August 9^th an epic day and rock out at the 2013 Battle of the Bands!

May 18: Aurora Farmers Market kicks off 101st season this May at Train Station

The City is teaming up with the Fox Valley Garden Club to offer a sneak peek of the 2013 Aurora’s Farmers Market during the Garden Club’s plant sale on May 18 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at the Aurora Transportation Center, 233 N. Broadway.

The event will introduce the faces of the market’s local producers and allow patrons the opportunity to meet local farmers, growers, and purveyors.  Plus, patrons will have the first chance at all the early spring produce fresh from the farm including asparagus, rhubarb, lettuces and more.  They will also learn about the new additions, changes and upcoming special events planned for the 2013 season at Illinois’ Oldest Market so that the community can continue to ‘eat fresh, buy local, and be well’.

At the same time, the Fox Valley Garden Club’s annual “Gardeners’ Plant Sale” will offer an endless variety of annuals, perennials, bedding plants and much more.  The event also marks the first ever “Tomato Day” in Aurora.  The first 500 kids will receive a free cherry tomato plant to take home and nurture. 

Aurora’s Farmers Market also continues to seek Aurora area youth and non-profit organizations to participate at all of the Farmers Market locations this summer.

Through the market’s Young Entrepreneur’s Program, youth will have the opportunity to sell handcrafts, homegrown fruits and vegetables, and other products they produce.  They will not only earn money for their products, but will also learn valuable social and business skills, including marketing, merchandising, and networking in a fun and interactive environment. 

To participate in the Aurora’s Farmers Market Young Entrepreneurs Program, youth must be 15 years of age or younger and able to work the booth, count money, and perform other essential duties; be accompanied by an adult at all times; all products offered for sale must be grown or produced by the participant(s); and they must follow all market rules and any applicable Health Department regulations.

Participation is limited to up to 4 days per location, including a $5 fee per day.

Interested youth, clubs, or groups in the Aurora area, should call 630-256-3370 or email farmersmarket@aurora-il.org for more details.

All three locations of Aurora’s Farmers Market are ideal for sharing community information as well. Local non-profits have the opportunity to host a table to promote their organizations, conduct fundraisers, and publicize upcoming events. With thousands of patrons visiting the market, it offers a great chance to involve community members in the many projects of local non-profits.

For consideration, organizations should email information to farmersmarket@aurora-il.org.  

Aurora’s Farmers Market promises to be bigger, better and more vibrant than ever in 2013 with many new amenities and initiatives at all 3 locations:

·      Aurora’s Farmers Market Downtown at the Aurora Transportation Center, 233 N. Broadway, Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 Noon, June 1 to October 19.

·      Aurora’s Farmers Market West at West Plaza Shopping Center, 1901 W. Galena Blvd., Wednesdays from 1 to 5 p.m., July 10 through September 11.

·      Aurora’s Farmers Market East at Our Lady of Mercy Church Catholic Church (Next to the Eola Community Center), 701 E. Eola Rd., Thursdays from 1 to 6 p.m., July 11 to August 29.

Free 2-week voucher for Music Together classes in Aurora, IL

Come Join Our Savior Aurora Music Together at Greenfest!

June 8 from 10-4, Greenfest is being held at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois, Aurora, IL 60506.

Our Savior Aurora will be there in the Children's Area outside all day demonstrating the Fun To Be Had at Music Together!!!

Anyone joining us and trying out the program, will receive a  Voucher for the 2-Week Summer Singalong for FREE!!!

Classes are now offered Wed, June 18 & 25 @ 10:30, Thur, June 19 & 26, @ 9:30, Saturday, June22 & 29 @ 9:30 & 10:30

Come One and All and bring a Friend. They'll get a voucher as well!

Free fun, Free plant! Flower Power Planting Parties in Aurora, IL

Aurora - Aspiring gardeners are invited to roll up their sleeves and get involved in one of the Flower Power Planting Parties to be held by the Fox Valley Park District from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 18.

Teams of volunteers will gather outside the Eola Community Center and Vaughan Athletic Center to plant beds of annual flowers that will include begonias, petunias, salvia and zinnias. Each volunteer also will receive an annual flower to take home and plant.

Park District Greenhouse staff will be on hand to provide expertise, garden tools and thousands of earth-ready flowers.

Afterward, free workshops will be staged to explain the art of planting and caring for beautiful gardens of annual flowers at home.

To be part of the Flower Power Planting Parties and sign up for a location, contact Debbie Smith at 630-966-4555 or dsmith@fvpd.net.

Summer Fun, Festivals, Races, and more in Aurora, IL

Spring and Summer Fun in Downtown Aurora

By Marissa Amoni

If your weekends aren’t already busy enough, then just wait for this year’s festival season to begin. You won’t want to miss out. Here is a sneak preview so you can plan accordingly.

Big Time

Earlier this spring, Aurora’s Mayor Weisner announced the lineup for this summer’s Blues on the Fox at RiverEdge Park on Broadway. Buddy Guy, Dr. John, Tommy Castro, Robert Randolph, and The Stone Foxes will all be gracing the stage along the Fox River on June 14 and 15.

The full lineup for RiverEdge Park is now up at www.riveredgeaurora.com.

Race Time

On Sunday, June 16, the Amped Up Adventure Race will once again take local adventure seekers for a ride both in the water and on land. Athletic-types are able to bike, paddle, and run the course in and along the Fox River, and the party begins and ends in downtown Aurora. Visit www.ampedupadventurerace.com or call Paddle and Trail at 630-506-5706.

If getting blasted with color while you run a 5K race sounds cool, then sign up now for the Aurora 5K Color Vibe race on Saturday, July 6. Starting at RiverEdge Park, runners will be sprayed with a biodegradable color powder. It’s a non-timed fun run suitable for the whole family. Find out more at www.thecolorvibe.com/aurora.

Since running on the riverfront is so much fun, Run for the Riverfront is back again this year on August 3. Visit www.runfortheriverfront.com to sign up for a 5K, 10K or 1-mile fun run. The North Aurora Days event benefits North Aurora River District Alliance (NOARDA) and West Aurora High School Cross Country Teams.

Summer Time

It’s truly summer when downtown Aurora comes alive with patrons sitting outside on the deck at River’s Edge Cafe, walking the riverwalk, and perusing antique and vintage selections at Louche Puce Market on Water Street Mall.

Vendors of all things kitsch and cool will once again line the best pedestrian-friendly area in the entire Fox Valley, the alley called “Water Street Mall” that is located between Downer Place and Galena Boulevard. Louche Puce Market runs on the second Saturdays from June to September; the first market is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 8. Email louchepuce@gmail.com to participate.

Also on June 8, Aurora Green Fest returns from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., for a day of earth-friendly activities.

Activities that are more beer-friendly will be on hand at Two Brothers Roundhouse the weekend of Friday, June 21 during its annual Summer Festival (formerly Hop Juice Fest). If the weekend is anything like last year, then be prepared for great music, tasty beer, and a friendly crowd outside of the Roundhouse complex on Broadway.

Alley Art Fest Time

There’s just nothing like the last Saturday of August in Aurora. For the fourth year, local artists will converge on Water Street Mall and welcome the community to join in on a fun day of art, music, and spectacle.

Alley Art Festival invites local artists and musicians to show off their talents from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31. In past years, the family-friendly event included yoga, hula hoops, juggling, puppets, children’s activities, and more.To participate, email downtownauroran@gmail.com.

Marissa Amoni is a freelance writer living in Aurora. She likes to enjoy all that Aurora has to offer, and spends many summer days biking around town with her husband and their two children. Find out about more local events on her blog www.downtownauroran.wordpress.com.