'Free Things' Comes to an End as Magazine Grows

AURORA - The best things in life are free, right? Like Downtown Auroran Magazine. We're excited to announce that the magazine is growing and it's still free!

In 2015, Downtown Auroran Magazine will return from a tri-annual to a quarterly magazine with more pages and more arts, culture and features.

Along with the growth of the magazine, we will no longer be able to maintain off-shoot projects like Free Things To Do in Aurora, IL. We thank you for your loyalty in searching out fun and free things to do in our community, and we invite you to stay up-to-date with all things Aurora and beyond by picking up a free issue of Downtown Auroran Magazine and visiting us online via our website HERE and on Facebook HERE.

Thank you! And keep it local!

Take our Best of Aurora survey HERE.

El Dia de los Ninos, Aurora, IL - April 26, 2014

The City of Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board (AHHAB), in partnership with East Aurora School District 131 and West Aurora School District 129, will host its annual “El Dia de los Niños” event from 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 26, at the Aurora Transportation Center parking lot, Spring Street and Lincoln Avenue in downtown Aurora.

The traditional Latin American event recognizes children by paying homage to their importance in society and endorsing their well-being. This year’s theme is “Books and Libros”. Both school districts are giving away more than 5,000 books to children who visit literacy stations staffed by volunteer teachers. The event is free and food will be available for purchase.

Event activities will include stage performances by the Greenman and Hill Elementary, and the District 131 Kindergarten Choirs; East Aurora High School’s NJROTC, and dance performances and instruction by Simply Destinee. Also, coming from Guanajuato, Mexico, the theatre group Cornisa 20 will perform an interactive play entitled “Un Cambio de Piel” or “A Change of Skin.” Other organizations providing free children’s activities include the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, Fox Valley Orchestra, Aurora Public Library, Family Focus, the Fox Valley Park District and Faith Tabernacle Church.

The event is sponsored by the Granoff Family Foundation, Aurora Housing Authority, Kiwanis Club of Aurora, Reembolsos Latinos, Advanced Accounting Ltd., Hollywood Casino, Old Second Bank, Country Financial, and Rasmussen College. Several food vendors will be in attendance including Señor Taco.

Founded in 2002, the City of Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board’s mission is to embrace, preserve and promote the heritage and contributions of Hispanics.  In addition to supporting other citywide activities, the AHHAB hosts three significant annual events: the AHHAB Community (Awards & Scholarship) Breakfast, El Día de los Niños and the Parade of Nations during Fiestas Patrias.

For more information on the El Dia de los Niños, visit www.aurorahispanicheritage.com, Facebook, or contact Hector Ochoa at (630) 962-9813 or by email athochoa@oldsecond.com. Proceeds raised from this event are used to fund student scholarships awarded by the AHHAB Board.

Aurora Celebrates Earth Hour on March 29

Aurora EarthNite 2014 will be held on March 29, from 6 to 9 pm at Culture Stock Bookstore, 43 E. Galena Blvd, Aurora IL. This free family event will feature storytelling, music, a live art performance and children's activities.  At 7 pm, join millions of people around the world who are gathering to celebrate one hour of darkness - Earth Hour.  This event is intended to raise ecological awareness and inspire our community's transition to renewable, clean energy sources. Aurora GreenLights, who brings you the Aurora GreenFest, has designed this people-powered evening to explore many ways to unplug from the grid and connect with family and friends.  Activities will include:

• Build a 'Sky-Clock' to learn about planets and stars
• Practice yoga with 'Earth Salutations'
• Dance to the beat at our Drum Circle
• Make 'Seed Bonbons' to plant in the garden
• Relax with a massage at the 'EarthNite Spa'
• Chance to win free door prizes from local businesses

Guests and families are invited to bring friends, a flashlight, an instrument, a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothes to participate in the evening events.  Activities will begin promptly at 6 pm. Like-minded community partners are joining forces with Aurora GreenLights to celebrate EarthNite 2014.  Karen Kulzer of the Fox River Academy of Music & Arts will lead children's activities, Rebekah Axtell of Creekwalker Creative will teach songs and Zack Darce of The Heavy Machine will lead the drum circle. Maureen Gasek of Lilly Studios will share a colorful live art performance. Door prize award winners will be announced at 8 pm.  Peter and Maria Skokan of Aroma Roots Natural Soaps and Jennifer Rauch with Tim Frederick of If These Walls Could Talk Custom Framing & Art Gallery are donating door prizes together with other Fox Valley green business entrepreneurs. Local farmer Joshua Schultz will teach children about the nutrients and conditions needed for sprouting seeds this spring.  Schultz Family Farms is partnering with Griswold's Feed & Seed to provide flower and vegetable seeds for Food Not Lawns seed starting activity. At the EarthNite Spa, guests may join Annie Craig of Annie's Om Towne Fitness for relaxing yoga sessions and Kristi Kobleur (LMT) will share Thai bodywork and massage. Guests are invited to rest in the "gravity chair" where Cathy India of The Skin You're In will provide complimentary facial acupressure and aromatherapy.