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.