Nov. 26: Gingerbread FIREhouse Exhibit at Fire Museum

Join us on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 26th) from 1 to 4pm for the Aurora Regional Fire Museum's 3rd annual holiday exhibit opening and Gingerbread FIREhouse Contest.

More than a baker's dozen gingerbread FIREhouses, fire stations, and burning buildings have been specially crafted for this event. Contest rules state that all entries depict a firefighting themed architectural structure (real or imaginary), and that except for the base, everything must be made from 100% edible materials. Over $500 in cash and prizes will be awarded by a panel of judges, as well a people's choice.

Also back for the holidays are our family of festive firehouse mice who have taken up residence to decorate the Aurora Regional Fire Museum. See CoCo as he bakes in the museum's kitchen, Sparks as he tries to ring a fire bell, and Ashes as he decorates a 1948 fire engine.... We'll give you a special treat if you can spot all fifteen mice.

The Gingerbread FIREhouse Exhibit opens — and will be judged — on Saturday, November 26th with special activities, FREE admission for the day, a visit from Santa the Fire Chief, storytelling, a holiday mouse hunt, and more. All gingerbread FIREhouses will remain on exhibit at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum though Saturday December 17th, and most will be available by raffle.

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.

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 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.

Sept 24: Blessing of the Pets

AURORA, Ill.—Pet owners are invited to bring their dogs, cats, fish, snakes and other pets to be blessed at an Aurora church Saturday.

Fourth Street United Methodist Church, 551 S. Fourth St. in Aurora, will hold an annual “Blessing of the Pets” at 3 p.m. on the church lawn.

Rev. Deborah Tinsley Taylor, pastor, will officiate. She said, “God created the animals for the benefit of humankind it says in Genesis 2:18-20a. We are all creatures of our God and King. God has entrusted their creation into our care and stewardship.“

The service will include music, prayer, scripture reading, a meditation and the blessing.

Each pet owner will be invited to bring his pet forward to the altar. Rev. Taylor will ask the owner the name of their pet, what it is, and how long the owner has cared for it. Then she will bless the pet and the owner.

The service will close with a benediction. Call (630) 897-5257 for more information.

Sept 26: Free senior health fair at VNA

VNA Health Care will offer its popular Senior Wellness Fair on September 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. All members of the community are invited to attend this free event to learn about useful and important services offered to seniors in the greater Aurora area.

This year’s Senior Wellness Fair features: flu vaccines, free health screenings (including blood pressure, bone density, and Diabetes), information and presentations on community services, medication safety; and free giveaways and snacks. Seniors who present a valid Medicare part B card will not be charged for the flu shot; VNA will bill Medicare. All others pay $20 cash or check.

The Senior Wellness Fair will take place at VNA Health Care, 400 North Highland Avenue, Aurora on the second floor. No reservations are necessary; this is a free event open to all.

The VNA Health Center (also located in the 400 North Highland building) specializes in providing primary health care to seniors. Services include wellness care and annual preventative exams and screenings; treatment of chronic diseases and acute illness; laboratory (blood work); bone density testing; digital mammography; and pharmacy services.

VNA accepts new Medicare patients and is the only health facility in the greater Aurora area that offers special medication discounts through the new 340B Program of the federal government. By seeing a VNA physician, seniors can receive discounts on prescriptions drugs that are only available through VNA due to its status as a Federally qualified health center. This program can provide discounts of 50% or more. In addition, VNA Pharmacy offers $4 generic prescriptions.

For more information on VNA Health Care or the VNA Annual Senior Wellness Fair, visitwww.vnahealth.com or call 630.978.2532.