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.

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.

Feb. 12: New Dollar General opens - get free gift cards

Shoppers in Aurora have a new place to shop for everyday essentials at low prices. Dollar General recently opened a new store at 1261 N Lake Street and is hosting a grand opening celebration Saturday, February 12 at 8 a.m.

At the grand opening event, customers will enjoy special deals and free prizes. The first 50 shoppers at the store will receive a $10Dollar General gift card and the first 200 shoppers will receive a Dollar General tote bag, among other giveaways.

The new store features a fresh layout, designed to make shopping simple for customers. Seasonal products are displayed in the center of the store, and departments are easily recognizable with visible signage. Coolers conveniently located at the front of the store.

Feb. 19: Free Fitness Fun Fair for Kids

AURORA – Families and children are invited to enjoy the free fun at the Vaughan Athletic Center on Saturday, Feb. 19, when the Fox Valley Park District will stage its annual Fitness Fun Fair for Kids.

The educational and interactive event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free to all families and children. Children will have opportunities to take part in fun and healthy activities that include an inflatable obstacle course, KitFit demos, ZumbAtomic sessions and other activities designed to get kids moving and exercising.

“We want to encourage kids to be active by introducing them to forms of exercise they find fun and invigorating,” said recreation supervisor Tammi Cosola. “By making exercise enjoyable to them, they’re much more likely to develop healthy habits they will carry into adulthood.”

Other highlights include live entertainment, active dancing and contests, with more than 20 vendors on hand to promote personal care and healthy lifestyles.

For more information, call the Vaughan Athletic Center at (630) 907-9600.

Snow? Have some winter fun in Aurora

Winter Fun In Aurora!

The City of Aurora maintains two ice skating rinks and a sledding hill, weather permitting. Enjoy winter fun at all three facilities from sunrise to 10 p.m.

The ice skating rinks are at Garfield Park, Church and Sheffer Roads, and features a warming shelter. The other is at Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive, east of the Phillips Park Aquatic Center.

Phillips Park also has a sledding hill with lights that were just added this year. It is located southeast of the Aquatic Center. The City has its own snow-making machine for those times when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.

For information, call (630) 256-3730, or (630) 256-INFO (4636).

Location: Garfield and Phillips Parks, Aurora, Illinois

Contact: (630) 256-3730

More spots:

Lincoln Park on Aurora's West Side (Lakewood and Harrison by Holy Angels School) has a pleasant sledding hill that is good for the whole family. Check out the many trails for snow sports like cross country skiing, snow shoeing, etc. Bundle up and have fun!

When you're ready to warm up, visit River's Edge Cafe in downtown Aurora. It recently reopened with new owners who are ready to serve you some hot coffee and a cup of soup.

Feb. 3-16: Free dental services for kids

Aurora Children’s Dental Services has organized the 10th annual “Dentist With a Heart” scheduled for February 3 -16, 2011. Thirty-four area dentists from throughout the Fox Valley will open their doors to the needy, offering free services during specific times. Over the last nine years, the free services provided to the people of the Fox Valley have totaled $1,033.786. Yes, the services are FREE.

No appointments are needed, and calls at the dentist offices will not be taken. Simply arrive at the location selected prior to the starting time listed for that office. Patients will be treated on a first come, first serve basis. Be sure to arrive early to ensure your chances of receiving treatment that day. Services are limited to patients over the age of 3 years and an adult must accompany anyone under 18. No proof of income or need is required.

Free services for the day (unless noted below) include: cleanings, x-ray, diagnostic services, fillings and extractions. Dentists will not be able to provide more involved services such as crowns, bridges, root canals and dentures due to time constraints. For additional information www.dentistwithaheartonline.org or contact Sue Rahn 630-892-4260 (English) or Dee Rodriguez at 630-906-9530 (Spanish).

Dates, times and locations when "Dentist With a Heart" services are available:

February 3:

1 – 4pm: Dr. Jim Garvin (101 N. Lincoln St., Batavia)

February 9:

8am – 12 noon: Dr. Elizabeth Sacrey and Dr. Scott Capper (328 Anderson Blvd., Geneva); Dr. Mark Weinhold (One E. County Line Rd, Suite A, Sandwich); Boulder Hill Dental, Dr. Amita Raval and Dr. Mark Commean (20 Boulder Hill Pass, Montgomery)

8am – 1pm: Young Dental Care, Dr. Kimberly Young and Dr. Cynthia Chen (1132 Prairie St., Aurora)

February 10:

8am – 5pm: Fairview Dental, Dr. Gary Ahasic, Dr. Larry Sexton, Dr. Brian Tonner, Dr. Michele Bruno and Dr. Don Flynn (541 Sullivan Rd., Aurora)

February 11:

7am – 12 noon: Prairie Dental, Dr. Mary Parkhurst (2424 W. Indian Trail, Aurora).

8am – 1pm: Prairie Dental, Dr. Linda Weglarz (2424 W. Indian Trail, Aurora).

8am – 12 noon, 1pm -3pm (will do extractions): Waters Dental Group, Dr. John Waters and Dr. Adam Winckler (420 E. Church St., Sandwich)

9am – 12 noon: Dr. Khaja Mohsinuddin (2460 S. Eola Rd, Aurora)

9am – 1pm: Dr. Erika Krouth (1128 Douglas Rd, Oswego)

8:30am – 12:30pm: Dr. Andrea Adam (40W320 LaFox Rd, Suite D, St. Charles)

February 14:

8am – 2pm: Bancroft Family Dental, Dr. Mark Bancroft (1940 W. Galena Blvd Suite 7, Aurora)

8:30am – 2pm: Dr. Richard Bertoglio, Dr. Jess Bertoglio and Dr. Julie Keilty (1940 W. Galena Suite 11, Aurora)

9am – 2pm: Dr. Narda Coronado (454 N. Lake St., Aurora)

9am – 12noon, 1:30pm – 5pm: Pauly Family Dental Group, Dr. James Pauly and Dr. Gina Jacobson (1940 W. Galena Blvd, Suite 10, Aurora)

February 15:

8:30am – 1pm: Celebrating Smiles, Dr. Felicia Chu (750 Fletcher Drive Suite 302, Elgin)

1am – 5pm, Periodontist services (by referral only): Dr. Frank Maggio (2000 Larkin Ave, Elgin)

February 16:

8am – 1pm: Dr. Richard Chroust (no cleanings) (1217 Oak St., North Aurora); Dr. Michael Montminy (201 N. Constitution, Aurora)

9am – 6pm (exams, cleanings, extractions): Dr. Martin Kolinski and Dr. Tricia Crosby (525 Tyler Rd, Suite E, St. Charles)

1pm – 8pm: Dr. Robert Davidson (708 N. Main St., Elburn)

Jan. 26: AU Biz workshop

Recognizing employees: Aurora University business workshop Jan. 26

AURORA, Ill.—"Developing an Effective Employee Recognition Strategy" will be explored at the Aurora University Human Resources Institute from 8 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26, in the University Banquet Hall at Alumni Hall, 1410 Marseillaise Place in Aurora.

The public is invited. Admission is free. Networking and refreshments are at 7:30 a.m.

The guest speaker is Greg Boswell, managing director, client solutions, O.C. Tanner Recognition Co. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, the international appreciation company has offices throughout the U.S. and in London, England, and Ontario, Canada.

Boswell will discuss:
• Top drivers of employee engagement from Towers Watson Global Engagement research.
• Impact that recognition/appreciation has on top drivers of engagement.
• Recognition program best practice standards.
• Tips for making effective award presentations.

The Institute is co-sponsored by the Aurora University Dunham School of Business and Human Resource Management Systems, LLC of Naperville.

Reservations are requested. Call (630) 844-4894 or (630) 844-4917.

Future workshops scheduled are:

Feb. 23: “Reality-Based Leadership”

March 30: “How to Effectively Utilize Social Networking”

April 27: “Beyond Compliance: Consultative Approach to HR”

May 25: “Trends in Labor Relations”

June 29: “Current Federal and Illinois Legal Issues”

Aug. 31: “What You Need to Know to be in Legal Compliance”

Sept. 28: “Benefits/Compensation Trends”

Oct. 26: “Caterpillar—Developing and Maintaining a High Performance Work Culture to Achieve Business Results”

Sept. 14 - Dec. 17: AU Schingoethe Gallery celebrates 20 years

“Just as Curious When It’s Sung,” an art exhibit by Katie Kahn, Chicago resident and Northern Illinois University associate professor of painting, will open a 20^th anniversary celebration by Aurora University’s Schingoethe Center for Native American Cultures.

The free exhibit is open to the public Sept. 14 to Dec. 17 at the Schingoethe Gallery in Dunham Hall, 1400 Marseillaise Place in Aurora. The show will open Sept. 14 with a reception from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The reception will be followed by a lecture by the artist at 6:30 p.m.

According to Meg Bero, Schingoethe Center executive director, “In this show, Kahn explores a place of engagement between the personal, political and natural worlds in order to examine that interaction, and to discover wherein lies individual and communal responsibility.”

Kahn earned a master’s degree in fine arts from Yale University School of Art and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from California College of Arts and Crafts. Additionally, she received a fellowship to Yale Norfolk Summer School of Music and Art and attended the University of Chicago.

Her grants and residencies include National Endowment for the Arts Individual Fellowship Grant; Roswell Artist-in-Residence Fellowship Program; Ucross Foundation; and Ragdale Foundation.

Sept. 18 & 19: Fiestas Patrias

Fiestas Patrias 9/18 & 9/19: The Aurora Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board is pleased to announce Fiestas Patrias Aurora 2010, a celebration of Latin American heritage and culture.

The two-day music festival will take place in downtown Aurora on Saturday, September 18th from noon to 10 pm and Sunday, September 19th from noon until 8 pm. Reestablishing the Fiestas Patrias festival is timely considering the bicentennial anniversary of Mexico and several other Latin American countries’ declarations of independence from Spain in 1810. Fiestas Patrias Aurora 2010 invites the community to celebrate and recognize this event.

The festival series will be staged at North River Street Park and the parking lot immediately south of the park. Main stage entertainment will take place throughout Saturday and Sunday. Various genres of music will be performed, including banda, mariachi, cumbia, tejano, norteno, and rock. A children’s amusement area will be featured on both days.

Vendors will provide booths specializing in festive foods and many different culinary delights from Latin America, along with traditional festival food fare of hamburgers, Bar-B-Que, corn on the cob, hot wings and other delights. Additionally, local businesses will provide booths with offerings for festival patrons.

The parade steps off at 12 noon, Sunday, September 19th at the corner of River Street and Benton Street; then to Broadway, Galena Boulevard, Stolp Avenue, Downer Place, and ending at Middle Avenue. The parade program begins at 11:15 am in front of the Paramount Theatre.

Admission to Fiestas Patrias Aurora 2010 is free to all ages.