Sept 29: Harvest Day @ Aurora Farmers Market

Aurora’s Farmers Market Downtown

“The oldest Farmers Market in the State of Illinois!”

Harvest Day @ the Market Saturday, September 29, 2012
Wilder Promenade - 350 N. River Street 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

DEMONSTRATIONS @ the Demo Tent:

• 8:00 a.m. – Salsa Man Secrets – “Come Early, Get Secrets!” You won’t want to miss the “Salsa Man” (a.k.a. Dan Barreiro) as he reveals some of his clandestine Salsa making techniques.   Utilizing locally grown farm fresh ingredients, “Salsa Man” will craft before your very eyes, one of his healthful and flavorful top-secret recipes. Spicy? Savory? Sweet? Only those in attendance will know the SECRET!  But you can guarantee your taste buds will be tantalized and tingling.  Recipes and samples will be included.

• 9:00 a.m. Autumn Wreath – Learn how to spice up your fall décor from Susan Johnson, Phillips Park Horticulturalist.  Susan will demonstrate an easy to make Autumn Wreath perfect to add seasonal color to your front door or over the mantle.

• 10:00 a.m. – Preserving the Harvest - If you’re up to your elbows in tomatoes or apples this month, then chances are you need a little nudge in the right direction.  Why not reap the benefits of locally grown fruits and vegetables harvested at the peak of ripeness!  University of Illinois Extension Nutrition & Wellness Educator Laura Barr and Master Gardener Ruth Ann Seney will alleviate any fear you might have of Home Canning.  Their presentation will demonstrate the differences in water bath and pressure canning, equipment choices, ph values of foods and best practices. Discover the deeply rewarding experience of selecting your own produce and canning it into delicious homemade preserves, pickles and more.

ACTIVITIES & EXTRAS:

• ENTERTAINMENT: The Goats -Led by renowned musician and cello prodigy Eric Ross, this versatile group of dynamic twenty-something’s offer a unique musical mélange of string instruments, including cello, guitar and violin. Their unique sound is based in classical and acoustic repertoires with enthusiastic touches of folk, pop, jazz, and world music.
• Children’s Autumn Crafts: Fall is in the air so let the kids have some fun making autumn themed crafts with Chris Kral and Jennifer Tannenbaum experts in crafting!
• Aurora Hispanic Heritage Masks: Come make a mask in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month courtesy of the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Board.  FREE
• Animal Control & Friends of Animal Control: Bring home a new F.B.F. (Furry Best Friend)!  Puppies, Kittens, Dogs & Cats, all ready for a loving home will be onsite for a “Meet & Sniff”.  Adoption information will be available.
• Aurora Fire Prevention: Learn about Fire Safety and see an Aurora Fire truck up close.
• The Aurora Public Library Foundation Book Sale: A wide selection of new, used, donated, ex-Library books and some advanced reading copies.  ONLY 50 cents to $1 with donations gladly accepted.  All proceeds benefit the Foundation’s early childhood literacy and technology initiatives.
• FACE Painting FUN:  Dots and Splashes’ Chris Kierstead, famed “Visage Festooner”, will be onsite embellishing faces with colorful works of art!  FREE
• Farmers Market Photo Ops:  Farmer Up!  Get your picture with our Market Mascots “Penelopea” & “Cornelius”.  Plus you can also “Get Your Farmer On” in Grant Woods’ “American Gothic” painting or maybe you are more an “Aurora Andy.”  No matter your choice it will be fun and memorable for everyone. FREE
• Friends of Phillips Park: Fall planting brings Spring beauty!  FREE Tulip Bulbs along with a selection of fall foliage plants and perennials will be offered for a small donation along with horticulture information.
• Aurora Historical Society:  Have your picture taken with Andy Aurora and the Aurora Historical Society's 1922 Chevy panel truck, the kind of vehicle that was once a common sight on the streets of Aurora as a delivery wagon.  Plus a historical display of the City of Lights!
• Paddle and Trail: FREE BIKE VALET!  Just pedal to the market and valet check your bike for FREE while you shop!  Paddle and Trail staff will also perform a complimentary inspection to ensure your equipment is at maximum performance.
• Insure One: FREE beverage mugs and information regarding your insurance needs.
• Grand Dental Fox Valley: Meet & Greet with Dr. Taina Yanez.  They’ll have FREE Pumpkins for children to decorate and take home!  PLUS Grand Dental will be hosting a “Magic Show” Oct. 28 at the Akoo Theatre to benefit Salute Inc. Salute Inc. passionately pursues meeting the financial, physical and emotional needs of military service members, veterans and their families.  Discount tickets are available for only $30 (Reg. $42), all proceeds benefit Salute Inc.
• REGISTER TO VOTE: Deputy Registrars from the League of Women Voters of Illinois will be on hand to assist with voter registration. If you are a US citizen who is a resident of Illinois, here’s an opportunity to sign up now to exercise your right to vote!
• The Light of the Heart: A Community Art Therapy Project: Come and show off your creativity with a fun and simple art activity.  All ages welcome to participate!
• Fox Valley Montessori School – Scout Pack 6: Help support the scouts with their Popcorn Fundraiser.
• Dreyer Medical Clinic – Cardiology Department, Highland Campus:  - Complimentary blood pressure checks and education materials on Hypertension, heart healthy diet and smoking cessation.
• Missing Children Child Search:  Information to raising awareness of missing children and complimentary Kettle corn with a donation.

Harvest Day Vendor Specials:

• Juice Plus: FREE decorated pumpkin with Orchard, Garden and Vineyard Trio purchase.
• Dick’s Mini Donuts: BUY a Mini “D: GET a Mini “D” FREE! PLUS Dick’s Donut Mascot!
• Pampered Chef: FREE Apple Wedger (with a $60 purchase), FREE Shipping & FREE Recipe Card for stopping by!
• PLUS Many More Specials!

Sept. 29: Billions & Billions at The Yetee Gallery

Oct. 5: Aurora ArtWalk "Some Like it Hot"

The Downtown Aurora Fall ArtWalk, “Some like it HOT!,” the eighth in a continuing series of highly anticipated and hugely successful Aurora ArtWalks produced by Cultural Creatives, Inc. will take place Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, from 7 to 10 p.m. on North Broadway in Downtown Aurora.

The hot, diverse and inspiring event—created and planned by and for artists—will be filled with local and regional artisans. Paintings, sculptures, drawings, textiles, dancing, singing, and strumming are just a few of the things in store for visiting patrons. All are invited to stroll down Broadway, enjoy great art and music and experience exciting exhibitions during this FREE event. The ArtWalk will be hosted by multiple venues including: Aurora Transportation Center, Two Brothers Brewery, Jake's Bagels & Deli, Comfort Suites Aurora, Aurora Regional Fire Museum and La Quinta de los Reyes. Each site will feature a combination of music, performance arts, visual arts, exhibits and light refreshments.

Previous ArtWalks have seen outstanding attendance with standing room only audiences and have brought thousands of patrons and art lovers to downtown Aurora. In this version, “Some Like it HOT!,” two blocks of North Broadway, spanning from the Fire Museum to the Transportation Center, will be transformed into a HOT  urban art scene featuring Fire Eater Tom Hill and a unique musical flame exhibit created by local artist Jeff Weber. Bring your camera; you won’t want to miss the unique photo opportunities these exhibitions will demand.

The Aurora 88s will once again be out in full force thrilling patrons with short roller derby exhibitions. This FREE visual, tactile and auditory event promises to be a fun, family evening filled with entertainment and gorgeous art for sale spanning all mediums. More than 30 artists are expected to exhibit and perform.

The event line-up includes nationally recognized oil pastel artist George Shipperley and  award-winning painters David Hettinger, Cheryl Holz and Maureen Gasek to name a few. Additional visual artists include Scott Harding, Maury Guerra, Mary Anne Cummings, Gideon Haynes, Miguel SZ, Darius Hurley, Angie Draper, Annette Egan, Ladan Ghajar, Ella Gomez, Noah Gabriel, Mary Hyatt, Patti Parish, Christian Campos, Joanna Goss, Renee Rose, Angela Hibben and Loretta Hamilton utilizing oils, pencil, watercolor, acrylics and digital methods. Photographers include Tia Brooks and Mary Rodriguez, (2012 Summer Artwalk People’s Choice: Best Visual Artist). Performance Artists: Natali Brulc and the Aurora 88s will captivate crowds. Musician Santos Ramos will play at the Aurora Transportation Center, with "Jake Mack and the Last Stand" and "the Kevin Trudo + Meathawk" performing at Two Brothers Brewery. Don't miss the unique demonstrations at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum featuring Fire Eater Tom Hill along with Jeff Weber's Rubens Tube.

The juried exhibition will award $500 in cash prizes. Patrons attending the ArtWalk will be asked to participate in determining the winner of the Weber Award, a People’s Choice Award for both Visual and Performance prizes. Voting is available at participating venues.

This event is sponsored by Aurora Downtown, the Hollywood Casino, and the City of Aurora in conjunction with the Cultural Creatives, Inc. (a group of more than 50 local artists, property owners and businesses). The Aurora ArtWalk was sparked by several concepts: to offer an opportunity for artists to meet other local artists; to showcase Aurora’s open-armed embrace to its burgeoning artist colony; to highlight downtown’s historic venues; and to promote Aurora’s art-friendly business and property owners.

For information on the Aurora ArtWalk, visit www.AuroraArtWalk.com

Free Things TO DO With Little Ones in Aurora

As a mom of little ones who are growing bigger every day, I am always looking for something fun and local to do -- that costs little or no money, of course! Here is my quick list of fun things to do with kids in the Aurora area. In no particular order...

1. SciTech. It's a fun and educational place for the kids. You can also make a day of it and do lunch in downtown Aurora. SciTech's Super Saturdays are free with adult admission on the last Saturday of the month.

2. Swimming Stones. Across from SciTech on Benton Street are fabulous swimming stones that are kinetic and wet. Wonderful fun for free.

3. Saturdays in downtown Aurora. They've never been more fun. There's the Farmers Market every Saturday morning with kids crafts and more; there's Louche Puce Market on the Second Saturdays on Water Street Mall; and the last Saturday of August is Alley Art Festival - fun for the whole family.

4. Aurora Public Library. Check out the website and find lots of kids activities including storytime, Lego Club, crafts, and more! If you're looking to meet other parents, the library is the BEST place. I've met great friends there.

5. River's Edge Cafe. They will save your life with their awesome kid-friendly play corner. Grab a latte and rest for a few minutes. They also host storytime once a month. Visit their website for dates.

6. Blackberry Farm. I'm so glad that this place just keeps getting better. It's something that could easily be a thing of the past, but instead the Fox Valley Park District is making it better with more attractions including paddle boats and a great outdoor play area.

7. Biking trails. The Gilman Trail and the Fox River Trail are your friends. Hop on the bike with a picnic packed and you'll have serenity now!

8. Splash pads. During the summer, visit McCarty Park on Aurora's Near East Side, Phillips Park, and the Stuart Sports Complex for wet and free fun.

9. Phillips Park Zoo. Take full advantage of Aurora's free and wonderful zoo. If you go now, you'll see peachicks (the babies of peacocks and peahens) and a bunch of cool raptors and stuff. I love it!

10. Community parks. There's Rocket Ship park on Illinois Avenue and Cool Acres Park and Lincoln Park. One of our favorite's is New Haven Park off of Elmwood & Illinois. We have a ton of parks. Enjoy them!

11. Culture Stock is probably the best place to hang on a rainy day. A kid-friendly book corner will entertain them, and a couch and cup of coffee are calling your name!

Etc. Red Oak Nature Center

15 Free Things To Do Before Summer Is Over

School might have started for some, but there are still warm, sunny days ahead. Use the nice weekends in the next couple of months to get more summer in before the first leaves fall. Aurora and its neighbors have plenty of fun in store.

1. A day at the farm. Visit Dickson-Murst farm on Sunday, Aug. 19 for bluegrass, kids activities and more.
2. Gallery time. Stop by the book release party at the David L. Pierce Art and History Center on Friday, Aug. 24.
3. New season time. Celebrate the start of Paramount Theatre's new season on Friday, Aug. 24.
4. Art, music, spectacle. Spend the day at Alley (ART) Festival in downtown Aurora on Sat., Aug. 25.
5. See PINK fire engines. Walk down Broadway to the Aurora Regional Fire Museum on Sat. Aug. 25.
6. One last summer date night. Walk the riverwalk in downtown after dinner at Chef Amaury at 33 West.
7. Splash in the fountains on Galena across from the Paramount.
8. Check out 5 CDs from the Aurora Public Library that remind you of summertime.
9. Zoo trip. Phillips Park Zoo is open 365 days a year.
10. Take the bikes to a park in the next neighborhood over.
11. Stop in at the Yetee Cave for a peek at how a local t-shirt business is run.
12. Bike the Gilman Trail across the shaky wood bridge to Blackberry Farm and beyond.
13. Shop Louche Puce Market -- Aurora's only outdoor flea market on Sat. Sept. 8.
14. Ride the merry-go-round at McCleary School at Elmwood and Illinois
15. Picnic and play at Millennium Plaza on Stolp Avenue. Bring the food (Subway or Jimmy John's perhaps) and have your children or friends perform a play in the gazebo.

Aug. 29: Healthcare Legislation Update

Healthcare legislation update to be topic of free
Aurora University Human Resource Institute Aug. 29 

Aurora University and Gallagher Benefit Services / Naperville present

The Human Resource Institute Seminar:

"Health-care Legislative Update Based on the Impact of PPACA”

Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012

7:30–8 a.m.
Registration, networking and continental breakfast

8–9 a.m.
Presentation
Aurora University banquet hall in Alumni Hall, 1410 Marseillaise Place in Aurora

Registration/information:             630-844-3847      

Jul 14, Aug 11, Sep 8: Louche Puce Flea Market

Get Louche!

Take a walk down Water Street Mall between Galena and Downer in downtown Aurora on the second Saturday of the summer months and find treasures galore. Louche Puce Market brings dozens of vendors selling antiques, handmade items, vintage wares, toys, dime store goods and more. Second Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Convenient parking is everywhere in downtown, including a free parking lot just south on Water Street (enter from two-way Benton Street). Meters are free on the weekends! Downtown Aurora ~ there's nothing better.