Aurora BOREALIS 2015 ISSUE 4 Mayor Thomas J. Weisner Festival of Lights 2015 Page 4

ALSO INSIDE THIS EDITION A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR – Page 2 HAVE SOME WINTER FUN – Page 5 POET NIKKI GIOVANNI IN AURORA – Page 11

2015 Miss Merry Christmas and Mr. Jack Frost and court From the Mayor’s Desk

Mayor Thomas J. Weisner

From Parades to Plows, Aurora is Ready for Winter

Dear Neighbors: We have local celebrations of Christmas and In November, we paid tribute to all veterans Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. Inside, we’re drawn with Aurora’s annual Veterans Day parade Winter is coming. It’s going to snow, and to the Winter Garden of Youth Art created through downtown Aurora. The Aurora snow, and snow. It’s going to be cold, sub-zero, by Aurora school children, on display at Veterans Advisory Commission dedicated freezing-to-the-bone frigid outside. And the Aurora Public Art Commission gallery the new Veterans Monument at Phillips depending on El Niño, Climate Change, and downtown. Outside, we admire the awesome Park, a tribute to all Aurora service men and whether Santa is naughty or nice, the weather ability of the animals at the women who died in the nation’s conflicts could play havoc with Aurora – as it does at to adapt to the chilly conditions of the season. from Korea to Vietnam to present day least once every winter. battles. And Aurora’s Grand Army of the Our beloved Paramount Theatre has a packed Republic Memorial Museum is keeping But that’s no reason to despair. There are house of presents for us all, with Ralphie and alive the memories of Aurora Civil War enough fun, family-friendly activities going Randy and “A Christmas Story” onstage; a heroes from 150 years ago, as it opened the on in Aurora this winter to warm the heart of month-long Monday night holiday movie new GAR Museum Research Center in the every snowman and snowwoman. treat with the original “Miracle on 34th David L. Pierce Art and History Center, Street,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas across Downer Place from the historic Aurora officially kicked off the holidays with Vacation”, “Home Alone”, and “Polar Express”; GAR Hall. the City’s annual Winter Lights Festival in and Second City’s “Holidazed and Confused the week before Thanksgiving. Miss Merry Revue” right across Galena Boulevard at the We salute – and say thank you – to all who Christmas Grace Gault and Little Jack Frost Copley Theatre. have served. Logan Kluber helped me light the holiday tree in front of the Grand Army of the Republic Aurorans all pitch in during the holiday Memorial Museum. Santa and Mrs. Claus, season, bestowing blessings on our needier youth dance groups, a crowd of more than residents by contributing to toy drives and 2,000 people, and a brisk snowfall all added to coat drives and stocking the shelves of our P.S. The National Weather Service is the magic of the evening. City’s many food pantries. And shoveling the predicting that this winter may see above- sidewalk for an elderly neighbor or a mom average temperatures and below-average And the City’s holiday festivities continue with young kids is always appreciated. precipitation for December, January and with the half-century-old celebration of the February. But The Old Farmer’s Almanac Christmas story along Lehnertz Avenue, and In the month just passed, our community is predicting this winter will be colder than the Festival of Lights lighting up Phillips said thanks to the brave men and women normal for Northern , with below- Park. For more than a century, kids young who sacrificed so much – and continue to normal precipitation and below-normal and old have enjoyed sledding and ice skating sacrifice – to allow us to celebrate these snowfall. at Phillips Park – and this year they can try holiday blessings. out the new ice rink at the Premium No matter whose prediction you believe, we’re Outlets mall. already warming up our City snowplows, and you might want to start looking for your coats, hats and gloves right now.

2 | City of Aurora | 2015 Issue 4 Customer Service – 630.256.INFO Miss Merry Christmas, Jack Frost reign over Aurora’s holidays

Congratulations to Grace Gault and Logan Kluber, the winners of the 2015 Miss Merry Christmas and Jack Frost contest! An Aurora holiday tradition for more than 50 years for children ages 4 to 7, Miss Merry Christmas and Jack Frost are chosen from among the top vote-earners in the holiday court photos published in The Beacon-News. These Christmas kids helped Mayor Tom Weisner and Santa Claus light the City’s tree at the Winter Lights festival, held in downtown Aurora on Nov. 20. The other nominees for Miss Merry Christmas 2015 were Siyanna Dillard, Emily Benitez, Elysia Escalante, Ava Platt, and Monica Senft. The 2015 Jack Frost nominees included Collin Bloemker, Jabez Lishman, Alexander Montalvo, Elias Reta, and Ethan Vahl.

Grace Gault and Logan Kluber are Aurora’s Christmas couple for 2015, as the winners of the Miss Merry Christmas and Jack Frost contest.

$1 CLASSIC MOVIE MONDAYS

DEC 7, 7PM DEC 14, 7PM Got Your Tickets Yet? NOVEMBER 25-JANUARY 3

173-Seat Copley Theatre DECEMBER 4-20 DEC 21, 7PM DEC 22, 10AM

/CityofAuroraIL @CityofAuroraIL /CityofAuroraIllinois www.aurora-il.org | 3 2015 Festival of Lights

FREE Drive Through Holiday Experience! PHILLIPS PARK 1000 Ray Moses Dr., Aurora, IL 60505

Come Hear the Lights!

www.AuroraFestivalofLights.com

Your Name: WIN $100 FOR YOUR CHARITY! Fill out the coupon and bring to Phillips Park during the 2015 Festival of Lights season. One coupon will Your E-Mail: be drawn at the end of the Holiday season and awarded $100 to the charitable organization specified on the coupon. One entry per person. 4 | City ofCharitable Aurora | 2015 Organization: Issue 4 Customer Service – 630.256.INFO ABS15 (Organization must be 501.c3) Get out and enjoy winter in Aurora! Research Center gives inside look at GAR Despite the snow and the cold we know are and two ice rinks at Philips Park and coming, Aurorans have many reasons to look at Garfield Park, 817 Forest Avenue, are Museum collection forward to this upcoming winter. open sunrise to 10 p.m., weather permitting. The newChicago Premium Outlets ice Several downtown Aurora shops skating rink will also be open for holiday and museums are ready to make the shoppers. For hours of operation, go to season bright with extended hours for www.premiumoutlets.com. the holiday shopping season. (Visit www. auroradowntown.org for featured shops Or go for a winter hike along the and restaurants and a calendar of holiday Fox River Trail or the Virgil Gilman activities.) Holiday shoppers can find every Trail, at the Oakhurst Forest Preserve gift imaginable right here in Aurora, either or any of the dozens of parks and forest downtown or at West Aurora Plaza, at the preserves throughout the City. For a list beautiful Westfield or the of amenities at City-owned parks, visit newly expanded Chicago Premium Outlets www.aurora-il.org/parksandrecreation. mall, or at any of the scores of other stores in neighborhoods throughout the City. The new GAR Research Center displays Aurora students show seldom-seen artifacts from the GAR Check out the 2015 Festival of Lights Memorial Museum collection. at Phillips Park, sponsored by the Aurora their creative side Rotary Club, for nearly a mile of light Anyone interested in exploring the grand displays, and more added each year. The The creativity of students from history of Aurora’s Grand Army of the drive-through experience runs through throughout Aurora is on display at the Republic Memorial Museum now can find December 27 and is FREE, but donations 18th annual Winter Garden of Youth assistance at the new GAR Research and benefit nonprofit organizations throughout Art exhibit at the Aurora Public Art Visible Storage Center. The Center, in the Aurora. Commission Gallery. The exhibit is first floor rear gallery of the Aurora Public made up of 170 art works created by Art Commission at the David L. Pierce Or coast down Lehnertz Avenue through students in kindergarten through high Art & History Center, 20 E. Downer January 2 for a homegrown Aurora tradition. school, from 34 Aurora schools. The art Place, opened in November. The Center The Chicago area’s largest neighborhood- works, in a variety of mediums, were is directly across Downer Place from the coordinated Christmas celebration features chosen by art teachers or other faculty GAR Museum. religious scenery, carolers and your favorite members from each school. Peanuts characters from 5 to 10:30 p.m. The Research Center features museum- nightly. The Winter Garden show runs quality visible storage cabinets displaying from December 4 through artifacts from the GAR Museum’s Bring your sleds and ice skates and enjoy a January 23 at the Art Commission collection that are usually kept in behind- blizzard of family fun on the snow and ice at Gallery, 20 E. Downer Place. For the-scenes storage. Displayed artifacts Phillips Park and Garfield Park this winter. information, call (630) 256-3340 include gas masks from World War I TheCity sledding hill near the Phillips or (630) 256-INFO. and II, Civil War battlefield accessories, Park Aquatic Center, 828 Montgomery Road, and artifacts from the many veterans’ organizations that met in the GAR Post 20 Hall since it opened in Aurora in 1878.

In the Research Center, the Museum’s curator will be available by appointment to assist researchers in accessing portions of the GAR collection of 2,500 artifacts—including photographs, scrapbooks, records of GAR Post 20, and artifacts dating from the Civil War through Vietnam. Interested researchers should contact Curator Erin Howard at [email protected] or call the Public Art Commission at 630-256-3340. Two Aurora girls have a cool time at the sledding hill at Phillips Park. The GAR Memorial Museum, currently undergoing renovation, hopes to reopen for Memorial Day 2016.

/CityofAuroraIL @CityofAuroraIL /CityofAuroraIllinois www.aurora-il.org | 5 New Parking Meters Completed road projects make for Offer More, Easier smoother ride around Aurora Payment Options for Aurora Commuters

Commuters who park their cars in the Route 59, Broadway, or Lincoln Avenue lots now have more payment options thanks to new pay-by-license plate parking and a new Aurora Smart Card, which combine to create a quick and easy, first- of-its-kind parking system in the nation. Drivers in Aurora are now seeing several City officials cut the ribbon to mark seasons of road construction pay off with the reopening of the Indian Trail Bridge. The new daily parking payment terminals shorter commute times and safer roads. This allow commuters at the Downtown fall, the City of Aurora hosted ribbon cuttings In addition, the following projects are still Aurora Transportation Center and the and celebrations for some of the following under way: Route 59 Metra Station to pay with cash, major road projects: • Jericho Road Bridge: This Kane County credit and debit cards, the Parkmobile • TheIndian Trail Bridge opened October Highway Department project includes phone app, or the new Aurora Smart 16, reopening a major thoroughfare the replacement of the Jericho Road Card, already available at Route 59 and connecting the East and West Sides. The Bridge over Blackberry Creek, plus water coming soon to the Downtown station. new bridge features historical markers, main relocation, drainage improvements, The new machines are also more accessible wider lanes and sidewalks, and new, energy roadway reconstruction and resurfacing. It to users with disabilities. efficient LED lighting. is expected to be completed by the end of • On Nov. 4, city officials cut the ribbon this construction season. At both the downtown Aurora and Route on East New York Street improvements, • Kensington Place and Russell Avenue 59 stations, commuters now pay by license which widened a stretch of the major east- Rain Gardens: Major work for the plate number, rather than parking space west corridor to four through lanes and a construction of stormwater infiltration number. center median, improving travel times for rain gardens will be complete by the end of commuters and shoppers. the season. The new payment terminals charge a • Improvements on River Street will • Mitchell Road Bridge: This Illinois 30-cent processing fee for credit or debit be complete before the end of this Tollway project, a total reconstruction of card transactions. However, regular construction season. The project includes the Mitchell Road Bridge crossing the I-88 commuters can avoid this fee by taking the conversion of the road from one-way Tollway, should be completed by the end advantage of the new Aurora Smart Card, to two-way traffic, new streetscaping, plus of the year. available for purchase inside the station. a dedicated bike lane connecting a gap in • Street Bridge: The roadway will The Aurora Smart Card stores value the Fox River Trail. remain closed from Rural Street to Indian and your license plate number to speed • The first phase of construction on the Avenue through winter, with construction everyday transactions – users simply Ogden Avenue overpass at the CN anticipated to be complete by fall 2016. present the card to the machine’s reader Railroad will be completed in mid- When complete, the bridge, originally built and get a receipt. December. This winter, traffic will in 1922, will be a wider, two-lane structure continue to be one lane in either direction, with a sidewalk and a multiuse path. For more but is anticipated to move without long • Phillips Park Water Main: The installation information on train delays as vehicles will be using the of a 6-inch water main south of the commuter parking new overpass. The second phase of the Parks Department facilities will be under in Aurora, call overpass will be completed in Fall 2016. way from mid-November through early 630-256-INFO. • Storm sewer and restoration work has December. been completed on Galena Boulevard • Prairie Street Water Main: Two lanes and New York Street, and the two-way of traffic will remain open throughout conversion of Galena and New York will the project, which includes replacing be finished in mid-December. Watch for 1,900 feet of 12-inch water main. Work new traffic patterns, as both streets will be is expected to be complete in early in full two-way operation at that time. December. • Major roadwork has been completed on • Sperry Court Utilities: This project, which The Aurora Route 59. The multi-year project to widen includes separating storm and sanitary Smart Card the thoroughfare from New York Street to sewers, will begin in mid-November can be Ferry Road is complete, with the exception and is expected to be complete in early purchased inside both of minor restoration activity that should December. However, final paving may train stations. not have a significant effect on traffic flow. occur in 2016, depending upon weather.

6 | City of Aurora Customer Service – 630.256.INFO Be safe this winter season

Put safety at the top of your • DO NOT light your gas heater or stove if to-do list this season, with these you smell gas. Leave the home immediately tips from the City of Aurora. and call 911. • DO make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the PLOWING, SHOVELING, room. Ashes should be cool before putting DRIVING them in a metal container. • DO NOT park on any street after a snowfall of 2 inches or more until the street has been plowed. Busy primary FROZEN PIPES streets are plowed first before residential • MAINTAIN HEAT at a minimum of roads are cleared. 55 degrees. HEAT REQUIREMENTS • DO NOT leave warming cars unattended, • AVOID COLD DRAFTS near the whether locked or unlocked. water meter or exposed pipes by replacing • DO NOT shovel snow into the street broken windows, caulking holes in when clearing driveways. foundations and window frames. • DO keep fire hydrants cleared of snow • IF THE WATER METER OR PIPING so they can be accessed quickly in an is near the foundation, in a crawl space, or emergency. in another area where cold temperatures are present, wrap the meter and pipes and • DO check your mailbox posts for signs of insulate the area. deterioration. The City is not responsible for damage resulting from snow plowed • WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE onto the parkway. SEVERELY COLD, run the cold water faucet at a minimal rate to maintain water movement through your piping to prevent FIRE SAFETY freezing. • DO check the water level in your holiday • WHEN A PIPE MAY BE FROZEN, tree daily to keep it from drying out. contact a licensed plumber to properly • DO NOT overload electrical outlets with investigate and thaw the line. decorations, extension cords, or power • IF YOU SUSPECT YOU KNOW Aurora’s street plowing strips. Warm or hot outlets can indicate WHERE THE PIPE IS FROZEN crews are ready for this winter season. unsafe wiring. within your building, a hot air hair dryer • DO NOT use your oven to heat your can be used to thaw the pipe. Never use a home. torch or any type of device with a flame. • DO NOT place space heaters on non- • CONTACT THE CITY OF AURORA level surfaces or near children or pets. And Water Meter Repair Department at turn portable heaters off when leaving the (630) 256-3720 or the Water and room or going to bed. Sewer Maintenance Department at • DO NOT put candles on shaky or (630) 256-3710 for any cluttered surfaces, near children, or within questions related a foot of anything that can burn. Keep to frozen pipes. anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater. • DO have heating equipment and chimneys inspected every year by a qualified professional. • DO vent all fuel-burning equipment to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. And install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms.

/CityofAuroraIL @CityofAuroraIL /CityofAuroraIllinois www.aurora-il.org | 7 CASA looking for volunteers to help abused, neglected kids

Across the nation, January is celebrated as National Mentoring Month, to promote youth mentoring in the United States.

Residents of Aurora and other area The City of Aurora will save communities are invited to join in that celebration by becoming an more than $9 million through advocate for young people involved refinancing the bonds on the new in the juvenile court system. Aurora Police Department. CASA Kane County volunteers serve as • 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 2 and Dec. 10 at advocates for the best interests of abused and Refinancing efforts the CASA Kane County Office at neglected children within the Juvenile Court 100 S. Third St., Suite 460, in Geneva save City millions system. Volunteers are appointed to all child abuse and neglect cases in Juvenile Court, as • 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Gail Borden Refinancing the bonds that helped build well as all private guardianship cases involving Library, 270 N. Grove St., Elgin Aurora’s new Police Department will save minors in probate court. • 9 to 10 a.m. Dec. 8 at CASA Kane the City more than $9 million. County, 100 S. Third St., Suite 460, The CASA program was formed in Kane Geneva This fall, the City Council approved County in 1988. Today, CASA Kane • 6 to 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at Graham’s 318 at refinancing of the 2008 bonds that County has 280 volunteers who support and 318 S. Third St., Geneva funded construction of the new public represent the best interests of more than 600 • 9 to 10 a.m. Jan. 7 at CASA Kane County, safety police building on Indian Trail probate and abused/neglected children within 100 S. Third St., Suite 460, Geneva and emergency equipment for the facility. the Kane County Juvenile Court system. Aurora Chief Financial Officer and • 2 to 3 p.m. Jan. 12, Jan. 15 and Jan. 19 at City Treasurer Brian Caputo said the In 2014, more than 40 percent of the children CASA Kane County, 100 S. Third St., reissuance of the bonds amounted to served by CASA volunteers were from Suite 460, Geneva savings of 13.2 percent, or about $9.1 Aurora. • 9 to 10 a.m. Jan. 14 at CASA Kane million on the $69 million worth of bonds County, 100 S. Third St., Suite 460, the City has yet to pay off on the original CASA Kane County has scheduled a series Geneva $85.5 million issue. of informational meetings over the next two months for area residents interested For more information on becoming a Those dollars saved will ultimately be put in becoming CASA/GAL (Guardian ad CASA/GAL volunteer, contact CASA at to better use throughout Aurora to pay litem) volunteers. Informational meetings for 630-444-3110, or visit the CASA website at for services for residents or other needed potential volunteers are scheduled for: www.casakanecounty.org. infrastructure improvements, rather than spent on loan interest. Holiday tree collection, right at your curb The Police Department refinancing was the third major bond refinancing Republic Services, the City’s contracted waste hauler, will collect Christmas effort for the City in 2015. Caputo trees curbside from January 4 through January 8. Trees left at the curb that said the total savings will amount to week will be collected on your regular garbage collection day, free of charge. about $12.5 million. The City saved After that week, residents will need to attach a sticker to trees to have them about $2.6 million when it reissued a collected. Trees must be free of bags, tinsel and any other decoration. $27.9 million water and sewer bond issue from 2006, and $865,000 by refinancing a $6.6 million general obligation bond issue, also from 2006.

The savings come over the life of the bonds, by getting a lower interest rate. For the Police Department building refinancing, the new interest rate is about 3.57 percent.

8 | City of Aurora | 2015 Issue 4 Customer Service – 630.256.INFO Curbside Appeal Awards Encourage No pet Third Ward Residents to Spruce Up should be out in the cold! Third Ward Alderman Ted Mesiacos recognized Thinking of adding a new furry family residents of Ward 3 this member to your home this holiday season? Fall for their efforts to Every year, countless puppies and kittens improve their homes and given as gifts end up in shelters with neighborhoods with the uncertain futures, when a match between Third Ward Curbside pet and owner isn’t quite right. Appeal Award. Instead, consider a gift certificate from The following homes Aurora Animal Care and Control, which were honored: allows the recipient to meet the numerous 742 North Avenue cats and dogs in search of a warm and 702 Watson Street loving forever home and find the perfect 911 Watson Street pet for them. 826 Fourth Street 1115 Talma Street Gift certificates are $90 and cover 1035 Serendipity Drive the adoption costs, vaccinations, microchipping, registration and spay or In addition, Thomas neuter of one dog or cat. Gift certificates and Susan Voigt at 932 are available in person at Animal Care S. Fourth Street, John and Control, at 600 S. River Street, from Jacobson at 901 Pearl Street, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through and Victor and Obdulia Saturday. Viewing hours are noon to Lopez at 1015 S. Jackson Street, were Mayor Weisner, Awards Committee Chairman 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For Ramon Zepeda, and Third Ward Alderman recognized for their homes for a second year. Ted Mesiacos congratulate Thomas and more information call 630-256-3630. And Carlos and Luisa Olvera were recognized Susan Voigt (2nd and 3rd from left) on their award. for the curbside appeal of their home at And as the winter months approach, 412 S. East Avenue for the third year in a row. Animal Care and Control is providing the following reminders: • Keep your dogs and cats inside. Pets suffer from frostbite and hypothermia just as easily as humans do. City Diwali shines in the City of Lights ordinance requires owners to provide warm shelter and protection from the Aurora residents garnered international weather. attention for their cross cultural connections • Don’t let your dog off-leash in snowy with the city’s annual Diwali celebration, or icy conditions, as they can become sponsored by the Indian American lost more easily and are susceptible to Community Outreach Advisory Board. the cold. City ordinance requires dogs Diwali is celebrated as India’s festival of lights. to be leashed at all times when off their Here in Illinois, the City of Lights threw owners’ property. the largest Diwali celebration in the state • Wipe your dog’s paws after he comes on October 24, with Indian performances, inside to remove salt and antifreeze dancing, music, food and more festivities at that can be poisonous when licked. Waubonsie Valley High School. • Never leave pets alone in cars in the cold. A car can act like a refrigerator, holding in the cold and causing your pet to freeze. Leaving any animal in a threatening situation due to heat or cold is prohibited by City ordinance. • The holidays also pose several hazards to your pets, including decorations, candles, lights, and poisonous plants. For more information on holiday and cold weather tips, go to www.aspca.org/pet-care.

/CityofAuroraIL @CityofAuroraIL /CityofAuroraIllinois www.aurora-il.org | 9 UPCOMING EVENTS IN AURORA! DECEMBER The Rotary Club of Aurora and the City of Aurora present one of the largest outdoor light festivals in Chicagoland in a scenic drive through December 8 December 22 Thru December 27 Phillips Park. Admission is free, but donations help support several Aurora-area non-profit organizations. Runs through December 27. January 12 January 26 Holiday City Council Festival of Lights 6 p.m. Council Chambers City Hall – second floor 5-9 p.m. Sunday 44 E. Downer Place thru Thursday 5-10 p.m. Friday December 1 and Saturday December15 Phillips Park, January 5 1000 Ray Moses Drive January 19 Committee of December 11, 13, 16, 18, December 26 January 18 the Whole 20, 23, 27, 30 Kwanzaa Martin Luther 5 p.m. Tanner House Holidays Celebration King, Jr., Tribute City Hall – fifth floor 4-7 p.m. 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. 6 p.m. 44 E. Downer Place Tanner House Museum, Prisco East Aurora 305 Cedar Street Community High School, Self-guided tours of the 1857 Center, 500 Tomcat Lane HOLIDAY CLOSINGS 150 W. Illinois Avenue Tanner House Museum decorated Poet, professor City of Aurora offices for the season by local designers Sponsored by the African and author Nikki will close at noon on: and collectors. Free, but donations American Men of Unity, the Giovanni will headline a program Christmas Eve – are appreciated and support the Kwanzaa Celebration will offer paying tribute to the life of Thursday, December 24 work of the Aurora Historical inspirational speakers, food and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Society. entertainment for youth and recognizing and inspiring young New Year’s Eve – adults. Aurorans to follow in King’s Thursday, December 31 December 12 legacy and put service above self. Lehnertz Avenue Lights City of Aurora offices Lehnertz Avenue and Lehnertz JANUARY January 20 will be closed on: Circle Christmas Day – January 1 Friday, December 25 Neighbors all along Lehnertz Avenue have come together First New Year’s Day – Paramount Theatre, for more than 50 years to tell Fridays Friday, January 1 28 E. Galena Boulevard the original Christmas Story 5-11 p.m. with lights, sound and Biblical Music, art, The Paramount’s Broadway characters leading to the Manger food, shopping, dining, theater series continues as the plucky January 29 scene. And across Ohio Street, and more with venues around and shapely Tracy Turnblad on Lehnertz Circle, residents downtown hosting pop-up takes on racism, fat-shaming Aurora celebrate the season with a galleries and special events. For a and bad hair days with the Hispanic lighted Charlie Brown Christmas. map of participating venues, go to grooviest dance moves in 1960s Heritage Through Jan. 3. www.auroradowntown.com. Baltimore. So come on down Advisory and meet the Nicest Kids in Board Breakfast Town, brought to you by Ultra December 19 January 4 7:30 a.m. Clutch hairspray, of course! For Mandatory Housing Class thru 8 Gaslite Manor, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Curbside Tree information and tickets go to 2485 Church Road Aurora Police Department, www.paramountaurora.com. Collection Performances through Annual community breakfast 1200 E. Indian Trail, Aurora Set your holiday February 21. honors the achievements and Mandatory crime-free housing tree out at leaders of Aurora’s Hispanic classes are offered to owners, the curb on community. Tickets are $20 and landlords, and agents of rental and your regular collection day and can be purchased from the Aurora non-owner occupied residential Republic Services will collect it for Community Services Department, buildings in Aurora. free, without a sticker! 51 E. Galena Boulevard.

10 | City of Aurora | 2015 Issue 4 Customer Service – 630.256.INFO AURORA’S MLK PLANNING COMMITTEE presents the . . .

ROOTED IN THE DREAM

with Special Guest THE INCOMPARABLE

Poet | Cultural Icon

Monday, January 18, 2016 6:00 p.m. East Aurora High School 500 Tomcat Lane | Aurora, IL 60505

/CityofAuroraIL @CityofAuroraIL /CityofAuroraIllinois www.aurora-il.org | 11 Mayor Thomas J. Weisner Presort Std Aldermen U.S. Postage AT-LARGE: Robert O’Connor PAID Aurora, IL AT-LARGE: Richard Irvin Permit No. 2 WARD 1: Kristina “Tina” Bohman WARD 2: Juany Garza WARD 3: Ted Mesiacos WARD 4: Bill Donnell 44 E. Downer Place WARD 5: Carl Franco Aurora, IL 60505 WARD 6: Mike Saville WARD 7: Scheketa Hart-Burns WARD 8: Rick Mervine WARD 9: Edward Bugg WARD 10: Lynne Johnson Mayor’s Office 630-256-3010 – [email protected] Postal Customer Aldermen’s Office 630-256-3020 – [email protected]

The Aurora Borealis Community Newsletter is published through the City of Aurora’s Community Connect with us on Social Media: Relations and Public Information Division. Please address correspondence to /CityofAuroraIL [email protected] or: @CityofAuroraIL Borealis Editor – City of Aurora 44 E. Downer Place /CityofAuroraIllinois Aurora, IL 60507 Si usted desea recibir una versión en español de Aurora www.aurora-il.org Text “MYAURORA” to 22828 Borealis, por favor solicítela llamando al 630-256-4636.

Former hospital to become new home for seniors

The former St. Charles Hospital on Funds provided by the State Historic VeriGreen Development, Invest Aurora, East New York Street is being renovated Tax Credit through the River Edge Northern Lights Development Corporation, to become a new senior independent Redevelopment Zone program would and Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner’s office contribute roughly $4 million to the project, collaborated on putting together the financing living center. with $16 million in private investment and tax credits for the project. making up the rest of the cost. VeriGreen The City of Aurora and partners VeriGreen and the City are working hard to encourage The project is expected to create about 60 Development will break ground this the State to extend the River Edge jobs for local companies, involving tradesmen December for a project to bring the former Redevelopment Zone legislation, which is from a dozen different fields – mechanical, St. Charles Hospital back to life as a senior set to expire at the end of 2016, to bring electrical, plumbing, fire protection, independent living community on Aurora’s this and other economically smart projects masonry, carpentry, paving, roofing, concrete, Near East Side. to completion. demolition, landscaping, and specialty contractors involved in historic restoration Renovation of the 80-year-old former and terra cotta restoration. hospital building and Fox River Pavilion Nursing Home at 400 E. New York Street is part of the City’s effort to revive older neighborhoods and repurpose historic but blighted institutional buildings.

The $20 million project by VeriGreen Development will drive economic growth and beautify the eastern gateway to downtown Aurora. The rehabilitation project will help stabilize a promising but economically distressed neighborhood around McCarty Park.