Aurora recently was named the top place in the country to buy a well-priced house. That was No. 1 in the U.S. where a median home list price is $250.000 or less with an emphasis of quality of life, according to GoBankingRates, which listed the top 50 places in the country.
A part of the quality of life in Aurora, even if it was not directly related to the ranking, is cultural diversity. The diversity was evident Saturday with the Diwali Festival at Metea Valley High School in Aurora. It drew 5,000 to the celebration. Visit thevoice.us/aurora-diwali-festival-at-metea-valley
The Diwali celebration is an important festival of lights in the Hindu religion, found in India and Nepal. India has many languages and religions. Diwali actually will be five days, Friday, Nov. 1 through Tuesday, Nov. 5, however, the more public celebrations are the week prior or a few days later. November 1-5 will be reserved for family and friends. There will be a public Diwali in Bartlett Thursday, Nov. 7.
Both mayors of Aurora, Richard C. Irvin, and Naperville, Steve Chirico, were in attendance, and so were many other elected officials. Music and a good time prevailed. Shweta Baid of Aurora brought her color painting. She was with her husband, Vikram Baid, and other family members. Saish Potina of Aurora, a Metea Valley High School student, sang the Star Bangled Banner, the U.S. national anthem. A group of approximately 40 youngsters, eight years to high school, sang the Hindu anthem. The air was light, the celebration was joyous. Points of origin were greater than from Aurora and Naperville. A musical play of good and evil was performed. The school gym was standing room only and many vendors were in the atrium. Our understanding continues.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Aurora 10th Ward alderman, Judd Lofchie, led a huge clean-up campaign that brought in more than 300 vehicles filled with various items as refuse. The clean-up crew is part of why Aurora is a good place to live. Visit thevoice.us/auroras-10th-ward-clean-up-day.