Important events are parts of our lives more than we may realize. We may use replies such as, “Nothing is new,” when we are asked, “What’s new?”
There are vital and important events in our lives whether we are direct participants, or, viewers from afar. We have a front row seat to history, even if we may not recognize the importance at the time. Be observers. Be participants. Events evolve into something new quickly. We can challenge ourselves to recognize situations, events.
There are politicians and some of their supporters who want us to believe circumstances which are not based in facts or truth. What do we do to stymie such maneuvering? It is always with us to be alert and understand.
- Unrelated, we must recognize essential events. State representative Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, will be host to the Secretary of State’s Mobile Drivers’ Services team in the Fox Valley Mall, Aurora, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 6 in the first floor, Center Park area of the mall. It may be easier to go the Mall for Driver’s Services than going to the DMV. Center Park, first floor, is 195 Fox Valley Center Drive. The services may be a savings of time.
- House Bill 1633 passed the Senate committee recently, 10-3, after passing the House, 75-32, last month, which would require public elementary and high schools in Illinois to include a unit of Native American history in social studies curriculum beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. Glossing over essential portions of education should be changed and for too long public education has not presented the essential contributions of Native American history and even had a tendency to rewrite it incorrectly.
- Events will include First Fridays in Aurora Friday, May 5 in downtown Aurora with its annual Food Truck Festival held by Aurora Downtown Aurora. The popular event draws huge crowds and is even better when the weather cooperates. There will be more than two dozen food trucks at the Benton Street bridges, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., according to Marissa Amoni who will be leaving her position with Aurora downtown after 10 years of helping to promote and monitor the growth of downtown Aurora festivals. She will transfer her talents to her own public relations firm. The Food Truck Festival started on Downer Place and has moved to the Benton Street bridges. There will be more than two dozen venues open in downtown Aurora for the First Fridays event May 5 for many thousands of visitors.
- Aurora’s annual prayer walk across Aurora will be from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 4. There will be 14 stops along the way from the southwest corner of Orchard Road and West Galena Boulevard. The final stop will be at McCoy Drive and State Route 59 and will celebrate National Day of Prayer. The public is invited. More than 100 persons have joined in the walk in previous years. For a list of stops on the route, visit tinyurl.com/4fdx5a94, or for more information go to editor@xpian news, or call 630-816-9314.
- Scholarship opportunities are available to Aurora University students by Aurora Second Ward alderperson Juany Garza. She will award a $2,500 scholarship to one male and one female college student each of whom lives in the Second Ward, Aurora. Scholarships will be presented at the Hispanic Pioneers Breakfast, September 15.
- Finally, the conductor of this column, on a personal note, is pleased and grateful for being surrounded recently by a large group of relatives and friends for the enjoyable celebration of a 50-year wedding anniversary with his wonderful wife, Donna Crane. The day was good reason to celebrate and enjoy. Where does the time go, but, we continually hear it and continually say it, especially once we reach an age of maturity and collect an accumulation of experiences!