Fall foliage in Aurora
Peak Fall colors are emerging in Aurora. According to the Illinois Office of Tourism, Northern Illinois’ most vibrant foliage emerges during the second week of October.
An historical trip down Aurora’s West Galena Boulevard
By Ricky Rieckert This week, I’m going to start on W. Galena Boulevard, heading east, from Constitution Drive. On the Northside, right off Galena Boulevard, was a department store called Zayre’s. It was open for a long time. However, due to theft and it becoming trashed, it was closed. Walmart
Buttons, Banners and Ballots at Aurora Historical Society
In a nod to election season, “Buttons, Banners and Ballots” is an exhibit featured at the Aurora Historical Society’s Pierce Art and History Center. The public is invited to the show at the center, 20 E. Downer Place in Aurora. Admission and parking are free. The exhibit runs to Nov.
“LUMENAURA” Lights Up Aurora with Month-Long Art Installations and Three-Day Festival
The City of Aurora is excited to announce a new, downtown light experience designed to captivate visitors with mesmerizing light-and-sound-based installations, interactive street art, dazzling live entertainment, futuristic projection mapping, a variety of food and beverage options, and more. LUMENAURA will take place in the heart of the City’s downtown
Pritzker touts Illinois’ economic development at data center groundbreaking
Data centers are a key element in fight over electricity costs in northern Illinois By Andrew Adams A Texas-based company broke ground on a new data center in Aurora on Wednesday, the latest in a boom of data storage facility developments in northern Illinois. Gov. JB Pritzker at the groundbreaking
Aurora City Council considers Orchard Road noise relief
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council is considering a Resolution to help provide relief to residents from traffic noise on Orchard Road. The City Council is set to approve a Resolution authorizing payment to Kane County Division of Transportation in the amount of $94,445.88 for the City’s 50% cost
Aurora remembered: Bread Box grocery store
By Ricky Rieckert This week, I’m starting on N. Farnsworth and E. New York Street moving north. At the southwest corner, of Liberty Street was a small grocery store called the Bread Box. Don, who was Greek, I believe, owned it for many years, since I was a little boy.
A celebration of all things fall at Blackberry Farm, Aurora
Blackberry Farm and its fall majesty will be on full display throughout October, when the Fox Valley Park District’s 55-year-old living history museum will play host to Pumpkin Weekends on Saturdays and Sundays, October 5-27, along with Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day Monday, Oct. 14. Located at 100 S. Barnes Road
Yellow Bird Books in Aurora to celebrate one year Oct. 19
Aurora’s only independent bookstore, Yellow Bird Books, 34 S. Stolp Avenue, will celebrate its first birthday with a day-long party Saturday, Oct. 19. The celebration will offer a full day of fun, and will officially begin at 11 a.m. with storytime and a visit from Rory, Aurora Public Library District’s
Central Bark coming to Aurora; hope for vacant hotel building
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council approved a Resolution and Ordinance authorizing a revision to the Final Plan for the property at 4389 Fox Valley Center Drive for a kennel with outdoor pens and runs at the Tuesday, Sept. 24 City Council meeting. City government of Aurora documents show
Jim Peterik played in Aurora, prices aren’t like they were
By Ricky Rieckert I’m sorry, but I left a few things, out of my article, last week. First off The Mug Tavern, was a great place to see live bands on the weekends. I saw quite a few. I saw the bands Off Broadway and Survivor. Jim Peterik, from Berwyn
Aurora Teacher honored for 54 years of service
Aurora’s longest-serving teacher had a street by Holy Angels School named in her honor Friday, Sept. 13. “Laura Waegner Way” was designated in an outdoor ceremony led by Aurora mayor Richard Irvin. Waegner, 79, retired in May after teaching 54 years at Holy Angels and an initial year at St.
Possible new use for vacant Galena Hotel in Aurora
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council is set to vote on a Resolution to approve a redevelopment agreement between the City of Aurora and The Barrera Organization LLC for the Renovation of the property known as the Galena Hotel at 116 W. Galena Boulevard. City government of Aurora documents
More memories of businesses in Aurora
By Ricky Rieckert This week, we’re starting from E. New York Street and Broadway, going South. About the third building, on the Westside was the Paradise Inn. One of the best Chinese restaurants in Aurora, owned by the Park family. Moving south, on the south westside of Galena Boulevard (Main
Aurora’s Immigrant History, Eola Boxcar Camp
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) is offering a unique opportunity to dive into the rich history of Aurora. Monday, Sept. 23, the Library will welcome historian and author Dr. Alejandro Benavides, to speak about his research in the program titled Olivia & the
Aurora, Illinois remembers 9/11 attacks
Aurora police and fire departments were host to Aurora’s annual Sept. 11 memorial ceremony Wednesday, Sept. 11. Beginning at 7:30 a.m., Aurora’s public safety officials and City leaders were joined by community members at APD headquarters, 1200 E. Indian Trail. Marking the 23rd anniversary of the tragedies in New York,
Aurora government helps Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA)
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council approved by a vote of 9-2, a Resolution directing officials to proceed with the implementation of Phase I of a 3-phase financial sustainability plan for the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA) in an amount not to exceed $13.8 million. Aldermen Ted Mesiacos and
Sixth annual Aurora Pooch Parade Oct. 6
The sixth annual Aurora Pooch Parade will take place Sunday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. at the Sunken Garden of Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Roses Drive in Aurora. The public is invited. To enter: •All dogs must be current on vaccinations. •All must be socialized. •All must have a standard
Greek owned restaurants, Whoppers of the past
By Ricky Rieckert Dear reader’s, It was brought to my attention that when I wrote about S. Lake Street, a couple of weeks ago, I forgot to include Hardee’s, which was between Gayle and Prairie Street’s, on S. Lake Street. They had a store on N. Farnsworth Avenue and Indian
Free vision exams for children ages six months to 16 years at Aurora Library
Free vision exams for children ages six months to 16 years will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 at Santori Aurora Public Library, 101 S. River Street in Aurora. The public is invited. Admission and parking are free. Advance registration is not required. Walk-ins are