Cathy Hayen is retiring from the City of Aurora government at the end of February. You might not know her by name, but you know her by the gardens, baskets, and planters of vibrant colors that have transformed downtown Aurora over the years into a seasonal paradise. In 2014, Hayen
When First Fridays in Aurora started in the fall of 2013, the tagline for the event was “art, music and more.” The event grew into a must-attend, thriving epicenter of culture thanks to the commitment to art at the forefront. As First Fridays added offerings and more venues over the
As the year winds down, it can be reinvigorating to start planning the year ahead. A new year full of hope with new possibilities and lots of fun. Along with a blank calendar and longer days to fill up. In 2026, I hope you’ll join me at some of these
I didn’t know it at the time, but this is the last of a three-part series on grief, and losing my mother. I first wrote about her death from uterine cancer in the May issue of The Voice. Then in August, I wrote about her Celebration of Life. Finally, at
The Venue, 21 S. Broadway in downtown Aurora, will present a free movie screening of “The Birds” in time for Halloween Saturday, Oct. 25. Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” is among the greatest and most well-known horror movies of all time. Starring Tippi Hedren, the classic Technicolor film is based on
Gosh are we lucky. This past weekend, my husband, Max, and I supported eight local businesses and took in some local art. There’s often so much to do in the Fox Valley area that we have to pick and choose as it’s impossible to do everything. This weekend was not
We all need connection. Whether we are self-proclaimed introverts or extroverts, we all need to connect with other humans. Even if we profess to love pets or animals more than our counterparts. Social connection is the key to living a longer, happier life. With that in mind, it seems like
My family and I recently hosted a Celebration of Life for my mom, Jill. We had a wonderful afternoon on La Quinta’s new all seasons patio. Many people filled the room. Lots of friends were there along with several of my mom’s coworkers from the flooring industry in which my
There’s something about a custom poster. They catch your attention taped to a window or door. They get us excited about what’s ahead. It’s eye-catching and anticipatory. It’s also not AI. For 15 years, Alley Art Festival has commissioned local artists to create posters for the year’s event on the
Some things are priceless. One of those things is pride in community. It would be hard to put a price tag on feeling valued, welcome, and respected. Although I only attended a few flag-raisings held by the city in downtown Aurora, I always saw their worth for many reasons. The
No guilt, my mom said. She didn’t want me to feel any guilt for her fatal diagnosis. I told her that I felt guilty, or maybe just naive, that I didn’t encourage her to get her pesky gastrointestinal problems looked at sooner. She had been complaining of digestive issues for
Alley Art Festival celebrated World Art Day April 15 with an art workshop at Mutual Ground in Aurora. Aurora artist Cherylyn Gnadt guided a dozen participants in making HERO inspiration cards. Mutual Ground is celebrating 50 years and Alley Art Festival is celebrating 15 years, so I met with Mutual
To celebrate 15 years, Alley Art Festival will host two free, open-to-the-public workshops leading up to the August 30 event. Tuesday, April 15, Alley Art Festival will host a World Art Day workshop facilitated by Aurora artist Cherylyn Gnadt. Gnadt will lead attendees in creating inspirational Inner Hero Cards from
I recently had lunch with Kelly O’Brien, who is the president and CEO of the recently-formed Aurora Regional Economic Alliance and Alliance Foundation. Since the Alliance is fresh and new, I wanted to meet with O’Brien, who comes with more than two decades of economic development experience. Through conversation, we
Art is all around us. We’re lucky if we see it. As I prepare for the 15th year of Alley Art Festival, I am reminded of the incredible talent of the local arts community. Local artists have painted dozens of murals in the past decade for us to enjoy. Local
I drive by St. David’s Episcopal often, and I had no idea that it holds significant artistic treasures inside the red double doors facing Randall Road. The mid-century, wood chapel is set back at the northeast corner of Randall Road and Illinois Avenue. There’s no sidewalk or bike lane along
It’s election season, and I have questions. As someone who champions small business and cultivates community connections, I have several questions for the Aurora mayoral candidates. Some of the questions below are mine, while others are from involved community members. I encourage all of the mayoral candidates, including the current
A special guest will be behind the bar at Wyckwood House, 80 S. River Street in downtown Aurora, Saturday, Dec. 7 evening. Marissa Amoni, of Aurora, from Marissa Bright PR, Boss Babes, Alley Art Festival, and more will take a bartending shift from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.. “We’re thrilled
I’m lucky enough to walk past a Frank Lloyd Wright house on Aurora’s West Side every morning, and every evening, too, if I walk an extra block while walking the dog. What really makes me lucky is the ability to appreciate a Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW) house. The geometric presence
RFP. Those are three letters that I learned about in my career as an arts and community organizer. Not only did I learn what they stood for (Request for Proposal), but I learned their importance. I’m in no means an expert on RFPs, however I know that they can be
