Adrienne Holloway, City of Aurora innovation and core services department director, keynoted the​ ​​Jan. 2 meeting of Invested Neighbors, a networking group of Aurora University-area residents.

In added photo, Fifth Ward resident Fran Berg, left, chats with Holloway before her remarks.

Holloway said the innovation team, including technical division and community resources employees, works with city staff, community partners and citizens to investigate and solve challenges with creative solutions.

Future Invested Neighbors meetings will be held at 7 p.m. in the Homer Easley Room at Aurora University’s STEM school, 349 S. Gladstone Ave. in Aurora, on March 6, May 1, July 3, Sept. 4 and Nov. 6. Guest speakers in addition to Fifth Ward Alderman Carl Franco and Aurora Police Department officers will be announced.

The public is invited. Admission and parking are free.​ ​​ Call (630) 892-6803 for more information.​

The December Orchard Valley Homeowners meeting originally scheduled for December 21st has been cancelled. Our next meeting will be held on January 18th.

It’s that time of year again for thieves to steal the good cheer of the holidays by stealing packages delivered by commercial companies and/or the U.S. Postal Service.

What can you do to make sure you’re not victimized?

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Be sure to sign up for “Breakfast with Santa” by November 27th by calling Alpha Management at 630.892.8823. For the first time, Grandchildren of Orchard Vally homeowners are welcome. There will be 2 separate seatings which will be determined when you call to make your reservation. December 2nd the first seating is 8:30am – 10:30am, the second seating from 11:00am – 1:00pm.

When it’s cold out, everyone knows there’s no better place to be than hunkered down by the fireplace.

But did you know the creosote buildup found in unmaintained chimneys is a leading cause of dangerous house fires? Not good.

If you’re about to have a house full of family and friends over Thanksgiving, now’s the time to schedule an annual chimney cleaning and inspection. A pro will make sure your chimney is filtering smoke properly and that any materials utilized in your remodel are fire-rated so you can cozy up safely. Continue reading

Join Michael Huff, MLB of the Chicago White Sox and Alderman Carl Franco as we kickoff the Christmas season in style at the Paramount. Entry is free, donations are encouraged! RSVP by Wednesday, November 15 to save your spot!

For all the 5th Ward residents, I hope the newsletter gave you a good idea of happenings in our ward. However, in this ever changing environment, print can be old news the very next day. Case in point, there is disappointing news about Aurora Packing. Long story short, they have pulled out of the deal to move into the old Cosmopolitan bldg. Continue reading

Aurora’s annual Memorial Day parade steps off at the corner of Benton and Broadway at 10:15 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, and ends at the GAR Memorial Hall, 5 E. Downer Place, for the “Honoring All Who Served” ceremony. Keynote Speaker is Lt. Lauren Carthan, senior naval science instructor, East Aurora High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

The ceremony concludes with a military rifle salute by veteran organizations at 11 a.m., the exact time the armistice was signed that ended WWI. The parade lineup includes active and retired military personnel, local and regional veterans’ organizations, public safety personnel, a community chorus, marching bands, ROTC units and special guests. Following the parade and ceremony, the award-winning historic GAR Hall will be open for tours.