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Spr i ng/ Summer2010~UNI TY
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w h e r ec u l t u r em e e t sl i f e . . .
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Downtown Auroran downtownauroran@gmail.com
Samantha Oulavong
Marissa Amoni Publisher and Editor
When I first started Downtown Auroran magazine, this
issue was going to be about how much people living in Aurora get paid. My inspiration was Chicago magazine’s annual ‚Salary‛ issue. It was going to be great – a sampling of annual salaries across the board – from local busboys to city clerks to marketing executives. But a lot has happened in a year and frankly an issue of paychecks would just be depressing right now. So I decided to change the intended topic to something more positive. And the ‚Downtown Dozen‛ was born. The 12 folks highlighted in this issue are not the only people creating change in downtown Aurora, but they are a good sampling of the men and women who are active in our city center and make things happen. I e-mailed our contenders a questionnaire that asked a range of questions from where they lunch to what issues they think are worth solving in downtown Aurora. There isn’t room in the magazine for all of the answers, but they can be read in their entirety online at www.downtownauroran.com. Once you get a glimpse of our downtown dozen, I think that you’ll agree that their accomplishments should be saluted. Our downtown has had a rough past couple of years, but it’s not stopping this bunch from continuing their mission to create a great downtown (and city) for everybody. I hope that you enjoy this issue of Downtown Auroran magazine – our fourth – and that it inspires you to do what you can to improve our downtown. Even if it is just picking up a cup of coffee at River’s Edge Café or taking out-of-town guests to the Aurora Regional Fire Museum – it matters. Here’s to supporting our downtown and its supporters.
Kim Granholm Production Assistant Amy Perry Proofreading assistance Advertising and Submissions: E-mail Marissa at downtownauroran@gmail.com Cover design: Colin Pritchard, colindpritchard.com Downtown Auroran (DTA) is a local independent operation. We are focused on the downtown and its success – especially the burgeoning arts and culture movement. Opinions are encouraged and expressed, but they are not necessarily those of DTA. Downtown Auroran is published quarterly, and 1500 copies are distributed free of charge throughout downtown and select locations in the Aurora area. One copy of DTA per person, please. Share it and recycle it. Please support the businesses that support us. Keep it local! Thanks to Hollywood Casino for their kind sponsorship. © Copyrighted 2010
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Downtown Auroran
Summer 2010
index
cover stor y
The Downtown Dozen By Marissa Amoni
page
6
features Arrows by Michelle Slaughter I love you more than yesterday By Yahya Muhammad Wet Circles by Jo Fredell Higgins
Auroran Words
page
4
DTA profile: Fernando Medina
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page
Artist Profile
2-4 N. River Street – Hobbs Building, built 1892
Historical Notes
page
15
Table of Contents 2 4 5 6 9
Summer 2010
Downtown Auroran
submissions auroran words locust report cover story citizen voices
10 11 12 13 15
downtown voices artist profile recipe culture shock historical notes
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Auroran Words Arrows
I love u a little more today than I did yesterday
By Michelle Slaughter
By Yahya Muhammad
An object of your desire A piece of artwork from the past A toll made ‘round the fire Out of flint this spear was cast But nevermore shall fly I often wonder why When Cupid plays his silly games That he chose you and I When choosing from a thousand names That he should strike our hearts When he aimed that poisoned dart I wonder where he got it What dimension did that arrow part Once the hunter shot it? Or perhaps the thief was time Who stole the arrow and made it mine I’m glad the Mighty Judge Has yet to punish for this crime If that arrow would ne’er budge My heart would never pine. Michelle Slaughter was born in Aurora and resides in North Aurora in the same house where her grandparents raised her. For as long as she can remember, Slaughter has loved to write little stories or poems. She is currently writing a fantasy fiction piece that she hopes to turn into a novel. She says, “Writing is like driving on the open road. It is freedom. There is no limit to the possibilities.”
I love u a little more today than I did yesterday... I want to love you in the best of ways... To show you that your best of days...have yet to come... shake you from all the hum drum... Life's conundrums...you make my lips numb... When we kiss... power of a black fist, when it’s raised in rebellion... I wear your love around my neck in pride like an African medallion... Keep your heart on my shoulder so I can rest my head every time the burden gets too heavy... So you can flood my mind like a broken Louisiana levy... See I’m broke down but I’m ready... a little nervous but I’m steady so I’m down for whatever... We can weather the weather, whether apart or together... Bond tougher than leather; hotter than a knit sweater... In the summertime... you bare my soul...period point blank underline! I wonder sometimes... if I could write some rhymes that can compare to your sunshine... Some say love's blind...but what if love had a vision... What if love seen everything that both our lives were missin'... Completely...what if love saw that u complete me... So deeply...you make me sleepy cause your love is so dreamy... Yahya Muhammad is Aurora native John Blassingame, 39. A graduate of East High, Blassingame composes poetry and produces poetry, art and jazz shows in Aurora and throughout the Midwest. He is the project coordinator for African American Men of Unity's Spoken Word Expo Aurora, a 3-day event in September.
Wet Circles
By Jo Fredell Higgins
Fountains By Tom King Tom King was born in Aurora and has spent most of his life here, attending the West Aurora and Oswego school systems. King, a retired Geneva police sergeant, started taking photographs in his teens but didn’t become serious about it until later in life. He now devotes most of his time to photography and teaches Information Technology classes at Waubonsee Community College.
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Left by wine glasses and coke bottles and cups of hot chocolate and soap dishes left unattended and pots of pink geraniums beside begonias after the rain and tears falling on the pillow while he sleeps. wet circles left by rotting tree stumps and ferry boat circles in the bay and baby carriage wheels rolling over the grass and the moonlight as it sleeps. Jo Fredell Higgins is an internationally published and award-winning writer, poet and photographer. She is a retired educator from Waubonsee Community College.
Downtown Auroran
Summer 2010
The Locust Report Reporting on the News and Gossip in Downtown Aurora
Luigi’s Pizza and Fun Center is opening up a second location in downtown this June. The pizza joint will bring slices of pizza, hamburgers and more to restaurant row where Bacci Pizzeria formerly stood. Owner Bill Poss said he might name the new place ‚Luigi’s on the River.‛ Billy Goat Tavern is slated to open soon on the ground level of 29 W. New York Street. It is listed as a participating restaurant for the Downtown Aurora Taste on May 11. 33 West Trattoria is now open! The renowned Chef Amaury Rosado officially welcomed guests to his new Italian restaurant in mid-April. Rosado is still looking to move Chef Amaury’s Epicurean Affair from Commons Drive to the Elks Club in downtown Aurora, but his new venture is keeping him busy. Check out the walls for local artwork.
new Main Library. No dates have been set for work to start on a new library.
New York Street “Restaurant Row” Update:
The City of Aurora and Hollywood Casino agreed to a convoluted deal to buy the YWCA building on River Street north of New York Street. The building – a sad example of what the YWCA has become in recent years – will be torn down and the land quickly turned into a parking lot intended for Waubonsee Community College students. The Aurora Public Library is the proud new owner of a parcel of land at Benton and River Streets where the former Beacon-News building sat. The plot is the future home of the
A new authentic Mexican restaurant opened up on Broadway Avenue south of New York Street in late March. El Portal is serving up traditional Mexican plates and specialties in the historic Huntoon House at 31 N. Broadway Ave. in downtown. Father and son, Raul and Keni Castro, eagerly invite you to try El Portal for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Artist Lisa Gloria is busily seeking investors and artists for her dream studio in downtown Aurora. Fox River Arts still only exists as a Facebook page, but Gloria is excited about the positive response she is receiving about an artist colony along the river. Now, she says, it is just a matter of funding.
Subway is coming back! Don’t know when, and the regional office is being very secretive – but a spokesperson confirmed that a new owner scooped up the popular downtown lunch spot on the ground floor of the parking garage at Downer Place and Stolp Avenue.
Do you create art or do you perform? A group of locals is putting on a summer art festival on Water Street in downtown Aurora. The first ever Alley (ART) Festival welcomes everyone to partake in five hours of random art (including music, puppets and more) on Saturday, Aug. 28. Become a fan of Alley Art Festival on Facebook. Who needs Bucktown?
Summer 2010
Downtown Auroran
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ll
kinbi Eva Luc
Rena C hurch
The
DOWNTOWN Dozen By Marissa Amoni Photos by Marissa Amoni, Donnell Collins, Samantha Oulavong and Jennifer Tanner Trudo
Name: Gina Moga Age: 50 Title: Special Events Manager, city of Aurora Years at job: 11 years From parades to Downtown Alive!, Moga knows how to throw a party. Her office can be likened to a record producer’s and she seems more rock star than city office worker. If you want to perform on the streets of downtown Aurora, Moga is your woman. Best part of her job: ‚Seeing people enjoying themselves at the festivals and parades.‛ Name: Eva Luckinbill Title: Library Director, Library Years at job: 13 years
Aurora
Public
Since being hired as library director, Luckinbill started the quarterly newsletter that goes out to every household in Aurora, secured a grant for a computer lab at the main library and set up a special job and career services area for patrons. Recent accomplishment: ‚Most recently – I shepherded the administration through the
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process of purchasing the former Beacon News building with the intent of erecting a new modern library that reflects the status of Aurora as the second largest city in the state and will at last be able to provide informational, educational and cultural resources to its very deserving citizens.‛ Name: Rena Church Age: 51 Title: Director/Curator, Aurora Public Art Commission and Grand Army of the Republic Post 20 Museum Years at job: 14
Karen
nsen Christe
Fullett-Christensen formerly served as the city’s downtown development director. During her tenure, she accomplished much with Aurora Downtown – a group of downtown property owners that she helped to start. There were big projects like the Waubonsee campus, Ballydoyle Irish Pub and the lower river walk, but FullettChristensen also was integral in organizing the ArtWalk and the Living Downtown Tour. Downtown to her: ‚Downtown Aurora is a really interesting mix of big city and small town. Every person and every building has a story. This is a great place to be a poet (and an urban planner).‛
Church has hosted more than 100 exhibits, commissioned five sculptures and developed the APAC Sculpture Garden. But she’s most proud of the dual-credit ARTWorks program for high school students that she started in 2003. An avid bicyclist, Church often rides her bike to the David L. Pierce Art and History Center in downtown Aurora. Downtown wish list: ‚I think everyone is aware that we need more parking. I would also love to see the streets throughout the area striped for bicycles.‛ Name: Karen Fullett-Christensen Age: 59 Title: Neighborhood Redevelopment Division Manager, city of Aurora Years at job: 10
Downtown Auroran
Gina Moga Summer 2010
trying to rebrand itself as a destination for art and culture. Ideally, a new art and culture infused downtown would be home to artists and performers - individuals who are actively involved in making a difference in their communities. More people living, working and visiting downtown ultimately creates demand for new retail and serviceoriented commerce downtown.‛
ngers Jan Ma Name: Jan Mangers Title: Director, Aurora Commission Years at job: 23
Dan Hites
Preservation
Sure, Mangers works with homeowners to restore their historic properties. But she also painstakingly obtains grants. It was Mangers who secured grants for the restoration of the Memory sculptures on the New York Street Bridge and the GAR stained glass windows. On downtown design: ‚Downtown Aurora has the most unique architecture in the city. Nationally renowned architects such as Rapp & Rapp, Zimmerman Saxe & Zimmerman, and George Grant Elmslie designed buildings here. It was during the 1920s when businesses sought excellence in design as a symbol to portray Aurora as a quality, progressive community.‛ Name: Charlie Zine Age: 52 Title: Managing Partner, Kona Café Years at job: 1 No, Kona Café is not open. But Zine is still optimistic about his joint venture with Joe Vantreese at River Street Plaza. He even
Charlie
Zine
Summer 2010
Dave
Dorga n
ewis David L
says it will open this year. But even if Zine isn’t brewing Hawaiian coffee anytime soon, he is busy getting canoe chutes restored, river walks completed and envisioning a whitewater park for downtown Aurora. Current goal: ‚Re-design the canoe chute (and re-name it) so it acts as a portal to downtown for recreational paddlers. Our downtown is a highly desirable place to paddle because it has great architecture and good places to eat and drink by the river, both of which are rare finds in Illinois urban areas.‛ Name: David Lewis Age: 43 Title: Curator, Aurora Museum Years at job: 20
Regional
Fire
As a kid, Lewis (who lives and works downtown) wanted to be a fireman when he grew up. The fact that he had numerous medical problems that would prevent him from becoming a firefighter never crossed his mind. His fascination with what is red hot never died and 40 years later, it has become a life-long obsession turned avocation. A new downtown: ‚I believe Aurora is
Downtown Auroran
Name: David Dorgan Age: 56 Title: Chief Development Consultant, Seize the Future Years at job: 5 Dorgan is a behind the scenes type of guy and he likes it that way. He says that staying behind the curtain is how he is getting things done, like completing development agreements for Sho-Deen, the Elks Club, Ballydoyle and restaurant row. Selling downtown: ‚The downtown has what I like to call good bones. That means it has infrastructure, from public transportation, bridges and bike paths to assets like Waubonsee, Sci-Tech, the Paramount Theater, restaurants and the Hollywood Casino.‛ Name: Daniel G. Hites Age: 52 Title: Downtown Developer You could call him the re-animator. Hites has literally transformed a block of downtown Aurora and then some. He took the old Metropolitan Business College building and reinvigorated it, and then he revived an old building on River Street into chic, eco-friendly lofts. What’s more is he is approachable and hands-on. He often has an opinion and is an advocate for small business.
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Downtown dedication: ‚I’m proud to say I was a member of the team that worked through the four-year process to renovate and restore the 1894 old Central Fire Station to transform it into the historic gem in downtown Aurora.‛ Name: Joe Vantreese Title: Downtown Developer
Debbie
Vantreese is the founder and chief executive of The Vanstrand Group, which sounds impressive enough. But Vantreese was the first to act on bringing modern residential living to downtown Aurora. Granted the plans have changed along the way, Vantreese still acquired land, built on it and welcomes a fair share of new residents to downtown Aurora.
Davis
Reality check: River Street Plaza initially included plans for four new four-story brick and limestone buildings along both sides of South River Street south of Benton Street. The plaza was to house more than two-dozen restaurants and 180 one- and two-bedroom condos.
Steve Ar wady
25 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE & GROWING!
We provide professional management for approximately 15,000 “doors” in 65 local Condominium and Homeowner Associations.
se antree Joe V Do wntown re animator: ‚I view what I do as a personal effort to re-animate or rejuvenate a neighborhood through not only economic investments, but also through investing time and organization skills into addressing the surrounding community problems and directing resources into areas that spark life into a downtown; such as arts, entertainment and small businesses.‛
www.baumprop.com ~ (630) 897-0500
Name: Steven Arwady Age: 54 Title: Downtown Developer If you thought that restaurant row was all talk, then it is now safe to say that you were wrong. Arwady not only envisioned the foodie strip along the north side of New York Street just west of Hollywood Casino, but he signed up four vastly different grub joints to come on board – all in less than a year. Downtown to him: ‚An area with great potential for development. I would categorize downtown Aurora as a diamond in the rough.‛ Name: Deborah Davis Title: Executive Director, Aurora Regional Fire Museum Years at job: 11 You might not have stepped inside the Aurora Regional Fire Museum, so you don’t know what you are missing. But Davis keeps the place gleaming and runs the place so efficiently that you’d think she has a staff of more than two. If there’s a job or a task to be completed, she does it or recruits a volunteer.
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Downtown Auroran
Summer 2010
Citizen Voices What type of business do you want to see in downtown Aurora? Chanh Sayouth Aurora resident and customer service representative at the soon-to-disappear CheckFree Corporation ‚A high-end club lounge,‛ Sayouth said. He added that he’d like to go somewhere classy where you dress up and can chill out to electronic lounge music.
Deloris Flentall Aurora resident and Hollywood Casino employee ‚A dollar store because everybody goes to a dollar store,‛ said Flentall while eating at Comfort Zone Barbeque. Michael Miller Aurora resident, who teaches and writes hiphop songs ‚An urban clothing store,‛ Miller said. Miller visits downtown on occasion to record the songs that he writes at Gremlen Studios on Downer Place.
Earrings By Lynne Russell
Here I sit holding a pair of earrings. Let’s see, how I can describe
them. They’re sort of like a merry-go-round that is worn on the ears. Silver wires about two-inches long hang from a tented top with bursts of stars at both ends. In other words, these garish bobbles might be a great accessory to a Halloween costume, but never to be used as a fashion statement. But some 52 years ago at the age of seven, I thought these were the most beautiful earrings I had ever seen. A group of us neighborhood kids came up with the unique idea of having a used jewelry sale. We bugged our moms to hand over a few pieces of jewelry and then set up shop on a card table near the curb. Once laboriously displayed, we hawked our treasurers. As we arranged and rearranged our merchandise, I kept a close eye on those beautiful sparkly star earrings. I worried that they would be snatched away before I had earned the dime it would cost to purchase them. I said nothing of my adoration for these dazzlers, certain that if I expressed my love, one of my fellow salesmen would see their beauty and they would be lost to me. As we tallied our final sales and split our earnings, they were still there. I had my dime and those spectacular earrings were mine. Elated, I wrapped them in a tiny scrap of paper, tucked them safely in my pocket and raced home. I just knew that my mom would love these earrings and she too would be overcome with their magnificence. Running home, I threw open the kitchen door and there was my mom decked out in her blue Ship ‘n Shore dress. I was ready to present my beautiful gift to my beautiful mom. Beaming I said, ‚Mom I have something special for you. I hope you like them,‛ as I handed her the wad of paper. Carefully she opened the paper, ‚Oh, what have we here? Oh my, they are so beautiful. Thank you.‛ What came next was one of those defining ‚mom‛ moments. ‚These earrings are just so beautiful and perfect to wear when I do the
Summer 2010
Donna Gomez Plano resident and Hollywood Casino employee ‚A bookstore,‛ Gomez said. Gomez said she’d appreciate having something like a Border’s where she could sit and relax with a book after work. dishes.‛ I just beamed and glowed with pride as each night she donned her rubber gloves and her beautiful sparkling earrings. A sort of June Cleaver with that extra pizzazz! Little by little the earrings were seen less and less and then forgotten. Or so I thought. When my mother passed away in 1985, the sad and soulful task of going through her things revealed much more than was ever expected. My sister and I found every letter, every poem, every report card and yes, tucked in a box resting on a bed of cotton were those dazzling earrings. The years hadn’t added to their beauty, but as those memories flooded back I laughed remembering her washing the dishes wearing them. I now realize that she was fast on her feet to figure out a way to make me happy and not to have to wear those garish earrings in public. I recently came upon the earrings tucked away in a drawer while I was cleaning. So here I sit wearing my sparkling dazzlers as I type. Maybe they’ll come back into fashion. Maybe I’ll wear them when I vacuum. Or I’ll take them out when I need a warm fuzzy moment remembering my mother’s love. Lynne Russell lives in Aurora, where she writes poetry and works at the Hollywood Casino as an executive administrator.
Downtown Auroran
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Downtown Voices A Whitewater Park in Downtown Aurora Guest column by Charlie Zine
BRIAN J. HIPP
It has been almost three years since a group of
local kayakers brought former Olympic kayaker Scott Shipley to Aurora to seek his help in redesigning the Aurora canoe chute so that it actually works as intended. The initial goal was just to fix the canoe chute, but Shipley was struck by the opportunity to modify both of downtown Aurora’s dams into world-class whitewater parks. During the same visit, Shipley saw that bypass channels around the North Aurora and Montgomery dams could also be created. These projects, plus the state of the art by-pass channel currently being constructed in Yorkville, could create the world’s first ‚Whitewater Park Water Trail!‛ Any whitewater park is a regional attraction. But these four whitewater features in a 15-mile stretch of the Fox River (so close to O’Hare & Chicago) would create a world-class attraction, and downtown Aurora could be the center of it all. Aurora’s two dams could be modified into two levels of whitewater parks. In the east channel, an international level competitive kayak venue could host major events. The west channel would be a safe ‚play course‛ where whitewater kayakers could do tricks, such as, flips, jumps, Eskimo rolls and ‚surf‛ the stationary waves made by the drop structures. Families in rafts and swimmers in tubes could, with the proper protective gear, join in on the fun. And even spectators would find it a fascinating show. To help promote these projects, gather support and seek funding, we have created a non-profit organization called Fox River Water Sports (FRWS). FRWS will work with local governments and state agencies to coordinate efforts to apply for grants and build the venues. Our vision is to turn the Fox River into a true public park that is safe and accessible to the general public, and provides real economic and cultural benefits in addition to recreation. Last fall, FRWS hired Gary Mechanic as executive director to develop the funding and support for these projects. Mechanic has a 20year track record of developing paddling infrastructure and successful on -the-water events in Northern Illinois. Mechanic moved to Aurora last summer and has already obtained our first grant from the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS grant will bring two NPS staffers to Aurora to conduct a number of public meetings between the city of Aurora, Scott Shipley and the local stakeholders to redesign the canoe chute. The product of these meetings will be a ‚locally preferred‛ plan for the redesign of the canoe chute along with a grant request, which will be submitted to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to fund the reconstruction. Reconstruction of the current dysfunctional canoe chute into a safe by-pass channel will bring an immediate benefit to downtown Aurora businesses as it will allow paddlers to not just pass through, but for the first time, enter the downtown area and enjoy the local food and cultural attractions. Events like the Mid-America Canoe and Kayak Race could pass through, or even end in the downtown area. The Aurora City Council recently approved construction plans for the riverfront at Waubonsee Community College (WCC) which include a loading zone where boaters can load and unload boats form cars and trailers, a boat launch where canoes and kayaks can access and exit the river and places to lock boats so paddlers can visit downtown. Once the Aurora By-Pass Channel and the WCC improvements are in place, perhaps other businesses will be able to put piers and docks in the river so boaters can exit directly to their businesses. Aurora can be unique in the Fox River Valley, and once again a leader in innovative urban design, by creating the infrastructure that both encourages and invites river users, even in large numbers, to paddle, raft, tube and float the Fox River to downtown Aurora to enjoy the variety of restaurants, bars, coffeehouses, museums and free festivals - and some day soon, a world-class Whitewater Park.
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HIPP LAW OFFICE Attorney at Law
1026 Prairie Aurora, IL 60506
Downtown Auroran
Phone 630-844-1234 630-631-5192 Fax 630-859-0205 Email bjhippx2@aol.com
Summer 2010
Artist Profile DTA profile: Fernando Medina After Fernando Medina graduated college with a degree in graphic design, he couldn’t find work. He doesn’t have that problem any longer. Medina, 28, is a frequently sought after illustrator and graphic design artist who has built up an impressive portfolio in the handful of years since exiting Northern Illinois University. Medina was born and raised on the east side of Aurora and returned after leaving the dorm rooms in DeKalb. He graduated from East Aurora High School in 1999 with a scholarship to NIU and a goal to have a career in art. Art has been a part of Medina’s life for as long as he can remember. Whether sitting at the kitchen table sketching on paper napkins or drawing cartoon characters, he says that he ‚just liked to draw.‛ He won his first art contest while he was a student at Brady Elementary. He drew Mickey Mouse and won a bucket of candy. ‚People always encouraged me. My parents always saw it in me,‛ Medina said of the support he received as a child to keep up his artwork. ‚I just kept at it,‛ he said. Medina’s art teacher at East High noticed his talent and introduced him to Scott Ascher, the owner of America’s H i s t o r i c Roundhouse. Ascher used M e d i n a ’ s illustrations for his book, ‚Just Another Game.‛ Medina then started working a t t h e Roundhouse as a busboy and later as a waiter all while becoming an in-house d e sig n er fo r event posters and beer labels. He used Bay 26 in the Roundhouse as his art studio. Summer 2010
But even with all of his illustration work and a college degree, Medina was hard pressed to find a full time job. His break came when he caught up with his art teacher from Simmons Middle School. She connected him with another teacher who needed an illustrator for his children coloring and activity books. ‚It was my first big gig. I bought a computer with my down payment,‛ Medina said. He then put his illustrations online and people started to notice. ‚I started to collect clients. I was busy with work,‛ he said. He worked for a fashion company designing patterns and tshirt graphics. Then he landed his full-time job at Disc Masters in St. Charles where he created the images for hundreds of CD covers. It wasn’t until recently after being laid off from Disc Masters that he took up freelance work once again. Most of his freelance work is for graphic design, but he still loves to paint and is currently working on a show for the Roundhouse. ‚My first love is to get my hands dirty,‛ he said. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“In my illustration work, I like to focus on social and controversial issues, such as immigration, illness, addiction, politics, etc. and in my commercial work, I take a client’s project and inject my view of it by creating a unique concept and combining colors and textures.” – Fernando Medina See more of Medina’s work at www.fernandocreative.com.
Downtown Auroran
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Contributed by Kate Purl – west of downtown
7 S. Stolp Avenue
By Jennifer A. Kane
After a long cold winter, it's finally time to fire up the grill. This is a quick, light dinner that is simple enough to go into the weekly menu rotation but special enough to be served for company. Taco Ingredients: 1 lb. mahi-mahi fillet, skin and bones removed Olive oil, salt and pepper for grilling the fish ½ head shredded red cabbage, soaked and rinsed Corn tortillas Dressing ingredients: 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves ½ cup mayonnaise 1 & ½ T. plain yogurt 1 T. olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced ½ tsp. kosher salt Phillips Park ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper A squeeze of fresh lemon juice (about 2 tsp.) Directions: In a food processor, combine dressing ingredients and process until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Stir the dressing into the shredded cabbage in small batches until you reach your desired consistency. Brush fish with olive oil, sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat about two minutes per side. While the fish cooks, warm tortillas in a double layer of foil on the grill. To serve, place a few chunks of fish in each tortilla, top with a small scoop of the cilantro slaw, and enjoy!
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Downtown Auroran
Convenient living in downtown Aurora
Raise your sights. 630-897-6055
Patrick Smith
Fox Island Apartments
Grilled Fish Tacos with Cilantro Slaw
Summer 2010
Culture Shock MAY
LIMITED RUNS & SHOWINGS
DOWNTOWN AURORA TASTE Tue May 11 from 5-9 A dozen downtown eateries will participate in the 7th annual Taste hosted by the Exchange Club of Aurora. To purchase tickets call (630) 415-1263. www.auroraexchange.org.
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE Mon May 31 at noon Step off at Benton and River streets. Pre-parade ceremony starts at 11:15 at the reviewing stand on Downer across from the GAR building. www.aurora-il.org.
JUNE AURORA ARTWALK Sat June 5 from 2-7 The 2010 ArtWalk is here! Meet artists. See and experience their work. Watch the streets come alive with culture. Several locations throughout downtown Aurora. www.auroraartwalk.org. MID-AMERICAN CANOE & KAYAK RACE Sun June 6 49th Mid-Am race down the Fox River from St. Charles and Batavia to Aurora. Ends at McCullough Park at Illinois Ave. and Lake St. (630) 859-8606. www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org. GROOVE ON THE FOX Fri June 11 and 25 from 3 til dark Live music hosted by local band Groove Ethics. Free. Millennium Plaza Park at Stolp Ave & Galena Blvd, across from downtown Waubonsee campus. BLUES ON THE FOX Fri June 18 from 6-10 and Sat June 19 from 210 Part of the city’s Downtown Alive! series. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora. (630) 264INFO. www.downtownaliveaurora.com.
JULY GROOVE ON THE FOX Fri July 2 and 16 from 3 til dark Live music hosted by local band Groove Ethics. Free. Millennium Plaza Park at Stolp Ave & Galena Blvd, across from downtown Waubonsee campus.
CELEBRATING 100 YRS OF BOY SCOUTING IN AMERICA June thru Dec The Aurora Historical Society exhibit traces the history of scouting over the past century, including highlights of some of Aurora’s oldest troops. Open Wed-Fri, noon to 4. Free. David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E.Downer. (630) 906-0650. www.aurorahistory.net.
San Miguel De Allende, Mexico
2ND TO NONE 5K RUN/WALK Sun May 23 at 9:30 The Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry is partnering with Communities In Schools for this run to benefit the Food for Thought initiative. North River Park (across the street from the old police station). www.2nd2none5k.com.
DREAMCYCLES June 11 thru Aug 13 An exhibit of all weather/ utility bicycles and other active transportation, public transit, sustainable garden design, new energy and useful work. Open Wed-Fri, noon to 4. Free. Aurora Public Art Commission at the David L. Pierce Center, 20 E. Downer Place. (630) 906-0654. www.aurora-il.org.
Matt Jung
AUGUST PUERTO RICAN FESTIVAL AND PARADE Sun Aug 1 from 1-9 Parade kicks off at 1 in downtown Aurora. (630) 859-3593. www.auroraprcc.org. GROOVE ON THE FOX Fri Aug 7 and 20 from 3 til dark Live music hosted by local band Groove Ethics. Free. Millennium Plaza Park at Stolp Ave & Galena Blvd, across from downtown Waubonsee campus.
AURORA FARMERS MARKET Saturdays June 12 thru Oct 23 from 8 to noon Aurora Transportation Center, 233 N. Broadway Ave. (630) 844-4731. ART AT CITY HALL: GREG GOVERNALE Thru Oct 1 An exhibit of wildlife and nature photography. Open Mon-Fri, 8-5. Free. Aurora City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place. www.aurorail.org. RIVERFRONT PLAYHOUSE Call for current schedule. Riverfront Playhouse, 11-13 Water Street Mall, is a 90 seat, not-forprofit theatre located next to City Hall on the Water Street Mall in downtown Aurora. $12-$15. 630-897-9496. www.riverfrontplayhouse.com. Reservations recommended for most shows.
AUTO ROW CAR SHOW Sun Aug 8 from 11-3 2nd auto show on historic LaSalle Street open to cars 1975 and older. Spectators FREE! LaSalle St. between Benton St. and Downer Pl. 630.251.3533. LaSalle60505@sbcglobal.net. ALLEY (ART) FESTIVAL Sat Aug 28 from noon-5 Amazing summer art spectacular. Art, music, performances and more. Open to everyone. FREE! Water St. between Downer Pl. and Galena Blvd. next to City Hall. “Alley Art Festival” on Facebook.
SEPTEMBER
4TH OF JULY PARADE Sun July 4 at noon Kick off at River and Benton streets. www.aurora-il.org.
SPOKEN WORD EXPO AURORA Thurs Sept 9 thru Sat Sept 11 Poetry, spoken word and open mic event. Multiple venues. (630) 888-1104. www.spokenwordexpoaurora.com.
18 W. Downer Place downtown Fresh food and brews!
DOWNTOWN ALIVE! Fri July 9 and 23 from 6-10 Rock on the Fox and Fan Favorites brings classic rock and more to Galena Blvd. www.downtownaliveaurora.com.
FIESTA DE LUCES FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Sept 18 from 2-7 Commuter lot at Spring St. and Lincoln Ave. (630) 264-INFO. www.aurora-il.org/specialevents.
(630) 897-3343
Summer 2010
Downtown Auroran
We cater!
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Downtown Auroran
Summer 2010
Historical Notes 2-4 N. River Street – Hobbs Building, built 1892
The onion dome, a fascinating
history – there is nothing in downtown Aurora as impressive as the Hobbs building on the northwest corner of River Street and Galena Boulevard. Architecture Courtesy of the city of Aurora and the Aurora Historical Society:
the building from 1927 to 1932 and Main Furniture Store occupied it from 1932 until about 1938. Both went on to conduct successful businesses for several decades at other downtown Aurora locations. J & R Motor Supply, an auto accessories supplier, occupied the building starting in 1938 through much of the 1940s. In 1952, Mr. A. Beverly Crosby bought the building and moved Crosby’s Sport Shop into the first floor. His father had started the business over 20 years earlier on East Downer. Crosby’s operated on the main floor, while the upper floors were vacant. Crosby’s Sport Shop was in this location through 1983, when Mr. Crosby retired. Many Aurorans still remember this incarnation of the building. Since then, except for a couple of years in the late 1980s when a tool outlet was there, the building has been vacant. Many plans for redevelopment have surfaced in that time, but none has come into fruition.
The exterior of the red brick commercial building looks much the same as it did over 100 years ago when Albert Samantha Oulavong ‚A.J.‛ Hobbs commissioned Levi Hull Waterhouse to build J.E. Minott’s design for a new furniture store. The massive four-story building is 56 feet tall and boasts a total of 23,950 square feet of interior space. Dominated by a unique corner turret and onion dome, large round arch windows and tiers of projecting bay windows, the Hobbs Building is classic Romanesque Revival and is among the most recognizable buildings in downtown Aurora.
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Photo courtesy of Aurora Historical Society. A man leaps from the top of a platform into a six-foot pool of water as a featured attraction at an early 1900s celebration.
In 1980, the copper-sheathed dome was topped with asphalt shingling, which was controversial among Aurorans. The building recently had some new windows installed and currently sits empty. History Courtesy of the Aurora Historical Society: The Hobbs story actually begins down the street, on the east side of River St. between Galena and Downer. It was there that cabinetmaker Nathaniel R. Hobbs established his furniture, upholstery and undertaking business in 1867. In the 19th century, undertaking was a regular part of the furniture business, since coffins were made and sold by cabinetmakers.
Sunday, August 8th 11 to 3
Hobbs’ business prospered, and he took his sons - Albert and Willard - into the business, renaming it ‚N.R. Hobbs and Sons.‛ When Nathaniel Hobbs retired in about 1885, his sons took over and it became ‚Hobbs Brothers‛ until 1890 when the Hobbs brothers dissolved their partnership. Willard moved his family to South Bend, Ind. and opened a furniture business. A.J. stayed in Aurora, carrying A. J. Hobbs furniture to greater prosperity. In 1892, he moved the business down the street, opening a grand new building at 2 N. River St. The undertaking portion of the Hobbs’ furniture business continued into the early 1900s, transitioning into mainly ‚furniture, upholstering and rugs.‛ While Hobbs operated the furniture store on the main level, upper levels (mainly the second floor) contained not only offices for various professionals and small businesses, but also living quarters which were rented out. From the early 1900s through the early 1920s, Hobbs normally had anywhere from six to 18 tenants renting space, the majority of them actually living rather than working in those spaces. A.J. Hobbs died in 1926, but furniture stores continued to occupy the Hobbs Building. Simons Furniture and Rug Company stood in
Summer 2010
Downtown Auroran
On LaSalle St. between Downer Place and Benton St. Learn the history of LaSalle Street. Leave a message for our time capsule. Show your car and enjoy the car show.
www.lasalle-auto-row.org
630 896-0181
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Dave Richert Re/Max Town & Country 1128 Prairie St. Aurora, IL 60506 630.906.7266 drichert@remax.net WestAuroraHomes.com
www.WestAuroraHomes.com ——Now More Than Ever, Experience Counts——
www.FoxValleyHomeTeam.com #1 in Sales among all Real Estate Agents in Aurora, Sugar Grove, Oswego, Montgomery, North Aurora & Batavia in 2009