Downtown Auroran Magazine Fall Issue 2015

Downtown Auroran www.downtownauroran.com

T

here’s a picture that was taken inside of the old train station on Broadway that does what any good photograph should do – freezes time. The photograph shows shiny subway tile, gray metal lockers, old vending machines, wood benches, and eight people, each with his own story. The train station is now torn down. I have a couple of bricks from the rubble in my backyard. Where did I put them? They are now part of my fire pit, perhaps.

Marissa Amoni Founder, Publisher and Editor Kelmscott Communications Graphic Design Tony Scott Copy Editor Kate Purl Frank Patterson Contributors Advertising and Submissions: (630) 674-2099 m@downtownauroran.com Cover by Mike Mancuso; cover photos by Jimi Allen Productions

Photo by Mary Rodriguez

What is preservation? And why is it important? Why do people mourn the loss of tangibles from a fire or other natural disaster, but don’t give a second thought to the crumbling of a revered local landmark? Some do. Some care, like Carlo Losurdo (see Downtown Voices).

Downtown Auroran (DTA) is a local, independent operation. We promote and support local arts and culture while advocating for a vibrant downtown.

DTA is published quarterly and distributed free of charge throughout downtown and select locations in the Aurora area. DTA is printed in Aurora, Ill. by Kelmscott Communications.

I care, but I haven’t made it a top priority. I get sick over the thought of losing iconic structures that mean so much to our city’s history. But at the end of the day, my energy goes toward other things.

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Who does have the time? Who has the energy? Who can we count on to save what matters to us? Mayor Weisner proposes that we put our money where our mouths are if we want to save the likes of the Hobbs and the Terminal buildings, etc.

The mayor’s suggestion could point us in the right direction, as could Jimi Allen’s visions outlined in this issue’s cover story.

Copyrighted 2015

It’s been said by many that downtown Aurora has “good bones.” Will it still have those good bones with its sternum ripped away?

I’m asking lots of questions not because I think we have the answers, but because I think we can work towards solutions that respect the preservation of our city. I think Aurorans value their history and their landmarks. I think we can all do a little more to save what matters to us.

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540 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora • 630-897-0500 www.baumprop.com mikeb@baumprop.com Mike Baum, President RELATIONSHIPS • ETHICS • QUALITY

Fall 2015

aurora. it’s an artwalk on the first friday of the month. a night of art. free. lots of food, music and fun. theatre and live performances. meet artists and see their work. eat at local restaurants. visit downtown businesses, museums and galleries. it’s an artwalk on the first friday of the month. a night of art. free. lots of food, music and fun. theatre and live performances. pop-up art galleries in downtown aurora. support local. art. music. food. fun. it’s an artwalk on the first friday of the month. pop-up art galleries in downtown aurora. visit downtown businesses, museums and galleries. it’s an artwalk on the first friday of the month. support local. meet artists and see their work. buy a piece of local art. it’s an artwalk on the first friday of the month. free. pop-up art galleries in downtown aurora. lots of food, Oct. music free. it’s an artwalk on the4first friday 2, Nov. 6, Dec. of the month. pop-up art galleries in downtown aurora. eat. shop. support local. a night of art. lots of food, music and fun. free. visit downtown businesses. support local. meets artists and see their work. pop. olley ridesaurora. up art galleries a night of art.

Freeintrdowntown free. lots of food, music and fun. meet artists and see their work. a night of art. free. lots of food, music and fun. visit downtown businesses. a night of art. lots of food, music and fun. free. visit downtown businesses. support local. meets artists and see their work. pop-

index

c over st ory

INNOVATION THROUGH PRESERVATION page

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features page

www.auroradowntown.com

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A r t i s t P ro f i l e

By Frank Patterson

Kit Sunderland Historical Notes

page

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Preserving Music Table of Contents 4 comic

11 auroran words

5 locust report

12 downtown voices

6 cover story

14 historical notes

9 artist profile

15 culture shock

10 recipe

Fall 2015

Downtown Auroran

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Featured in The Pizza Issue of Downtown Auroran Magazine!

On the corner of New York and Lake Street in downtown Aurora

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Downtown Auroran

Fall 2015

The L o c u st R ep o r t Reporting the News and Gossip in Downtown Aurora Metropolitan Co-Working is now open at 14 W. Downer Pl. Suite 16. Many know the space as Emergent, a pop-up art gallery open on First Fridays. Jason Sunderland, who curates Emergent, partnered up with Matt Hook, of Business Solutions, and the two are bringing comfortable and smart shared workspace to downtown.

fall. Karademas Management said the coffee shop is set to open soon on the ground floor of the historic Leland Tower.

Seize the Future is now Invest Aurora, and they also adopted a similar laser-themed logo. The development foundation administers the Downtown Finish Line Grant initiative, which recently announced a new Downtown Restaurant Forgivable Loan program designed to assist in the attraction and long term success of restaurants in downtown Aurora. The forgivable loan offers one-third of the costs up to a maximum of $100,000 associated with the renovation of a commercial space for use as a sit down restaurant.

The library Christmas trees are coming home to downtown Aurora. The popular annual display of more than 25 artificial Christmas trees that reflect a variety of cultures will be at the Santori Public Library starting at First Fridays on December 4.

The tree display began when Mary Clark Ormond started it at the downtown library 40 years ago; it was most recently at the West Branch on Constitution Drive.

After a successful run in downtown, Backthird Audio relocated to Geneva after owner Benjie Hughes moved to the Boston area this summer. Kit and Jason Sunderland (see Artist Profile) now call the studio at 67 S. Stolp (behind River’s Edge Café) home, and Kit runs Sunney Art Center out of the former music studio.

Fotohof, fine art photography and gallery, is Martin Soto’s latest project. Located at 205 N. Lake St., Fotohof is open on certain First Fridays, and also hosts events throughout the month. Soto recently closed Künstlerhaus at 114 S. River St., but he continues his vision of a gallery and cultural center in downtown Aurora. Soto helped launch New Hites Studios and Gallery and is currently working with Charlie Zine and Lynne Saidac on a mural behind Hesed House.

A list to like on Facebook: Bella Rose Boutique, Metropolitan Co-Working, Tony & Amoni Show

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Gillerson’s Grubbery is a welcome addition to Restaurant Row. The new pub and eatery is located in the old Chef Amaury’s spot at 33 W. New York St. Matt Gillie and Dan Emerson are excited to bring great craft beer and local food to downtown.

Amaury Rosado handed the space over to Gillie, his former sous chef, this summer. Rosado now resides in both Aurora and downtown Chicago, and his culinary prowess is deeply missed.

U Samba? can now serve liquor after a five month wait for a liquor license. The Brazilian restaurant in the former Comfort Zone BBQ on Restaurant Row said the ability to serve liquor will save their business.

Blue Bird Beat did not open as planned at the end of last spring. The coffee shop at 7 S. Stolp Ave. is coming, but there have been some delays that pinned the opening back to this Fall 2015

Downtown Auroran

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BEFORE and during facade and interior demolition

innovation THROUGH preservation

AFTER facade restoration and interior demolition

On September 11th, Bureau Gravity closed on $1.65M in financing to complete its redevelopment of the Coats Building at 56 S. LaSalle Street. Owner Jimi Allen and his team of creatives have been working for 5 years to secure funding to turn this empty 3-story structure in Aurora’s former Auto Row into the center for business incubation and student development they’ve dubbed Gravity Building.

For Jimi and team, the path of “preservation through innovation” has been long and winding – and this was just the prologue. We asked them to share, in their own words and pictures, what it takes to pursue redevelopment as a small team of creatives instead of a well-funded developer – and why doing it that way matters so much.

By Jimi Allen The first time my firm ever tried to get a building development loan, we e-mailed our business plan to the bank as a video.

So creative! How could they say no?

agreement with us to address the structural issue. Now that we’ve preserved the structure we believe the newly renovated Gravity Building is going to change downtown Aurora.

They did say no. But first, the loan officer wrote back to say the firewall at his office didn’t let him view web video. He’d have to go home and watch it on his daughter’s laptop. We’d been acting like we were in Silicon Valley. But we were in Aurora, Illinois.

But it takes some cash to build a vision like that. And how do you borrow nearly two million dollars when the building itself isn’t worth enough to be collateral? That’s the problem everybody faces downtown who is not a big developer. The conventional message seems to be “if you don’t have the cash already, then you can’t contribute.”

And we still are. And yes, there are some challenges in that. But there are also opportunities for people who dream and believe they can overcome the challenges and make their vision a reality.

Our vision? We’re taking the Coats Building, a gorgeous old 3-story, 17,000 sq. ft. building on LaSalle Street, and turning it into a business incubator, a focal point for real-world new media education, local culture and community. I believe that the building would have fallen down sooner or later. When we took ownership of the building, the third floor was bulging. Originally undersized, the top of the building (one of the highest points on the east side of the river) had been subjected to the last hundred years of westerly winds, causing the parapet to lean back and forcing the two third-story piers to bow out. The City recognized this as a life safety issue and created a development 6

We reject that. The way we approached it was with a lot of energy and a few 30-yard dumpsters of debris. We started with what we could do ourselves: demolition and removal of 50 years of drywall and pipes to restore the interior to the strong, beautiful building it was created to be. The sweat equity gave us a leg up and a clean slate. But there was (and is) still much to be done. We didn’t give up – although we wanted to sometimes. We’ve knocked on more doors than I can count.

My wife, Kate, and I spent a lot of late nights putting kids to bed, then sitting up and working over one more batch of business plans, finance reports, appeals and applications. Every time we hit a wall, it took everything we had to pick ourselves back up and try again. We hit a lot of walls. We spent years doing that.

Downtown Auroran

Fall 2015

Innovation through preservation: the road less traveled, but worth the detours.

FEBRUARY 2008

First inquiry to purchase 56 S LaSalle Street Building

OCTOBER 2011 “Perspective Shows” gallery opening with 8 artists exhibiting work in the first floor of the building. Excitement ensues!

FEBRUARY 2010

Seeking financing for purchase of the building

AUGUST 2012

Summer of sweat equity: Clean 17,000 sq ft of debris

JANUARY 2011

FEBRUARY 2014

OCTOBER 2013

First construction financing commitment 500K - not enough to complete project

OCTOBER 2013

DECEMBER 2013

value engineering to meet financing constraints

Bureau Gravity Executive team reviews all possible financing scenarios

PRESERVATION The process of working to protect something valuable so that it is not damaged or destroyed.

Closing on the building purchase

$300k TIF agreement secured for life safety structural facade repairs

JUNE 2014

Seize the Future introduces current lender to Jimi Allen

MACMILLIAN DICTIONARY

INNOVATION The process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value or for which customers will pay.

BUSINESSDICTIONARY.COM

JULY 2015 SBA approval

MAY 2015

Finance approval

Finance closing 1.65M

And then we found a way. For us, the breakthrough came from borrowing against projected business growth instead of against the property. The Coats Building will be worth a lot when we’re through with it. But it isn’t now, at least not to a bank. That’s the overall issue with many of

Fall 2015

20 support letters provided by City staff, legislators, and business owners for SBA appeal

SEPTEMBER 2015

At Bureau Gravity, “divergent thinking” – that aspect of creativity that involves looking at a problem from as many different perspectives as possible - is what fuels our engines. So on New Years’ Eve two years ago, our Operations Manager, Chris Rud, and his wife Kayla joined us on our living room floor with a fat stack of notecards. We wrote down every possible way we could think of to finance this dream, every scenario, every derivation of our project. We looked at everything we had, and wondered whether we should call it quits.

the historic buildings in downtown Aurora.

MAY 2015

We had found an angle, but how would we connect to funding?

We’d been working with Seize the Future Development Foundation for a number of years. In 2013, we got a call from Seize the Future; they had found a lending resource that matched our business and vision. This lender understood the creative space in which we exist as something of value. Our original 2-minute video evolved into a 50-page business plan that described every detail of how our operation would achieve the projected revenues. A year later, we received an approval for financing.

We could have picked an easier path. Investors were hungry to lend funds—as long as they could own most of the resulting business. But we weren’t ready or willing to sell out. We believe in the business model of the future in America, dubbed “The Knowledge Economy”. It’s already at work in hubs like Chattanooga, Columbus, and downtown Chicago, transforming cities and culture and driving local economies. Downtown Aurora is full of perfect spaces for knowledge workers to flourish—if we’re able to preserve the buildings. We are committed to adding Aurora, Illinois to that list of innovative economies, and we didn’t believe we needed to sell out our business in order to do so.

Downtown Auroran

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WHAT’S A KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY? The knowledge economy is the use of knowledge to generate tangible and intangible values.

Here’s what Gravity Building will look like in a few years: There are dozens of small businesses on the first floor paying fees not just for space but for access to resources, advisors, opportunities and, not least, to each other. Some of these businesses are a single person and some are a dozen people trying to grow to a thousand someday. They’re all here together, going to lunchtime learning events, hearing guest speakers, and meeting with in-house accountants and communications experts and consultants.

On the second floor, the Bureau Gravity team is making communications pieces for our corporate and nonprofit clients, just like we do now.

But Gravity Institute is also here, training dozens of students to do what we do by actually matching them with clients of their own – folks who want Gravity-type creative at a lower cost – and mentoring them through that process.

We want to change community by making space – both physical and otherwise—where interactions and ideas are constants.

We want to change education by letting kids experience creative commerce as it happens. And we want to change communication by integrating as many creative disciplines as possible while remaining as flexible as possible.

We want all that, and we want it in Aurora.

In 1907, when Charles Coats built this structure, he had a vision that the automobile would become the next big thing. If we follow the metaphor, the Gravity Building is an on-ramp for the information highway and a vehicle to preservation through innovation.

People who take this road less traveled need downtown Aurora. And downtown Aurora needs them. We are right where we belong.

And the third floor? That’s event space for those incubation opportunities I mentioned, plus a lot of concerts and art showings with community value. You’ll also see our incubation members do things on the third floor that nobody’s even thought of yet. Our goal isn’t just to take the next step and be static; it’s to keep on changing with the culture and economy. Flexible, versatile space to serve flexible, versatile people.

Our CFO has written tomes on how an entity like this will help downtown Aurora. (If you want more detail, see me after class.) The increased employment density – our projections predict $7.2 million in new wages and cash flow originating from the Gravity Building over the next 5 years —will bring more local spending and accelerate Aurora’s economic growth. But for us, the vision is more than financial.

Adrienne Sandman Property Manager

630.631.2686 asandman8@yahoo.com 8

Downtown Auroran

Fall 2015

A rtis t P r o file DTA Profile: Kit Sunderland Interview by Frank Patterson

Roller skating around her living room is just one of the perks of Kit Sunderland’s life right now. It’s been a whirlwind as of late, but Sunderland is embracing the changes and new scenery.

This past August, Sunderland, 44, left Plainfield to move into an apartment in downtown Aurora with her family— husband Jason, son Jonah, daughter Selah, and their Maine Coon cat Charles Bedlam Kitty III aka “Chuck.” The move came after Sunderland briefly occupied a studio in the New Hites Studios upstairs at 14 W. Downer Pl. Sunderland is a newbie to Aurora’s art scene, but living in Plainfield exposed her to some opportunities in the nearby city.

Sunderland worked with her church, Community Christian Church, to do art projects in Aurora, including holding an art camp at Brady Elementary School and, later, doing murals there.

a studio down here.”

Jason recently opened Metropolitan Co-Working with business partner, Matt Hook; Selah works at River’s Edge Café, and Jonah commuted out of the Aurora Transportation Center to his summer job at the Brookfield Zoo. The zoo is also a special place for the Sunderland family; they volunteer there.

“It seems like such a natural thing to me. To have animals as a big part of your life,” said Sunderland, who incorporates elephants, giraffes, and many furry and feathery friends into her art.

Raised in the small town of Tuscola, Ill., Sunderland has always been involved with art, but a revelatory experience in the fourth grade made her realize that, perhaps, not everyone shared her passion.

“They said bring your hobbies in,” Sunderland recalled. “I brought my drawings in. I thought everyone would bring their drawings in,” she said.

Now Sunderland teaches art and has been involved with art camp for 12 years. Initially, she was conducting it along with a school for the arts, but she branched out on her own in 2008 when she established Sunney Art Center.

Sunderland said the local art scene is what drew her to Aurora.

The art camp projects, she said, are open-ended, “In that (the children) don’t have a finished project they have to get to.” She said art camp teaches children problem-solving and other basic skills.

After joining an Aurora artists’ group on Facebook, she friended some artists who invited her to First Fridays, downtown Aurora’s monthly celebration of art and culture.

As an artist, Sunderland works in watercolor, mixed media and collage, favoring the use of found paper, such as old books and sheet music.

“One of the first people I met (at First Fridays) was (local artist) Gerardo Madrigal and he said, “You should get

“I like that there’s some history in old paper,” Sunderland said.

She recently showed a project which incorporated paper from her grandfather’s hymnal, helping to create “a new legacy for the family.”

Sunderland is currently working toward a

“Downtown Aurora is not just people who are artsy, but people who are supportive of creativity and interested in what you’re doing,” Sunderland said. “It’s such a welcoming environment.”

“From kind of the first moment we were here, it’s been very much like home,” she said.

Fall 2015

“The reason I paint is to communicate ideas of inclusion, renewal, joy, and hope,” she said. “I use art because that’s my vehicle.”

Downtown Auroran

Master’s degree at Pacific University. She plans to teach art at the college level. For more information on Sunney Art Center and fall classes, email kit@kitsunderland.com.

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Aunt Mary’s Yum Yum Coffee Cake

Contributed by The Reluctant Hippie

This is a simple, delicious coffee cake that instantly became a favorite at our house after I dove back into Great Gram’s cookbook. Penned by my Great Aunt Mary Bonifas, this old school coffee cake only required a few updates. Substituting margarine for butter was one (because it’s 2015). The contemporary version also places some of the crumble topping in the middle, creating another layer of flavor and removing a layer of mess on the top. Aunt Mary was married to Great Gram’s brother, Frank, and they lived on the East Side of Aurora.

This fall, invite a few friends for a cup of joe (locally roasted beans from Two Brothers or Modest Coffee are suggested—again, it’s 2015) and impress them with your homemade coffee cake.

Ingredients: 1¼ cups white sugar, divided ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened 2 eggs 1 cup sour cream 1 tsp. baking soda

2 cups flour ½ tsp. salt 1 tsp. baking powder 3 cup brown sugar 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Method: 1. Preheat oven to 325°. Grease a square or round baking pan (a 9-inch square pan greased with coconut oil made a lovely cake).

2. Cream butter with 1 cup of the white sugar. Add eggs once the butter and sugar mix becomes light and fluffy.

3. In a separate bowl, combine the baking soda with the sour cream and allow to sit for a few minutes before folding into the butter mix.

4. Sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold into the wet mix until just incorporated—don’t over mix.

5. In a separate bowl, combine the cinnamon, brown sugar, and remaining ¼ cup of white sugar.

6. Spread ½ the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle ½ of the cinnamon sugar mix over the batter. Repeat with remaining cake batter and cinnamon sugar.

7. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out cleanly. Start checking around 30 minutes. The 9-inch pan took closer to 45 minutes.

Kate Purl whips up creative and healthful recipes for her family of four on a regular basis and chronicles the fun on her blog: thereluctanthippie.wordpress.com.

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Downtown Auroran

Fall 2015

Auroran Words Due Date

Old Library

By Richard Williams

By Mariana I. Moss

Our home, our hearth, our place of birth, Has been this jewel we call the Earth.

Upon it we have heaped abuse, Have played its assets fast and loose.

We do but rent—remember this, We signed the lease in Genesis.

We are responsible, as tenants here For upkeep, care, and atmosphere.

But with every act, from birth to grave, We’ve failed to nurture, cleanse, or save.

Pollution in both sea and air Now threatens life in urban fare.

Humanity is now a force Where it’s its own polluting source.

So before we pass, as time requires, Before our tenancy expires.

There is a question we must rue; What happens when the rent comes due?

Narrow, tall windows Mid-century memories Books and people gone Mariana I. Moss drinks decaffeinated lattes and grows many things in her backyard garden. Moss hopes to visit Canada someday.

Meanwhile, she’s waiting for Schitt’s Creek to be available on Netflix.

Getting the News

By Catherine Parker Long past, days of old, paper boys, every morning, spreading national and local news.

Many pages of weddings, funerals, some crime.

Sheets and sheets of jobs.

Cheap entrance to the outside world.

Nowfew pages, lots of crime, not so many weddings.

Jobs? Ha! Funerals are a given.

Not so funny-funnies.

Cost more for less.

Radio, TV, internet, Facebook.

Instant news.

Newspapers struggle to survive.

Things pass as news is invented.

What will be next?

Richard Williams, of Aurora, was educated to salute the flag every morning in school, which helped during WWII in the Pacific Theatre, and continued to be a factor through college afterward. Williams, 89, thinks in verse and is obsessed by patriotic and educational themes.

Catherine Parker moved from Pennsylvania to Illinois in 1965. Parker, 77, has five children, three stepchildren, and eight grandchildren.

Parker and her husband, Lynn, retired to Alexander, Arkansas in 2006.

Fall 2015

Downtown Auroran

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D ow n t ow n V o ic es The Challenge to Preserve Historic Buildings Guest column by Mayor Tom Weisner The preservation of historic buildings in Aurora is neither as simple an issue as it sounds; nor is it typically easy to accomplish.

First of all, to some folks, all old buildings are “historic” and should be preserved. Others may favor preservation as a community goal only when an older building has an obvious attachment to a significant element of Aurora’s history or is architecturally significant, or both.

Some Aurorans think saving old buildings is a “no-brainer,” while others think it’s a waste of time and money, especially when tax dollars are involved.

There are certainly a number of architecturally and historically significant buildings that remain standing within Aurora, many of them downtown.

fully inspect vacant buildings) has been able to identify through external observation. The city had to call the owner’s attention to the “onion dome” that was beginning to tip toward the street with potentially ominous consequences.

The city had to take the owners to court in order to force them to properly fix their own property. The owners have cleverly placed the ownership of the property under a Limited Liability Company (LLC), which means that, no matter how much wealth the owners hold, their liability to cover even court-ordered repairs is limited to the convertible cash value of this LLC. As we have seen, a recessionary period puts historic buildings at great risk, while also reducing the ability of government to afford the costs of rescuing these important structures.

Happily, the old Elks Building on South Stolp, which has been held by the city for many years, is now under private redevelopment as apartments with a first floor restaurant and will not only be preserved, but will also be back on the tax rolls.

The former St. Charles Hospital at Fourth and New York Streets could be redeveloped into senior residences in the near future if the state legislature extends certain tax credits to that area.

Nonetheless, even in the best of economic times, redevelopment of historic buildings is a difficult proposition. A recessionary period like the one we are only now moving past can be devastating.

Take, for instance, the former West High/Ben Franklin Jr. High, Aurora Christian Building at Blackhawk and Galena. This property certainly qualified as a building of historic and architectural significance. It was purchased by a developer in 2007 and a plan to redevelop the existing building into 42 residential condos, with new townhouses on the west portion of the property, was announced.

Unfortunately, as a result of our nation’s housing crisis and the ensuing recession, the developer no longer had sufficient credit and the property reverted to the developer’s bank, which let it sit for several years. The property was held in “legal limbo” until, due to its continuing neglect, and enforcement by the city, the bank followed through on its planned foreclosure and sold the property to the city of Aurora for a nominal fee. Unfortunately, by that time, it was too late to save the building.

One thing is apparent. While there are many ardent supporters of historic preservation in Aurora, no effort has ever been made to assure that dollars will be available – in good times or bad – to save precious buildings.

If the preservation community wants to assure sufficient funding in the future, perhaps it should initiate a referendum to raise and earmark dollars for the sole sake of preservation.

If a referendum was approved by a majority of Aurora voters calling for an assessment of only one cent per $100 of assessed valuation for historic preservation purposes, (a $150,000 home would pay $4.40 a year), then a minimum of $300,000 would be raised next year. As post-recession EAV for the community begins to grow, that amount would increase over time.

Even $300,000 a year could assure a significant impact. It could be used to purchase an historic structure before it deteriorates beyond repair. Alternatively, it could be used to provide matching grants for serious developers wishing to restore historic buildings.

The referendum of which I speak would have to be initiated by a grassroots organization – not by City Council resolution. Only an active and dedicated grassroots group could adequately educate and motivate the voting public on the importance of Historic Preservation.

The ability of the city to go after what might be considered “bad actors,” that is, owners who willingly let their properties deteriorate, is limited by law.

If the voting public approved such a referendum, our community would have the means to further efforts at preservation. If the public disapproved the referendum effort, we would have to live with that decision.

The ownership of the Hobbs (or Crosby) building paid $405,000 for the property in 2004, in what appears to have been a speculative venture. To my knowledge, they have made only those repairs to the building which the city (heretofore limited in its legal ability to

Tom Weisner is the mayor of Aurora. Weisner is currently serving his third term as mayor and announced he will not run again in 2017.

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Is there sufficient support within Aurora’s historic preservation community to take up this challenge? Time will tell.

Downtown Auroran

Fall 2015

D ow n t ow n V o ic es History Is Not Was Guest column by Carlo Losurdo There is a book that I own, written by Harold Darling called I Love Old Things. Every time I read it, I’m terribly moved by the simple unassuming prose and beautiful images on each page. It is written in the style of a children’s picture book. And in its juvenile pursuit, it appeals to me like no other book can.

In simple terms, the author tells and shows the reader why he loves all things old. After many pages in word and image of creaky doors, old porch swings and heirloom roses rambling on a faded white trellis, we begin to see what Darling is trying to say. He adores the things that still hold on to the vestiges of time not because they are old or valuable, but because they have an intrinsic meaning to him.

A meaning so innate that the two cannot be separated. His story is their story. The old tattered wingback chair that held countless hours of readers and dreamers. The stain glass window at the top of the stair that woke up with the morning sun thousands of times.

These pieces of history have a story that we as a society are obliged to tell.

The well-worn past history of Aurora is our story to tell. How well are we equipped to tell the story of our old things?

The story of the old things around us and our holistic understanding of them is vitally important. When we understand a part of the past it makes us whole.

Yes, the cumulative effect of time is sometimes negative. It makes things lean one way or another and gravity ultimately takes its toll. This notion applies equally well to buildings and people. And when they are not well, we step in and help.

After the end of WWII, major cities in Poland, Germany, France, England, and elsewhere rebuilt the historic parts of their towns that were destroyed by our bombs. In most cases, they were rebuilt exactly how they were before. Why? Well, in the horror of war many places had lost so much they could not bear to lose the places that brought so much happiness and memories before the war.

Historic buildings are part of the woven tapestry of our past. And just like the tapestries of old, they weave a tale down street and

Fall 2015

avenue, reminding us of where we have been, and what it took to get us there.

Somehow we have gotten to the point where decisions are made with wanton disregard for the history around us. Whether this is done by uninformed city officials or absent (minded) building owners, it has to stop. It’s an outrage when an historic building comes down, questions are raised and the caring public just gets the shrug of a shoulder.

The second largest city in terms of population and we can’t find a way to preserve that which makes this city unique. What best tells the history of a city that is 178 years old: vanilla-drenched subdivisions or the lofty heights of the Leland Tower? Who will define it going-forward? And under what terms?

William Faulkner said, “History is not was, it IS.” It is the aggregate of time, place, space, memory, and the individuals who make up that conglomeration. And in that past exists timeworn buildings with all their oddities, mysteries and ill-fitting domes. These old things are crucially important in the spectrum of history to give shape and definition to our time and place.

We as a society, bound by the irresistible pull of history, have a great opportunity to tell the story of a city. Not just in words, but in bricks and windows, concrete and steel. Yet, we deem it necessary to tear down parts of our past before they have even developed that fine patina of historical memory.

With a gentle hand, and gentler heart, let us proceed with the knowledge that someday someone will ask if we took care of the history of our place. Did we do no harm? Did we help it along its path of historical remembrance so that another generation can admire it as we did?

How, as a city, do we define our “IS”?

Carlo Losurdo, of Aurora, is a middle school teacher and struggling author. Losurdo is the former chairman of the Aurora Preservation Commission.

Downtown Auroran

13

H i s t o r ic a l N o t es Preserving Music

By Steve Warrenfeltz Last November, a group of local music lovers formed a not-forprofit organization called the Fox Valley Music Foundation. The mission of the organization is to serve the Fox Valley area in the promotion, protection, and preservation of the area’s music, while researching and documenting the valley’s rich music heritage and making that information available to all.

Most of the members, including me, are people who were intimately involved in the organization and management of Aurora’s Blues on the Fox festival for many years. In fact, some of us were with the festival since the late 1990s. The festival evolved from a free downtown street affair into one of the country’s premier blues festival at Aurora’s RiverEdge Park. The festival is now run by the Paramount Theatre.

The foundation is made up of volunteers and subscription members that help to finance activities, which include the presentation of lectures, symposiums, and concerts, while the behind the scenes activities of research and educational program development are taking place. We are now on a life-long journey to preserve local music.

The foundation started a music educational research program that involves interviews with area folks who might have been instrumental and significant in the establishment or management

of music related activities and/or entities. The interviews are being taped and preserved for the use and enjoyment of future generations while also occupying a current cornerstone of the foundation’s music history and education curriculum. Plans for these living legend music history stories include internet worldwide access along with local cable broadcasting and theatrical presentations.

At present, the foundation is looking for a permanent home so that their activities can be centralized and can become more efficient and effective. The vision for the home includes several performance and practice spaces co-mingled with educational and lesson rooms, a museum space, a retail area, and congregation area. In addition, the foundation plans to document, record, and archive past, present, and future music recordings of Fox Valley area musicians, and music that was made or recorded in the area regardless of the musician’s origin or domicile.

For more information regarding the Fox Valley Music Foundation, its activities, or to express an interest in getting involved, visit www.fvmf.org, or call (630) 406-0086.

Steve Warrenfeltz is the executive director of the foundation. Warrenfeltz, of Aurora, owns Kiss the Sky in Batavia.

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Downtown Auroran

Fall 2015

C u l tu r e S h o c k OCTOBER

DECEMBER

AURORA FARMERS MARKET Sat thru Oct 17 from 8 to noon Fresh produce, food demonstrations, crafts, music, and more. Aurora Transportation Center, 233 N. Broadway. aurora-il.org

HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS IN MANY LANDS Fri Dec 4 from 6 to 9 Aurora Public Library is bringing the Christmas trees back downtown. Join them for a sneak peek on First Fridays. Free. Santori Public Library, 101 S. River St. aurorapubliclibrary.org

BLACKLIGHT SCREENPRINT GALLERY OPENING Sat Oct 17 at 6 Stop by the Yetee t-shirt shop and check out all the cool stuff. The Yetee, 110 Cross St. Yetee Gallery on Facebook.

STORYTIME AT THE CAFE Mon Oct 19 at 11 The Aurora Public Library hosts an off-site storytime for children with books, dancing, and fun, plus a free cookie.

Free. River’s Edge Cafe, 14 W. Downer, Ste. 18.

No reg. needed. aurorapubliclibrary.org DAY OF THE DEAD PAPER MASKS Wed Oct 28 from 6 to 7 Kids are invited to make masks out of paper for Dia de los Muertos. Free. Culture Stock, 43 E. Galena Blvd.

Sponsored by Downtown Auroran Magazine.

NOVEMBER DAY OF THE DEAD Sun Nov 1 from 10 to 2 A multi-cultural celebration rooted in Mexican tradition.

Dancing, ofrendas, and more. Free.

SciTech Hands On Museum, 18 W. Benton St. VETERANS DAY PARADE Wed Nov 11 at 10:15 Step off at Benton and Broadway. Parade ends with a remembrance ceremony at the G.A.R. building. aurora-il.org STORYTIME AT THE CAFE Mon Nov 16 at 11 The Aurora Public Library hosts an off-site storytime for children with books, dancing and fun, plus a free treat.

Free. River’s Edge Cafe, 14 W. Downer Pl. Suite 18.

No reg. needed. aurorapubliclibrary.org WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL & FIREWORKS Fri Nov 20 from 6 to 9 Get your holiday spirit on in downtown Aurora with a festive parade, tree lighting, a Pop Up Shop, Santa, and a fireworks show. GAR on Downer; Water Street Mall. aurora-il.org AURORA ART STUDIOS OPEN HOUSE Sat Nov 21 from 5:30 to 9 Take a peek in working artist studios, formerly Gallery 44.

Free. 50 E. Galena Blvd.

FAMILY READING NIGHT Thurs Nov 19 at 6:30 Celebrate family reading night for an hour at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum hosted by Aurora Public Library. Free. 53 N. Broadway Ave. (630) 264-4123. aurorapubliclibrary.org GINGERBREAD FIREHOUSE CONTEST AND EXHIBIT Sat Nov 28 from 1 to 4 thru the end of Dec Grab the sugar, grab the spice and stop, drop, and roll for the annual fire-themed gingerbread building contest. Free. Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway. auroraregionalfiremuseum.org

Fall 2015

WINTER GARDEN OF YOUTH Opens Fri Dec 4 from 5 to 7 An annual exhibit of works of art by Aurora students in grades K through 12. Thru Jan. 24. Open Wed-Sat, noon to 4. Free. David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E. Downer Pl. (630) 9060654. www.aurora-il.org A CHRISTMAS CAROL Opens Fri Dec 11 $15-$17. Call for showtimes. Riverfront Playhouse, 11-13 Water Street Mall. (630) 897-9496. riverfrontplayhouse.com STORYTIME AT THE CAFE Mon Dec 14 at 11 The Aurora Public Library hosts an off-site storytime for children with books, dancing and fun, plus a free treat.

Free. River’s Edge Cafe, 14 W. Downer Pl. Suite 18. No reg. needed. aurorapubliclibrary.org POLAR EXPRESS Tues Dec 22 at 10 Watch the popular holiday film on the big screen. Hot, hot, ooh, we got it! $1. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. paramountaurora.com

LIMITED RUNS & SHOWINGS FACES AMONG FOUND OBJECTS Current exhibit An Aurora Public Art Commission exhibit curated by artist Bill Austin on the 3rd floor of The DLP. Open Wed-Sat, noon to 4. Free. David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E.Downer Pl. (630) 906-0650. aurora-il.org WPA ART IN AURORA Current exhibit See photos of local murals discovered at Aurora schools.

Open Wed-Sat, noon to 4. Free. David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E.Downer Pl. (630) 906-0650. aurora-il.org THE AURORA STORY Continuing The Aurora Historical Society exhibit on the 2nd floor of The DLP tells the history of Aurora with vintage treasures and more.

Open Wed-Sat, noon to 4. Free.

David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E.Downer Pl. (630) 906-0650. aurorahistory.net

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RIVERFRONT PLAYHOUSE “Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” thru Oct 17 Riverfront Playhouse, 11-13 Water Street Mall, is a 90-seat, not-for-profit theatre located next to City Hall on the Water Street Mall in downtown Aurora. $12-$15. (630) 897-9496. Reservations recommended. riverfrontplayhouse.com

ONGOING EVENTS DAAM! First Thursday of the month at 8 Join artists of all kinds at the informal Downtown Aurora Arts Mixers. Various locations.

Sponsored by Downtown Auroran Magazine. downtownauroran.com FIRST FRIDAYS IN DOWNTOWN AURORA: OCT 2, NOV 6, DEC 4 First Friday of the month Art is alive in downtown Aurora. Enjoy several art openings in one glorious night. Various venues in downtown, including If These Walls Could Talk, Paramount’s Grand Gallery, New Hites Studios, Yetee Gallery, Allen and Pepa Architects, The DLP, and The ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse. auroradowntown.com M.U.S.I.C. MONDAYS Mondays from 6 to 7 Free, live music every Monday night. Culture Stock, 43 E. Galena Blvd. M.U.S.I.C. on Facebook.

CLASSIC MOVIE MONDAYS Mondays at 7 Great, classic movies every Monday. $1. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. paramountaurora.com

NEED MORE ART AND CULTURE? Visit downtownauroran.com and click on Marissa’s Calendar for all the best local events.

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