Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » community FOCUS

The Tug of War, The Team Work & The Spirit of Aurora Celebrating 150th Birthday, Mayor’s Levee

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 01:21:00 +0000

No I didn’t forget. I have lot more to showcase, that is more pictures of the Mayor’s Levee from February 3rd, 2013 at the Town Park. Again, I probably took too many pictures, but how can I not. Everyone had great time children and adults, and volunteers.

I didn’t realize until after I processed these photos and how much these pictures show our community spirit, team work and fun. No doubt the attendance was low that day, but that does not mean much, as long those who organized and attended felt good about it. We were frozen to the bones when leaving, but before that everyone had fun.

So the gallery of photos showcases Tug of War that was set up for children. At some point adults took over.

You may ask who won on the end – they all were winners.

On the side note, there is lot of activity going on in our community now. I think year 2013 is not just Sesquicentennial year, but year of change and it will be all about the people in our community and how we will shape our community moving forward. Many may not like it, but accepting change is way to go.

Today, coincidentally, I came across Bill Hogg’s blog post about ‘Essential Elements When Framing Organizational Change‘. It is a post worth reading. Nothing really is new to me as I worked for corporate world before where changes happened all the time, and if you didn’t accept you didn’t fit. Resisting change is not very healthy, that much I can tell you

Well this concept does not apply just for organization – it applies for communities as well. Bringing more innovative ideas to the table is the key. Community involvement is another. The barriers must go down, otherwise, new ideas will flourish and those who resist change will not survive.

Where Is The Snow? It Will Be Record Weather For Aurora, Just In Time For Sesquincentennial

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 01:22:29 +0000

Where is the snow? The Christmas snow is now gone due to higher than normal temperatures. Last night I heard rain again pounding against the window. It isn’t a good thing for us. If the wind changes its course from normal direction and will start to blow towards front of our house we will get water leak inside the house. We have damaged shingles on the roof that means another potential leak. If the mild weather stays, the flu season is not going away.

I looked outside the window this afternoon. It was a very moody day, no sun and sprinkles of very little snow dancing in the wind. Yes we had little sun this holiday season. Just watch the price of the Vitamin D will rise on demand.

We got a call from a doctor for Matthew. Pneumonia still shows on the x-ray, that means another week of antibiotics, doctor visit and possible third x-ray to fill. No school for Matthew. He is sick but he has no issue cheering for no school days. Hopefully he will be good going back again after a lengthy break. Well, we also got news that our doctor is now sick.

Mini Snowman, A Day Before Christmas 2012

So when we had snow we made a snowman. To emphasize how little snow we had while making little fella – the snowman’s head is size of a normal snowball and he is about twelve inches high. Very easy to miss, and he will be missed – he melted few days ago. Completely to the ground.

This will be a definitely interesting Sesquicentennial year for Aurora not just for events, politics but weather patterns as well.

Just in case you have not seen yet, I have few things for you.

Our community FOCUS page now has Sesquicentennial focus page set up to feature topics related to 150th Anniversary of the Town of Aurora. It is also a great opportunity for us to show some not the old 100 years old photos, but photos that are only 15 years old or less. Nice recap for those who have been hanging out around Aurora for only 15 or 20 years. Remember it is 150 years of Aurora and every year matters.

I have also assembled together a Parent Zone page for parents who wants to occasionally write.

Lastly, I also started a legacy project for the Town of Aurora called documenting Aurora. The name says it all.

Runaway Santas, Downtown Historic Aurora, Ontario, December 23, 2012.

Kevin O’Leary Visiting Aurora For The First Time, Not Much To See At Night

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:01:33 +0000

Kevin O’Leary visiting Aurora – I wasn’t going to miss it. On the evening of November 13th, 2012 RBC Dominion Securities had Kevin O’Leary presenting at the DiNardo’s The Mansion.

I am not that much of a die-hard fan of O’Leary but I did almost kill myself running into a tree while sprinting through a dark parking lot to see his show. After few seconds of my idiotic fight with the tree branches I recovered and sprinted forward like nothing happened.

After all I wasn’t late, Mr. O’Leary was. He was stuck in traffic. Since I was only stuck in the parking lot I was able to beat him and still got the 10th row seat. He got the podium.

Kevin O’Leary in the Town of Aurora, Ontario

It was actually very interesting evening. Mr. O’Leary is quite an entertainer and I really enjoyed his views on investment. He didn’t tell me anything new as we already are very conservative family but it is sometimes good to get that confirmation from someone successful and obviously to see someone successful live. I am a big fan of ‘save your money’ and now I am of ‘get paid while you wait ®’. Unfortunately, it may take a while to get that second slogan moving forward.

So what did he say? To keep short and sweet – be conservative, never spend your principle only the interest, invest in the corporate bonds (look internationally) and if you going to buy stocks, buy those that pay dividends. Believe or not these were his mother’s investment principles as well.

Interesting enough he did talk about his television involvement a lot. One may ask why it is so. Well this is how he networks and gets to know individuals of interest and then deals money. Interesting approach but works for Mr. O’Leary.

The money does not grow on trees and they never did for Kevin O’Leary as he had to work hard to be successful. We must remember that as well.

Kevin O’Leary in the Town of Aurora, Ontario

Now the good stuff after the show. Mr. O’Leary wrote a book and gave out five autographed copies to the draw winners. Pictures with Mr. O’Leary were allowed. I wasn’t going to get one but I saw one couple leaving the picture scene and going ‘yes, yes, yes’. It looked like they won a big prize. Well, I decided to get my prize as well. Now that I have it, what am I going to do with it? Can’t sell it either.

Yeah, I got the autograph as well. First he signed my folder, but I was brave enough to ask for a second autograph near his picture. Well one day it is going to be an artifact. Does anyone want the signed folder?

On the way out I refrained myself from having a wine. I am sure it was really good, but that kind of tasting can be left to experts and I am not one of them. And to add, I wasn’t going to have another idiotic fight or even a dance with the tree outside.

Well next time if Kevin O’Leary comes back to Aurora I recommend to see his presentation – strongly recommend. And if he will be back may be he can visit Aurora during the day, I am sure he missed lot of good stuff in our town as he only was here in the evening.

Interesting Visit To The Aurora Public Library, Mario & Luigi Came Along

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 22:24:45 +0000

I thought I make this a bit up close and personal post, but then most of my posts usually are. Well three months passed and Matthew is still adjusting to school, his first year in Junior Kindergarten. We have good mornings and we have mornings that he will not want to go school.

But the teacher tells me that he has lots of fun in school, participates and eats well. He is starting to interact more socially. Its funny to hear him, ‘we boys played together today, and girls were not allowed in our area‘. Matthew always enjoyed interacting and conversing with other children and when he went to school I noticed he had a bit trouble finding a friend to play with. Last Tuesday he surprised me, ‘Mommy Andrei is my best friend again, we played restaurant together, and we had so so much fun.’ Perhaps that is what he needs.

Children use their imaginations and create their own play scenarios, and Matthew starting to do so. He recently became good friends with Mario and Luigi (Nintendo characters). He always was friends with Mario, but this is first time where he actually converses with both of them.

Inside the Aurora Public Library, Second Floor

Last Wednesday we visited the Aurora Public Library. Matthew did not resist because he wanted to show the library to his new friends. We were on the way out but in the last minute he had to go washroom. While waiting I overheard his conversation. Yes he brought them inside the washroom. ‘Oh Mario and Luigi I cannot pick you up yet, I have to wash my hands‘.

Matthew at the Aurora Public Library

While we were driving to the library he was showing Mario and Luigi all the things outside – trees, cars, Arboretum. We took Wellington Street and turned on Wells Street. While passing by the Town Park Matthew goes, ‘and here is Aurora Farmer’s Market, oh and it is closed now‘.

Then we got to the library. He was holding Mario and Luigi at the entrance and quietly said Hi on behalf of them to the librarian. I think he was a bit shy of his pretend toy friends.

So we went up stairs. Since the last episode of going unexpectedly to the library basement, Matthew enjoys now walking up and down the stairs. Sometimes we look down on the mechanical parts when the elevator is above us on the second floor.

That day most of his time Matthew spent playing children programs on the computer and he was holding Mario and Luigi in his hand as they were watching him playing.

Mario and Luigi Visiting Aurora Public Library

When children have imagination we just have to go with it. Sometimes I get so much resistance to go on the adventures in Aurora. JK is is big change for him and he often says ‘oh it is so nice to be home, can we stay home today?‘ or ‘I am so tired today‘. But that day was different, he had new friends coming with him.

Aurora Public Library, Second Floor Gallery

So what’s new at the Aurora Public Library. Well the gallery showcase on the second floor Tobermory Remembered: Landscape photography by Simeon Posen is new. More happy watching as APL recently changed its policy regarding DVD renewals. DVDs can now be renewed twice as long as they are not on hold. Something we always asked for.

May be just one more thing – important updates from the community FOCUS site. Our Aurora related content is slowly growing. The Town Politics and Lifestyle section is dominating, and we have few regular contributors Matt Maddocks, John Abel and Andrew Fogliato. Traffic is picking up and sometimes we get nice traffic spikes depending on the issues that come up in the town. We have few Aurora Directory submissions in the works.

We also have few focus page proposals in the works as well. We did in fact submitted proposal to the Sesquicentennial Ad Hoc Committee (SAC) to have a focus/landing page for the 150th Anniversary of Aurora for all the related content and events for absolutely free. Unfortunately our offer was declined because Town chooses potentially to pay $25,000 for the domain name, hosting and site design. The truth is even if the town designs their own site it does not have to cost that much.

Oh well so much for the community involvement, sounds like controlled one, but this will not stop us to continue with the anniversary focus page proposal. Stay tuned.

Colorful Aurora Farmers Market, When The Music Plays

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:55:11 +0000

The Taoist Tai Chi presentation in the park on Saturday at the Aurora Farmers Market was another hint that I should be going back soon to my Tai-Chi classes. I guess I got intercepted by flow of the positive energy thus got motivated – and I will be calling my teacher sometimes this week.

The weatherman called for thirty percent chance of rain that day – but not for that morning.

Taoist Tai Chi Lady

The market is a truly almost prefect place to visit. All we need a homemade lolly-pop stand and then it will be prefect. Kidding aside, we have great community here in Aurora and our weekly market caters everything (lolly pop or no lolly pop), even if it is just meeting your friends.

Just a year ago, I can tell you that we came to the market and spent an average 15-20 minutes – playing with Matthew at the playground and then heading for the popcorn. Because of this blog I met lot of people here in Aurora, just the same way we met lot of neighbours in the past four years on our street because of Matthew.

Matt Maddocks chatting with Diane Buchanan

It was a good day on the farmers market. Chatted a bit with Chris Watts who writes Temporary Sanity blog, then met with Matt and Deb. Briefly was introduced to Diane Buchanan from the Auroran, and on the way home I got to meet John Abel. I recognized few faces in the crowd as well – Councillor John Gallo and Councillor Michael Thompson.

Some of you already know about my little community blog project I started few months ago – the community FOCUS livinginaurora.com. Well so far so good and as anticipated. The content is growing, traffic is picking up and this is because of a few good contributors who regularly write about Aurora, and there will be more.

Note, everyone is welcome to write, anything Aurora related or if you Auroran you can write about Aurora and everything else. This site is great opportunity to be heard in the community.

If you have not met Matt Maddocks on the Aurora Farmers Market at the Town Park, you can meet him at the community FOCUS site. Matt writes regular column Point of Privilege on our community site where he touches on town’s political issues. He has also great appreciation for town’s culture and history.

Aurora Farmers Market, Town Park

Music in the park is a must. In my previous post I already wrote how hard it is to leave Aurora Farmers Market when the music plays. And speaking of music Councillor John Abel who also regularly writes can tell you all about amazing talent we have here in Aurora. You can read all about it in his latest post Music Scene in Aurora – Local Talent Showcase.

Town Park Musician

I never fail to take photos of the front door of the former Wells Street Public School even if it is blocked by the Aurora Farmers Market crowds. The school is going to be converted to lofts, one of a kind lofts here in Aurora. In the past I have written few posts about the school as I was allowed to go inside and photograph the building before conversion. I have one more post on the go this month to show you children’s art from the Wells Street school.

However, I am not the only one writing about the new lofts in town. On our community FOCUS blog site, Andrew Fogliato writes regularly on our Lifestyle focus page about real state market in the Town of Aurora. Andrew knows Aurora very well because he grew up here.

I know that some of my readers are not Aurorans, so if you are looking for an exciting place to live, a place like Aurora, Andrew will be the right person to meet and discuss your real state needs.

Former Wells Street Public School

What can I say. It was a very eventful day on Saturday.

A Young Bystander

Leaving Aurora Farmer’s Market

Click on the first image to view complete gallery of the photos shown below – vegetable accents, creative treats, millions of soaps, tasty popcorn-s, run away popcorn boy and more. Few more weeks and Aurora Farmers Market will be closing for the season. Enjoy.

Meeting Seniors At The Hollandview Trail Retirement Community, Good Neighbour

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 01:49:48 +0000

Gateway Drive is a street on the other side of the St. John’s sideroad, opposite to the Pinnacle Trail. The street shown on the photo below, the housing and far back on the horizon, the Hollandview Retirement Community.

All that did not exist in 1997 when we first moved to Aurora.

Gateway Drive, Aurora

We moved into our new home on Halloween. We juggled the two together – trick or treat visitors and moving stuff into the house. And since then we saw neighbours going and coming. I even wrote a short story on the community FOCUS about our early beginnings in Aurora – ‘Living in Aurora – Trick or Treat? Yes, We Moved Here on Halloween Night‘.

Hollandview Trail Retirement Community, Aurora

Speaking about the Hollandview Trail Retirement Community; on September 12th, 2012 I did presentation for the seniors. Who would ever thought that my blog will get me on the road – something I never anticipated. I was nervous. I was very nervous. But my audience turned out to be such a nice joyous bunch.

When I came they really made me feel at ease. Started talking to me, asking me questions and waving and smiling at me whenever I looked. They even said – ‘First time doing this?‘. I guess they could tell.

The script I wrote for the presentation I forgot at home. My presentation titled ‘Good Neighbour‘ and I cannot tell you what was my presentation all about because in the near future I am heading to the Aurora Senior Centre.

Joan Devins, Hollandview Retirement Centre, Aurora

With me to the presentation I brought some visual aids – two books Aurora 1945-1965, An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change and Aurora A History in Pictures. Books I use for reference when I go for walks around the town – it helps me to connect.

To my surprise in the audience I had a lady very much participating in my story telling about how I met Elizabeth Milner. Well, this lady happened to be Joan Devins who knew very well Milner’s sister and she is also on the picture on the cover of the book in front of Wells Street Public School. It is so interesting how things are connected in our town and it is so easy to intercept those connections and learn more.

But wait there is more. I did notice one lady on the back sitting by herself. I didn’t really pay attention until she came forward and offered if I ever need any information about the town she is the one. And the one was Jean Baker-Pearce. I think I may take on her offer.

But wait a bit more information here. As we were walking out Jean turned around and asked if I happened to know anyone who has the Aurora Its Early Beginnings, a book by James Johnston. I got so excited because I happened to have one – the yellow version from 1963 and in a very good condition. Ron Wallace really knows how to take care of valuable books. ‘Darn‘, said Jean once she found out I had a copy from Ron.

So what is so special about the book. There are early beginnings for everything, and this book is all about early beginnings of Aurora. Jean did help to write the book. The book was written in one week because it was realized that for the 100th Anniversary of Aurora celebrations there was no Aurora book written.

It was a very special evening and I really enjoyed meeting all the nice ladies in the audience. Yes they were almost all ladies. I think I had one gentleman on the back who came.

I don’t know their names but I recall small conversations before and after – the lady who sat in the very front and gently asked if I done this before. Then there was another lady who asked many questions about my profession – and she happened to have granddaughter in engineering as well. There was a lady who came up and share story about the red cardinal. And a lady who ask for the directions to the Nokiidaa Trail Link boardwalk and lastly two ladies against the wall who smiled and waved at me.

Living In Aurora, Elevator Snapshot

That night I felt like a celebrity. I know – it is just a living in Aurora blog, but for me small things matter. At my arrival, every turn I made I saw notices about my presentation – on the information flat screen at the entrance and then notice in the elevator. When I saw that one notice in the elevator, I think I beat the record getting my camera out the bag, turning on, taking cap off and snapping photo of the notice on the way down – just one floor down.

I tell you there are lot of hidden treasures in the town and it isn’t that hard to find them as well.

Suddenly Awaken To Retire Sunday Break, Coraline Sighed, The Book By Neil Gaiman

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 03:46:07 +0000

Time to retire my cheesy Sunday Break posts. It was okay, a photo with the accompanied quote. It was kind of ironic post. It supposed to be a break but I found myself looking for the right photo and then spent good chunk of time searching for a quote to relate. Result – missed Sunday posts.

Nokiidaa Trail Link of St. John’s Sideroad, Boardwalk

Well, enough of that. I am going to start something new and more meaningful to the society – SUDDENLY AWAKEN series. You know, stuff like being in the moment or getting inspired. I don’t know if I have reached some kind of level to inspire other people, but I do get inspired every day, by my family, by connecting with people, reading books, taking photos, watching videos and even just being out there somewhere.

The other day I picked up another batch of books to read at the Aurora Public Library. My card was expiring. A year passed by since I got my library card. Oh I needed badly to give myself pat on my back for the accomplishment, that is for a full year of regular visits to the library, but then I could only reach my shoulder.

Looking out the window in the passenger seat, today I was suddenly awaken by the idea of posting something meaningful, that is I want to remember all the books I read this past year and many more years to come. I want to remember my conversations with others. I want to remember Matthew’s great ideas.

Last month randomly I picked up a book at the library, Coraline by Neil Gaiman. For sure a fantasy. Not sure if I liked it at first and not sure if I enjoyed the dark mood of this book, but I was drawn. I kept reading and reading probably because I was curious what will happen next. On the end it didn’t matter, what mattered was this passage in the book.

Coraline sighed. “You really don’t understand, do you? she said. “I don’t want whatever I want. No body does. Not really. What kind of fun would it be if I just got everything I ever wanted? Just like that, and it didn’t mean anything. What then?”, Neil Gaiman, Coraline, page 120.

Yes, what then? Something to think about.

The beauty of today’s world is that the world wide web gave us excellent opportunities to share our thoughts. The digital photography gave us hands on opportunity to capture the moment. And the new kid on the block, LivingInAurora.COM community FOCUS is giving everyone great opportunity to share everything about Aurora.

I suggest to read Matt Maddocks’ (Point of Privilege Column, community FOCUS) latest published post and his intriguing thoughts on the politics of culture, The Politics of Culture, Two Weeks on Two Wheels. He will be driving outside the Town of Aurora zone in search for answers and I am sure he will have lot of interesting insights to share once he is back.

What To Do On Hot HOT Summer Days, My Choice Hangout At The Library

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 03:30:05 +0000

All week heat wave. Today morning rain and then hot again. Hopefully cooler again. One may ask what to do on hot summer days like that in Aurora. Many choices. You can go to the splash pad at the Town Park or Ida Johnson Park, or you can hang out in cool and dry place like a library.

Matthew, Splash Pad at the Town Park

Last Thursday it was so hot and also boring to stay home, second day in the row – so we headed for the Aurora Public Library.

Just a regular stuff at the Aurora Public Library, like books, books and more books. Couple nice displays which I always like to examine – Bicentennial Celebration of the War of 1812 and Doors Open 2012.

I also found out that Aurora Public Library is now selling Elizabeth H. Milner’s book, Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change, in addition book is also available at the Abebooks.com, Jonathan’s Restaurant and through Aurora Historical Society in Aurora.

Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change

Speaking of Elizabeth Milner and the heat. I guess I am not the only one bothered by the hot humid days. Not that Elizabeth is complaining like me but she is definitely thinking about cooler days. Elizabeth emailed me and shared couple things with me – a poem The Ice Man – 1947 and her memories of Mr. Bill Case, Aurora’s ice man.

Aha, and who was Mr. Case?

Mr. Case was in the ice business in late forties and early fifties. Children in the town would watch for Mr. Case to come along with his horse and wagon in order to get a chip of his cool ice, and here you can find out more from Elizabeth Milner what children did with the ice. I published the poem and Milner’s memories of the ice man on the History page, community FOCUS site.

Oh wishful thinking to get that kind of service again.

Paws 4 Stories Program, Aurora Public Library

Now going back to our library visit on Thursday. On the second floor we noticed paws cut outs on the floor leading to a real dog. I had to ask. Interesting concept and program – Paws 4 Stories.

‘Paws 4 Stories is a literacy program for beginning and struggling readers who have a unique opportunity to read to a dog and make a friend! Dogs and their owners are trained and generously provided by St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. […]‘ Source: Aurora Public Library

Here is nice write up on ‘Why Dogs Are Better than Adults at Helping Kids Read‘. By accident I found an article that dogs also benefit when read to, but not a topic for today.

Stay cool!

July 1st Canada Day Celebration In Aurora, Faces That Shaped This Year’s Parade

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 03:41:33 +0000

I think every face shaped Aurora’s Canada Day celebrations on July 1st, 2012, those in the parade and those in the audiance. If I could capture every face and every expression and the feeling of each person, I would – ‘the spirit, the patriotism and the smiles‘.

Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

The clear blue sky, perfect light and the beautiful downtown facade were only few elements letting me capture the moment. I think on that day I have captured the spirit of all proud Aurorans, and most of all proud Canadians.

Unfortunately this will be the last post of 2012 parade because I could go on and on. However I am looking forward for next year’s celebrations which will be even more special.

Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Mayor Geoffrey Dawe, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Perhaps one more thing. On June 12, 2012 during the council meeting Councillor Evelyn Buck gave intriguing speech reflecting on the success of the historical Canada Day Celebrations of 1963 (Aurora’s 100 year anniversary) and 1967 (Canada’s 100 year anniversary).

This speech was to encourage public participation, or more so people of Aurora to participate and to organize the next year’s (2013) party for 150 years of Aurora. We compiled Councillor Buck’s speech into a post which you can read on our community FOCUS site – Councillor Evelyn Buck Remembers Canada Day Celebrations in Aurora.

That and many other things gave me an idea to start people’s history page on the community FOCUS site. I think it will be nice to have something that is written by people of Aurora or former Auroran’s remembering our town.

Historian will give you facts and people will give you their experiences. These experiences will be gone if not recorded. I encourage you to participate and share your stories. A story is not a story if not shared and I bet many of us have them.

Evelyn Buck with her daughter Teresa, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Councillor Paul Pirri, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

2012 Aurora Citizen of the Year Brian North, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Jan Freedman Aurora Farmer’s Market, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Mountie, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Theater, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Shriner’s Float, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

community FOCUS Website For Town of Aurora, A Different Kind Of Walk Today

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 04:05:00 +0000

Today let me take you for a walk. Not outside and not inside, but the virtual kind of walk. A walk through just published site for the Town of Aurora community, the community FOCUS virtual site LivingInAurora.COM. It took a long time to assemble this site and we are very pleased and happy to have it up and running.

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Aurora

Let me tell you more about it then.

The name says it all. The community FOCUS site is for you. The site is for you to write about anything and very focused on Aurora. You can express your views, opinions, issues, start discussions or even share the news. You can write essays and you can write stories.

The site is organized based on areas of specific interests and as the content will grow you will see more categories introduced. You can even suggest a topic.

Go Station Parking in Aurora

In addition it will be a resource site to everything in Aurora from outdoors recreations to indoor shopping, entertainment and events. We are inviting everyone from Aurora Ontario to submit a profile to our AURORA Directory – people, bloggers, small business owners and big business owners – all of you can participate and it is absolutely FREE.

We have certain guidelines but not to worry, they are designed to work for you, to give you better ranking and better exposure in the virtual world, a world we are heading towards to.

There are always beginnings. With town politics always on the spotlight we teamed up with Matt Maddocks who will have a regular column with us – Point of Privilege on our Town Politics focus page. Matt have been writing letters to editor in our local newspaper The Auroran or commenting on few Aurora blogs regularly. We are very pleased to have someone like Matt on board, but wait Matt will tell you more in his first introductory post on the community FOCUS site.

There is always lots to talk about when comes to politics – so don’t be shy you can write as well.

Having said that – focus pages, example being Town Politics, will be added regularly as we get public interest in writing their opinions/views, reviews or stories. We have in mind History/Heritage, Arts & Culture or Sports to start. Columns are available. Cartoonists are welcome.

Note that commercial writing to promote your Aurora, Ontario business for consumers is also welcome. Read our Message Board for more information.

Now, we have also introduced Aurora-Youth-Writes project.

Yes we want Aurora youth to participate as well.

We want to give Aurora youth writing opportunities as well. A column will be great opportunity to create a writing portfolio for those who want to enter writing field, especially journalism. You can read more about this here: Aurora-Youth-Writes Project Initiative – Writing Opportunities for Town of Aurora Youth. Talk to your children.

Town Hall, Town of Aurora

Not to overwhelm you I will conclude my virtual walk for today and let you tour the site for yourself – community FOCUS LivingInAurora.COM. Lots of great writing opportunities for everyone.

Just so you know, my role on the community FOCUS site will be to moderate the site, organize received content, manage site updates, write newsletters, write about updates and write resource content. Feel free to write me if you have any questions or even concerns.

No worries I will continue to write on this blog and to confuse you more, this photo journal blog is LivingInAurora.CA and the community FOCUS site is LivingInAurora.COM. Don’t ask why?