City Newsletter - Aug. 21, 2020

 

 

Aug. 21, 2020

 

Aurora History Museum reopens, with new reservation system in place

 

The Aurora History Museum is excited to be open to the public once again this week, making its excellent exhibits once again available for in-person viewing. There are some health-related changes in effect to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including time and capacity limits, so the museum is requiring reservations for all museum guests as well as face coverings at all times. Each reservation is good for an hour and 20 minutes, and no more than 10 visitors are allowed in the museum at any one time.   Reservations are available Tuesdays through Fridays. As always, admission is free, and you can learn more about exhibits and visiting the museum at AuroraMuseum.org.   When you return to the museum, check out the exterior improvements that are underway. The exterior project is nearly complete, with new benches, bike racks and trash receptacles still to come.   For those not yet ready to head to the museum, there are still many online exhibits and projects available on the museum's website. And if you prefer activities outdoors, the city's Historic Sites make for a popular tour of the city.

 

 

Testing site at Aurora Sports Park offers free drive-up COVID-19 tests to all

 

Since opening last week, a new community-based COVID-19 testing site at the 250-acre Aurora Sports Park has served over 2,000 people.   Drive-up testing is available for free to any individual who wants to be tested, especially for those who have symptoms. The site, at 19300 E. Colfax Ave., will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week, except for a closure on Sunday, Aug. 23, and Monday, Aug. 23. Pre-registration at TCHD.org/AuroraTesting is suggested to expedite the testing process but is not required.   The city of Aurora—in coordination with Gov. Jared Polis and support from Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman and the Aurora City Council—is providing the host location for this testing site as well as logistical, communications and funding support via the state of Colorado, Arapahoe County CARES dollars, and the city.   MAKO Medical of North Carolina will manage staffing, testing operations and logistics, with support from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. MAKO Medical will maintain the test results website, and Tri-County Health Department will contact any individuals directly with positive results. A link to the test results website will be available at TCHD.org/AuroraTesting.

 

 

 

Council tables action on restricted breed ordinance

 

The Aurora City Council decided Monday, at its regular meeting, to not place a repeal of the Restricted Breed Ordinance on the ballot for 2020, and did not approve placing it on the ballot for 2021. The City Council also voted to postpone the discussion of a repeal via ordinance to a later time. Some council members expressed they would like to see a proposed Dangerous Dog Ordinance in place prior to making further decisions on the Restricted Breed Ordinance.

 

 

IN THE NEWS Counties jointly fund position to help Aurora veterans - Colorado Politics   Dog helping mental health patients in Aurora as cases surge amid COVID-19 - Denver7   Aurora housing market remains hot - Sentinel Colorado

WATCH AURORA NOW

 

UPCOMING EVENTS   Council Member Town Meetings Council members are eager to hear from residents and committed to forums in which those conversations can occur, but the format and structure of town meetings may be affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Please visit AuroraGov.org/Council to check the latest information on meeting dates.   City Council Special Study Session (Virtual) Monday, Aug. 24, 6 p.m. View this meeting online at AuroraTV.org and cable channels 8 and 880. You may also listen to the meeting by phone (see AuroraGov.org for details). Streamed live at AuroraTV.org or cable channels 8 and 880 only   Mayor Mike Live Friday, Aug. 21, 3 p.m. Join Mayor Coffman on Facebook Live or AuroraTV.org every Friday for updates on the city’s COVID-19 response, as well as information on topics being discussed in our city. This week on the show will be new Chief of Police Vanessa Wilson, who was sworn in during this week’s council meeting, to discuss changes she’s already made in the Aurora Police Department and what her focus will be moving forward. As always, we welcome residents’ questions during the show. Live streamed on Facebook and AuroraTV.org.   Trusted Voices: Census 2020 Series  Through Sept. 1, Tuesdays, 10 a.m. The city of Aurora will host the Trusted Voices: Census 2020 series on Facebook Live. Join us as we talk with trusted voices throughout our community about the benefits and opportunities of completing the 2020 census.    Aurora Mobile Food Pantry Wednesdays in August, 10 a.m. until food has been distributed In partnership with Aurora Interfaith Community Services, the city of Aurora has distributed more than 290,000 meals this summer as part of the Aurora Mobile Food Pantry. Photo ID or proof of Aurora residency is required. All Aurora households are eligible. Food for pets is also available, as well as emergency food kits for those experiencing homelessness. For questions, call 720.557.6444 or visit AuroraGov.org/MobileFoodPantry. Town Center at Aurora, 14200 E. Alameda Ave.   Virtual Storytime Daily, 10 a.m. (Wednesdays is American Sign Language) Aurora Public Library has been offering virtual programming since mid-March. One of the most popular programs is the daily storytime. Other ongoing programs include Reader’s Corner, Mystery Read and Create & DYI. To learn more about all the virtual programming, visit AuroraLibrary.org or the Aurora Public Library Facebook page   Virtual Dance Classes Daily, time varies Aurora Dance Arts is providing live online dance classes, with some of their fabulous faculty teaching from home, dance tutorials and dance challenge videos, and various other online resources for dancers and families. City of Aurora Arts Education Facebook page   Super Old News (virtual) Tuesdays, 11 a.m. Every week, time-travelling news anchor Skip DeCade takes you back in time reporting on Facebook Live Aurora news from the first half of the 20th century. The stories presented are borrowed from the Aurora Democrat newspaper which reported Aurora's news from 1909 to 1955. Aurora History Museum’s Facebook page   Mornings at the Museum (virtual) Wednesdays, 11 a.m. (ages 2-5) Join the Aurora History Museum staff on this special time designed for preschoolers. Each week, the Facebook Live experience includes a combination of activity, storytime and/or craft-making. Aurora History Museum’s Facebook page

 

 

 

 

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This newsletter is produced by the city of Aurora Communications and Marketing Department   Questions? Email communications@auroragov.org