Good Morning Aurora

Something different on a Wednesday, something cool and stylish! Yesterday we were honored to have Carolina Ocampo on the show, the founder of Maria Bonita Modeling Agency. Originally from Durango Mexico, Carolina is now an Auroran and is involved in many projects. From acting, modeling and coaching young ladies, it was great to catch up with Carolina and speak to her. With her modeling agency, Carolina is able to transform and inspire young people to succeed. From self-confidence to navigating the catwalk, her courses are informative and fun for prospective models. There’s a big show in November that Carolina and the team are preparing for. In addition, she is also involved in the latino community and we appreciate her time and dedication. Check out this great episode!

Get ready for 1st Fridays taking place this weekend and check out the attractions. There will be a lot going on at McCarty Mills and Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, among other places. Shouts go out to all of our friends at Tecalitlan and the Waubonsee SBDC (Small Business Development Center). Subscribe to the show on YouTube and Spotify and tune in tomorrow morning for more great news! Also, connect with us on Instagram and at our email address which is [email protected]. Have a safe day and we will see you all here tomorrow! Peace!

It was history again on the 2nd largest city’s 1st daily news podcast. Today we had friend of the show Tracy Duran come on and give us a visual tour of Leland Hotel. Tracy is a local author and historian and is very knowledgeable when it comes to our city. When last we spoke to Tracy she came onto the show and shared a whole lot with us. Today we condensed it to talk about Leland Hotel. We got to peruse through newspapers from the time period of its heyday (1930’s) and see some local advertisements. Before it was apartments there was a lot of entertainment going on in that building. Check it out! We appreciate Tracy coming by again!

Get ready for 1st Friday! Coming back to the city this weekend, a more social experience is what we can expect. Masks will be required at all locations and everything from art to music will be on display. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Spotify & YouTube. Also, keep supporting locals and look for ways to help our community. From food pantries to volunteer initiatives, we can all make a difference. Be blessed and have a wonderful day!

It’s Monday and we’re back! What a great interview today! We sat down with Mr. Kenny Abbott of Harmonic HVAC today to talk marketing and the heating & cooling business. Spring is here full and it’s about that time for basic home maintenance. Kenny took us through his background and how he got started in the HVAC business. Originally from Washington D.C., Kenny is now an Aurora resident and playing a big part in what’s happening here. Be sure to reach out to Harmonic HVAC for all your home needs. Summer is right around the corner. Holler at Kenny and tell him you heard about it on Good Morning Aurora!

Today was a big day; a blood drive, #NeighborVaxAurora and a pop up, mobile food pantry! The next big thing taking place is First Friday’s which returns this weekend! Safe, socially distanced fun, many Aurorans have been waiting for this! Subscribe to Good Morning Aurora on Spotify & YouTube and get ready for more great Aurora news. #Jenettesplaining returns this Friday as well. Have a great day and let’s have an awesome week! Peace!

Have you ever thought about what your superpower is? We all have one, ponder that for a moment. Today we were joined by Stacey Montgomery, Barbara McNulty Hollock & Pillara Henderson-Smith who are board members of My Super Powers! Foundation. Made up of people who go above and beyond for our young people in many ways, this was a great interview with ladies on the move! Each of these women brings hard work and talent to the table. As a unit, they consistently change lives and are always willing to do more. In this interview we spoke about what the foundation coming up and all about what they do & the history of the organization. Recently, the ladies had a great fundraiser in conjunction w/ Chipotle! Food and a good cause! Click the link below to listen to this great episode.

It’s Friday, the weekend has arrived! Don’t forget: #NeighborVaxAurora at East Aurora High School on Monday from 9 am to 5 pm. Also, Community Blood Drive at 1 E. Benton (gallery 1904, lower level) from noon to 5 pm. Shouts out to our elected officials and all community partners coming together to serve the people. Elections are April 6th so don’t forget to vote. Subscribe to the show on Spotify, iTunes & YouTube, also check our episodes on YouTube and subscribe. Stay tuned for more Aurora news and stories. Have a safe weekend!

There’s a first time for everything and today for Good Morning Aurora it was biker talk! We were proud to be joined by Mr. Chris Hansen, the President of DuKane A.B.A.T.E. (A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education) to talk about life, liberty and motorcycle advocacy & awareness. From Polar Plunge to the occasional legislative liaison, Chris is always on the move and speaking up for the rights of bikers. We spoke about his background, what DuKane A.B.A.T.E. has to come in the future and the current state of our country. Toys For Tots and various other charitable initiatives are just a small part of what this group is about. Check them out and remember: don’t text and drive! Check out this great interview.

The Aurora Sunrise Rotary Club has a scholarship program (see FB & Twitter) and also, a really cool Scavenger Hunt planned with Ballydoyle, March 14th. This will be an outdoor initiative with masks required! The Stronger Together Community Blood Drive is Monday the 29th and also, #NeighborVaxAurora is taking place at East Aurora High School. Shouts out to our great legislators and don’t forget to vote! Subscribe to the show on YouTube and stay tuned for more Aurora news. Peace!

On today’s episode we were joined once again by our friend Sandra Gonzalez, candidate for Waubonsee Community College Trustee. When last we spoke the campaign trail was beginning and now Sandra returns energized and full of positive energy. As vaccines continue to become more readily available in our city and county, equitable distribution is key. In our conversation Sandra explains historic hesitancy to vaccines & medicines by BIPOC communities and why. Also, we thoroughly debate what has been the root cause of an unwillingness to diversify school boards. Is it naivete of people of color & our issues? Or rather, is it purposeful & deliberate marginalization and exclusion. We cover a lot so check out the full episode here!

Monday the 29th is an important day with a lot of local initiatives taking place. #NeighboxVaxAurora will be taking place that day from 9 am to 5 pm at East Aurora High School (500 Tomcat Lane). Also, the Stronger Together Community Blood Drive will be taking place from noon to 5 pm at 1 E. Benton (gallery 1904, lower level). Our great state legislators are hosting both events; the DuKane A.B.A.T.E. group has joined to partner the latter. Tune in Monday thru Friday at 8 am to our FB live morning news and subscribe to the show on YouTube. More news, more community & more Aurora! Peace!

Another day, another great interview with an interesting person on the move! On today’s episode we were joined by Angeles Ponpa, who is a political activist and the founder of Medea News. With so much going on in our busy world today it’s good to be able to meet someone focused on the issues. But wait, there’s more! Angeles also hosts her own podcast you should check out called Politics W/ Angeles. In our conversation we spoke about what inspired Angeles to become engaged in politics, the importance of family & her opinions on issues of the day. This was our first time interviewing a political activist; we appreciate the candor, robust discussion & opinion of our guest. In a world where many voices are lacking, Angeles’ voice is heard and appreciated. Check out the full interview here!

Monday the 29th is the Community Blood Drive and Waubonsee Community College is hosting a Virtual Career Fair on April 9th. If you or someone you know is seeking a career or looking to make a change, this is your shot! Register for that here: https://www.waubonsee.edu/student-experience/career-exploration/career-development/career-events

April is a big month: 1st Fridays returns on the 2nd of this month and mayoral elections in the city take place on the 6th. Keep an eye on McCarty Mills, Vizo Arts, Devan The Artist and Cotton Seed Creative Exchange. Be blessed, motivated and helpful. Tune in tomorrow morning for more news and Aurora stories!

From Missouri to Illinois, and lots of places in-between! Today we were joined on the show by Mr. Christopher Bennett, an Insurance & Financial advisor and founder of CD Bennett Insurance. Christopher went to work for Canon at an early age and that’s how this interview started for us. So here’s some behind the scenes cool stuff: we actually spoke from the moment he entered our office and we started recording immediately. So this is a true recorded conversation. In our discussion we spoke about family, the importance of our parents and conducting business in the new era of pandemic. Christopher has a lot of knowledge and is here to help. Check out this great interview!

Our friends of CAAN (Community Advocacy Awareness Network) & Not Forgotten Ministries are soliciting donations for a Treats For Sweets Drive-Thru on Saturday, April 3rd from 1 to 4 pm at MLK Park on Farnsworth. Chips, candy, juice boxes and more can be dropped off at Java Plus (1677 Montgomery Road). A fun pop up art show will also be taking place this Sunday from noon to 6 pm at McCarty Mills Taproom. Check out artists Devan The Artist, Gin Ingram & Mari Del Valle! This will be a fun event so come on out and enjoy craft beer & art. Tune in next week as we cover more of the people and the story of the 2nd largest city. Peace!

The coffee was hot and delicious, and the news topics were just as stimulating. Today we had another great episode of #jenettesplaining with our wonderful friend of the show Jenette! As usual it was color commentary intermingled with facts. Well, more facts than anything of course. As you know we are dedicated to only the best information, delivered to you in the most fun way possible. 

Kane County continues to roll out vaccines and more Mass Vax events are taking place. Keep en eye on Batavia as a new site should be opened there soon. Also, we discussed Craft Urban coming from Geneva to downtown Aurora, an event which many in the community have expressed outrage over. There are some who feel that it is a portent of gentrification that such an establishment could take root in the community. What do you think? Share your thoughts with us at: [email protected]

Last week, Jenette was a little under the weather due to her second dose of the Moderna vaccine. Today, she was up and at em' and as peppery as ever! We had fun today! We hope you all did as well. Check out this episode and tune in to our Facebook page for the live news, Monday thru Friday! Have a great weekend. Peace!