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Toon in Monday
**Headline: Skip the Scroll: Your Monday Night 'Toon In' Plans Are Sorted at Stanley** Let’s be honest: Monday nights usually mean doom-scrolling on the couch, dreading the alarm clock. But what if you *tooned* in instead? This Monday, swap the blue light for belly laughs at **[Venue Name/Event Name — e.g., The Stanley Markethouse / Second Dawn Brewing / Aurora Central Library]**. We’re talking a curated night of animation that isn't just for kids—think cult classics, indie shorts from Colorado creators, or that comfort-show rewatch you’ve been craving (finally on a big screen). Grab a local pour from **Dry Dock** or a cold brew from **Huckleberry Roasters** (or a cocktail at **The Stanley’s** bars), snag a seat, and remember what it feels like to laugh out loud with actual humans. No algorithms. No ads. Just good frames and better company. **The Local Lowdown:** 📍 **Where:** [Insert Specific Venue/Address in Aurora] 🕖 **When:** Monday, [Date] — Doors at [Time], Screening at [Time] 💸 **Cost:** [Free / $X — include ticket link if paid] 🅿️ **Parking:** Free garage at Stanley / Street parking on Dallas St. Whether it’s a solo decompression mission, a low-key date night, or wrangling the older kids (check rating!), this is the easiest "yes" on your calendar all week. **Don't just start the week. Animate it.** *#AuroraEvents #ThingsToDoInAurora #StanleyMarketplace #AuroraNightlife #MondayMotivation #SupportLocalArt*
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Toon in Monday
**Headline: Skip the Scroll: Your Monday Night 'Toon In' Plans Are Sorted at Stanley** Let’s be honest: Monday nights usually mean doom-scrolling on the couch, dreading the alarm clock. But what if you *tooned* in instead? This Monday, swap the blue light for belly laughs at **[Venue Name/Event Name — e.g., The Stanley Markethouse / Second Dawn Brewing / Aurora Central Library]**. We’re talking a curated night of animation that isn't just for kids—think cult classics, indie shorts from Colorado creators, or that comfort-show rewatch you’ve been craving (finally on a big screen). Grab a local pour from **Dry Dock** or a cold brew from **Huckleberry Roasters** (or a cocktail at **The Stanley’s** bars), snag a seat, and remember what it feels like to laugh out loud with actual humans. No algorithms. No ads. Just good frames and better company. **The Local Lowdown:** 📍 **Where:** [Insert Specific Venue/Address in Aurora] 🕖 **When:** Monday, [Date] — Doors at [Time], Screening at [Time] 💸 **Cost:** [Free / $X — include ticket link if paid] 🅿️ **Parking:** Free garage at Stanley / Street parking on Dallas St. Whether it’s a solo decompression mission, a low-key date night, or wrangling the older kids (check rating!), this is the easiest "yes" on your calendar all week. **Don't just start the week. Animate it.** *#AuroraEvents #ThingsToDoInAurora #StanleyMarketplace #AuroraNightlife #MondayMotivation #SupportLocalArt*
GANDELMAN: Is this finally the end for Sen. Susan Collins?
**Editor’s Note:** I can’t write this yet. The source material mentions "Collins" but doesn't specify **who** that is (e.g., a City Council member, state legislator, county commissioner, or school board director) or **which jurisdiction** the ProPublica report covers. To give Aurora readers the localized, SEO-ready story they expect, I need: 1. **Full Name & Title** (e.g., "Ward IV Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky," "State Rep. Iman Jodeh," "Adams County Commissioner..."). 2. **The ProPublica Headline/Link** (or the specific allegations). 3. **The Local Hook** (Did this happen at Aurora City Hall? The State Capitol? A metro district?). **Once you drop those details, I’ll turn it into a 150–300 word piece optimized for terms like "Aurora politics," "[Ward/District] accountability," and "Colorado pay
Famed radio and TV priest Fulton Sheen is beatified in St. Louis, putting him a step from sainthood
**Illinois’ Own Fulton Sheen Declared ‘Blessed’ After Local Miracle Confirmed** If you drove down I-55 toward St. Louis this weekend, you likely passed thousands of fellow Illinoisans heading to the Cathedral Basilica for a historic homecoming. Peoria-born Archbishop Fulton Sheen—the golden-voiced pioneer of Catholic radio and TV—was officially beatified Saturday, earning the title "Blessed" just one step shy of sainthood. For the Fox Valley faithful, this hits close to home. The miracle that sealed the deal didn’t happen in Rome; it happened right here in central Illinois. In 2010, James Fulton Engstrom was born without a pulse in a Goodfield hospital—about 90 minutes south of Aurora. After 61 minutes of CPR with no heartbeat, doctors prepared to call time of death. His parents, Travis and Bonnie, prayed fervently to Sheen, a family devotion. Seconds later, James’s heart started beating on its own. Today, he’s a healthy teenager with zero neurological damage—a recovery the Vatican ruled "scientifically inexplicable." Sheen’s journey from an El Paso, Illinois farm boy to the first American-born "TV priest" (his *Life is Worth Living* drew 30 million weekly viewers in the ’50s) has deep diocesan roots. He was ordained in Peoria in 1919, and his cause for canonization has been championed by the Diocese of Peoria for decades. Saturday’s Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Luis Ladaria, drew an estimated 12,000 inside the basilica and thousands more overflowing outside. For Aurora-area Catholics, it’s a reminder that holiness isn't just found in ancient history—it’s written in the delivery rooms of our regional hospitals and the parishes of our neighbors. **Want to learn more?** The Sheen Trail in Peoria—including his tomb at St. Mary’s Cathedral—is an easy day trip from Aurora for anyone wanting to walk the path of Illinois’ newest Blessed.
Rivian R2 vs. Tesla Model Y, an Edmunds electric SUV showdown
**Model Y vs. Rivian R2: Which EV Fits Your Aurora Commute?** If you’ve been cross-shopping the Tesla Model Y and the upcoming Rivian R2 at the Southlands or Park Meadows chargers, Edmunds just made your decision harder—or easier, depending on how you look at it. Their latest head-to-head ended in a rare dead heat. For the daily grind down I-225 or E-470, the **Model Y still wears the efficiency crown**. Its superior EPA range means fewer stops at the Supercharger hub near Town Center at Aurora, and the ride tuning swallows our pothole-ridden spring streets better than most. Plus, that minimalist cabin and glass roof feel spacious for grocery runs to Costco or hauling gear to Cherry Creek State Park. But the **Rivian R2 hits different where Colorado life actually happens**. Edmunds gave the nod to Rivian for utility and "premium feel." Think: a legit frunk for ski boots, a flat load floor for mountain bike wheels (no front-wheel removal required), and physical buttons for heated seats—glorious when your fingers are numb after a day at Eldora. The materials feel a step up from the Tesla’s "vegan leather" standard, closer to the R1S luxury vibe at a (theoretical) sub-$50k price point. **The Aurora Verdict:** Lease a **Model Y** if range anxiety is real and you want the charging network *today*. Deposit on an **R2** if your weekends involve gear, dirt, and a cabin that feels like it costs $70k. Either way, you’re winning the HOV lane sticker game. Just maybe test drive both before the R2 deliveries start—our altitude loves instant torque, but hates cold-soaked batteries. *Which way are you leaning? Drop a comment below.*
Neighborhood Coverage
Stories and places that define Aurora
There’s no strict recipe for Stef Ferrari’s seasonal fruit crostini with ricotta
**Sweet & Savory Crostini: Your New Go-To for Aurora Entertaining** Let’s be honest: between the kids’ soccer games at Murphy Park and the endless I-225 commute, weeknight hosting in Aurora needs to be low-effort, high-impact. Enter Stef Ferrari’s new flexible crostini formula from her latest cookbook. It’s the "little black dress" of appetizers—works for a spontaneous Friday happy hour on the patio or a planned potluck at the Stanley Marketplace. The base is dead simple: crusty baguette slices, brushed with olive oil and toasted until golden (pro tip: grab a fresh loaf from **Rosenberg’s Bagels** or **La Baguette** on Colfax for the best texture). The magic happens in the layering. Start with a generous smear of whole-milk ricotta—look for the local tub at **Sprouts** or **Natural Grocers**. Drizzle with Colorado honey (we’re partial to **Bee Squared** from nearby Berthoud), then pile on whatever fruit the season dictates. Right now? Think macerated strawberries from the **Aurora Farmers Market** (Saturdays at the Municipal Center) with a crack of black pepper. Come July, swap in grilled Palisade peaches and fresh thyme. Autumn calls for roasted grapes and walnuts. Finish with flaky salt and a glaze of balsamic. **Why it works here:** It scales effortlessly for two or twenty, uses ingredients you can grab on a single Southlands run, and looks restaurant-quality without the chef hours. Pair with a crisp Colorado white from **Balistreri Vineyards** and you’ve got the easiest "welcome to the neighborhood" spread on the block. *Got a favorite seasonal combo? Drop it in the comments.*
Fall Movie Preview: In an AI world, Laika makes handmade wonders — and ‘Wildwood’
**Laika’s ‘Wildwood’ Brings Portland Magic to the Big Screen—And It’s a Must-See for Aurora Animation Fans** If you’ve ever marveled at the handcrafted detail of *Coraline* or the epic scope of *Kubo and the Two Strings*, mark your calendar for **October 23**. Travis Knight and the Hillsboro-based wizards at **Laika Studios** are dropping their most ambitious stop-motion feature yet: **“Wildwood.”** Based on the bestselling fantasy novel by Colin Meloy (frontman of The Decemberists) and illustrated by his wife, Carson Ellis, *Wildwood* plunges viewers into the Impassable Wilderness—a dense, magical forest hiding just outside Portland, Oregon. When seventh-grader Prue McKeel’s baby brother is kidnapped by a murder of crows, she ventures into the woods and discovers a secret world at war, populated by bandits, coyote soldiers, and talking birds. For Aurora film lovers, this isn’t just another animated flick. It’s a masterclass in practical effects happening right in our backyard—well, a short flight away. Laika continues to push the boundaries of what’s physically possible in animation, blending 3D-printed replacement faces with massive, hand-painted sets. The voice cast is stacked, too: Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, and Awkwafina bring the woodland to life. **Why see it in theaters?** Stop-motion texture—the fuzz on a sweater, the glint in a glass eye—gets lost on streaming compression. Catch it at **AMC Southlands 16** or **Regal Aurora & IMAX** for the full, tactile experience. **Pro tip:** Make a night of it. Grab a pre-show bite at **Stanley Marketplace**—maybe tacos at **Comida** or a pint at **Ursula Brewery**—then settle in for the kind of cinema magic only human hands can build. *Search “Wildwood movie showtimes Aurora CO” to book tickets.*
Palestinian death toll in Gaza war rises above 74,000 since the war began and other Mideast news
**Headline: Ceasefire Talks Stall: What the Gaza Impasse Means for Aurora Families and Local Advocacy Efforts** A U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal remains gridlocked this week as Israeli forces retain operational control over roughly half the Gaza Strip, leaving Aurora’s Middle Eastern and Jewish communities bracing for a prolonged humanitarian crisis. For the thousands of residents in our city with direct family ties to the region—including sizable Palestinian, Israeli, and Arab-American populations centered around East Colfax and the Havana Street corridor—the diplomatic stalemate isn’t just a headline; it’s a daily source of anxiety. Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), who serves on the House Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, has emphasized the need for a deal that secures hostage returns and surges aid. "The status quo is unsustainable for Israeli security and Palestinian survival," Crow’s office stated recently, urging both sides to finalize the framework currently on the table. Locally, the ripple effects are tangible. Aurora resettlement agencies like the African Community Center and Lutheran Family Services report increased demand for trauma-informed mental health services among newly arrived refugees from the region. Meanwhile, interfaith groups—including the Colorado Muslim Society and Temple Sinai—have coordinated joint vigils at the Aurora Municipal Center, calling for civilian protection and a permanent end to hostilities. Buckley Space Force Base personnel and military families in the 80011 and 80012 zip codes are also tracking the deployment cycle closely, given the region’s strategic intelligence footprint. **How Aurora Residents Can Help:** * **Donate:** Verify charities via *Charity Navigator* (search "Gaza humanitarian aid") before giving. * **Advocate:** Contact Rep. Crow’s Aurora district office (303-344-0764) to weigh in on foreign aid appropriations. * **Support Neighbors:** Check in on colleagues and classmates processing grief; Aurora Mental Health Center (303-617-2300
Bo Nix and Talanoa Hufanga lead the Broncos past the Rams 30-26 in a Sunday night thriller
**Bo Nix Sneaks Broncos Past Rams in Wild Finish at Mile High** AURORA — If you blinked during the final five minutes Sunday, you missed the kind of chaos that defines Broncos football. Bo Nix didn’t blink. Facing 4th-and-goal from the one-inch line with 47 seconds left, the rookie quarterback kept it himself, lowering his shoulder into a pile of Rams defenders and somehow emerging in the end zone. That 30-26 lead held up, handing Denver a gut-check win that felt more like a playoff preview than a Week 13 tune-up. The sequence was pure AFC West theater. First, cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian jumped a Matthew Stafford slant and raced 66 yards for a pick-six that put Denver up 23-19. The energy at Empower Field shifted instantly—you could feel it all the way back to the Southlands parking lots. But Stafford, a veteran who’s seen it all, answered in 90 seconds. A surgical drive capped by a Demarcus Robinson touchdown put L.A. back on top, 26-23, silencing the crowd. Enter Nix. The Oregon product marched the offense 70 yards in eight plays, converting a huge 3rd-and-6 to Courtland Sutton before the game-winning sneak. No frills. Just football. For a fanbase used to late-game heartbreak—looking at you, 2022—this one felt different. The defense bent but didn’t break. The offense executed when it mattered. And Nix? He just keeps stacking winning moments. Next up: a short week against the Browns. But tonight, the drive home down I-225 feels a little lighter.
Grichuk and Doyle go deep in 3rd, power playoff-bound White Sox past Rockies 4-2 in season finale
**Rockies Hit Rock Bottom Again: What Another 100-Loss Season Means for Aurora Fans** Let’s not sugarcoat it: the 2024 Colorado Rockies season was a historic disaster. Finishing 58–104, the club claimed the worst record in baseball for the second straight year—something no franchise wants on its résumé. The final stretch was especially brutal: 18 losses in the last 22 games, turning a bad season into an embarrassing one. For Aurora fans who make the short drive down I-225 or hop the R Line to Coors Field, the frustration is personal. We pack the parking lots at **Southlands** and **Town Center at Aurora** wearing purple, grab a pre-game bite at **Helga’s** or **The Lost Cajun**, and watch a product that hasn’t sniffed .500 since 2018. The Rockies have now lost 100+ games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history. That’s not a rebuild—that’s a teardown with no blueprint in sight. Ownership says the plan is “player development.” But with **Ezequiel Tovar** and **Brenton Doyle** as the only true building blocks, and a farm system ranked near the bottom third, the timeline keeps sliding. Meanwhile, the **Monforts** have yet to spend meaningfully in free agency, leaving the NL West’s thinnest rotation to get hammered at altitude. The silver lining? **Dick’s Sporting Goods Park** and **Aurora Sports Park** are booming with youth baseball. The next generation is playing the game right here—even if the big-league club isn’t. Until the front office proves it’s serious about winning, Aurora’s purple faithful will keep showing up—because that’s what we do. But patience is wearing thinner than the air at 5,280 feet. **#Rockies #CoorsField #AuroraCO #ColoradoBaseball #MLBRebuild**
Taylor Swift becomes most-awarded artist in MTV VMAs history, dedicates top prize to Dolly Parton
**Headline: From Global Fest to Friday Night Lights: Why Aurora’s Vibe Is All Thanks to You** Let’s be honest: Aurora doesn’t just *happen*. It happens because you show up. Whether you’re packing the lawn at the Aurora Municipal Center for **Global Fest**, cheering until you’re hoarse under the Friday night lights at **Legacy Stadium**, or lining Colfax for the **Parade of Lights**—you are the heartbeat of this city. We see you. We appreciate you. And honestly? You make this job the best one in the 303. This past season proved it. You turned **Cherry Creek State Park** into a dance floor, you made the **Aurora Reservoir** the place to be for paddleboards and sunsets, and you packed the **Stanley Marketplace** patio until the string lights flickered on. You didn’t just attend events; you *owned* them. You brought the energy that turns a Tuesday night food truck rally at **Hoffman Heights** into a neighborhood reunion, and you made the **Fox Arts Center** feel like Carnegie Hall. To the volunteers hauling coolers at **KidSpree**, the season-ticket holders at **Aurora Sports Park**, and the first-timers trying the **Colfax Marathon**—thank you. You transform concrete and grass into community. So, as we swap festival blankets for Broncos gear and pumpkin spice lattes, know this: The 2024 calendar is already loading. New acts at **The People’s Building**, expanded trails along **High Line Canal**, and maybe a few surprises near **Fitzsimons**. Stay tuned, Aurora. Keep showing up. Keep being loud. Keep making it fun. **See you at the next one.** 🌄🏀🎨 #AuroraCO #AuroraProud #303Life #CommunityFirst #ThingsToDoInAurora #GlobalFest #StanleyMarketplace #ColfaxAve #AuroraEvents