Local police focus on
seat belt enforcement
The Aurora Police Department will participate in the annual Click It or Ticket campaign, according to Lt. Rob Hagquist.
The program was initiated to increase the use of seat belts while operating or traveling in motor vehicles. In 2007, more than 870 agencies contributed to one of largest seat belt enforcement efforts in Ohio's history.
The program's efforts resulted in an 82 percent seat belt usage rate, the highest rate ever achieved in Ohio.
The multi-jurisdictional effort will strive to increase seat belt usage to 85 percent in 2008. the enforcement effort will take place from May 19 to June 1.
Addition, house plans
approved by city panel
At its April 10 meeting, the city's architectural board of review approved plans for Gene Arters' addition on Prestige Woods Boulevard and a residence to be built by Classic Homes on East Homestead.
Arters' approval is subject to revised plans that would include wall sections, energy calculations, a proper egress-sized bedroom window and stairs at a new sliding door.
Classic Homes' approval is subject to the addition of carriage-style garage doors and water table stone sills to all front elevation windows.
Revised plans for an addition for C. and L. Scarazzo on Woodland Trace were tabled until city architect Angela Cavanaugh reviews revisions that show how the deck will support the new roof and walls.
Panelists were satisfied that Marc's in Aurora Commons submitted plans that showed the screening of roof-top units and replaced vinyl siding with HardiPlank fiber cement as the committee required.
Chairman Robert Berryhill expressed concerns that city inspectors were not picking up field changes being made during construction. He noted Marc's decided to raise its roof and an inspector didn't pick up the change.
'Cabaret' opens soon;
girls night out is May 2
Aurora Community Theatre will kick off "Cabaret" April 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for youths under 18.
A pre-show talk by Director David Vosburgh will be April 26. He was in the Broadway version of the play with Joel Grey.
A girls night out will be May 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be a complimentary pre-show reception with wine and hors d'oeuvres, a vendor boutique, raffle, giveaways, chair massages ad makeovers.
To reserve tickets, call 330-5623-1818 or visit www.auroracommunitytheatre.com. "Cabaret" will run weekends through May 17.
Aurora projects given
environmental awards
Two organizations received recognition for their environmental projects in Aurora when the 10th annual Portage County Environmental Conservation Awards were given.
The Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland was honored for renovating the historic carriage house at the Novak Sanctuary on Townline Road and the Aurora Conservation Council was feted for creating the Moebius Nature Center in conjunction with the city.
Others honored were Kent State University, the Kent school district; Beckwith, Tenney and Rynearson families; Stephanie Spear and Jeff Ingram.
Members of the 2008 steering committee for the awards were Dick Abbott, Walt and Nancy Adams, Christine Craycroft, Gary and Karen Cross, Eddie Dengg, Lynne Erickson, Stan Fischer, Helen Gregory, Joan Greig, Eileen Fitzsimmons, Carole Maraco, Allan Orashan, Betsy Tomasko, Jim Tucker, Swanny and Ted Voneida, Harold Walker and Steve Zabor.
Bike rodeo set May 10
Aurora's police and fire departments have scheduled their annual bicycle rodeo for May 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Leighton School.
A number of exercises will be offered to test the ability of young riders to handle their bicycles and tricycles. Those who perform the best on the exercises will receive prizes.