It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic William Tanner House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Aurora, IL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I highly recommend this care company. Specifically Marya, one of the executive managers, went above”
“Not only were the caregivers amazing, but The management team was such a pleasure”
“Not only were the caregivers amazing, but The management team was such a pleasure”
“I am a current client of this provider They give her breakfast. We have had other companies,”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care sends friendly caregivers who have”
“I am a past client of this provider I just thought that they were there and”
“The team was fantastic. The young lady that came to my home was attentive and”
“I am a current client of this provider The one woman we really like, we work”
“I am a current client of this provider They help with the shopping. They are useful.”
“I have been with Always Best Care for a year now and I can honestly”
“great service”
“5 Star ⭐️ rating for working for and with Always Best it’s so flexible, and”
“They have good service and are very open to different people”
“You can tell this service truly cares about their clients and clients’ families. They wanted”
“I highly recommend this care company. Specifically Marya, one of the executive managers, went above and beyond to make sure my dad was comfortable, and the care giving was done well. Relatives commented on the house looking cleaner than they could remember! When my father had to move on to more intensive setting, Marya helped take stress off the family by helping us conduct legwork in locating a facility. Even though Dad has moved on, Marya still shows care and concern for our family by periodically checking in. Thank you for everything!!”
“Not only were the caregivers amazing, but The management team was such a pleasure to work with and are very caring and concerned for their clients.”
“Not only were the caregivers amazing, but The management team was such a pleasure to work with and are very caring and concerned for their clients.”
“I am a current client of this provider They give her breakfast. We have had other companies, but we have been able to stick with always best for a while.”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care sends friendly caregivers who have had a positive impact on Pamella's life. Always Best Care is very responsive and helpful to me. They provide reliable and quality caregivers.”
“I am a past client of this provider I just thought that they were there and did a great job. I thought they were very caring.”
“The team was fantastic. The young lady that came to my home was attentive and conscientious about my property, as well as my needs. I am truly impressed by the organization, the quality of people and the way they do business.”
“I am a current client of this provider The one woman we really like, we work really well. I like the one person we get every week. It depends on who you have and how well they're trained.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help with the shopping. They are useful.”
“I have been with Always Best Care for a year now and I can honestly tell you they are some of the best people to work with, Cindy conducted my interview and walked me through the hiring process and explained my duties and responsibilities to my client, she's always available for any questions that you may have. Ragu the owner has an opened door policy where we can call him at any time and he will address any concerns that we may have. Nicole is the newcomer to the group she is the scheduler And she works within the schedule that we give her, she's also willing to make last minute adjustments if we need the day off or if there's an emergency with no problem this agency in my humble opinion is one of the best to work for.”
“great service”
“5 Star ⭐️ rating for working for and with Always Best it’s so flexible, and understanding I appreciate Always Best We had a wonderful experience working With Mr. Raghu he’s very kind and considerate not only to the people we care for but to his employees to. I encourage all caregivers to join our team today you will love it.”
“They have good service and are very open to different people”
“You can tell this service truly cares about their clients and clients’ families. They wanted to ensure they were satisfied as well. The only reason I did not give 5 stars was due to some disconnect I felt with communication, but they were very responsive when I reached out. Would definitely try them again if (God forbid) the need arises for the care of an ill loved one.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting McCullough Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Turf Room or visit Holbrook Mill, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Aurora, IL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Aurora, IL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Aurora, IL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
ILLINOIS — The estimated jackpot in Saturday’s Powerball drawing is $1.7 billion, though Illinois players are about as likely to win it as they are to be eaten by a shark.The Powerball jackpot surged higher after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Wednesday night — white balls 3, 16, 29, 61, 69 and red Powerball 22. The Power Play multiplier was 2.Although no one hit the $1.4 billion jackpot on Wednesday, a $1 million Powerball ticket was sold in Aurora on Wednesday night, according to the Illinois Lotter...
ILLINOIS — The estimated jackpot in Saturday’s Powerball drawing is $1.7 billion, though Illinois players are about as likely to win it as they are to be eaten by a shark.
The Powerball jackpot surged higher after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Wednesday night — white balls 3, 16, 29, 61, 69 and red Powerball 22. The Power Play multiplier was 2.
Although no one hit the $1.4 billion jackpot on Wednesday, a $1 million Powerball ticket was sold in Aurora on Wednesday night, according to the Illinois Lottery's website.
The winning ticket was sold at Joe's Tobacco and Vape, located at 1945 W. Galena Blvd.
Wednesday's drawing proved lucky for eight other Illinois players:
The Powerball jackpot has now soared to $1.7 billion, a $770.3 million cash value. It is the third-largest jackpot in the game's history. The roll began on June 2, with more than 1.3 million tickets sold since. Illinois Lottery players have won almost $15.7 million in prizes.
Powerball vendors in Illinois are listed on the Illinois lottery website.
Each ticket sold is also a win for retailers, who earn a selling bonus of 1 percent of the prize amount on any winning tickets.
The next Powerball drawing will take place Saturday at 9:59 p.m. Central Time. Tickets — costing $2 each — must be purchased by 9 p.m. that day to be considered, according to the Illinois Lottery. For an additional $1 per ticket, players can add the Power Play for a chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes.
Now, about those odds: They’re terrible, at 1 in 292.2 million. They are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes becoming ever larger as they repeatedly roll over when no one wins.
The sportsbook Bookies.com compared the odds of winning the jackpot to other “real-life” events. The odds of being eaten by a shark are 1 in 264 million, although the odds of being attacked are lower, at 1 in 15 million.
Here are five more comparisons:
Powerball officials note that the odds are far better — 1 in 24.9. — for the game’s many smaller prizes. More than 6.3 million tickets won a cash prize in Wednesday’s drawing.
Nationwide, 11 tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes in Wednesday's drawing. California and Georgia each had two $1 million tickets, and Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio and Pennsylvania each had one $1 million ticket.
Four tickets sold in Michigan, Oregon, Texas and Wyoming matched all five white balls, but were worth $2 million because the players purchased the $1 PowerPlay option.
There were also 117 tickets that won $50,000 prizes (Match 4 + PB) and 36 tickets that won $100,000 prizes (Match 4 + PB + Power Play).
In total, more than 6.3 million tickets won cash prizes in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing.
In the Double Play drawing, two tickets sold in Pennsylvania and Maine, each won a $500,000 prize after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to play their Powerball numbers again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. Double Play drawings are held after each Powerball drawing.
Saturday’s drawing will be the 42nd since the Powerball jackpot was last won on May 31, 2025, in California. The current streak is the game record for the most consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner. Previously, the record stood at 41 drawings, which occurred last on April 6, 2024, with a $1.326 billion jackpot won in Oregon.
Here are the top 10 Powerball jackpots:
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As of Monday afternoon, the city's Street Maintenance Division completed almost half of all calls for service, the mayor said.AURORA, IL — Aurora experienced "significant tree damage" after storms rolled through the Chicagoland area Saturday night, with West Side residents seeing the most impact, Aurora Mayor John Laesch said in an update Monday evening.More than 19,000 ComEd customers were without power, and many trees were damaged in wards 4, 5 and 6. More than 300 requests for service were filed through myA...
AURORA, IL — Aurora experienced "significant tree damage" after storms rolled through the Chicagoland area Saturday night, with West Side residents seeing the most impact, Aurora Mayor John Laesch said in an update Monday evening.
More than 19,000 ComEd customers were without power, and many trees were damaged in wards 4, 5 and 6. More than 300 requests for service were filed through myAurora 311, Laesch said.
"In situations like this, a safe and timely recovery is our top priority," he said in a video address. "Following the storms, city staff immediately rose to the occasion and quickly assembled to begin addressing issues throughout the city."
As of Monday afternoon, the city's Street Maintenance Division completed almost half of all calls for service, deploying all crews as well as some contracted help, and ComEd restored service to about 90 percent of customers.
Crews are working around the clock to answer all calls, Laesch said.
For the next two weeks, residents can place fallen branches and tree limbs on the curb right away — "There is no need to wait until your garbage day for this service," city officials wrote on Facebook Monday evening.
Branches and limbs measuring between half an inch to four inches in diameter and two to four feet in length must be bundled. Each bundle has to weigh less than 50 pounds and can be placed on the curb without a waste sticker. For brush less than a half-inch in diameter to be picked up, it must be placed in a paper yard waste bag with a sticker attached.
"Aurora, we're a strong, tight-knit community," Laesch said. "I want to again thank our first responders and public employees that worked so hard in the hot, humid conditions to clean up our streets. I also want to thank the community for really stepping up to look after your neighbors by helping with their downed trees, and helping to clear off streets and sidewalks in your neighborhood. That's what makes us all stronger together."
Welcome to the Rock.The town of Gander, Newfoundland, is called the Rock. The current production at Paramount Theatre is the emotional but uplifting true story Come From Away by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. This is the story of the citizens Gander helping 7000 strangers during that horrible week following the attacks on September 11, 2001. US air space was closed so 200 planes coming in from Europe were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland. This show is referred to as a “nonstop flight so no intermission”. It runs through Oct...
Welcome to the Rock.
The town of Gander, Newfoundland, is called the Rock. The current production at Paramount Theatre is the emotional but uplifting true story Come From Away by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. This is the story of the citizens Gander helping 7000 strangers during that horrible week following the attacks on September 11, 2001. US air space was closed so 200 planes coming in from Europe were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland. This show is referred to as a “nonstop flight so no intermission”. It runs through October 12.
Come From Away was one of the first Broadway shows to reopen after the pandemic. Under the direction of Jeff Award-winning Trent Stork, this story of strangers being welcomed under circumstances no one could have imagined, shows us the world as it used to be. The passengers came from all over the world: different languages, different faiths, different skin colors – even animals received loving care.
Everyone was welcome. Beulah Cooper (Abby C. Smith) opened her home as did others. She became very close with passenger Hannah O’Rourke (Soara-Joye Ross in a memorable Paramount debut). Beulah and Hannah have sons who are firefighters. Side note: Hannah passed away on August 10, 2025 at the age of 91. She and Beulah remained friends and in touch since 2001 and saw many productions of this show together. Each member of this ensemble of 16 plays different characters. Beverley the pilot (Andrea Prestinario) was the first female commercial pilot for American Airlines.
They tell brief stories of their lives and how they did not know what happened in New York. No one was told so they had no idea of where they were going. As Gander is getting ready for the arrival of 7000 strangers, they plan accordingly from food, medical and baby needs, where to house them.
The passengers stay in Gander the rest of the week. There are times when the stress overflows and words are spoken. They start bonding with each other and the residents. When the planes were able to leave, passengers and the residents see how difficult it is to say goodbye.
During the week, Hannah has not yet heard from her firefighter son. Before the end, we find out what happened to everyone involved, the good and the sad. Hannah’s son perished in one of the towers. A man and woman, who were passengers but did not know each other, became a couple (Ron E. Rains and Susie McMonagle).
They take a walk along the water and rain begins. Yes it is raining on the stage. To be honest, it was quite a relaxing moment. Before the cast leaves the stage, the musicians, under the direction of Kory Danielson, have been at the rear of the stage, are able to be front and center to play some uplifting music as the cast and audience clap and dance. It is a wonderful way to end this well told story.
The set designed by Milo Bue is used as multiple areas of the story from the planes to homes to school buses and to the outside with rocks. The lighting designed Greg Hoffman gives another dimension to this story. Kasey Alfonso’s choreography is joyous and fun. Everyone is having a good time.
This is an emotional story. It also gives hope to see how people can come together in a time of crisis. I believe we can still do that. The world changed on September 11 – for better and worse. It comes down to being kind and showing compassion. This show is a great reminder about that. Thank you Paramount.
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With new water testing standards, Aurora officials said certain homes were bound to exceed the EPA's action level for lead in water.AURORA, IL — Some Aurora homes have "elevated levels" of lead in their drinking water, city officials confirmed.Between January and June, members of the city's Water Production Division analyzed 100 samples of water, finding more than 10 percent exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's action level for lead — 15 parts per billion, or 0.015 milligrams per liter....
AURORA, IL — Some Aurora homes have "elevated levels" of lead in their drinking water, city officials confirmed.
Between January and June, members of the city's Water Production Division analyzed 100 samples of water, finding more than 10 percent exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's action level for lead — 15 parts per billion, or 0.015 milligrams per liter.
Officials emphasized in a public notice Monday afternoon that the result does not mean all drinking water in Aurora contains lead, and water originating from the city's Water Treatment Plant does not have lead in it. But given the results, the city is required by law to notify all residents.
The outcome of the tests serves as a "statistical representation of lead found in specific qualified homes that participated in the sampling program," according to the notice. Aurora credited the findings to the Illinois EPA instituting new water testing standards in late 2024.
Previously, staff only had to test the first liter of water that came out of a faucet for lead particles. The new testing standards require the fifth liter of water to also undergo testing.
"This testing change will contribute to a higher rate of lead being found, as the fifth liter of water has spent more time in the lead service line, causing more particles to be present when testing," Aurora officials wrote in the notice. "The particles come from the lead service line, not the water treatment plant."
The city shared what actions it is taking to mitigate lead exposure risks from drinking water:
Aurora has replaced 2,520 lead service lines since 2018, and more are scheduled in the coming years.
"The City of Aurora will continue its commitment to protecting the health and well-being of every household in the community through proper testing, treatment, and supply of water," officials wrote in the public notice.
There are no true westerns anymore.Part of the dialogue from the current production in the BOLD series at Paramount’s Copley Theatre. The late, great Sam Shepard’s 1980 play True West is running through August 31. There is a reason this series is called BOLD. This is an intense, dark and, at times, funny play. There are moments of holding your breath, gasping out loud and, sometimes, laughing.The emotions of this play grab you in different ways during each scene. It’s the story of 2 estranged brothers who are ...
There are no true westerns anymore.
Part of the dialogue from the current production in the BOLD series at Paramount’s Copley Theatre. The late, great Sam Shepard’s 1980 play True West is running through August 31. There is a reason this series is called BOLD. This is an intense, dark and, at times, funny play. There are moments of holding your breath, gasping out loud and, sometimes, laughing.
The emotions of this play grab you in different ways during each scene. It’s the story of 2 estranged brothers who are now living together in their Mother’s home while she is in Alaska. Austin (Jack Ball making his memorable Copley debut) is a screenwriter and is hoping to make a deal with producer Saul Kimmer (smoothly played by Joshua L. Green). Austin’s brother Lee (terrifyingly played by Ben Page) arrives shortly before Saul. Lee needs money so he robs homes at night.
He learns from Austin that a screenplay can reap monetary rewards so he decides to do a screenplay. It is a very bizarre Western. He meets Saul and convinces him to play to golf so he can pitch his idea. Saul loses the golf game to Lee. They had made a bet that if Saul lost, he would do Lee’s screenplay and not Austin’s. This begins a very horrible sibling rivalry. Austin now is drinking heavily and Lee is trying to write his screenplay. At this point it feels like the brothers have switched personalities.
Between Austin’s drunkenness and the constant crickets, Lee loses composure in a way that has the audience holding its breath. The house is now a mess. Lee and Austin are trying to one up each other. During all of this, their Mother (Caron Buinis) arrives home. Her sons are out of control and fighting. She doesn’t stay long. Austin and Lee continue to fight and as the stage goes to black at the end, there is no resolution. The audience does not know how it ends. We have to draw our own conclusion.
Artistic Director and director, Jim Corti, has created a work that will give you pause about family, truth and control. The other star of this production is the kitchen designed by Lauren M. Nichols. It looks like a working kitchen which includes a wall phone and fully stocked cabinets. In one scene, Austin is making coffee – you can smell the coffee. In another scene, which is incredibly funny, there are toasters and Austin has made toast. Yes, you can smell the toast. Sound designer Forrest Gregor has the crickets chirping from outside throughout the entire show. Properties Designer Ivy Thomas has made sure the kitchen is complete in every way possible.
This is not a happy story, but if you want to see and hear good storytelling, this is the show. Sam Shepard brought out the best and worst in actors in performing his works. This is his legacy. It has been performed many times. This production is one not to be missed. Copley, I think Sam would be very proud of this telling.
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